I/We just came back from Japan yesterday. Had a blast! Thoroughly enjoyed our trip, even though we walked and walked and walked until our legs nearly patah.
Mat woke up this morning with subway station names in his head. See how much we’re missing Japan already?
We went to Japan because Mat had a paper accepted in a conference in Yokohama,… and of course, I gladly tagged along. And since we’re going, might as well visit other parts of Japan right? So, we took the opportunity of a lifetime to explore Japan for 2 full weeks.
I know some of you has most probably seen all our Japan photos in Mat’s facebook. But I shall attempt to write our journey in words (my thoughts, my feelings, my side of the story) for my records, and hopefully for your enjoyment.
I shall begin with our first day of 15-day-blog-posts. First stop, Singapore!
Of all the international airports that I have been so far, Melbourne’s Tullamarine International Airport is the most boring and unimpressive airport I’ve ever experienced. Really really. KLIA is wayyyy better ok?
Just imagine, you have to check in 3 hours before for international flights. I know this rule is set so that you give ample time to wait in line and a just-in-case you don’t miss your flight. But after checking in, then what? Sit on the chair and wait and wait for 2 hours with nothing to do.
Architecture wise… well… my own words, unimpressive.
Departure hall
There’s a reason why Changi airport is one of the best in the world. Lots of shops, restaurants, cafes, and… free internet!
Melbourne’s Tullamarine International Airport? Very limited shops and cafes, and internet, is NOT free 
While we waited to board the plane, I was looking for things to take photos of, and Mat, was a little kan chiong about his presentation. So he browsed through his slides again and again looking for mistakes, and reciting his presentation in his head.
As I was saying, I was looking for things to take photos of:
Everybody, meet the A380:
Airbus A380
Our flight from Melbourne > Singapore> Tokyo, was in the A380, the largest passenger airliner in the world, for now. Double decker. And ya, we sat on the upper deck! WOO HOO!
Any difference? Well… the new screens in front of you seem to be bigger. I’m not sure whether I jakun or what, but it felt like I had a little more leg room, Mat felt that as well.
And one big difference that I noticed… it’s quieter. Not sure whether it’s because we were sitting on the upper deck or what. But it’s definitely not as rumbling and noisy as the 747 or the 777.
Our in flight food on the way to Changi.
I had the beef and Mat had the chicken.
Next, in flight snack.
One good thing about travelling in pairs, you get to order one of each selection, so you can try both selections.
Chow Mien
Pasta
The joy of flying with SIA? Inflight movies! WOO HOO! I know you can get that with other airlines lah, but hey, I’ve been flying with budget airlines for the past 2 years.
From Melbourne > Changi, I watched a total of 2 and 99% of movies. What’s with the 99%? I was watching Iron Man 2, and with 1 and a half minute to go….. the screen went blank, and the announcement came out that we are about to land. AARRRGGGHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Imagine the suspense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mat consoled me by saying that you can fast forward later on our flight from Changi > Tokyo. Phew~ And… it will the same selection of movies… Double Phew~
The other 2 movies I watched was Robin Hood and Nodame Cantabile II (a Japanese movie which I have been following the manga, anime, drama, and I absolutely adore the main actress).
With about 8 hours to spare till our next flight, our lovely friend Wen Li, came to fetch us at Changi and took us around to eat in Singapore. She arrived Singapore like 2 days before us, a very last minute decision by her to go back for a short holiday.
Mat at the ticket machine to catch the MRT
Wen Li warned us before hand that their food might not be as good as Malaysia. Went to Bedok. Ordered Char Kueh. I think the uncle who fried this better go to Kuching to learn. Mat gave this dish only a 1/10.
Char Kueh
ABC
Cendol
Btw, there’s not only 1 red bean ok? Just so happen when I dug in, only 1 red bean came up on top. There was actually too much red beans in this cendol.
I think this is Singapore hokkien mee. Not too bad.
Singapore Hokkien Mee
Then after Bedok, went to Bugis to meet up with Mat’s friend, Wun She.
Wrong camera angle, as if Mat has something on his head, with Wun She
Mat ordered a very interesting drink on the menu…. Bittergourd juice. First thought… YUCKS!
Bittergourd juice
After trying a little bit, it was surprisingly pleasant to drink.
Both Wen Li and myself ordered a claypot of porridge to share.
Claypot porridge
Came with mini spring rolls, which was pretty nice.
Mini spring rolls
Really appreciate Wen Li for taking the time to take us around to eat. The white tshirt that I’m wearing, and Mat’s grey tshirt, just bought from Singapore, in transit. Can you believe it? We were both wearing long sleeves when we left Melbourne, because it was pretty cold, and forgetting that Singapore is so warm, I forgot to pack tshirts in our backpacks to change. So Wen Li took us to look for tshirts to buy in Bedok. We chose the tshirt, wore it, told the cashier to snip off the price tag, paid, and left with the tshirts on our skin! Cool hor!
And then we’re back in Changi. This last photo is taken in Changi Airport, purposely, for a certain someone. You know who you are! hahaha…
dunno why, but the s’pore hokkien mee used to be dry – at the those i had last time were dry. they serve this sort (with a bit of gravy) at pavilion KL too now.
nice photos – especially the last one, hahah. any close ups of the merchandise? LOL
You go and close up yourself lah.
actually i think i did. LOL. on transit from perth 2 years ago.