The best thing about taking a Cathay Pacific flight to Tokyo is they transit in Hong Kong and on the way back we can stay there a little while. The comparison is unbearable. They are rude, easily annoyed and so impolite. Hey, I don't need to be treated like a queen, just a basic human being interaction dude. Start from the taxi driver has been smoking inside his vehicle, people in the airport (I'm talking staff here) are careless and ignored passengers that asking for directions, bad hygiene in toilet and almost anywhere in the city, seriously, if it haven't been for the cheap stuff (busted) I'm not here. The perfumes are a lot cheaper, not that fake one, the one that sold in reputable store, like can be 45% cheaper than in Singapore. Luggage that sold in Giant (Singapore) can be 50% cheaper there, but not the food. The food there is expensive. Instant noodle with spam cost like 6S$. That's 2x the price from Singapore. But the good thing is, people in Hong Kong make Singaporean seems a lot nicer, at least most of the staff at the mall gave me direction to the toilet with decency and sometime a smile, with them, you got a big inhale, avoiding eye contact and really want to shoo-you-out attitude. Here are some of the view in Hong Kong during our visit. The first one is taken at Avenue of Stars, 2nd one is from Victoria Peak and last when we are taking Star Ferry to the Central.
Hong Kong itself for me personally is a beautiful place to visit, their land is nothing like I used to stay in, many hills side, tall buildings and really a busy town 24/7. It's just the people that need to be a bit (nope! A LOT) nicer, the only nice people we met is those people in our hotel, the staff there is pretty much helpful and I have no complain against them in the front line staff. And surprisingly those in the cheap market (like at the Ladies Market) some of them are nicer that the sales person at malls. I thought air conditioner supposed to make people more comfortable, maybe Hong Kong people hate cool air and get irritated easily by that...hey, it's just thought?!
In June 2010, me and my family were in Japan. Buckled with experience from our previous trip to Seoul in 2007 we make sure, we've done our homework this time. But, against all odds ;p many can speak English well, and we found no meaningful hardship there.
This is the map to Sanrio Puroland, a place where it's not as famous as Disneyland and only locals were found visiting the place during our visit. It was a real treat for anyone who love Hello Kitty or anything that got to do with her, including her friends and stuff.
There's not many rides inside, mainly shows, visitor can ask for an English based schedule, but since the show is presented in Japanese language, we're just goo goo ga ga about how pretty the dress is or how cute KeroKeroKeroppi jump. information and details about the place can be found on their website. Don't forget to print out a discount coupon if you want to go there. Here are some things that you must see and check in this place: 1.Their restaurant on the 2nd floor, every meals purchased is included with the container you can bring home, we go the Hello Kitty container with separator for rice and dish. 2. Kitty Lab, check the opening time, and enjoy a fun adventure. 3. Their shows. It is fun to watch and see how high spirited Japanese people are.
Sanrio Puroland closed at 5 pm, and whether we like it or not, it is time for us to go. It is pouring rain outside and near the exit they sell balloons, very cute and I really regret not buying one.
We ate ramen near the train station, and any other place where we ate in Tokyo (and surrounding) water are free and they provide cups too. Japanese people are very polite, it feel like 180 degree so different from local people here in Singapore.
The next day we visited Mt.Fuji, and thank God the weather is clear and we can see the whole thing in clear view.Then Hakone which just about 1-2 hour bus ride.Apparently this tour is really worth paying since it's almost impossible for us to went there all on our own since we have no access. The thing I love about our trip is there's never a dull moment and everywhere I go the amenities is right around the corner, either food, a convenient store, or things to see. So many vending machine, it's like wherever you go, there it is.
On the way back to Tokyo we took Shinkansen, which, well, it's not as 'cool' as I thought, the feeling inside is really just like taking other train....without any bump and sound, since they didn't touch the ground (so it does cool a bit). Our next destination is Disneyland, we visit Tokyo DisneySea on Sunday, there are crowds but not so much, I meant not so overwhelming. The queue on each ride still under an hour. For us it is quite okay, since there are many things to see around here...and eat. They have popcorn in containers that collectibles and so cute. Hard to resist since they have so many designs and inside each container got different flavor popcorn.
Then Tokyo Disneyland on the following day. It's Monday but the crowd is so much worst than the yesterday, one ride the queue can be as long as 180 minutes. But we are smarter and get more fastpass. Many shows to see, many things to eat and more ride that we enter this time, we really enjoy our time here in Disneyland.
Our trip in Tokyo-Japan was a blast and would really love to come back here again. For more info about Tokyo Disneyland and Sea you can visit their website or even book tickets there (which I think unnecessary) but there are 2 places in Disneyland that need pre -book online, so be sure to do that.
The best thing about taking a Cathay Pacific flight to Tokyo is they transit in Hong Kong and on the way back we can stay there a little while. The comparison is unbearable. They are rude, easily annoyed and so impolite. Hey, I don't need to be treated like a queen, just a basic human being interaction dude. Start from the 
them, you got a big inhale, avoiding eye contact and really want to shoo-you-out attitude.
