Awaji Island 8 June

I survived the camp in the tent, waking up with a neck ache and suffering from restless sleep. 

Though it's summer, it's like Singapore's weather in December, cooling. 

We left the camp site for breakfast at a bakery cafe known as Posche, which serves sumptuous breakfast set at 500 Yen only. The breakfast comprised of toast with ham, mash potato, salad and coffee. We also ordered Ala carte assortment of bread. The bread were soft, chewy and flavorful. I always wonder why bread in Singapore always taste so different from these. 

After breakfast, we met up with Acco san who brought us to this garden. Not all flower beds were blooming with flowers, but the air was cooling and refreshing. 

Most of the afternoon was spent in a home run cafe having lunch and coffee. 

Dinner was good, we went to this supposedly the number one udon restaurant in Awaji. The soup bases were flavorful. We had duck and Yuzi, onion and beef soup and they all tasted different and of course very delicious. We also had 关东煮 and all cost us only 3000 over Yen. Gone are the days that people cry "expensive" in Japan. 

An unpleasant episode happened at the close of the day though, something which I thought will

Not happen in Japan. The beach bar waiter refused to let us use the toilet as we did not purchase anything from the bar. We were trying to avoid using the common toilet at the camp site. I was disappointed and really displease by this incident. 

What a way to close the day!!!

Awaji Island 7 June 2015

Today, we made a trip to Awaji Island. 

Rika has planned a camping trip. We will be putting up in a 5 men tentage by a beach. It was pitch dark at night and the tent was lit by a few oil lamps. 

For lunch, we stopped by a restaurant for Japanese food. 

We also dropped by Seapa Onsen for bath before heading for BBQ beef dinner.

 

6 June 2015 Osaka Day 1

We set off to Osaka today. 

When we arrived at Kansai Airport, it was already 9.15pm and to our shock, there were such a huge crowd at the immigration. 

We had to catch the last bus to meet Yoshi so that he didn't have to come all the way to the airport. 

At first, the queue inched forward as there were not many immigration counters open. But thank God, so more counters were opened and we also managed to be at the queue which cleared faster. 

Once cleared the custom, we dashed towards the luggage collection to grab our luggage and then made a run to the bus stop. 

While looking for an information counter to asked for direction, I spotted bus stops outside the airport. At last, we manage to be at the bus boarding point 15 minutes before time. 

The bus journey too us an hour which was faster than the scheduled duration by half an hour. Yoshi picked us at the station and we went to have supper at the usual Ramen place which served hot and cold Yuzi Ramen. Each bowl was only 800 Yen and the ramen was delicious. 

We slept only at 2 am after presenting our gifts to our ever friendly hosts and catching up a little. 

Birthday Gift #7

Have been eyeing this Olympus Pen 5 since a few months ago. When I last checked the price, it was about $1200. 

Now, Harvey Norman is retailing at $923. So I thought this is a good buy. When it was first launch 2 years ago, it was retailing at $1700. 

The shelf life of an electronic product is about 2 years and prices will be about half. 

Birthday Treat from Bin Keong

Bin Keong brought us to:

The food is delicious and beautifully presented. 

Birthday Gift #6

Thanks Joyce and Lee Shan for this thoughtful experience. 

Birthday Gift #5

Came back to work on Monday and found a box of Rocher on my table. Thanks R for the sweet tots. 

Birthday Lunch

Birthday lunch with JQ and SB at The Missing Pan. 

Birthday Gift #4

A birthday cake from Juliette. 

Birthday Gift #3

Another black Tee from AX. Thanks SB, Adeline and Ah Gean. 

Birthday Gift #2

I feel so blessed to receive so many gifts. 

Thanks YK for being so generous!