Week 37 (Japan (Funabashi, Tokyo and Mt. Fuji) and Philippines (Manila))

03/01

Woke up round 8.00, but stayed in bed long. Another great breakfast. Went to M's church (Catholic), where i met a lot of her friends (again). After the service we had food there. Very cosy i must say.

Went by train to Asakusa, the touristic area of Tokyo. For 100 yen you could have your future predicted (on a small piece of paper that is). I shouldn't have, coz it was misery all over (in such a situation you leave the paper behind, tightened to a fence (and so i did)).

Then to the Skytree (in 2012 the highest building in the world (then came Abu Dabi)). We went up to the 31st floor, but fog all over, so nothing to be seen. I thought of another F-word that sounds a bit like "fog". Nice experience though.

On the way back we got a phone call from Joanna. She invited us for a little diner in het bar ("The Lighthouse"), and so we did. When the karaoke started again i felt like "lets go home". Half an hour later we did. Cuddled and watched some tv before going to bed.

03/02

Rose early, since had to catch the train to Mt. Fuji. First the normal train (during rush hour that's quit an effort). Too early at Tokyo Central, so time to have breakfast. 10.00 train to Odawara and the bus from there to Hakone at the foot of Mt. Fuji.

We could not check in in the hotel, so ... stored our lugage there and went to the big viewpoint by rope train (Kabel baan). Great Views ...

but unfortunately Mt. Fuji was covered in clouds. Luckily we had been able to see it in the sun when we arrived by train.

A little boat trip after that (I love boat trips). Hard time not to fall asleep though. Warm boat after a cold walk, early rise... you know.

At 16.00 check in in the hotel (Prince Hotel). Well, i can tell you: at this moment i'm not a low budget backpacker, but an incredible luxury tourist being completely spoiled my M. Will never be able to return this favor.

Had a nice bath in a very, very hot Jacuci (good for my painfull shoulder (oh, yeah got that shoulder after a fall from the bike on the way to church)). Now updating blog in the most luxureous hotel room i have ever been in. Laterz. Diner is at 19.30, so... need to shave (and put on my jeans ... hihihi).

And what a diner it was. I think i know most of the japanese kitchen by now. It's lovely (and expensive, but hey ... special it was). Took another jacuci bath after diner. Feeling warm inside and outside now.

Can't sleep though. Laterz.


Slept well later on.


03/03

Woke up and rose at 8.00 Luxury breakfast (of course) in the hotel. Out for sightseeing now. Bus from 15.00H back to Adowara. From there the bullet train to Tokyo.

Took a taxi drive in the environment of the hotel. Saw Mt. Fuji, between the clouds and lots of geo thermal sources (with horrible sulfide smell). Very nice tour though. Once more evidence of how I'm spoiled here. ;-).

Took the 13.00h bus to Adowara and the bullet train to Tokyo from there. Nice experience ... and it's fast!

Back in Funabashi we spend the late afternoon and the evening snacking, nice spaghetti marinara, and seeing documentaries, while cuddling on the couch. Feeling sad, since it's the last evening for a while. (Next time it's Schiermonnikoog.)

Slept good, but woke up really early (had to).


03/04

Rose at 5, took a cab to the metro train at 5.30, trained to Narita Airport and arrived there at 7. Cecked in and ... said goodbey for the time being. Not going describe the feelings of that moment, sorry. Gonna miss her terribly though. That I can tell ya.

Now waiting for my flight to MNL at the gate. Laterz.

Flight went smooth. Took a long time to get here in the Slouch Hat (hotel) again. Slow buses, traffic jam, overcrowded RLT trains and a painfull foot. Glad Im here.'
Checking M's messages now.

Ate in the park ... M on my mind ... back to my hotel(letje!). Shower, answering all email. Takes ages. (Slow PC and slow connection). Also booked the ferry for my 2nd visit to Boracay.
Guess i will sleep well, however... Laterz.

Did sleep well, but dreamt of M.


03/05

Woke up at 8, rose at 9. made the necessary prints for the trip to Bocaray on the 9th. Coffee and a nice chat with Aussie Graham in the hotel. Checked email and sent one to ASML, to let them know i am available as of the 1st of june, if all goes like planned.

Bought a breakfast at the 7 eleven and ate it in Rizal park. Watched tv in the afternoon and fell asleep again.

Went to the SM (Super Mall) at 4. Bought a ticket for "Focus" (movie with Will Smith). Ate a little and saw the movie. Nice one, but would be nicer to see it with M. Walked back to the Hotel area, sipped a beer at the local food place. Now in the lounge of the hotel, updating blog and about to publish week 36.

M has been on my mind all day. Miss her terribly.


03/06

Slept good, Gonna visit two old spanish colonial buildings 2 km's away from here. Good exercise for my infected heel as well (i hope), but first .. breakfast. Laterz.

Went to the park to eat breakfast (a very nice local burger), then bought two books for 40 PHP (Euro 0,80) at the mall. Never saw the colonial buildings. Went back to the park to read. Watched the tele in hotel (to escape the heat).

At the end of the afternoon i went back to the mall, to eat and to watch another movie (Chappie, nice one; same writer as district 9). Sipped a beer at the local food place. Updating blog in hotels lounge now.

Still miss M. Won't change. Don't want it to change either. Laterz.


03/07

Repeated yesterday: Breakfast with a burger added with a banana and a chocolte drink from the 7 eleven, Read in the park (had a brewed!) coffee in the parks open air restaurant (i eat or drink there something every day). Escaped the heat by watching the news in my hotelroom (Netan Yahoo is acting weird in the american congress). To the mall to see another movie (Unfinished business (nice but not spectecular)). Beer at the local food place.

Anything positive? Yes: foot is getting better (not painless yet though) and shoulder slowly getting less painfull too.

Can i be honest? The days are empty without M. Miss you. Perhaps Boracay will give my mind some rest. Plan to go there by monday's night ferry from Batangas. See you all later...

23:00 H This is pathetic: live music ... well, one guitar player playing so out of tune that i put in my ear plugs (he can't see!) and everybody staring in every direction but his... ouch ... it really hurts.