HOLIDAY IN JAPAN - FUKUOKA TO TOKYO

Before leaving for Tokyo, some of my ex-colleagues hosted a get together or rather a "reunion" dinner at Gyoza Li (餃子李), a popular Chinese restaurant in Yukuin, Fukuoka. 

 

With good food and plenty to drink, it was an evening of joy, sharing the many great memories in the 90s during my tenure as their boss there.

On the next day, before boarding our flight to Tokyo, we had the Hakata ramen "高菜ラーメン" at Fukuoka Domestic Airport.

 The "Ramen" shop.

I have never missed taking this ramen whenever I returned to Fukuoka for a visit.

Our aircraft being "push back" for departure.

It's our first experience traveling on a B787-8 Dreamliner of ANA.

At cruising attitude.

The seat layout for Economy class is 3-3-3 with a comfortable 34 inch pitch. 

It was raining heavily when we landed at Haneda Airport.

 

 It's a long walk to the arrival hall, however, there's the comfort of walkalator. 

Our accommodation was Shinagawa Prince hotel, 1 minute walk from the station.

For dinner we selected an Izakaya restaurant near the hotel.

It was a very good meal to end our day. 

A WEEKEND BREAK AT MESILAU, KUNDASANG

Mesilau, closed to the foot of Mt.Kinabalu is the highest point accessible by automobiles. It is a great place to escape the usual hot weather in Kota Kinabalu. At an attitude of 1981 meters above sea level, the temperature ranges from 15-20 degree celsius in the day time and 10 degree and below at night. 

Accommodation is available in Mesilau and Kundasang like these lodges including a 5 star Mesilau Resort.   

 Flowers and green grow exceptionally well in the temperate highland.

Beside enjoying the cool weather, the spectacular view of Mt.Kinabalu looming in front was another bonus in the morning.    

  A picture to remember that beautiful morning.

I spent the morning zooming my camera at Mount Kinabalu. It was a real fascinating experience in seeing the top of the mountain at close range.

 

 

 

 

 

 I believed the summit trail is at the left hand corner of this picture.

  Zoomed into the trail.

I could see Laban Rata Rest house. 

We put up a night at the Dreamworld Resort. The accommodation was disappointing. The chalets appeared deluxe from outside but most the rooms were "run down". Surprisingly, there was no in-house telephone to communicate with the Receptionist.  Getting extra pillows cost RM10.00 each. 

I inspected this property when it was opened for business in 2010. The resort was well furnished especially the rooms. In the lap of 5 years, their rooms have run down, most probably caused by the poor house keeping and lack of maintenance.             

HOLIDAY IN JAPAN - UNAGI

Unagi is a signature dish in Japanese cuisine - charcoal grilled and glazed with a sweet rich sauce normally served with steamed rice. Unagi is the Japanese word for freshwater eel. It was a Summer delicacy in the past but now is popular the whole year round. 

 Unaju set lunch - grilled unagi, rice, pickles and eel liver soup.

Matsusaka san, a friend whom I have known for 25 years recommended us this restaurant. 

Unagi is a must try dish when visiting Japan. It's delicious!  Try out this unagi specialist, Yanagawa   restaurant,  in Tenjin when you are in Fukuoka. 

HOLIDAY IN JAPAN - YUFUIN & BEPPU.

One evening while driving through the streets of Beppu, I spotted a MOS Burger outlet where we ended up having a burger dinner.

Mos Burger is a Japanese fast food restaurant chain. It is now the second largest fast food franchise after McDonald's in Japan. They have outlets in other countries, like Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea and Thailand. 

 Our dinner - A Teriyaki chicken, a Fish burger and some chips.

 I opted for the Teriyaki chicken burger and a cup of Japanese freshly brewed coffee.

 My wife preferred black coffee.

 The next morning, we had breakfast at the Ryokan's restaurant.

A typical Japanese Tatami restaurant with the view of a beautiful Japanese garden. Most of their guests had left when we arrived.

A healthy Japanese breakfast - Fresh tofu, pickles, small egg rolls, a slice of grilled fish, "miso" soup and white rice.

We drove over to Hotel Seikai in the bay of Beppu to meet our daughter's friend for lunch at the Bayan restaurant inside the hotel. This restaurant served Japanese and Western delicacies.

 A premium Chirashi set

 Ochazuke set.

 Seafood pasta. 

Melody and her six months old baby.

After lunch, we headed back to Fukuoka. We had a great time in the countryside of Yufuin and the city of Beppu especially meeting up with the young lady and her baby.