Shinjuku Mitsui Building
Tokyo Sumitomo Building
Shinjuku Center Building
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Sompo Japan Building
Shinjuku Nomura Building + Sompo Japan Building
I got a room upgrade this time around...
...and loved the views.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
西新宿
I had an afternoon in Nishi-Shinjuku for once, so I explored.
Shinjuku Mitsui Building
Tokyo Sumitomo Building
Shinjuku Center Building
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Sompo Japan Building
Shinjuku Nomura Building + Sompo Japan Building
I got a room upgrade this time around...
...and loved the views.
Shinjuku Mitsui Building
Tokyo Sumitomo Building
Shinjuku Center Building
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Sompo Japan Building
Shinjuku Nomura Building + Sompo Japan Building
I got a room upgrade this time around...
...and loved the views.
Tokyo
Well, it's 1AM and I'm wide awake. This jet lag stuff is awful. Might as well get some photos processed...
My first hour in Tokyo was a little stressful... While checking-in, the receptionist asked for my passport. I looked into my bag, only to find my wallet. Then, the Kübler-Ross model kicked in...
What had happened:
It was my first time flying into Haneda Airport, so I went to the info desk to figure out how to get to Shinjuku station. Apparently, I dropped my passport while I was there.
Luckily, I had plans to eat, drink, and be merry. Some friends had planned a picnic at Yoyogi Park for their co-worker's birthday.
^fact: that instrument is modular and awesome.
The next day, I returned to HND to pick up my passport. Then I headed to the Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Art. The area around Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station was very quiet...
The street was lined with community made dolls that represented various things in culture.
Street Flair.
One could only take photos in an exhibit called Ghosts, Underpands, and Stars. There were a series of different rooms that led you through each subject. The exhibit was aimed towards children and encouraged them to interact with the art. Kids ran, yelled and played with the pieces.
‘Stars’ symbolized wishes.
‘Underpants’ symbolized a child's growth.
‘Ghosts’ symbolized imagination.
Looking outside.
Monday - Friday were spent on work related stuff. I was able to get dinner with friends on Friday night; at a small place in Shibuya. The place was cozy and served dishes from a Japanese island.
Best find of the trip? Taco rice and steak wrapped tofu!!!
My first hour in Tokyo was a little stressful... While checking-in, the receptionist asked for my passport. I looked into my bag, only to find my wallet. Then, the Kübler-Ross model kicked in...
- Denial: It must be in my other bag!
- Anger: WHAT IS THIS?! IT'S NOT HERE?! I NEVER LOSE THINGS!!!
- Bargaining: Please excuse me while I look through my bag for the 5th time. I must of missed it the first four times. Also, please give me some more time to go through my other bags again.
- PANIC!
- STRONGER PANICKING!!!
- Depression: I'm screwed, they'll never let me back into the states...
- Acceptance: The hotel tells me how to file a police report; so I can go to the embassy for a new passport...
- Joy: Front desk calls me. The airport found it.
What had happened:
It was my first time flying into Haneda Airport, so I went to the info desk to figure out how to get to Shinjuku station. Apparently, I dropped my passport while I was there.
Luckily, I had plans to eat, drink, and be merry. Some friends had planned a picnic at Yoyogi Park for their co-worker's birthday.
^fact: that instrument is modular and awesome.
The next day, I returned to HND to pick up my passport. Then I headed to the Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Art. The area around Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station was very quiet...
The street was lined with community made dolls that represented various things in culture.
Street Flair.
One could only take photos in an exhibit called Ghosts, Underpands, and Stars. There were a series of different rooms that led you through each subject. The exhibit was aimed towards children and encouraged them to interact with the art. Kids ran, yelled and played with the pieces.
‘Stars’ symbolized wishes.
‘Underpants’ symbolized a child's growth.
‘Ghosts’ symbolized imagination.
Looking outside.
Monday - Friday were spent on work related stuff. I was able to get dinner with friends on Friday night; at a small place in Shibuya. The place was cozy and served dishes from a Japanese island.
Best find of the trip? Taco rice and steak wrapped tofu!!!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
CX548 - HKG to HND
Cathay operates one of their 77H's on this short haul flight, and I was able to find award availability in F for a measly 28k miles!
This meant that I had access to check out Cathay's new first class lounge, The Wing. Below is the champagne bar section. Sadly, all the cabana rooms were already filled when I arrived.
I booked this flight over a 747 flight, with a later departure time, as two co-workers and I have worked on variations of this 777's configuration. The latest plane delivered just last month with a slightly refreshed first class seat.
^B-KPV is around 2-years old
Seat 1A.
^The ottomon doubles as another seat, so one can dine with a fellow passenger.
...and check out that bin-less interior! The mini-suites have adequate stowage for your carry-on items, shoes, your jacket, a pillow, some bedding, a bicycle, your groceries, and more...
The flight was wonderful. The food was fancy and well made (go galleys!), the attendants were friendly and attentive. I had some good conversation with the crew and received constructive feedback on the galleys, the TV was HUGE, and the seat was comfy and massaged my back. I don't know what else to say.... so here's a view of Taiwan!
This meant that I had access to check out Cathay's new first class lounge, The Wing. Below is the champagne bar section. Sadly, all the cabana rooms were already filled when I arrived.
I booked this flight over a 747 flight, with a later departure time, as two co-workers and I have worked on variations of this 777's configuration. The latest plane delivered just last month with a slightly refreshed first class seat.
^B-KPV is around 2-years old
Seat 1A.
^The ottomon doubles as another seat, so one can dine with a fellow passenger.
...and check out that bin-less interior! The mini-suites have adequate stowage for your carry-on items, shoes, your jacket, a pillow, some bedding, a bicycle, your groceries, and more...
The flight was wonderful. The food was fancy and well made (go galleys!), the attendants were friendly and attentive. I had some good conversation with the crew and received constructive feedback on the galleys, the TV was HUGE, and the seat was comfy and massaged my back. I don't know what else to say.... so here's a view of Taiwan!
Friday, September 6, 2013
Hong Kong - A Sunny Day!
My third and final day. I woke up early and found that it was sunny outside! I decided to go for a pre-breakfast walk. The streets were pretty deserted and some cabs were hanging out waiting for their first customers.
The waterfront was a busy place. We had folks headed to work and runners getting some miles in before work.
With the weather much nicer, there were many boats in the water.
I eventually got breakfast and took the Star Ferry across to Central.
And made my way to The Peak Tram terminal.
The line was long, but I eventually made it up this tourist trap.
^this place is literally a trap. The observation deck is on top of a mall, where one must ride escalators up multiple levels. Then you can enjoy this view.
Afterwards, I headed back to through Causeway Bay to get this amazing beverage. In a nutshell, it's a block of mango jelly, a block of aloe jelly, and some mango juice.
I returned to Kowloon just in time for sunset.
I got dinner and headed out to the waterfront again to get some skyline shots. The water was still filled with boats; as the weather was still very nice.
And to treat myself, i wento the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra's opening night. The phil debuted Bright Sheng's, Shanghai Overture. Also on the program was Beethoven's Piano Concerto no. 5 Emperor, and Dvořák's Symphony no. 9 From the New World.
The waterfront was a busy place. We had folks headed to work and runners getting some miles in before work.
With the weather much nicer, there were many boats in the water.
I eventually got breakfast and took the Star Ferry across to Central.
And made my way to The Peak Tram terminal.
The line was long, but I eventually made it up this tourist trap.
^this place is literally a trap. The observation deck is on top of a mall, where one must ride escalators up multiple levels. Then you can enjoy this view.
Afterwards, I headed back to through Causeway Bay to get this amazing beverage. In a nutshell, it's a block of mango jelly, a block of aloe jelly, and some mango juice.
I returned to Kowloon just in time for sunset.
I got dinner and headed out to the waterfront again to get some skyline shots. The water was still filled with boats; as the weather was still very nice.
And to treat myself, i wento the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra's opening night. The phil debuted Bright Sheng's, Shanghai Overture. Also on the program was Beethoven's Piano Concerto no. 5 Emperor, and Dvořák's Symphony no. 9 From the New World.