Planning a trip to Japan - Part 2

Hello yoreobun ("everyone" in Korean)!

This post is continuation of the previous one and I shall continue to elaborate as much as I can about the relevant tips in planning your first trip to Japan. I can't promise that it will be a smooth one but I can say that you are going to enjoy it and it is going to be fun!

5. Ground Transportation in Osaka, Kanazawa and Kyoto (continuation)

TRANSPORTATION TIPS:
(i) All Buses: You will enter from the back door and pay only when you exit at the front door. Don't ask me why but it doesn't make any sense. However, when I do get on a bus, I understand perfectly why it was designed as such. Most of the time, people who enters from the front are less likely to move to the back because the exit is (yes, you guessed it!) is from the front. So, when you direct your commuters to enter from the back, chances are places at the back will be filled first (although it is not always the case) and people will fill up the front. If you are getting off just few stops away then it is best if you stand or sit in the middle but avoid from blocking the entrance. All buses designed with buttons to press to indicate that you want to get off so use it wisely because the buttons are really at eye's view. If it is your first ride on the bus and you got a bus pass, do insert your bus pass at the machine next to the driver before you get off so that the date of the day could be printed on to show that it is intended to be used for that day only.

After travelling to eastern Europe, I realised the 24 hours ticket system works far better than the daily ticket. E.g. if you purchase the ticket for Monday and you did not use it until about 12 noon. Your ticket will not expire at 12 midnight (it is the case if it is daily) but it will expire only 12 noon the next day (exactly 24 hours). It is more practical and economical at the same time. You also get to plan your expenses and train or bus rides effectively.

(ii) All trains/subways: Always and I means ALWAYS remember to take your ticket after you have insert it at the platforms. I forgot to take mine and my cousin caught me. She asked if I have not taken my ticket as she saw one popping up on the other side. I was shocked and realised the omission. Luckily, the train master helped me to unlock the ticket box at the platform which I have inserted my ticket and I got it back! Yippee! There is always a way out.

Another foolish bit of me was our trip to Nara. I decided to get the train tickets the day before of the intended trip (although it is unnecessary as there are frequent trains to Nara almost every 15 minutes or 30 minutes from Osaka or Kyoto). I just inserted the coins to the ticket machine and voila, the tickets were printed! Then I realised I got the tickets for the day! OMAIGAD! I quickly went to the customer service counters of the JR station and got my ticket changed. I explained politely while praying hard that I could get the tickets changed to the next day (it is 560 yen for one way and I got 4 of them!) and luck has it, the lady informed me that it can be done. So, what she did was, she had my tickets cancelled. All of them. Got the money back from the machine beside her as she inserted the tickets and she purchased new ones for me without having to move away from her chair. Amazing cancellation process! So, note to self and everyone, please check your dates before purchasing any tickets.

I always thought that I have to reserve my tickets in advance and online but truth is, there is no need for it unless of course if you are getting the JR pass. The JR pass is only available to be purchased online from overseas (but this is not true as you can buy them in Japan also) and it is only useful if you are travelling across regions in Japan e.g. Kansai to Tokyo or Tokyo to Hokkaido. As far as you can go and then it is worth getting the JR pass. If you are just hanging around one region and I see no use of getting the JR pass. Similarly, ICOCA is an integrated card system for subways where you pay as you go. You add value to the card and used it like Oyster (UK) or T-Money (South Korea) or Touch & Go (Malaysia) or EZ Link (Singapore) or Octopus (Hong Kong) cards (you get the idea). Again, you will only find the card useful if you are staying long enough in a place. If you are hoppers like my family and I (we travelled from Osaka to Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go then back to Kanazawa, Kyoto, Uji, Osaka and Nara and back), then I see no use of getting the ICOCA anyway.  Besides, the bus is handy in Kyoto.

6. Pocket WIFI with Travel Recommends

I did search briefly on the available options for internet and actually found a few recommended options through Google. However, I did not engage or used any of the tried and tested options when Travel Recommends Sdn. Bhd. (TR) came up through recommendation of a local blogger, KBCG in their Instagram account. TR came up with a "CNY/Sakura season" pocket wifi promotion for a limited time the promo is still on at the time of writing) whereby for RM15.00 a day you get to enjoy unlimited internet and connects up to 8 devices at the same time. Sounds like a good deal and it really was. I quickly placed my order and upon their confirmation, I was glad to resolve issues about internet.

I paid RM502 in total for 12 days (inclusive of 2 days as buffer for TR's delivery a day before my travel and TR's pick up upon my return from my trip the next day) = RM250,00 for deposit, RM72 to rent their powerbank, RM180 for the pocket wifi. All for 12 days and of course, you can only use the device when you are in Japan.

As the day of your trip draws closer, you can't help but to have fears of things going wrong. I checked TR's Instagram account and was deeply disturbed by the comments made by other customers about how the device came 10 hours before her trip. Or even, some did not arrive at all. ETC. So, being a perfectionist and not wanting this to ruin the trip, I texted TR's number (which is also used for Whatsapp) a week and a couple days before before my trip just to remind and make sure my order came through on time. I am flying from KL and I had to drive myself to KL from Penang on Saturday morning to catch my flight on Sunday morning. I can't be expected to not get my order on Friday or even pick up the device from their booth at KLIA (when I am flying from KLIA2) on Saturday or even Sunday for that matter. OK. I was paranoid. Fortunately, TR called me on Tuesday and ensured me that they will have the pocket wifi sent out to me the next day and I will get it by Thursday or Friday at the latest.

I got it on Thursday. YAY! But, NO POWERBANK (PB). Why can't you guys tell me up front that it ran out? No, you guys expected me to call and inform you about it! What if you guys refuse to refund me or even forfeit my deposit. The receipt came printed with the PB included. Imagine if I got it on the day of my flight and I do not have any powerbank with me or even, I am an IOS user without the designated USB port! How on earth am I going to charge the device when it goes flat? Ok, I am exaggerating but it is possible. Hello! So, upon contacting them, they explained how sorry they were because of insufficient PB and promised to refund the PB rental to be upon the return of the device. Ok, fine.

On the bright side, Man, I can't tell you how useful the pocket wifi was and how glad I was to get it. It kept us connected always in Japan and even though when we're on the train going through tunnels or even to the fishing villages by the Sea of Japan or to the mountains with snow on top, we are CONNECTED to the internet. I am very pleased with the device and its reception and without it, we would be lost in translation and directions too.

However, things get a bit unpleasant (again!) when returning the device to TR. TR offers free delivery and pick up of the device from your address. So, I was back in Penang on Thursday and immediately texted them on Whatsapp to arrange to return the device. I also asked for the consignment note as it was not sent via email in PDF format. I got the consignment note and packed the device which came in a pocket folder into a courier bag sent to me earlier then have it put inside a box as instructed by one Mr Lee. Nationwide Express was their courier service company and TR arranged for it to be picked up on Friday. No one came. On Monday, the courier company came without any references or even names. Luckily, my office had only a few people for our receptionist to check and find out. So, with that done, now the refund. 4th April 2016 the device was collected and presumably they received it on Tuesday the 5th. I got my refunds only on 18th April 2016 for my pocket wifi and 22nd April 2016 for my powerbank refund.

That, with weekly reminders. I don't know how long it will take if I did not do it.

INTERNET TIP: Wifi is available across all cities in Japan but like Penang WIFI, it is only available for unusable. I could not connect to Osaka Wifi (Kansai Airport one worked fine) or Kyoto Wifi or Nara Wifi. Best to get internet for your phone. The airport sells internet and calls simcard. At the end of the day, getting a simcard is cheaper than pocket wifi if you are getting or renting it from Japan. But for the latter, the more of you, the cheaper and more economical it is. The downside to pocket wifi is its limited coverage. You guys have to stick with each other and not go too far away.

7. Shopping

I love shopping but I did budget control. Unlike my South Korea trip, I did not do any research at all on what are the things to buy and get from Japan. So, I went along and just snoop at what other shoppers bought and decide whether or not to follow suit. My cousin is more familiar with the beauty and medical products in Japan (good thing I asked her to do the itinerary for Osaka). There are plenty of blogs about shopping haul from Japan and you can always used these blogs as references.

If you are a fan of Studio Ghibli, then you must get the merchandises in Japan. There is a shop in Kiyomizudera, Kyoto area.

To be continued (when I could think of any other topics or leave your comments for any other information that you guys need).

G&L in Dubai 2015 - Day 4

Sorry for the long hiatus! I just got back from UK after visiting my brother with my family. Europe was mean to us by giving us horrid rainy weather during the first week. Fortunately, it was better when we flew back to London. 

Anyway, the last post for Dubai before I prepare for the upcoming posts for Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, London, Newcastle and Sunderland, UK. 

Day 4 Itinerary
Abra to Textile Souk
Hard Rock Cafe Dubai
Lunch opposite Traders Hotel by Shangri-La
Home

It was free and easy day and we have like less than 6 hours before our flight home. We decided to get our souvenirs and some pashimina shawls/scarfs for our friends and family. So, where else to go for them other than at the souk (market). Across old Dubai city, there are plenty of markets to visit - notably Gold Souk, Textile Souk and even Spice Souk. We only went to the first two.

 The flowers were glorious and vibrant looking every day. Did the local council change them every day? My friend in Doha then informed me that they received plenty of water each day, at least twice. 

You can only find air-conditioned bus stops here.  

 Making use of the underground pedestrian walk way to get to the other side of the road and hiding away from the sun. It was a nice day. 

 Deira Old Souq Station to catch the abra. It costed only 1 dirham for the boat ride, one way. So, don't get fooled with 10 dirham for one way because 10 dirham is for the river cruise. 

 To get to textile souk or Meena Bazaar, you get out from Abra's first stop at Bur Dubai Station. 

 Just less than 2 minutes walk from the abra station, on the right is the Meena Bazaar's entrance. I could spend the whole day there. So many things to see and buy. 

I could not described the photos in detail because the photos did the talking already. But what I can point out are: -

1) Always haggle. If you are lucky, you only need to pay just a few dirhams more than the cost price instead of its retail price. So, you are talking about for a 100% cashmere/pashimina shawl you can negotiate or haggle the price from 20 dirhams to only 13 dirhams. Of course, the more you buy, the cheaper it gets. We should have bought 50 shawls that day.
2) If you are not interested, detour and go further away from the shop and not let the shopkeeper or shop assistant pull you into the shop.
3) Don't waste the shop assistant time by checking their prices and haggling with them if at the end of the day, you are not buying anything.
4) Dress decently, with shoulders and knees covered. The market is manned by men and not women. You don't get to see female sales assistant anywhere in any markets in Dubai.

Next stop, on a tight schedule, Keavie and I took a taxi from Bur Dubai Station to Hard Rock Cafe Dubai at Festival Mall.

By far, the Rock Shop's shirt is the cheapest and has the most friendliest staffs ever! Safe to say, after visiting the shops in Vienna, Budapest, Prague and London, I still rate Dubai's Rock Shop staffs to be friendliest. Is it because they are Filipinas? :) 

We got back to the hotel and freshened up quickly before checking out from the hotel. We still had time and we decided to have lunch before departing for the airport. We had Chinese food and in Dubai. Haha.. 

 21 dirhams for this plate of fried tilapia fish and it came with complimentary rice and drink

Goodbye Traders and see you, Dubai! 

Busan & Jeju-do (Part 9) Shopping Haul

Just a couple of months before the trip, I did a thorough research on things to buy, snacks to eat or try. I've covered some of the items below in earlier post so this one is yet another repetition or a summary of all things Korean which have been tried and tested by me. 

E-Mart: Hand cream at KRW1,000 each

E-Mart: Handcream at KRW1,000 each

Etude House: Hand cream, princess series. There were four colours, each with different scents. I picked the pink one and with each hand cream, you get to pick a 3D puzzle randomly. KRW5,900

Laneige: Limited Edition (Meets Puppy) BB Cushion (No. 23, Natural Beige) - after conversion RM198 for 2 units (each with refill)

Laneige: Water sleeping pack (around RM70) and pore deep cleaning foam (foam is RM44 after conversion)

KRW10,000 for 10 pieces and it's buy 10 free 10. Hence, you pay only KRW10,000 for 20 mask sheets. 

Some of the free samples

Innisfree: Mask capsules (5 capsules for KRW8,000 only from Innisfree Jeju-do beside O'sulloc Green Tea Farm), eyebrow pencil (KRW3,000), nail polish in green tea colour (KRW2,000) and no sebum mineral powder (KRW5,100 from Jeju Airport)

Too Cool for School: Marshmallow Puff (KRW5,000), Cream blusher (KRW12,000); Etude House: Blusher, eyebrow pencil, eyeliner pencils and Nature Republic's eyebrow pencil auto flower. 

Nature Republic: Sunblock with pink base (buy 1 free 1) KRW16,900

Banila Co. Most Essential Moisturizer (Anti Wrinkle and Collagen firming) KRW22,000 (buy 1 free 1)

Samples from Too Cool for School - face scrub

Too Cool for School's Marshmallow Puff, upclose

Too Cool for School's cream blusher

Socks! KRW1,000 each (top and bottom pictures)

Holika Holika's 99% Aloe Vera gel - KRW4,000 and Innisfree's lip tint (KRW6,000)

Dr You's energy bar - 3 for KRW2,800 at CU convenience store

Lotte's Sunflower seed coated with chocolate - KRW2,400 each

Lotte's sweets and chewing gum from 7-Eleven

Song Jihyo's Cho.2 cap - KRW10,000 from Seomyeon's underground shopping centre

Kyobo bookstore, Shinsegae Centum City Mall - KRW9,010.00

Smart handphone screen cleaner - KRW1,800 each

Walnut/bean paste bun - KRW500 from 7-Eleven

Banana Milk - dark green cap is original, light green is melon and blue cap is light. Milkis and tteokbokki snack. All 7-Eleven 

 Instant Pumpkin (L) and Abalone porridge (R) from CU convenience store

cup noodles from E-Mart 

Pirate Roulette from E-Mart, KRW9,600 

Happy Bath body shampoo (KRW3,000) and Elastine Hair Shampoo (KRW4,200) from 7-Eleven 

Fake socks from BIFF square - KRW1,000 a pair 

There are lots more which I have read from other bloggers but for me, it was the experiences that were great. With the country progressing so rapidly, it is no wonder that they now speak our language too so as to improve themselves and welcome the world to Korea.