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Asia 2024 MP
  • Mandy Pau
  • Symeon Lee
Apr – May 2024

Asia 2024 MP

We are going to visit Kyoto, Osaka, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Yokohama, Muroran, Kushiro, Kodiak, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria and Seattle this time. Read more
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  • Trip start
    April 3, 2024
    Asia 2024 MP

    At YVR

    April 2, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    Our trip starts at Vancouver Airport today. We come to the airport early because daddy has to work tomorrow; we want him to drop us off early then go home and rest. Because we are early, the lineup is not long and the check-in process and passing through security check are very smooth. Symeon is also very helpful and handle all the luggage for me! 😍

    We haven’t fly through the international terminal in Vancouver for a long period of time. Due to the pandemic and the restriction, we haven’t been to Asia for 5 years too! However, Symeon still remembers this terminal! He loves to see the large fish tank here!    Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP

    Time to take off!

    April 3, 2024 in Canada ⋅ 🌙 7 °C

    We love red eye flight because we usually sleep through it. However, this flight was delayed for 3 hrs due to mechanical issue, I was worry about missing the connecting flight when we transfer at Taipei!Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP

    Missed the connecting flight

    April 4, 2024 in Taiwan ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We did missing a flight before, mainly because we were having too fun and went to the airport late. This time it is because technical problem of the first flight and we missed the second flight.

    I originally were worry about nothing to do while waiting for the connecting flight for 3 hours. Symeon even plan to attend online lesson while waiting. We finally didn’t even have to wait for 1 minute.

    When our first flight landed, our second flight departed. I appreciate China airline sent an attendant to guide us through the process of getting on the new connection flight. We made it and there was only half an hour delay in total after riding the second flight. We are the last person to board the Ōsaka flight at 9am, as our 8:20am flight was gone. We had to run in the Taipei airport to make it to the 9am flight though!    Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP
    Drink vending machine everywhere
    Multi-function washroom sinkOn the shuttle to Kyoto

    Big country!

    April 4, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    It only takes 2.5 hours from Taipei airport to arrive Kansai airport. But because of the crowd of arriving people (Kansai is a very busy tourist spot), it took about an hour to pass through immigration and clear custom.

    As most people visited Japan know that the first hour after arrived in Japan is a busy hour. We were busy at the Kansai airport today too.

    Because it is a long trip for us this time, we had packed luggage for different purpose. After we came out, the first thing we did was to arrange delivery of luggage we don’t need to the last hotel of this leg.

    Then we went to look for airport shuttle to Kyoto (our first stop). We feel lucky to use Klook.com to book for the shuttle and it is easy to use (just to scan the QR code to exchange for ticket).

    We then went to exchange some Japanese Yen. The rate was not the best at the airport but it is very convenient. Symeon exchanged some money he saved the last couple months here too!

    After we had done everything we need, we were very thirsty, so we went to the vending machine to get a drink. When the drink dispensed from the machine, we discover that the drink (a bottle of milk tea) is HOT. Symeon usually picks good drink from a vending machine, but this time, he didn’t have luck to pick something he likes so far!

    Before boarding to the shuttle bus, I went to the washroom and Symeon browsed at the toy dispensing machine. After using the washroom, I went to the sink to wash my hands. There is one tap dispensing soup, one tap for watering and one hole dispensing warm air to blow dry our hands. All of these in one sink. I am so admire to the Japanese creativity!

    Although this is not our first time in Japan, there is always new stuff here. It is very different from our country. We are “big country” here!    Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP
    Symeon pick the restaurant because of the food display in front of the store.
    Tofu skin is so smooth and Symeon loves it.Chicken karage is so delicious.I ordered this set for the roast beef rice (Sim ate half), but I really enjoy the cold soba (noodle)Bubbly hot miso udonWe both enjoyed the mealWater display in the mall

    Kyoto Station

    April 4, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    After got off the shuttle, we arrived Kyoto, but it was still a distance from our hotel. Therefore, we followed the crowd and went to a taxi stand. The line in the taxi stand was very long. The taxi stand was outside a mall, so we decided to go into the mall and take a look.

    In the mall, I told Symeon, “As we are having jet lag, we don’t need to eat at a regular hours. We just eat whenever we are hungry. This will help to avoid the crowds and lineup.” Symeon then picked a restaurant according to the display outside. I think Symeon had made a good choice!

    After eating, we did some shopping together. We bought some Kyoto tradition snack (just to try it). Symeon bought a hand fan with nice painting on it by himself. I bought some hair accessories too. I finally we went to a drug store. I personally love to browse drugstore to look at beauty product. I bought some cosmetic then we went back to the taxi stand for lineup. The line at the taxi stand was obviously shorter than earlier and everyone followed the rule and lineup.

    We got on a taxi heading to our hotel. The taxi drove around the build and I discovered that the mall we just went to was the famous Kyoto Station. We only browsed a small part of it though!

    P.S. We didn’t take lots of photo because our phone and device were very low in battery.    Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP
    The room
    Sink, toilet and bath area is seperated by doors into different room. Very practical!Love the bath area. Felt so good after a hot shower on the stool!Smart toilet is not new, but the hand wash basin is cool!Famous 10-yen pancake right actoss our hotelSnack in our room

    Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo

    Apr 4–6, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    This was our home for 2 night in Kyoto. Like most typical hotel in Japan, the room is not very big, but I like the idea of putting a bath room, the toilet room and the sink in one area and the bedroom can be separate by a large sliding door. The toilet is very cool too. Smart toilet is not a new concept, but this is the first time I see a basin at the toilet. After flushing the toilet, the tap will dispense water to wash the hands. Very neat!

    After we settled at the hotel, Symeon quickly charged his device and checked his games online. I unpacked something from the luggage, then I went for a shower. I showered at home more than 24 hours ago.

    I was really tired. I feel so good that I can sit on the stool to take shower. The water was very hot and the water pressure was very strong. I really enjoy the bathroom here.

    The location of this hotel is good too. It is on the Rokkaku-Dori. Lots of store and scenery spot nearby.

    After shower, I went down with Symeon for some snack, shop around and visiting the craw machine store too.

    We went to a convenience store and bought some snack and drink back to our room to enjoy. We went home early and sleep early! Long day tomorrow!    Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP

    Bamboo Forest at Arashiyama

    April 5, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Arashiyama is the vacation spot for the Japanese noble in the ancient time. It is a popular tourist spot nowadays too.

    We woke up early in the morning and took taxi to the famous bamboo forest to beat the crowd. Symeon was able to do his Taekwondo green belt pattern at the scene too!Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP
    Right after we sat down on our boat
    Lots of wildlife aling the riverSakura along the riverSim got wetBoat selling food to usSaying goodbye to our boat

    Hozugawa River Boat Ride

    April 5, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    We booked the earliest boat ride at the Hozugawa River. After we left the bamboo forest, we took the train for a rapid river boat ride. The boat ride started at the upper area of the river and it would take us back to Arashiyama again.

    We took a couple times of rapid river ride in Canada before, but this one is way more gentle than the ones in Canada. We were lucky that it was right at the cherry blossoms season and it makes the scenery even more beautiful.

    Symeon loves to see the wildlife along the river and the weather is perfect for us today (not too hot, not too cold).

    At the end of the boat ride, when we arrived a more calm area, there was a boat driving to us and sold us some food. Symeon ordered some chips and I ordered some Japanese oden food and a bbq squid. They were delicious!

    After we parked at the bank of river at Arashiyama, it was time to get off our boat. We said goodbye and continue our journey!    Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP

    Hiking at the Monkey Park

    April 5, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    After we got off the boat ride, we walked along Arashiyama, we passed by the famous Togetsukyo Bridge 渡月橋 and arrived the bottom of the monkey park. It would take 20 minutes to hike up to the monkey park. It was a steep road to walk up.

    After 10 minutes, I was tired and my leg was so sore. Symeon went up to the park by himself. I sat down at a bench and waited for him. Therefore, we had to wait for him to update the footprint about the monkey park.

    I was happy to see him walking down and he took some picture of what he saw and shown them to me.

    After left the park, we went by the street and we ordered some skewer (I had a beef skewer and he had a tornado potato) and he also played with the shooting game.

    We scheduled a photo shooting session back to the city, so we decided to leave Arashiyama and go back to the main area in Kyoto early.

    We had a good time in Arashiyama. There weee many more to do here, but we couldn’t do them all. We hope we have chance to visit here again.

    P.S. I feel like Kansai is a peaceful place to visit and I let Symeon go out by himself even at night. He feels good when he has the freedom to go out even only to a convenient store to buy a treat!    Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP
    Lunch overlook the Duck River

    Gyukatsu (beef cutlet)

    April 5, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    I always want to try gyukatsu (beef cutlet) in Japan. I always worry about lineup. We walked by the restaurant after our train ride back to the city. A lady from the restaurant greet us warmly and ask us to eat at the famous Gyukatsu restaurant. She even ran upstairs to make sure we got a window seat.

    The window seat was perfect. Symeon and I sat side to side and overlook the Duck River.

    Our food came out fast. I ordered a set with 1 cutlet and Sim ordered 2 pieces. We can just eat it as it comes or we can heat the cutlet on a stone grill.

    After putting the cutlet on the stone grill, the crust of the cutlet became crispy and the meat was very tender. I love it so much! Symeon ate all his cutlet, but he said “I like chicken cutlet better” after the meal! 🙄

    After lunch, we walked along the Duck River to our photoshooting session!    Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP

    Oiran and Samurai Photoshooting

    April 5, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Oiran was the highest-ranking prostitute in Japanese in the old time. Being an oiran didn’t only have to be beautiful and she had to be intelligent enough to make man like her. Oiran at the old time was the perfect woman and everyone’s dream. I put on traditional Oiran clothing and had a photo session with Samurai Symeon today.

    After picking the Oiran outfit, my make up artist then discuss about the hairstyle and the makeup style with me. She was very fast and my outlook done within half an hour. After I done my styling, a lady guide me to the studio and Symeon was already there taking his solo photo.

    It was not easy to be a model, but our photographer was very patience and guided us to do all the post. We finally finished the shooting within 1.5 hours and I am happy with the outcome!    Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP

    Special Dinner @ Itsuki Chaya Gokokuhojo

    April 5, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Itsuki Chaya Gokokuhojo is a famous restaurant in Kyoto. It has different branches in various tourism spot. They have their own set menu each location. I pick this one location because this location mainly serve beef course while many other location have seafood course instead (Symeon loves beef!).

    Symeon loves the dinner but he thought the portion is not big enough. He keeps complaining while eating!    Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP

    Crusing around Downtown Kyoto

    April 5, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    After dinner, we walked in Downtown Kyoto and we went into the department store Takashimaya. At the top floor, there was a Nintendo session. They sold Nintendo merchandise and there was a photo set with a young lady helping people to take photo too!

    It was a long day today. We achieved way more than we planned. We felt blessed. However, I felt like I am getting sick and weak. Hiking up the monkey park really hurt me. My whole body felt pain. Getting up early to Arashiyama and the cold weather in the morning was bad too. We were going to moving to Osaka tomorrow. I prayed for everything go smoothly!    Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP
    Craw machine with dior lipstick as prizeThis one gives PradaSymeon has tamago, I have crab leg

    Goodbye Kyoto!

    April 6, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    This was our last day in Kyoto. We booked our train at 16:40pm. We cruise around the shopping street near our hotel then we went to Nishiki Market. Then we went to Kyoto Station; had some dessert then got ready to go to Osaka!Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP

    Sightseeing Limited Express Aoniyoshi

    April 6, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    It was time to go to Osaka and we were going to go by train this time. We booked for a limited express train a month ago and I think it was a good choice. The train itself is comfortable with the side by side window seat, we can see the beautiful scenery outside!Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP

    Check-in in Osaka

    April 6, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    After arrived Ōsaka by train, we went direct to our hotel by taxi right away. I booked this hotel because it is a relatively new hotel and it is in the residential area. We expected to commune by taxi more often during the next 3 night.

    We walked around the neighbourhood and eventually went to a ramen restaurant for dinner. It was delicious and it only costs about CAD $10/person. We picked the right time to come to Japan as the YEN was cheapest in the past 30 years.

    The hotel room was small and cosy. The bed is comfortable. We had a great first night stay in here!    Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP

    At Shinsaibashi 心齋橋

    April 7, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    We tried to book a table at the Pokémon cafe a month ago, but we won’t be able to book it. Thanks for Symeon’s tutor, Martin’s recommendation. We came early to lineup in Daimaru (open at 10am) for the Pokémon cafe.

    Because we only had 2 people in our party. They let us pick a time slot and come back later. We finally choose to have dinner at Pokémon cafe.

    We then first cruise around Daimaru and Parco. There are lots of fun stuff to look at, but because of the long distance we walked and the hiking 2 days ago in Arashiyama, my whole body feels pain and my neck and shoulder were very stiff and I feel like I am getting sick soon.

    We walked by the 5th floor of Parco. Symeon saw a massage place. My sweet boy asked me to book for a massage and he is ok to cruise around by himself. I finally booked for a massage session right before our dinner at Pokémon cafe. We then went out to the famous Shinsaibashi to do some shopping. The store that interested Symeon the most are the Gocha machine store (the machine that dispense toy or other stuff in ball capsule randomly). I love to look at stuff in the drugstore and the 100¥ store. Both of us shopped carefully because we didn’t want to carry too much stuff. Besides lunch (a separate footprint will be made), we sat down to take a break at Krispy Cream and Symeon went to a food court for an udon too!    Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP

    Dinner at the Pokemon Cafe

    April 7, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    The massage at Parco was awesome. Nothing fancy, they didn’t even have their own washroom in their store. I had to use the washroom in the mall. However, it was a clean and relax venue. The beauty technician was sweet and polite, she was also very skillful. It was a great massage and release lots of tension in my body.

    I met Symeon outside the Pokémon cafe. Then we went in on time. We ordered 3 drinks, 2 main course and a dessert. It was a fun place to eat and it was gorgeous for photo! At the end, Pikachu came out to say hi to everyone and performed a dance. Symeon had a great time eating there!    Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP

    Tsūtenkaku and Shin Sekai "New World"

    April 8, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    We arrived Tsūtenkaku early, right after they open in the morning and slide down from their famous slide. Symeon has lots of fun. Then we walked through the “New World” but we didn’t eat anything. Symeon played some shooting game though!Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP

    Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

    April 8, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Symeon wants to be a marine biologist, we visit different aquarium when we go travel. We choose to go to the Osaka Aquarium because we want to see the whale shark. Whale shark became famous from the Disney movie “Finding Dory”, I even have a whale shark plush toy on my bed too. However, this is our first time seeing the real Whale Shark. We planned a couple trip to see whale shark in Atlantic and Okinawa, but it got cancelled because of the pandemic. We finally see the real whale sharks in Osaka!Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP

    All-you-can-eat Wagyu Beef Hotpot

    April 8, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    We went to Umeda for shopping this afternoon. Then we went to Golden Dashi Shabu & Edo-style Sushi - Niku no Asatsu Umeda Ohatsu Tenjin for dinner. Symeon loves the salmon sushi and the beef hotpot. This is one of the best meal in Japan for him. I like it because the meat quality is consistent from the first order to last call.Read more

  • Asia 2024 MP

    Heading to Rinku Town

    April 9, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    We checked-out our hotel and arrived to the Namba station by taxi. We did some shopping and lunch at Namba station. Symeon enjoyed the simple lunch.

    Then we went into the station and head to Rinku town by train. We want to take the 13:05 train and it will arrive Rinku town by 13:45. However, when we arrived, the train was the 12:05 train and it was 12:50 already. So we went back to the main floor of the station and checked with the officer and she said something happened and the train was suspended. We have to take the green line to the next station and transfer to the JR station.

    We transferred at the JR station, but there is no elevation. We have to carry all our luggage down the long stairs. There were lots of people with luggage waiting for train. Some of them were in a rush to go to the airport. After waiting a long time, there was a train coming and everyone tried to get onto the train.

    The train was packed of passengers and luggage. After got onto the train, we noticed that the train will separated into half; cart 1-4 will go to the airport and cart 5-8 will go to Wakayama. We were at cart 7 which means we have to move to the front of the train.

    When the train stop at the next station, everybody moved and ran into the front of the train. Everyone is running at the platform. Symeon followed me and screamed along. We finally boarded cart 3 and found a seat to sit down. However, more and more people boarded the train and it was very packed.

    The train finally arrived Rinku town but it was too packed and we were not able to get off. We eventually rode the train to the final stop at the airport and got off with everyone and rode another train back to Rinku town.    Read more

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