Day 5: Hakone > Tokyo (Shibuya, Tokyu hands)

Let me continue with my Japan trip!

The last post stops at Hakone, the Proposal.

22 October 2014.

Its my XX's birthday today!

The weather is slightly better than ytd. Since its still foggy, we didnt take the Hakone Cruise. We wont be able to see Mount Fuji anyway. Just our luck!




We took photos before we left the hotel. Well, i looked too shagged, tired AND without makeup when the proposal photos are taken. Superficial is me, so we took some the following day! (:

HAHA.

Photos and memories that i will rmb for life.




Thanks guys, for making all these possible.


I actually hugged the balloon back to Tokyo. HAHA.


Took a bus and we returned back to the JR station, Odawara. (covered in the Hakone Free Pass! The name itself is an irony. Its not free!!! ROFL)

Reached back to the JR line after 1 hour or so.

Off we go to Tokyo!
Hakone ‐ Tokyo
Shinkansen Kodama 646
13:11 ‐ 13:47 (Track 14)

On time. Thats what Japanese are famous for.


It came and go. Zoomed. Always an interesting sight to me.


We booked the JR tickets beforehand, so we cant be late!
While we afford to miss the train (cause we are covered under the JR pass, and can take unlimited rides), that would mean that the JR coporation will made a loss of 5 seats cause other ppl can book the seats. haha.






Tokyo ‐ Hikari Shinjuku
Upon reaching Tokyo station, we had to buy train tickets before we can take the Marunochi and Fukutoshin Line to reach Shinjuku!

And Japanese use this machine. In my brother's terms, this is the machine which appeared to be there 20 years ago. They just update the software to be touchscreen. ROFL.


Cute school children!!!
I once read an article, this bag is very expensive.
There's many uses for this bag. It also serves as a float.

Randoseru, which comes from the Dutch word "ransel," or "backpack," vary in price. It's possible to find them for around $80, but the all-leather backpacks which most parents buy are around $300 and get as expensive as $800 or $900—or even more, depending on the materials and whether or not they are made in Japan. Most randoseru are made in Japan, and this is used as a selling point. Remember, these are bags that are built to last—and to be used by children from first grade to sixth grade. They need to be well-made, because kids carry the same bag for six years.

We went ot Shibuya at night, and i was shocked with the number of exits (40?!). Its v shocking.
Its very mentally stressful if you didnt do homework, especially with the crowd.


Personally, i dont find food in Japan ridiculous expensive. If anything, the price is about the same for restaurants in Singapore. ($15~)

While you may argue that you dont eat at restaurants everyday, there are cheaper alternatives in Japan. Lots of fast food chains (yoshinoya!), snacks from convenience stores etc.



I need to return to Japan too. hahaha!! Look at the food.




Sense of happiness. Its red bean.


One cant skip sashimi in Japan.




At Uniqlo! But we didnt buy anything. Its cheaper, but we have got more than enough winter clothes. HAHHAA.


Because its my XX's birthday, we surprised him w a cake! Which he knew it all along. Plan fail. HAHAH. Oh, he is such a good actor. He act surprised. ROFL.


Happy birthday, my dearest XX.




Dont ask me why, we enjoy buying alot of food and eat at the comfort of the apartment.
This feels more shiok than dining outside.




Damage at Tokyu Hands!
Japan is incomplete for any crafter, without a trip to Tokyu Hands.
It has been one year since i went Japan. I have used 50% of it. Good effort. ROFL.

The Proposal.

How time flies. It’s been 9 months since the proposal. I have finalised on my photographer, videographer, hotel and bridal studio to rent my gowns.

Currently, I am absorbing everything quite well. I am taking everything v slowly. I shall slowly find my bridal shoes, makeup artist and do random handicraft.

21 October 2014 

After a depressing trip from the Hakone Sightseeing cruise, we went back to the hotel with a heavy heart.

Out of random, CY decided to tell me that we should find a cake in Hakone to celebrate for my XX’s birthday (his birthday falls on 22 October). XX being XX, he will know it is likely that we will celebrate his birthday because when we head to Tokyo because it’s his actual birthday AND Tokyo has lots of yummy cakes omg. No surprises alr. Tsk.

Since we have nth much to do in Hakone, we decided to secretly buy a cake and bring back to the hotel. However, THERE ARE NO CAKE SHOPS AND 90% OF THE SHOPS ARE CLOSED. Plan A failed.

Returned to the hotel and watched TV, talk nonsense and eat snacks (it’s what we always do) I concussed right after I return to the hotel because I was tired from travelling from Kyoto to Hakone.

Woke up at 730pm because they said we are going to HOT SPRING!!!! YAY. EXCITED. I have never been to a hot spring so I am excited.

Changed into the traditional Japanese outfit and all of us walked to the hot spring tgt! Hot spring for males is located on a different floor, so they will have to take the lift to another floor.

You have to be naked before stepping into the hot spring. You will place your clothes in the locker before walking into the hot spring area. No, small towels (or whatever is not allowed). I am cool about it anyway.

The ladies using the facilities are mostly Japanese. They do not feel embarrassed or shy about it. It’s as if, being naked is the right thing in hot springs. If everyone starts to be conscious etc, I will start to feel awkward and embarrassed. Rofl.

Janice and I stayed at the hot spring for about 45 mins and decided to leave to prevent dehydration Man, it was hot and reminds me of Birkam class. LOL. It’s not good to remain in the hot spring for a long period of time.

Both of us returned to the hotel room, thinking it’s just another long day and it’s time to rest!

Went back to the hotel room and realise a strong, pungent smell coming from the tatami room. I classify that smell as toxic. Coming from a laboratory background, the smell spells POISON. I kid you not.

For some unknown reason, XX insisted that I enter the room. I refused cause it’s so damn smelly omg. I knew sth was wrong. The XX I know wont ask me/put myself in danger. (its really damn smelly and it took me a lot of courage to even enter the room) I reckoned, there is probably a ghost inside or they wanna pull a trick on me. LOL.

When the doors opened, I stepped in and saw a lot of balloons on the floor.

SHIT. THIS IS IT. OH, SO THE SMELL COMES FROM THESE BALLOONS. SHIT. XX IS GG TO PROPOSE LIAO. OH NO. TODAY IS THE DAY. AND I LOOK SO CHUI AND UGLY AND SHAGGED. OMG HOW. AND CY IS RECORDING THIS TIME IN THAT CORNER. 

(Can anyone tell me why I am so vain) Meanwhile, XX is singing in the background. But because he sounds awful, I told him to stop singing. He is not someone good with vocals. HAHAHA – I am so mean. I should have let him continued and enjoy the moment. I am sorry. I am in regret.

HAHAHAHAHA. No, I didn’t cry. I am more of shocked.

(i look v epic here. i need to learn to be more demure)

• So the proposal is the reason why XX choose to pay $800 for a night stay here. 
• Due to the bad weather, they had a change of plans. XX planned to propose in the garden. But its so hazy, nobody can see any shit. They went for plan B. 
• I can’t believe he actually proposed in year 2015. Our house is supposed to be ready in 2018. I am sorry, Singapore men are PREDICTABLE. I faced it. LOL. Propose a year before the wedding. Simple and predictable. It’s a path that everyone will take. That probably make him propose earlier. 
• I think no one would expect a proposed after a trip to the hot spring. Seriously? (I did hint XX previously that I cannot accept guys who proposed to girls after a running marathon. Cause I doubt anyone will look good after a race. Shagged, smelly, tired, messy hair etc. 
• But then again, I guess the weather kind of forced him to have plan B. Its either now or never. I look tired and chui also nvm. ROFL.

 

The entire room is full of balloons. HAHA.

Wedding preparations have began. Hello nightmare. Hello stress. Hello budget. 

I brought the diamond balloon back to Singapore!!! HAHAHA. And threw it in the end. LOL. Epic.

Hello ring. Hi pretty. My heart skipped every time i wore you out.

HAHAHAH! I concluded that my XX is equally epic.

I didnt cry until i informed my papa that his annoying daughter is engaged. Its as if my annoying papa is going to send me away soon and i cant delay it any further alr.

The balloons are so pretty!

Thanks for all the help Ah yew, Janice and Jason. I had a memorable proposal and i smiled to myself every single time i look at the photos.

Thanks for pumping air into the balloons. Your muscles must have ached badly.
 

Thanks for planning this tgt with XX. Thanks for the logistics and thanks for the help. I am grateful, thankful and blessed.

 Nana is engaged on 21 October 2014. (:

 

My proposal ring is certainly not expensive. Its sth that i picked out and love all the details and the meaning behind it.

Initially i didnt want XX to buy cause i wanted to save money. I am glad i decided to ask him get one for me in the end! Love it. <3 p="">

Day 4: Hakone Sightseeing Cruise ride

After we check in at the hotel, we walked to the Monohakone-ko station to take the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise!

The fog is really heavy. I am so depressed. Where is my Mount Fuji.
My bro did tell me that it takes a lot of luck to see Mount Fuji.
I certainly didnt expect this kind of weather!





Took photo at the Toriigate. Yes there is a temple nearby.

Things that boys do.




This looks very eerie!


Ever since i visit Tasmania, i dare to touch fury-kind-looking animals! HAHA.
I am so proud of myself.


Just look at the weather.


It didnt get better by the time we reach the pier.




The fog happen to clear a bit, but this is what we see.


The trip was almost cancelled due to the bad weather. But the crew decided to proceed with a last trip before calling it a day.

We know there will be nth to see, but we dont have another back up plan.
So we went ahead and immerse ourselves in a world of fog.
0.O

Since we bought the Hakone Free pass, we could take the boat ride again tml if the fog clears.

Took photos of the cruise before we left!






At least we can say we took the cruise before. HAHA.




Left the pier with a heavy heart.


why oh why?


ending off this post with a cute photo!