the wacky wombat weblog

I guess the only time I’m compelled to update my blog is when I take a vacation and 1000 photos. haha. And I’ll make no excuse for that — my life is too freaking busy to have any semblance of life at all!

Nevertheless, I had a long-waited — and much-deserved I must add — vacation to Tokyo as the new year began. Au Yong was there for work, and I was there for the food, shopping and long walks around the city. Although I spent the first few days catching up on lost sleep from my crazy work days, I still made the most of the trip with many leisurely walks around the city.

This is my fourth trip to Tokyo, and I already have a routine of sorts of things to do but it always turns out fun! Some of my favourite moments in Tokyo for this trip:

• Eating 7-11 oden in the freezing cold at a playground — a pre-dinner snack bcoz I love oden!
• Relishing my favourite hakata-style ramen at Marukin and cheap gyoza at Osho (twice!!)
• Chilling out and pigging out at izakayas. Nothing better than beer and assorted dishes consisting fried chicken cartilege, grilled chicken gizzard, fried noodles, grilled fish and pickled vege.
• (Yes, much of my favourite moments are to do with food.)
• Getting lost in the elaborate train system. Took a “shortcut” with less transfers that ended up as a longer ride, all the way out to Kawasaki. But it was worth it for the amazing sight of the Tamagawa River when I walked out of the train to make my transfer.
• Walking around the city without any real concern for time, except for the remaining daylight for my photos.
• Seeing Au Yong in his salaryman outfit. teehee.
• Shopping like crazy and buying 1000 yen items at H&M.
• Having fun testing out our new Tokina ultra wide angle lens. It’s great for shots around a crowded city like Tokyo.
• Being amazed by Amazon Japan’s efficient delivery. Ordered a wacom tablet and camera lens, opted for express delivery only for 500 yen extra, and it was at our hotel the next afternoon. Takyubin-desu!
• Finally getting more than a glimpse at the majestic Mount Fuji, and of course, being on Fuji Speedway itself!
• Experiencing a wacky Japanese event — the mamachari bicycle endurance race at Fuji Speedway with Au Yong and his company

The first set of the photos are up on the blog now. Just head on over to our not-so-new photo gallery. The second set is still sitting inside my camera. :p