AirAsiaX Flight Pass

During my university days, Dad used to buy me a MAS 12-month open-ticket to Perth. I would then have the option to nominate my return flight date as and when I wish to fly home. The cost of this ticket is of course much more expensive, but I needed that flexibility depending on when my exams ended.

Then came AirAsia where they are significantly cheaper if you book up to 12 months in advance, and a change of date will impose a penalty, and you also have to pay for the fare difference. Most of the time, it would be cheaper getting a new ticket than trying to change the date of the ticket.

AirAsiaX has now come up with a solution in what they call a Flight Pass. This is purchased via http://www.optiontown.com

Japan 2013: Tokyo + Hokkaido - Day 7 (Sapporo New Chitose Airport to Tokyo)

Date of Travel: 2-12 Aug 2013

Doraemon Waku-Waku Skypark at New Chitose Airport, Sapporo

Today is all about getting ourselves back to Tokyo. A seemingly simple gesture, but a rather tiring one. Directly opposite the Mercure, is the bus stop for the express bus to the New Chitose Airport. Once we arrived, we had great fun at the Sky Park meant for children. It is amazing that the Japanese have utilised the airport as a venue outing for locals. People actually take the train/bus and spend a full day here doing arts and craft, joining in on activities, having meals, and then going home. It's massive and have so many different areas for children to enjoy.

Japan 2013: Tokyo + Hokkaido - Day 6 (Otaru)

Date of Travel: 2-12 Aug 2013

Otaru Canal - Kena bluff! This photo looks way nicer than it actually was

Having given up our car on Day 5, we took the train to Otaru for a day trip, since people say it was easy to get there by train, and difficult to find a parking at Otaru. Bearing in mind that this was summer, I think that was a mistake. All the tourist sites found in Otaru stretches across 2 JR railway stations - Otaru Station and Otaru-Minami station. The obvious choice was to stop at Otaru Station first, and walk to the canal, and then make your way west and shop along the way and finally going home via Otaru-Minami station.

Japan 2013: Tokyo + Hokkaido - Day 5 (Sapporo)

Date of Travel: 2-12 Aug 2013

OMG! It's the Sapporo Beer Festival! But wait - we don't drink beer. D'oh!

Today was meant for wandering around Sapporo, and enjoying the food and shopping. However, it was so freaking hot! I miss our car :( We started out by walking to Nijo market to have brunch. I wanted to test the seafood, and ordered quite a fare bit. Unfortunately, it tasted just mediocre as I have to admit, Nijo Market is meant more for tourists.

Japan 2013: Tokyo + Hokkaido - Day 4 (Unkai, Mitsui Factory Outlet, Sapporo)

Date of travel: 2-12 Aug 2013

Unkai Terrace, Tomamu, Hokkaido

We had a mission this morning, and that was to take the gondola ride up 1100m above sea level, to the Unkai Terrace, in hope of viewing a blanket of clouds. It is a natural phenomenon based on the correct terrain and weather conditions, to make the clouds seem to flow like the sea. We set off from Furano at 4:30am! We eventually got there at approximately 6:00am, and we were blown away by the gondola ride itself. It was like riding into the abyss. This is a picture from a blog of what we could have seen.

Photo credit - http://blog.asiantown.net/-/11627/unkai-terrace-in-japan-must-visit-before-i-die

Japan2013: Tokyo + Hokkaido - Day 3 (Furano)

Date of travel: 2-12 Aug 2013

Shikisai-no Oka Farm, Furano

Today is the most scenic day of our trip. Get ready for a lot of photos!

Furano in summer is basically visiting farm after farm after farm, in hopes of capturing the most beautiful of flowers. Some may have lavender, some may have sunflowers, others have fields of colours. It's up to you to choose which farm to visit. We didn't have a specific itinerary like die-hard travelers to this region. We just drove and stopped where we thought looked nice. Our first stop was towards Patchwork Road.

Lavender are almost withering, but I'm still a happy camper

Japan2013: Tokyo + Hokkaido - Day 2 (Furano)

Date of Travel: 2-12 Aug 2013

Furano, Hokkaido with our rented car

We bought the JetStar Asia flight from Narita to Sapporo for 30960¥(RM1006) for return for 2 persons including 2 check-in luggage. From Toyoko Inn Haneda Kuko I, there was a train to Narita airport but it required a change of train. We got off at the right train station, but did not know where to go to board the correct train. The same platform services multiple lines, and they were all in Japanese. HH soon got the hang of the train lines, and guessing Japanese words. The train ride was a realization what's to come in terms of transport around Tokyo. They have over 20 lines of metro. Shinjuku train station has over 40 platforms. That is another story for another day.

There were many delays that day due to an air-show at Hokkaido. Flights were grounded, and then there was a queue to depart and land. So it was a delay of about 1.5 hours. When we landed at Sapporo airport, we headed to the Nissan counter for our rental car for 3 days. I pre-booked it from http://www2.tocoo.jp/en to get a neat discount. 13125¥(RM426) for a Nissan March for 48 hours. From the Nissan counter, you will be guided to board a bus to the actual Nissan outlet nearby, where you will pickup your car.

Japan2013: Tokyo + Hokkaido - Day 1

Date of Travel: 2-12 Aug 2013

My first trip to Tokyo! (Taken on Day 8 at Shinjuku)

Day 1: The challenge of getting out of Haneda Airport

(Note: This is a lengthy post for those with AirAsiaX tickets and don't know how to get to the city. Skip this if you just want to see photos of the trip)

Autumn in Kyoto - Day 5 Final (26 Nov 2013)

A full day of fun at Arashiyama

With our last full day, we visited the very very VERY touristy town of Arashiyama. By train, it only takes 30 minutes to get there. It's an area with a river running through it, many quaint shops selling mostly souvenirs, and quite a few famous restaurants to try. Don't get discouraged by the bus loads of tourist in that area. Just remember to queue early for the restaurant. My journey was Tenryuji - Bamboo Forest -Jojakkoji - Lunch at Hanana. If you have been following my posts, my second of two favourite temples in Kyoto is Jojakkoji. The flowers are so densely red, as you will see in the photos below.

Autumn in Kyoto - Day 4 (25 Nov 2013)

Photo and story of the day - these pine nut mochis

Our super-duper navigator was really looking forward to today, because it's shopping day for her! On the 25th of each month, a market takes place outside Kitano Tenmangu temple. This is where all sorts of traders bring their items out for sale. Some could be second hand, some are their own handiwork. Unfortunately, this was the only rainy day of our trip but it sure didn't dampen our shopping spirits.

Autumn in Kyoto - Day 3 (24 Nov 2013)

Shinnyo-do Temple. No other humans in this photo except me!

Today we visited the first of two favourite temples from this trip: Shinnyo-do Temple. Why is Shinnyo-do Temple so good? Because the colours were really red, it's free, and there weren't many people there at all.

Autumn in Kyoto - Day 2 (23 Nov 2013)

Our group photo at the Byodo-in Temple grounds

Today is D-Day, Japan's Labor Thanksgiving Day, and we're all geared up to meet the crowds. Just how bad can it get? Our first stop is a very popular temple called Tofukuji. We intentionally scheduled a trip to the outskirts of Kyoto to avoid the crowds in the city itself, with the exception of this temple. We figured that if we arrived here early, we can miss the crowds. Lesson learned - Japanese people wake up very early!

Autumn in Kyoto - Day 1 (22 Nov 2013)

Eikan-do Temple, Kyoto

Nowhere else in the world treats autumn as seriously as Japan. And the peak of it all is at Kyoto. Thousands of maple trees were planted at hundreds of temples around the city, and we chose the busiest time of the season to visit - Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan, which falls on Nov 23. This entire series deals with the peak and crowds faced during the best time of year to visit Kyoto!

Autumn in Kyoto 2013 - Planned Itinerary

Date of Travel: 22-27 Nov 2013

Before I get to my actual post about Kyoto, here's a look at our itinerary. All in all, RM2700 per person which includes airfare, hotel, all meals, transport and entrance fees to sights. Excludes shopping.

Friday 22 Nov
- Land 0825am. Have breakfast at Airport.
- Pickup ICOCA pass & book the tickets for Sagano Scenic Railway at the JR station!
- Catch 09:40am bus from Bus Stop No.12, 1st Fl North Exit for Shuttle to Rinku Town (100yen/way)
- 10:00am arrive Rinku Town Premium Outlet
- 11:40am depart Rinku Town Premium Outlet back to Kansai Airport (taxi or train)
- 12:16-13:31 Train from Kansai Airport to Kyoto
- Transfer to Kyoto Subway Karasuma Line to Shijo
- 15:00pm Check-in to Toyoko Inn Shijo Karasuma
- Rest until 16:00
- Head to Teppanyaki dinner @ 1600 at Hyakuren, 572 Nakanomachi, Uratera Shijo-dori Agaru
- Take Bus #207 to Kiyomizu-dera Temple for night lightup - 23mins 220yen
- Explore Kiyomizu-dera temple (1830-2130 400yen)
- Take Bus #207 @ 2008/2024 back to hotel - 23mins 220yen

Saturday 23 Nov - Fushimi Inari & Uji
- 07:30 breakfast
- Take bus 207 @ 0805 or 0820 (busstop on hotel side) to Tofukuji - 29min 220yen
- Enter Tofukuji temple - 350yen
- Take JR @ 0939 from Tofukuji to Inari - 17min 140yen
- Stroll around Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Lunch Unagi Don at Nezameya Fushimi @ 11:30am
- Take JR @ 1309 or 1322 to Uji - 23min 230yen
- Walk around Byodo-in shopping street
- Visit Byodo-in Temple
- Walk through Uji park, Uji Shrine, and cross the river
- Eat Green Tea ice cream at Itohkyuemon (19-3 Todouaramaki, Uji City, Kyoto. 1000-1800)
- Take Keihan @ 1607/17/37/47 from Mimurodo to Gion-Shijo, transf at Chushojima Station - 28min 300yen
- Shopping at Kawaramachi before dinner
- Dinner near Gion-Shijo
- Walk back to hotel (< 1km)

Sunday 24 Nov - Ginkakuji Area
- 07:30 breakfast
- Take Bus #5 @ 0815 (busstop on hotel side) to Shinnyo-do Temple - 22min 220yen
- Explore Shinnyo-do Temple (0900-1600)
- Walk to brunch at Hinode Udon, 36 Nanzenji Kitanobocho for brunch (1100-1700)
- Alternative brunch at Yamamoto Menzo, 34 Okazaki Minamigoshocho for Udon+Tempura
- Walk to Eikan-do Temple (5min walk) to explore
- Walk to Nanzenji Temple (5min walk) to explore
- Take Bus #5 @ 1403 to Sanjo shopping area - 220yen
- Shopping time 1430-1730
- Meet back @ 1800 for Dinner

Monday 25 Nov - Kinkakuji Area (Buy Bus Pass)
- Take Bus #55,101 @ 0800 (busstop at Karasuma Shijo Junction) to Kitano Temangu - 30min
- Visit the arts market only open on the 25th of each month
- Explore the Kitano Tenmangu temple
- Walk 5min to Brunch Toyouke Chaya 1100-1500 or when sold out, famous for Tofu
- Take Bus #204,205 (busstop at junction of Kitanohakubaicho Keihan station) to Kinkakuji - 13min
- Explore Kinkakuji (Opens 0900-1700)
- Take Bus #205 from Kinkakuji to Sukiyaki Lunch @ Kirin Tei - 36min 220yen
- Lunch at Kirin Tei, Last order 1400. Good for beef hotpot. Off Omiya Dori & Shichi-jo Dori junction
- Walk to Kyoto Station for shopping at Yodobashi Camera.
- Have green tea ice cream at Isetan Kyoto Station
- Take bus/subway back to hotel

Tuesday 26 Nov - Arashiyama Area
- Take subway @ 0816 to JR Kyoto Station (210yen 5min)
- Take JR @ 0826 from Kyoto to Umahori - 25min 320yen
- Walk 10min to Tarokko Kameoka station
- Take 0935-0958 Sagano Scenic Train to Torokko Arashiyama (600yen)
- Walk north to Jojakujoji
- Lunch at Hanana seabream fish, 26-1 Sagatenryuji Setogawacho
- Walk to Nonomiya for bamboo forest
- Visit Tenruji Temple - 500yen
- Walk across the famous Togetsukyo bridge
- Take train from Hankyu Arashiyama Station to Karasuma, change at Katsura - 27min 220yen

Wednesday 27 Nov
- 07:00 Subway to Kyoto Station
- 0715-0854 train to Kansai Airport
- 11:00 depart Osaka for KUL

Other posts in this series:
Autumn in Kyoto 2013 - Planned Itinerary
Autumn in Kyoto - Day 1 (22 Nov 2013)
Autumn in Kyoto - Day 2 (23 Nov 2013)
Autumn in Kyoto - Day 3 (24 Nov 2013)
Autumn in Kyoto - Day 4 (25 Nov 2013)  
Autumn in Kyoto - Day 5 Final (26 Nov 2013) 

Sandakan Itinerary - Day 3

Date of Travel: 14-16 Sep 2013

On our last day here, we decided to stay in town area and visit some of the sights on the Sandakan Heritage Trail. Instead of walking, we drove instead :P

First off, breakfast at the third floor of the Central Market located next to Fourpoints hotel. What's famous here is a deep fried pork noodle. I liked the fried noodles instead.

Sandakan Itinerary - Day 2 Visiting Monkeys

Date of Travel: 14-16 Sep 2013

After visiting the morning market, it's time to start our day with a hearty breakfast highly recommended by blogs. We are off to Kampung Buli Sim Sim to look for a shop called H84. All we know is that it's located on Pier 8, along Jalan Sim Sim. We ended up at Jambatan 8, instead of Lorong 8. We got to see real families living on the water.

Jambatan 8 - WRONG! Not the right place for seafood breakfast

Sandakan Itinerary - Day 2 Buying Seafood

Date of Travel: 14-16 Sep 2013

The sun rises at around 6:00am. Fourpoints Hotel is located next to the market and I have a good view of the market from my hotel room window. Since I was up at 5am, I watched the boats come in, and they carry baskets of fish onto the dock where they are sold to vendors. Here is the biggest tip for Sandakan - HOW TO BRING SEAFOOD HOME

1. Bring or buy an Ice Box. A 50cmx30cmx30cm box costs RM9 here. If you're staying at Fourpoints, the shops start selling them near the roundabout later in the day, perhaps 10:00am.
2. Seafood start selling at about 8:30am until 5:00pm. If you have only 3D/2N here, you need to buy it on Day 2 to give it enough time to freeze.
3. Have fun shopping for seafood. Seven-star Grouper fish goes for RM20/kg, tiger prawns for RM35-50/kg depending on the size. The super large ones are about RM70/kg.
4. Bring your filled up ice box back to the Concierge of Fourpoints, and pay him RM15 to store it for you. Collect it back just before you head to the airport. 

These are going for RM70-80/kg

Continue reading:
Sandakan Itinerary - Day 1
Sandakan Itinerary - Day 2 Buying Seafood
Sandakan Itinerary - Day 2 Visiting Monkeys
Sandakan Itinerary - Day 3

Sandakan Itinerary - Day 1

Date of Travel: 14-16 Sep 2013

Sandakan is THE place for seafood. How is this better than KK or Kuching? It's simply cheaper! For starters, there's a great hotel with a great location. It's obvious, you have to stay at Fourpoints by Sheraton, Sandakan. We got a great deal for RM160++ per night without breakfast.

The welcoming lobby of Fourpoints Sandakan

All Twin rooms come with 2 Queen beds. All rooms face the sea, pay more for a nicer side of the sea

Pity, no bathtub

Located next to the Waterfront

Bali - A photographer's playground!

Date of Travel: 24-28 January 2013

My favourite place in Bali - Blue Point Beach

To a photographer, Bali is heaven. You have beautiful sunsets, paddy fields, beaches, mountains, architecture, culture, nature, just take your pick. You can be as creative or silly as you wish.

Bali - Sleeping in a Paddy Field

Hotel Review: Pertiwi Bisma 1, Ubud

Date of Travel: 24-28 January 2013

HH has always dreamed of waking up to seeing paddy fields from the room window. Unfortunately, such places cost quite a bit in Ubud, our initial booked hotel cost US$135 per night. Then came along this place that was BRAND NEW and looked good enough for US$55. Plus it looked to have paddy fields nearby, so why not? Let's try it out!