Sep 11, 2016
Eto na yung dalwa na sooobrang prepared sa pagpunta nilang Japan.
*eye roll*
Eto na yung dalwa na sooobrang prepared sa pagpunta nilang Japan.
*eye roll*
Bumped on them when we went out to buy some food in McDo I think. They looked so tired and hungry. Pretty much like us when we first met Mark.
Ranting:
From visa application up to their arrival in Kansai airport, nasstress ako sa kanila! They applied for their Japan visas just two weeks before their departure date. While Kenneth and I applied for ours 2 months prior the trip; so I (yes I, not we) had plenty of time to prepare everything. Even after we, I mean I, booked our plane tickets last March (6 months before the trip), I already finished our itinerary just a few days after. That's why nakaka-stress tong dalwa! Andami nilang pa-bebe moments lalo na yung isa dyan (hello Bong). May pa-chat chat pa sakin na, "Baka hindi pa din ako tumuloy kahit ma-approve yung visa ko kasi ang busy ko ngayong September." Hindi ko na lang pinatulan. I just replied, "Ok." Di mo maintindihan kung nagpapapilit o ano. Pa-bebe.
Stress didn't stop after their visas got approved. There were still DisneySea and bus tickets that needed to be purchased. Plus their Airbnb accommodation wala pa din. Mommy Gleniz na nga tawag nila sakin kasi ako nga nag-aasikaso halos lahat. Good thing there's still an available room at Ken & Mark Guest House. When they arrived at Kansai Airport, pocket WiFi naman problema nila. Hays. Anyway, nakarating pa din sila sa kabila ng lahat. I'm never doing that again. Kanya kanya na lang next time ha. Bawal na pati ang pa-bebe. *end of rant*
Ok back to Day 4: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan was the only thing in our itinerary that day. I was thinking of squeezing a temple or a garden before going to the aquarium but that didn't happen. Time constraints and stuff. We needed to get back early for our bus trip to Tokyo anyway. We wouldn't want to miss our bus. I'm sure the buses here leave on time 'cos being on time is so Japan. This was our last day in Osaka. Huhu.
Not So Funny Story:
Hindi dapat namin sila kasamang dalwa kasi pa-Universal Studios dapat sila that day. Kaso merong isa sa kanila (tawagin na lang natin sa pangalang B1 since parehong nag-start sa B mga pangalan nila), may isa sa kanila na hindi daw sasakay sa kahit anong rides sa USJ (say what??). KJ. Nababadtrip si B2 kasi parang ewan daw na sasakay sya mag-isa sa mga rides. Kaya ayaw na ituloy ni B2 yung USJ. Gusto na lang nyang sumama samin sa aquarium. Eh di hindi na din tumuloy si B1, sumama na din sya samin. Funny talaga nung dalwa. 😆
Ranting:
From visa application up to their arrival in Kansai airport, nasstress ako sa kanila! They applied for their Japan visas just two weeks before their departure date. While Kenneth and I applied for ours 2 months prior the trip; so I (yes I, not we) had plenty of time to prepare everything. Even after we, I mean I, booked our plane tickets last March (6 months before the trip), I already finished our itinerary just a few days after. That's why nakaka-stress tong dalwa! Andami nilang pa-bebe moments lalo na yung isa dyan (hello Bong). May pa-chat chat pa sakin na, "Baka hindi pa din ako tumuloy kahit ma-approve yung visa ko kasi ang busy ko ngayong September." Hindi ko na lang pinatulan. I just replied, "Ok." Di mo maintindihan kung nagpapapilit o ano. Pa-bebe.
Stress didn't stop after their visas got approved. There were still DisneySea and bus tickets that needed to be purchased. Plus their Airbnb accommodation wala pa din. Mommy Gleniz na nga tawag nila sakin kasi ako nga nag-aasikaso halos lahat. Good thing there's still an available room at Ken & Mark Guest House. When they arrived at Kansai Airport, pocket WiFi naman problema nila. Hays. Anyway, nakarating pa din sila sa kabila ng lahat. I'm never doing that again. Kanya kanya na lang next time ha. Bawal na pati ang pa-bebe. *end of rant*
Ok back to Day 4: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan was the only thing in our itinerary that day. I was thinking of squeezing a temple or a garden before going to the aquarium but that didn't happen. Time constraints and stuff. We needed to get back early for our bus trip to Tokyo anyway. We wouldn't want to miss our bus. I'm sure the buses here leave on time 'cos being on time is so Japan. This was our last day in Osaka. Huhu.
Not So Funny Story:
Hindi dapat namin sila kasamang dalwa kasi pa-Universal Studios dapat sila that day. Kaso merong isa sa kanila (tawagin na lang natin sa pangalang B1 since parehong nag-start sa B mga pangalan nila), may isa sa kanila na hindi daw sasakay sa kahit anong rides sa USJ (say what??). KJ. Nababadtrip si B2 kasi parang ewan daw na sasakay sya mag-isa sa mga rides. Kaya ayaw na ituloy ni B2 yung USJ. Gusto na lang nyang sumama samin sa aquarium. Eh di hindi na din tumuloy si B1, sumama na din sya samin. Funny talaga nung dalwa. 😆
Natawa ko dun sa "tawad pwede". Nakita lang namin to nung papunta na kaming aquarium.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Sobrang daming magagandang photo op dito sa Aquarium Kaiyukan. Eto yung hindi ko nabasa sa mga blogs, ang style pala nya (unless mali ako at may iba pa palang way), sakay ka ng escalator papuntang 8th floor. Sobrang haba nung escalator, papuntang 8th floor ba naman. Nakakalula pag tumingin ka sa likod. So pag nasa 8th floor ka na, ikot ka pababa na parang pa-spiral para makita yung mga sea creatures at ibang animals. Pag mabilis kang maningin at mag-picture, tapos ka na agad. Bye 2,500 yen.
Sobrang daming magagandang photo op dito sa Aquarium Kaiyukan. Eto yung hindi ko nabasa sa mga blogs, ang style pala nya (unless mali ako at may iba pa palang way), sakay ka ng escalator papuntang 8th floor. Sobrang haba nung escalator, papuntang 8th floor ba naman. Nakakalula pag tumingin ka sa likod. So pag nasa 8th floor ka na, ikot ka pababa na parang pa-spiral para makita yung mga sea creatures at ibang animals. Pag mabilis kang maningin at mag-picture, tapos ka na agad. Bye 2,500 yen.
Akala namin parang sa Zoobic Safari na may mga shows. Hindi pala. Kaya medyo nadisappoint ako. Kaya siguro pwede na tong i-skip kung limited lang yung time nyo. Unless gusto nyong magkaron ng picture na ganito.
Or ganito.
Perhaps eto.
O di kaya eto.
Eto din.
NOTE:
Pero suggestion lang yung i-skip sya kasi meron akong friend na nagsabi na hindi daw nya nagustuhan sa DisneySea pero ako gandang ganda ko. Kaya depende rin sa tao.
Bute may kainan pala sa loob kasi di pa kami nagb-breakfast. 11AM pa kasi open nung mini mall sa katabi.
Pero suggestion lang yung i-skip sya kasi meron akong friend na nagsabi na hindi daw nya nagustuhan sa DisneySea pero ako gandang ganda ko. Kaya depende rin sa tao.
Bute may kainan pala sa loob kasi di pa kami nagb-breakfast. 11AM pa kasi open nung mini mall sa katabi.
Ganito pala kakapal yung glass ng aquariums nila 😱
More pictures before saying goodbye.
Tempozan Market Place
Eating time ulit (open na yung mini mall). Yummy katsu.
Eating time ulit (open na yung mini mall). Yummy katsu.
Bye fishes!
Went home and packed our stuff. Before heading home, Benson changed his mind about going to Kyoto for their second day. He must’ve imagined himself with lame-o Bong strolling around Kyoto and decided to just skip that lameness. He also said that he’s not really a fan of temples and shrines. Or ayaw nya lang talaga kasama si Bong na silang dalwa lang? Haha. So after much contemplation, he decided to just tag along with us to Tokyo. Bong followed suit. Problem is, their night bus tickets were for the following day kasi nga sa 3rd day pa dapat sila pa-Tokyo. Those tickets were purchased online a week before their flight. Staying positive, we thought that they could just refund those tickets and just purchase same-day tickets at the bus station. We were oh so wrong. You can’t change the date that’s indicated on the ticket either.
Balik muna tayo sa guest house. Mark (again, the Airbnb host) was surprised to know that the two will be checking out a day earlier. He even discouraged them from leaving because he’s not sure if they will be able to buy tickets using cash. Eh laban na daw. Before leaving, we had the chance to meet Ken (the other host). We learned through Benson that they’re not just business partners but they are also lovers. Aww. They’ve been together for 20 years I think? Inspiring.
We reached the bus station at around 9:30 PM. The two immediately ask the staff and inquire about those tickets. Unfortunately, they were strict about the online reservations. They don’t sell tickets there. Transactions should be online. Bummer. Benson thought of Plan B: bullet train. That would cost them sooo much. And what if the tickets were non-refundable? (turned out they were refundable but it was too late to get a refund. bye 3,000 pesos.) But Benson didn’t bother. He’s really determined to get to Tokyo whatever it takes (whatever it takes to avoid being alone with Bong? haha). Thankfully, a good Samaritan informed them of another bus station with buses heading to Tokyo almost every 15-30 minutes. About that time, we were already on our way to Tokyo. Our bus left at 10:20 PM while they’re still figuring out how to get to Tokyo themselves. Around 12 midnight, I received a message from Benson that they’re already on their way. Whew. What an ordeal.
Now let’s talk about the bus. It’s no ordinary bus. It's the most comfortable bus ride ever. The travel time from Osaka to Tokyo by bus takes 9 hours. That’s 9 hours of just sitting and waiting for your butts to grow weeds. And that’s why they made this bus very suitable for those long travels. Look.
Balik muna tayo sa guest house. Mark (again, the Airbnb host) was surprised to know that the two will be checking out a day earlier. He even discouraged them from leaving because he’s not sure if they will be able to buy tickets using cash. Eh laban na daw. Before leaving, we had the chance to meet Ken (the other host). We learned through Benson that they’re not just business partners but they are also lovers. Aww. They’ve been together for 20 years I think? Inspiring.
We reached the bus station at around 9:30 PM. The two immediately ask the staff and inquire about those tickets. Unfortunately, they were strict about the online reservations. They don’t sell tickets there. Transactions should be online. Bummer. Benson thought of Plan B: bullet train. That would cost them sooo much. And what if the tickets were non-refundable? (turned out they were refundable but it was too late to get a refund. bye 3,000 pesos.) But Benson didn’t bother. He’s really determined to get to Tokyo whatever it takes (whatever it takes to avoid being alone with Bong? haha). Thankfully, a good Samaritan informed them of another bus station with buses heading to Tokyo almost every 15-30 minutes. About that time, we were already on our way to Tokyo. Our bus left at 10:20 PM while they’re still figuring out how to get to Tokyo themselves. Around 12 midnight, I received a message from Benson that they’re already on their way. Whew. What an ordeal.
Now let’s talk about the bus. It’s no ordinary bus. It's the most comfortable bus ride ever. The travel time from Osaka to Tokyo by bus takes 9 hours. That’s 9 hours of just sitting and waiting for your butts to grow weeds. And that’s why they made this bus very suitable for those long travels. Look.
It has curtains for your privacy. You’ll be provided with a pillow and a blanket so you’ll be comfy while sleeping. It has spacious leg rooms and each seat also have outlets to charge your phones. I read somewhere that some buses have a "ladies policy" where they separate the male passengers from the females. Good thing I booked the correct bus. I booked it through Willer Express btw. Alright time to get some zzz's.
Bye Osaka! Hello Tokyo!
Day 5 - Tokyo: Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing & Tokyo Sky Tree
Bye Osaka! Hello Tokyo!
Day 5 - Tokyo: Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing & Tokyo Sky Tree