Tokyo Trip - December 2014 - Part 2 - Around the city of Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is one of the biggest cities in the world. One of the most expensive too. But there are cheaper alternatives - you just have to search and look around for them - meaning you have to walk around and walk some more.

Transportation - you can get a Suica card for 500 Yen (about 5USD) as the base amount and top-up the amount (pre-paid) so you can go anywhere in Tokyo via bus, train or subway. I think we only spent less than 50 USD traveling around Tokyo for our 8 day stay (train fees to and from the airport are not included).

Food - oh yes food. LOL. There's a lot of restaurants around Tokyo, but if you are on a budget, make sure you check out the prices of their menu before you enter. Most of the restaurants have their menu listed with prices outside. The cheap ones are those with ordering machines - somewhat like a vending machine. You insert your money, choose whatever dish you like ( there are pictures ) and it will print out a stub/ticket to be given to the staff.

This is the Suica card - I kept mine as a souvenir haha ... you can return it though and get back the 500 Yen (around 5 USD) deposit. It's not hard to top up the card. You can select English language on the machine as well. It's super easy : insert the card, select the amount, insert the money > done!

Tokyo Trip - December 2014 - Part 1 - Arrival

We were not planning to go to Tokyo for our 2-week trip this year. I actually wanted to go to London! But because of some personal stuff, the plan changed and we booked Tokyo instead for 1 week.

It turned out to be one of the favorite cities I've visited.

The city is lively, has it's own unique character and culture, people are nice and polite, and I felt like I was underdressed most of the time LOL. Sorry I didn't get the memo LOL.

I have tons of photos so I have to divide my posts to several parts - so here's the first part and this is more about our arrival into the city.

We arrived at around 4:30PM at Narita airport. Since we didn't buy the JR Express card (which you can use to ride the trains and bus anywhere in Tokyo, and I heard you can use it to take the bullet train to go outside Tokyo too. Note: you have to buy it outside of Japan) - we went straight to the desk selling train tickets going to the city which will be right in front of you after you exit the arrival gate.

It's 1,500 Yen per person (about 15 USD) for the Narita Express train ride from the airport going to the city. Ask all the questions you have to the sales person regarding where and how to ride the train from where you are before leaving the desk. Look at the ticket given to you, it will tell you the car number and your seats ( they are reserved for you ) - very important.

I'm pretty sure that you will see the train map of Tokyo somewhere along the way - which is overwhelming! But do not even try to study it, it won't help. LOL. Just ask people around you. Or if they don't know too, ask any train officers around - they're everywhere and very very helpful!

Once you reach the platform do not jump into the first train that you will see right away, there's a big chance that is not your train haha. Look for your designated car number first then wait for the JR Express train to arrive. Non-JR express trains use the same platform, so be careful! I guess the best tip here as well is to make sure you check the arrival time of your JR Express train on the ticket - they are always on time. If you are still unsure - ask the train officers walking around.

This is where you can buy the Narita Express ticket from the airport going to the city.

Snapshots from Chinatown in Singapore

We were in Chinatown last weekend to try the burger at Fast Cow Palace restaurant. Yes - burger .... chinatown ... don't really mix well i know, but I must say, their burger was good! A little bit pricey, but search Groupon and you may be able to get some discounted vouchers ;)

Clarke Quay Singapore Snapshots

Well, it's been a while since I posted here. And to be honest, I was not planning to post anything but I just accidentally saw this blog again because I was auto-signed it to this account. After reading my previous postings, I have to say, I was inspired by it again. So here I am, let's see and hope that I will be able to continue this.

These photos were taken around Clarke Quay in Singapore on 25 October 2014. I met some friends near the area and thought of bringing my camera and take some snapshots. I am not sure if it was my camera but I don't think I am super satisfied with these photos - well, yeah, I think it's the camera and not the composition of the shots. HAHAHA... Anyways, hope to post here more!