I booked a flight using mileages for my diving trip to Palau.
My flight is conveniently at 8:50 pm from Narita Airport allowing to work at office till 5 pm to rush to the airport.
Narita Airport is not opened for 24 hours; the last flight departs before 10 pm.
The airport is quiet at this time.
I had dinner at Snack & Cafe Avion
Yeah, these are definitely snacks!
I’m waiting for my boarding time… fufufu
Boarded and waiting for take off!!!
I am invited for the Palace Hotel’s reception to have a hotel tour and to enjoy their drinks and food.
The Hotel is located nearby the Imperial Place and Marunouchi Financial District, Tokyo; the view from the hotel is nice and open.
The hotel is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World with nice facilities.
Banquet Rooms
Evian Spa
And Rooms
Fortunately, my boss couldn’t make it to this event because he was ordered to attend a meeting that he couldn’t escape from.
I had nice drinks, food and chat with my friend from a sister organization.
Her boss cannot make it, neither because he caugh a flue: influenza.
We simply enjoyed the event without our superiors presence!
Furthermore, the event is free!
And so sweet of them, I received a door gift: raisin and cranberry witches.
My friends from Singapore gave me this Singaporean brand TWG Alfonso (Mango) Iced Tea for a sourvenir.
It has rich Mango fragrance and deep flavour.
It turned my room into a nice cafe.
In the evening, I remember I have a voucher that expires on 31 August 2017 for a free sandwich or desert at Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi, Tokyo.
I decided to get a sandwich and juice for dinner.
Unfortunately, a store that I picked sold out an egg sandwich so I got a pudding.
To my sirprise, Recipe and Market’s pudding is so eggy!
It’s small, but can give you satisfaction!
It was a cafe day and calming day.
Tonight, I enjoyed Apple Wine at the dinner with Mom.
We went to Hokkaido last year and bought this unique apple wine on 25 September 2016 at Nikka Wiskey Factory, Yoichi, Hokkaido.
If you are interested in Hokkaido, please check my previous blog.
We showed photos each other and shared our memories.
We also plan for our next trip♪
I used my mobile points to request a free gift of Nagano Beer: Captain Crow by OH! LA! HO! BEER.
A set of 10 cans will be delivered early September.
It’s still hot in Tokyo and I will surely enjoy Extra Pale Ale of Nagano, Japan beer!
On the way to the diving shop, I thought I’m lucky today because I found two crabs on the street.
This is Mikomoto Hammers, specialized in Hammerhead Sharks.
However, I could upload only these fish: threeline grunt, yellow striped butterfish, etc.
Between divings, I ate threeline grunt at Moki, Umi no Ie (Beach House Restaurant), Yumigahama Kaigan (Yumigahama Beach) Nuhahaha
Unfortunately, I couldn’t catch even one Hammerhead Shark; though, I appreciate Komei-san for his warm hearted guide and teaching me to improve my diving skills.
Thank you Komei-san, thank you Mikomoto.
I returned to Tokyo by Marine Express Odoriko 75.
I came to Mikomoto for practice and catching Hammerhead Sharks.
Today visibility was okay, average of 15 m, maximum 20m.
When I take this photo, I had a light.
I took this photo without light; it’s more in green.
This how we dive in a party.
I told my instructor that I’m sick of Takabe ( yellow striped butterfish) and want to watch Hammerhead Sharks!
Due to Typhoon 5, I didn’t have clear sight for last two dives.
Today, I could see the beautiful landscape of Mikomoto.
After diving, went to Korean BBQ Keiuma for dinner.
It’s delicious so a phone of this restaurant never stops at dinner time for reservation.
And this restaurant is highly recommend
I will continue to dive tomorrow; therefore, I’m staying at Pension Minami-Izu Shokan that is walking distance to my diving shop: Mikomoto Hammers.
A room is cute and private Onsen (Hot Spring) is nice.
Private Hot Spring
This Pension is also highly recommended.
I wish I can catch Hammers tomorrow.
Oyasuminasai.
I received fresh tuna directly from a fisherfamily’s boat!
Recently, we became friends in Kushimoto, Wakayama.
They are fisherfamily (not only men, family) and catch Kihada Maguro (Yellowfin Tuna).
It’s so nice of them to send me fresh tuna!
I had Sashimi tonight and I could say it’s fresher than Tsukiji!
Arigatogozaimasu, Aiko san & Family!
I started my day with a breakfast @ Minokichi, Hotel New Hankyu Kyoto, Kyoto.
First, I stopped by at Kami Kamo Jinja (Kami Kamo Shrine).
First Torii (Shrine Gate)
Noh Butai (Noh Dance Stage)
Second Torii (Second Shrine Gate)
Main Area
There are two mountains of sands to purify the place.
We can find two mountains of salts at the entrance of restaurants and stores; this place is the origin for the ritual.
Unfortunately, exterior of the main hall is under renovation.
I prayed at the Main Building of Shrine and the shrine is beautiful; this shrine is registered as the World Heritage in 1994.
Then, I took Eizan Densha (Eiden: Eizan Railway) from Demachiyanagi Station to Kifuneguchi Station.
Some seats are facing windows to admire scenery.
Kifune is famous for Kifune Jinja (Kifune Shrine) and Kawadoko Lunch.
I look forward for this Kawadoko Lunch; literally it means river floor.
It’s hot during the Summer; therefore, people built a lunch place on the river to cool down.
I took an image photo.
I had this Kawadoko Lunch at Kifune-So, Kifune, Kyoto.
It’s naturally cooling!
Water is so close!
I ate my lunch in splash of water and I enjoyed it!
I love it!!!
After enjoying nice local Kyoto Cuisine, I visited Kifune Jinja.
We took a train back to Takaragaike Station.
Next is my last stop in Kyoto: Kyotsukemono Nishiri (Kyoto Pickles Shop Nishiri).
Free pickles sampling with white wine!
I arrived Kyoto Station.
While waiting for my Shinkansen, I was busy enjoying KYOTO.
First, I stopped by Gion Tsujiri (green tea speciality shop) to enjoy Green Tea and Matcha Soft Cream.
I still had more than a half hour; I also stopped by Kyoto’s local coffee shop: Inoda’s Coffee.
I had a traditional Cream Soda (melon soda with a scoop of vanilla ice cream).
Time’s up… Sayonara Kyoto.
My Shinkansen arrived, but Oops, I missed a nose of Shinkansen.
I’m going to miss this scenery.
I listened to special Disney songs by keying access code which is labeled on Sokenbicha (non-caffeine blended tea) bottles while eating dinner on Shinkansen.
I enjoyed this trip to Nara and Kyoto; I would love to visit these places again.
I had a Japanese breakfast at Minokichi, the Hotel New Hanshin Kyoto, Kyoto.
We departed Hotel for Kameoka Station to catch a Sagano Romantic Train (trolley train).
At Sagano, we have choice of ride: hours coach, Hozugawa (Hozu River) boat ride and trolley train.
This time, I choose trolley train.
The train has come.
But isn’t it back of train…?
The view from window is nice.
This is the front of train.
Looks cool!
We arrived at the last station.
After a train ride, we went to Shigetsu Restaurant at Tenryuji (Tenryu Temple).
This is Zen Vegetarian Cuisine.
Don’t worry, we can request a chair and it is very very VERY delicious!
Highly recommended!
Tenryuji is known for a beautiful Japanese garden.
I also walked inside of Tenryuji’s main hall: Daihojo.
The drawing on the sliding doors is beautiful as if a dragon is alive.
Then visited Rokuonji (Rokuon Temple), famously known Kinkajuji (Kinkaku Temple).
It’s beautifully in gold.
I returned to hotel for the night event.
After freshing up, I watched Maiko’s dance on the roof of the hotel.
Maikos are trainees of Geisha; therefore, they are less than 20 years old.
Hotel turned off the lift for the main event: Gozan no Okuribi.
This event will be held on 16 August annually.
This is Buddhist ceremony to send spirit back to heaven.
Five letters or symbols will be lighted by fire on five mountains.
大 (Dai, meaning Large)
This is famous Daimonjiyaki (Dai letter in fire).
Unfortunately, the letter didn’t face in my way.
Funa Gata (Shape of Ship) on the right and Hidari Daimonji (Left Dai Letter) on the left.
Torii (Shape of Shrine Gate)
During day time, we drove by where Hidari Daimonji will be lighted.
This is how it’s prepared.
After enjoying the evening, I had late dinner.
It was nice Kyoto local food.
I spent another memorable day today.
