Posted in Beauty, Choco-chan, Family, Feelings, Flower, Friends, Tokyo

Unpredicted Sunday

I woke up early to make breakfast for five.

After breakfast, originally, I supposed to wait for a guest who planned to meet her relative at home while Mom sending two guests to Tokyo Station.

However, the guest changed her mind and followed Mom to Tokyo Station to send friends off and continued to walk in Ginza.

Suddenly, I became free.

I quickly made a reservation for spa.

I need spa after serving guests for days.

I managed to take a quality nap to energize myself.

I happily returned home after spa feeling fresh and excited to go for a nice dinner (that what Mom’s friend promised).

However, they had a big lunch at Ginza and already decided to eat lightly at home.

I was disappointed because I had left over from last night instead of fine dining dinner.

Oh well, I went for a walk with Choco after my dinner.

Night Sakura viewing cheered me up.

It’s beautiful.

Posted in Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo

Sakura Viewing

It is the best time for enjoying viewing Sakura in Tokyo.

We are having guests for Sakura viewing; we took guests to my favorite breakfast place: La Pain Quotidien, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

While having a breakfast, I read the electrical board…

Tokyo Midtown Roppongi is celebrating its 12th Anniversary today.

On that note, Chandon will start give 500 glasses of rose champaign at 11:00 am.

We waited and got a glass.

After enjoying a glass of champagne, we went to Nogi General House.

We returned to home and received more guests.

Eight of us had a lunch box from Akasaka Yushoku and a dessert from Sun Fruits, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

Some guests left after lunch; but Mom and guests continued chatting.

We ordered Dean & Deluca’s Party Set for dinner to relax at home and continued chatting.

The party set is just nice for five of us.

Mom and guests continued chatting till late night.

What an energy!

Posted in Choco-chan, Exercise, Feelings, Flower, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Nature, Place, Restaurants, Tokyo

Sunny Day Sunday

Our guest loves breads so I started my day at my favorite brunch place: Le Pain Quotidien, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

After guest happily left for home, Choco and I had a walk at the park in the afternoon.

There are many people and dogs at the park enjoying a picnic/ohanami (Sakura Viewing), walking, taking photos of Sakura.

We enjoyed sunny Sunday and Japanese garden.

We continued to get lazy at home. hahaha

Posted in Art, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, My Flower Arrangement, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo, Travel

Flowerly Saturday

My Sensei (teacher) reopened flower arrangement class at her house, Kichijoji.

It’s a nice town and there are many small cafes and stores.

Kichijoji has been introduced on TV, but this is my first time to visit the town.

Sensei’s house is built at Taisho jidai (era); it’s about 100 years old.

There are many vintages or antiques here and there.

Old glass…

Old furniture…

Old clock…

It was fun to arrange with classmates and Sensei.

We had tea time after the arrangement to catch up on each other.

On the way back to the station, we took a street where there are many cafes and shops.

Vintage Shops

Venetian Glass Shop.

Kichijoji Petit Mura (Village): there are a cat cafe and few stores.

We tried Sake sampling.

We had tea break at Sensei’s house, but it wasn’t enough so we continued at Mi Cafeto, Kichijoji Station. hahaha

After enough chatting, I took Inogashira Line back to Shibuta.

For dinner, we (Mom and Mom’s friend) went to have Hitsumabushi (eel and eel porridge) at Maruya, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

Hitsumabushi is Nagoya speciality; of course, this restaurant is originated from Nagoya.

We went one floor down to HARBS to get few cakes back home.

These cakes were nice: Sakura Cake and Mille Crepe.

It was a nice day.

I visited a new town – Kichijoji, participated in my favorite flower arrangement class, nice tea and dinner with friends and family.

Posted in Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Nature, Place, Restaurants, Tokyo

Foodie Friday

Japan Metrological Agency officially announced Sakura blooming yesterday.

Officers determine when by witnessing more than 5 Sakura flowers on a Sakura Tree at Yasukuni Jinja (Yasukuni Shrine).

There are more Sakura blooming in town.

The weather is nice so we walked extra to go for lunch at Malaysian Cuisine Rasa Malaysia, Ginza.

I had a lunch set: soup, salad, Prawn Chili Noodle and Bubur Chacha.

On the way back to the office, we admired a nice Sakura Bonsai tree.

It’s so lovely.

For dinner, we had nice tempura at Tempura Yamanoue (Hilltop) Roppongi, Tokyo Midtown Roppongi.

These are fresh and delicious.

Deserts are also nice: melon and Sakura ice cream.

We enjoyed nice sizzling Tempura with smile.

The sent of smile enhanced food.

Posted in Art, Experience, Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Health, Hotel, Place, Restaurants, Shrine and Temple, Sunrise and Sunset, Surprise, Travel

Trip to Egypt (Day 2 Part 2)

I’m spending relaxing Sunday with Chocolate at home today, cleaning room, doing laundry, etc.

Therefore, I decided to continue where I left it on my trip to Egypt.

I thought I would have time to upload about my trip sooner; but simultaneously, I had something that I wanted to share on that day that prevented me to continue.

Well, my second day in Egypt had been a long day.

We slept on the flight from Tokyo to Cairo; then continued our first half of sightseeing of the day.

We finally reach to our lodging for three nights: the Moon Dance Cruiser.

We were welcomed by Hibiscus Drink and my room is named my favorite “Da Vinci”.

To my surprise, the room is spacious for a cruise.

There is a spacious living room; I mainly use this room as my wardrobe.

There is a welcome fruit plate in the bedroom.

Fruits are delicious for deserted area.

Everyday, bed was made nicely.

Cobra hahaha

There is a basin then toilet, shower booth and…

Sauna!

First, I was excited about having a sauna in the room.

However, this sauna was newly equipped the the recent renovation; therefore, the staff doesn’t know how to turn it on properly or lack of informing us on how to use.

First night, it went up only 40 C.

I thought Egyptians enjoy sauna in low temperature.

I found it can go up to 70C from other tour mates the next day.

The second night, I asked the staff to on the sauna again.

Originally, I was informed it will take 10 mins to heat up so I prepared accordingly.

However, it took 10 mins to go up to 40 C and another a half hour to reach 70 C.

My body got cold while waiting for the sauna to heat up.

The third night, I turned on sauna early so that by the time I come back from dinner, it would be just ready.

Well, it reached 70 C before going for dinner.

I happily came back to the room and found sauna was cold as 40 C.

I was frustrated and I followed what staff was doing previous night.

I turned the switch and heard ticking sound… it has the timer.

Ahhhhh, I had to wait for 40 mins again.

I was frustrated so I put pajama and stick Hokkairo (hot plasters) on me and sat in the sauna and waited to reach 70 C.

I made my own sauna and managed to sweat.

By the time, I learned about the sauna, it’s time to get off the cruise. Sigh

After quickly inspecting our room facilities, we had our lunch on the cruise

It’s buffet lunch and I enjoyed food and drink.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are precious in Egypt; therefore, fresh juice is more expensive than alcohol.

Usually, it’s vise versa.

I enjoyed all fresh fruit juice and this is banana juice.

After lunch, we departed for the Luxor Temple.

This temple was built over 3,000 years ago…?

Therefore, this temple was used by others as well.

There is a mosque in the temple; Muslims modified the temple partially during their time.

At the other end, there is a church.

Nonetheless, we can find many Egyptian legacy in the temple.

This is Rameses II; the great Pharaoh (King) who united the North and South Egypt.

You find lotus and papyrus flower at the foot of two men who are tied by a rope.

Lotus is symbol of the North Egypt and papyrus is the South Egypt; therefore, this statue represents Ramses II united the North and South Egypt.

Ramses II had a beautiful and supportive wife: Nefertari.

I leaned a great lesson recently; I was like why this, why not, etc., I was frustrated.

Today, I realize I am happy just loving him.

I can understand how much Nefertari loved him by looking at her statue.

She is such a loving person.

There is another symbol of great love: Tutankhamen and Ankhsesnamum.

She also supported him with her great love.

There are many beautiful and meaningful motif.

We tried to read Hieroglyphic Alphabets from this chart to understand the story of motif.

There was culture

and great engineering skill.

How could it end…?

We returned to the cruise.

The cruise parked in front of the Luxor Temple so that we could continue admire the Luxor Temple in warm orange when the sun is setting.

On that day, or room was facing the Valley of the Kings.

We watched the sun setting from the room.

After the sun set, the petro station parked next to our cruise to supply the fuel.

It’s very convenient!

I enjoyed food and drink in Egypt.

After returned to the room, what happened with sauna is explained earlier. hahaha

Other than that the bed is comfortable and I slept well.

Posted in Beauty, Choco-chan, Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, My Flower Arrangement, Restaurants, Surprise, Tokyo, Travel, Work

Birthday Events

You must be wondering what happened to my trip to Egypt.

Well, internet access was slow so I decided to go on digital detox and took sleep to enjoy my trip.

I returned to work on the next day I came back from Egypt and I had a pile of work waiting for me with a very short notice project.

I will try to share my amazing trip to Egypt soonest possible.

Due to work, I totally forgot about my birthday, 3 March, till Friday, 1 March 2019.

The Japanese sweet store, Fugetsu-do, reminded me of my birthday by looking at displayed Japanese traditional sweet and Ohina-sama (Dolls) for Hinamatsuri (Dolls Day) on 3 March.

I bought these sweets to at least celebrate my birthday because I had no plan on my birthday at that time.

I admired their Ohina-Sama at the store.

I totally forgot to decorate my mini dolls.

After I thought of my birthday, my friends contacted me to plan celebrating my birthday.

So sweet of them!

I started my Birthday Eve, 2 March 2019, with Spa.

I planned this before to treat myself.

I also sent Choco for spa and grooming.

I hope he enjoys like how I enjoy.

My spa gave me a birthday gift (chocolate in rose shape from Message de Rose) so I enjoyed it with a glass of wine.

I haven’t arranged flower for a while so I thought I should decorate a room with floor for my birthday.

Flower always bring me smiles.

I had my birthday eve dinner at Sushi Restaurant Sushi Ishii, Akasaka, Tokyo.

This restaurant allows a pet on Saturday night.

That means… Choco also joined Sushi dinner!

Though he didn’t have any piece, it was a nice dinner (for me for sure. hahaha)

On my birthday, I started with Brunch at Gaston & Gasper, Roppongi.

Of course, Choco joined me.

Choco was interested in my take out ice cream that I can make on my own.

I know it looks nice, but Sorry Choco, I cannot share it with you

At 3 pm, friends visited me to celebrate my birthday with a delicious birthday cake from La Maison and savoy.

I decorated mini Ohina Sama collection.

We laughed till evening.

I thought I would have a quiet day for my birthday two days ago; but it turned out to be a nice weekend.

Thank you my friends and Choco to celebrate my birthday with me.

Posted in Art, Experience, Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Place, River, Sunrise and Sunset, Travel

Trip to Egypt (Day 2 Part 1)

We took a domestic flight to Luxor.

When we arrived Cairo at 3:50 am, it was dark; therefore, I couldn’t see the city.

Now it’s 6:15 am and we can see the city of Cairo clearly.

And sunrise.

We see houses in desert.

I enjoyed juice and cookies on the flight.

And these are also written in Arabic.

I enjoyed views from plane.

The landscape is breath taking and reminded me of Grand Canyon.

These landscapes might have created by Great Nile River.

We can clearly witness bless from Nike River; so rich and green.

This is town of Luxor.

And we landed Luxor International Airport after one hour journey.

I’m glad to know that my suitcase also arrived Luxor International Airport with me.

I started sightseeing in Luxor.

First visited Karnak Temple.

There are mini Sphinx to receive us.

There are few theories for construction method of gates.

These sands/rocks support one of theories that old Egyptians made a slope to build higher.

This is a papyrus columns.

There are a total of ten papyrus columns on two sides to be lined symmetry.

There is a section with 134 papyrus columns..

These used to be painted in nice colours.

After walking through Papyrus Columns; there are two Obelisks.

There is one wall full of Hieroglyph.

These are nice views of the Obelisk.

At the back, there is a road leading to Luxor Temple which is under the repair.

Sacred Pond

There is a Scarab.

According to the guide, if we walk around the Scarab reverse clock wise for three times, it will being good luck, but this matter is not written on the Scarab.

Nonetheless, I walked to wish for good luck. hahaha

It has been a long day because after landing in Cairo, we continued sightseeing.

I will continue the second half day in next blog.