Category: Place

Posted in Exercise, Experience, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Hotel, Music, Nature, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Surprise, Travel

Trip to Australia (Day 2)

Posted on by sonokotchi

According to our tour guide, when this trip was planned there was a direct flight from Melbourne to Ayers Rock everyday.

However, today, the flight is scheduled on some days of week and we couldn’t use that direct flight for our tour schedule.

Therefore, we departed our hotel at 5 am to catch two flights (Melbourne to Sydney and Sydney to Ayers Rock) to reach Ayers Rock.

When we reached to the airport it was still dark.

Each of us received packed breakfast to eat at the airport.

Sun rose and became brighter when we departed Melbourne.

I was still full from a packed breakfast so I brought this banana cake back which was served on the flight.

Konnichiwa Sydney.

It looks a big city to me; perhaps, I should plan to visit one day.

I did some window shopping at the airport while waiting for the next flight.

It was fun to visit various shops to check the trend In the Australian market.

I can kill time just doing window shopping. hahaha

I had lunch on the flight; just nice for my stomach condition.

I also enjoyed smooth free inflight WiFi service. fufufu

I got excited when we were about to land.

I was lucky.; I could see Ayers Rock (Uluru) from the plane.

And Mount Olgas (Kata Tjuta: Many Heads).

Even we landed, we could have a good view of Ayers Rock.

It has proven that we safely landed at Ayers Rock Airport!

We headed for the Sails in the Desert, our hotel for two nights.

We were welcomed by mysterious local music.

After checking-in, we quickly went to our room to get ready (unpack) for the adventure.

We headed for Kara Tjuta.

There is an iconic street on the way to Kata Tjuta.

This road is called the shortest short cut to Perth.

Perhaps, one day I can try 2,000 km journey.

We had a nice walk to the Vally of the Wind in the Walpa Gorge Walk, Mount Olgas.

The Vally of Wind.

The mirror pond looked beautiful today.

Thanks Mount Olgas to welcome me today.

Sun started setting at the direction of Mount Olgas.

Now we are going to enjoy Ayers Rock’s way of sun setting with sparkling wine and finger foods.

First Ayers Rock is in dark colour.

I also tried to drink up Ayers Rock by placing it in my glass upside down.

Sun started setting, then…the colour of Ayers Rock changed to its Amazing red!

It was so romantic: cloud is in amazing gold and full Moon rose from left side of Ayers Rock.

Sun set and Ayers Rock returned to darker colour again.

The other side (the direction of Sun Set) is also beautiful.

We, Japanese, usually appreciate watching Sun Setting, but today otherwise.

We enjoyed Ayers Rock in colour of Sun Set.

Hummm I don’t like this… the dark cloud started spreading….

After enjoying beautiful Sun Setting View, we had a nice picnic dinner.

We supposed to have our romantic dinner at the table like this…

However, we started feeling rain dropping…Some of us took initiative to move to a table under the roof by taking a chair.

And others followed.

It became more romantic and created more cozy atmosphere to unite us closer.

We introduced ourselves and laughed throughout the dinner though rain became harder.

I also enjoyed dessert: a chocolate cake with a hot chocolate.

I made a cup of hot chocolate before announcement of dessert menu. hahaha

We were surely tired because we started today early.

We came back to hotel to rest, hoping to climb Ayers Rock tomorrow.

Please stop lightning, thundering and raining.

PLEASE!!!

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo, Travel

Trip to Australia (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I heard the news that Ayers Rock will close end of October 2019; surely I need to make a trip ASAP.

Tokyo Olympics 2020 is a year away.

I relaxed at the Sakura Lounge, Terminal 2, Narita Airport before our departure.

I enjoyed food and drinks.

I bought some nail polish at airport duty free shops today.

Now it’s boarding time.

I didn’t fly with JAL for few years because I didn’t have a good memory.

This time, I enjoyed their warm hospitality, nice facilities and food & drinks.

I borrowed their cardigan.

Amenity bag is ETRO.

I enjoyed lunch.

After enjoying, they made my bed.

I could sleep comfortably with mattress and full flat seat.

How nice!

I watched the movie, Green Book.

I read woman magazine Domani and Crea.

I also enjoyed sky shopping: Moroccan Oil in travel size.

I further enjoyed light dinner.

It’s any time meal concept so that we order whenever want.

I would like to thank flight attendants to make my journey comfortable.

Thank you for your hospitality; looking forward for returning flight!

To my surprised, immigration went smoothly.

We walked to Royal Park Melbourne Airport to check in.

I spent a full day for traveling today.

Oyasuminasai

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Movie, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo

Star Wars Day

Posted on by sonokotchi

May the 4th Be With You!

I had to go to Roppongi Hills for Star Wars Day.

Unfortunately, the queue is too long for special display area.

Nonetheless, I was so happy to be there to feel the spirit!

There are people wearing costumes!

Simultaneously, there was an event for Pikachu Detective for starting showing on the screen on 3 May 2019.

Pikachu is cute!

We bought a birthday cake at Almond Roppongi on the way back to celebrate OUR (niece’s and my) birthday together.

We sang “Happy Birthday Day You & Me” together. hahaha

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Hotel, Japanese Culture, Movie, Place, Travel

Trip to Malaysia (Day 5)

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s my last day in Kuala Lumpur.

I had Char Kway Teow and Mangosteen for breakfast.

I managed to cross out few more on my wish list. Yeah.

Sayonara my Suite …. Sayonara Pavilion Hotel….

Thank you for your hospitality…

I still want to be with BFF so I asked her to park her car and join me for a coffee (I had a hot chocolate)

Well, I couldn’t stop the watch so I finally went in 30 mins before boarding time.

Everything went smoothly and I arrived at the gate when it was about to open.

I watched unfinished movie, Bohemian Rhapsody and newly released Aquaman.

I also had a dinner (fish) and sandwich for snack on flight.

I miss BFF already.

We stayed in most of the time but I didn’t get board.

It was such a wonderful break and I thank her for spending full four days with me.

I look forward for next vacation with her.

In addition, it is a Special Day for Japan: Accession of the New Emperor/Coronation Day.

We started the new era: Reiwa.

It’s a new start for me.

Posted in Beauty, Feelings, Food, Friends, Hotel, Place, Restaurants, Travel

Trip to Malaysia (Day 4)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I started my day with Sarawakian Style Laksa and some Chinese pao at Courtyard, the Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

And Jack Fruit, grapes and local sweets.

Then I continued pampering myself by going back to Banyan Tree Spa at 10 am for Royal Banyan (3 hrs spa).

First, Foot Spa.

Then mist sauna/steam bath.

Body scrub, full body massage (hand and pouch) and facial (hand and jade stone).

Bath (herbs and rose petals) and refreshment.

I really enjoyed this three hours spa and I definitely would love to come back for it!

I quickly get ready to go out for lunch: nice Pecking Duck at Five Sem5ers, the Westin Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

My BFF reserved a whole Duck for me.

In Japan, Pecking Duck is expensive and although we order for a half or one duck, it means only skin and not including MEAT.

Therefore, when I was asked how I want my meat to be cooked, I was puzzled.

We asked for chef’s/restaurant’s recommendation: spring onion.

I found out what they meant later.

Pecking ducks are prepared in front of us by restaurant staffs.

I enjoyed them very very much because these are luxuriously double potion of Pecking duck skins!

How rich and gorgeous!

Then I understood what a restaurant staff was asking.

We had two more dishes for meat part of duck!

For legs…

And the rest!

How generous they are and there are so much food!

For dessert, I had a nice chendol delivered from Petaling Jaya.

My BFF got it for me.

So sweet of her!

I miss chendol because this dish is not available at any Malaysian restaurants in Tokyo.

This is nicely coconuty (very coconut) with gulu Malacca (coconut sugar/syrup) and fresh coconut milk!

After lunch, I took a power nap for two hours…two hours!

I cannot believe myself because I’ve been sleeping well at night, slept during my body massage, yet took a power nap for two hours…was I that tired…?

Thought we were still full from lunch, we went to the Club Lounge to have light dinner and drinks.

I’m gonna miss the lounge.

Staffs there are so sweet and made us feeling comfortable.

I will also miss this….

I really enjoyed relaxing at the pool side last night so we went back to chill out again.

And I will miss moments in the room: chatting with BFF and ambience of the Urban Suite Room!

I don’t want to go back to Tokyo tomorrow. Boo hoo.

Posted in Exercise, Feelings, Food, Friends, Hotel, Music, Place, Restaurants, Travel

Trip to Malaysia (Day 2)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I took 11:30 pm flight for Kuala Lumpur.

I purchased the ticket at very last minutes; therefore, there are only two seats left when I purchased the ticket.

I’m glad to grab a seat.

I had a cup of red wine and watched A Star is Born on inflight movie.

I managed to sleep a while and took a breakfast before landing.

I landed at 6 am.

My BFF is so sweet to pick me up at the airport despite its early arrival.

She also requested for early check in at the Pavilion Hotel, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur so we could rest in the room upon arrival.

We also had immediate access to the Club Lounge to have our breakfast.

The hotel hospitality is superb!

We took a nap and went for a hotel complementary afternoon tea.

The afternoon tea set was light; therefore, we went back to the Club Lounge for snacking. hahaha

We returned to the room to chill and returned to the Club Lounge for cocktail dinner.

We surely maximized use of the Club Lounge today.

Since the hotel is nicely connected to the Pavilion Mall, we decided to do some exercise by walking at the mall.

We reached to the entrance of the Banyan Tree Hotel.

Since wanted to check out the sky bar: VERTICO, we went for a drink.

It is a bar with incredible Kuala Lumpur Skyline View.

I enjoy overlooking two iconic landmarks of Malaysia: PETRONAS Twin Tower and KL Tower.

It plays nice music so definitely a place to chill in Kuala Lumpur.

I am enjoying a very relaxing vacation in Kuala Lumpur.

I have no motivation to go for sightseeing, food hunting or shopping.

All I want is chit chatting with my BFF.

Obviously, that’s what we’ve doing in the hotel especially in the room. hahaha

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Place, Shopping, Tokyo, Travel

1st Day of Golden Week

Posted on by sonokotchi

According to the Japanese calendar, Japan started 10 days holiday.

My office don’t follow Japanese calendar but recently office announced closing till 1 May 2019.

I can enjoy 5 days off!

I decide to meet my BFF in Kuala Lumpur.

I bought many types of Japanese snacks to relax and chat with her at the hotel room.

I call it Honeymoon arrangement. hahaha

Now I’m relaxing at the airport lounge, Haneda Airport till departure.

I’m having sake and water, but it’s difficult to tell by photo. hahaha

Posted in Choco-chan, Feelings, Food, Place, Restaurants, Shopping, Tokyo

Choco’s Birthday Cake

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s Choco’s 1st Birthday tomorrow.

Since it’s his 1st Birthday, I want to give him a cake.

I ordered roast beef with sweet potato cake for him at Teppanyaki Yasaiya, Roppongi.

There are many dogs at the restaurant.

According to a restaurant staff, there was a dog event at Yoyogi.

I brought bag his cake.

Happy Birthday Choco!!!

I love you and I’m happy to be with you!

Posted in Feelings, Flower, Food, Place, Restaurants, Tokyo, Work

Office Ohanami (Sakura Viewing) Lunch on 9 April 2019

Posted on by sonokotchi

Boss took us out for Ohanami Lunch at the Oven, Aqua City Odaiba, Tokyo.

We luckily managed to get the window view table.

It’s buffet lunch with varieties of food such as Japanese, American, Mexican and Chinese.

I had American and Mexican.

The restaurant is located at the sightseeing spot.

We walked the area for a while.

It was nice refreshment.

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

Sakura Viewing

Posted on by sonokotchi

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!