We are going to Yokohama

Friday morning started different.  Instead of heading out to breakfast at the hotel both Sherryl and I decide we're going to grab a great breakfast at Sarabeth's a famous New York style breakfast chain from New York.

After getting ready I saw that it was located on the 2nd floor of Lumine 2 which is connected to Shinjuku station.  We walked the distance over there but we couldn't seem to find the actual entrance to Sarabeth's.  With the aid of an employee we were able to find it.

Upon reaching Sarabeth's I noticed the large crowd gathered in front of the restaurant.  I was then told that we had to wait 45 minutes until we could get our seat.  I agreed to it, gave them my name, and both Sherryl and I walked and searched about Lumine 2 which is a high end shopping mall.  

The one thing I noticed about Japan is the expensive international brand names of brands I've never heard of.  It was ridiculous, names of designers that sounded cool but were not famous, and the names of fashion companies outside of Japan that I've never even heard of.  For example Sherryl was looking at a pair of shoes from a brand called UN, United Nude (that's really the brand name), and the going price tag was around $330.

After walking up the 4 to 5 floors we worked our way down to Sarabeth's.  We were then seated at a table for 2 and given our menu.  I ordered Lemon and Ricotta Pancakes with maple syrup while Sherryl ordered Popeye's Eggs which was english muffin with ham, spinach, sundried tomatoes, and scrambled eggs on top. 

Breakfast was awesome and we haven't had a breakfast like this since we left the Conrad.  To get the best of both worlds we decided to split our plates.  I gave Sherryl two of my pancakes while Sherryl gave me half of her dish.  While eating I asked if we could visit Akihabara (Electric City) before we headed out to Yokohama.  Since we were already close to the station we did not have to walk far.  We ended up getting on the JR Line and made our way to Akihabara Station.  The train ride was around 20 minutes and it was pretty cool and scenic.   

Once we got to Akihabara I noticed it was just a mecca for anime and video games.  Both Sherryl and I walked the main street up and down.  It's a place where if there was a game that you wanted or a limited edition that you craved you could find it there.  If there was a box set of your favorite anime that you couldn't find you'd be able to find it in Akihabara.  We stayed there for about 2 hours before we got back on the subway and got on a train to Yokohama. 

The ride from Akihabara station to Yokohama took about 40 minutes.  Once we got there and got off the train it became apparent that we were in an area that was completely different from Tokyo.  The train station looked modern but it wasn't so busy.  We were able to find our way out and with the help of a guide, who spoke great english by the way, we were able to find another train to take us to Motomachi-Chugokai station which was were Yokohama Bay was located as well as Chinatown and Yamashita Park.  

We walk the length of the boardwalk and Sherryl informs me that she could use a Starbucks.  We immediately begin looking for one.  A local did not give us the best of directions and therefore I decided to go to a Seven Eleven and ask an employee.  I asked an employee and immediately an elderly woman starts giving directions to the employee.  I was told to walk back the way we came from and after two blocks make a right.  We then had to walk for about 2 blocks and then the Starbucks would be to our left.  It took about 10 minutes, maybe 15, and the Starbucks was right there, a big store, right in front of Yokohama Park.

Once at Starbucks I order my white chocolate mocha and Sherryl also gets the same thing but instead of milk she opts for soy.  Knowing that our trip back to Shinjuku, Tokyo would take I awhile I also order a pastrami reuben as well.  After eating and relaxing we then head out towards Chinatown since our station is within that vicinity.  

      

After walking the length of Chinatown we find our station, spoke with an official, and we were told to get onto a JR Line train on our way back to Tokyo.  

Within a few minutes after we got on the train I fell asleep.  I figure that the trip was going to be awhile.  However maybe like an hour into the ride I noticed that we were stopping at train stations that we weren't familiar with like Monoa, Chiba, and Funakoshi.  Sherryl agreed that something did not seem right so I asked an old Japanese man in Japanaese "Kono densha wa Shinjuku e ikimasu ka?"  (Is this train going to Shinjuku?)  The man replied, "kono densha?" (this train?) I responded, "hai" or yes.  He shook his head "Shinjuku ja nai", or 'no, this train is not going to Shinjuku it's going to Narita.  In other words our train is going to the airport is which way opposite of where we're going to go.  Somewhere along the line we were supposed to switch and we didn't.

We got off one of the stations and an employee told us to go on the train back to Chiba, get on the Soubu Local Line, and just ride the train to Shinjuku.  We did just that but it took forever.  We were finally able to get to Shinjuku but it was an hour and thirty minute mistake.  

After we exited the station we went back to Tsukiji Sushiko for dinner.  We were both craving sushi and even Masashi told us that Tsukiji was the place to go.  We pretty much got the same thing as last time except we added more fatty tuna nigiri and even tried some mackarel.  

   

After eating such great food we made our way back to the hotel.  We were lucky to make it for dinner as it was past 9 PM when we got to Tsukiji.  

We were both tired and the next day was Saturday.  We did not have anything concretely planned except for attending church which was something that we looked forward to. 

Sensoji and the Tokyo Sky Tree

We had our hands full on Thursday as we were going to see two landmarks.  The first one required us to head out to Asakusa and visit the Sensoji Shrine the oldest temple in Tokyo.  After visiting Sensoji we then had to get onto another train and head out to the Tokyo Sky Tree the 2nd tallest structure in the world and the world's tallest tower.

Prior to Thursday morning Sherryl asked if we could have breakfast at a McDonald's.  She informed me that she just wanted to see if they're breakfast menu was anything different from the MCD back home.  I asked if she was serious and she replied that she was as she's sick of the plain jane breakfast we have at the hotel.  I have to agree the breakfast menu doesn't change and it's not impressive either.
Well morning came around and Sherryl informed me that she feels too lazy to head out to MCD and therefore it was another uneventful start to the morning with our hotel plain jane breakfast.  Glasses of OJ, plates of sausages (more like mini hot dogs), eggs, and some fruits.  They have other choices but who eats beef curry or fish in the morning?

After breakfast Sherryl and I had to map out our trek to Asakusa.  We had to take a different line this time and our trip was a little further out.  When we got to the station we walked up and I asked a local where Sensoji was and he just informed me to walk straight and a quick right.  We did just that and there's no mistaking it.  Sensoji was right in front of us and there's a bunch of people in front of the Kaminarimon Gate.

After you enter the gate you're immediately in front of Nakamise Dori which is a street that leads to the temple.  The street is full of vendors selling everything from t-shirts, souvenirs, toys, and so forth.

After we pass through Nakamise Dori we look to the right and see the Tokyo Sky Tree which was impressive.

We took a few photos in this area and finally made our way into the temple.  Immediately we see tour groups and the biggest one was a french speaking crew from Montreal.  We're not allowed to take any photos of the shrine but we did anyway simply because we did not know and we did not see any signs.

After we left the shrine we took all sorts of pictures from around the temple.  We walked a bit and then suddenly Sherryl remembers Konome telling her about a special shop that sells different dishes of Sweet Potato.  Sherryl is an addict of that kind of thing and therefore we go about to try to find it.  Luckily the name of the shop is Oiyama San.  We couldn't find it initially but there was a police corner and the officers gave me concrete instructions on how to get there.  It was a quite a trek but we eventually find it and we ordered two dishes, both of which tasted great, and Sherryl ended up purchasing sweet potato fries or chips that she plans on bringing back home.

With some time to kill we head back to Nakamise Dori so that we can buy some souvenirs.  There wasn't anything that caught my attention but Sherryl bought a few things.  After some more walking we head out to the station to find out what train to take to head out to the Tokyo Sky Tree.

We couldn't find the train initially but there was a college student that approached us and asked me if I could answer some questions for him.  He asked the basic questions on why I came to Japan, how long is my stay, and what did I visit and so forth.  I answered the questions honestly and the student then told me that I needed to take a different exit, walk to my left to pass a Burger King (really), and then was a few meters and the train station would be to our left.

We found the station and we take the train to the Tokyo Sky Tree.  We were initially in a shopping plaza called Tokyo Solomachi.  We were then told to exit the plaza and take the escalators up to the 4th floor.  We did just that and I was able to take a photo looking up which you can see above this paragraph.

We then had to enter the entrance and go through a maze like line and wait until make it to the counter.  It had the look and feel of checking in for a flight.  HD screens were everywhere and the line was long but efficiently moving.

When it was time for Sherryl and I we were lead to the ticket counter and after paying we continued on to our right until we met up with a crowd of people by the elevator.  Right before we got onto the elevator I kept thinking this feels like we're in a line for some sort of crazy roller coaster or a blockbuster film.  We got into the elevator and immediately it shoots us right up.

We ended up reaching the 350th floor and upon the elevator opening up we could see Tokyo from such a high platform.  Everything was visible, we could even see Tokyo Tower and how short it is compared to the Sky Tree.  There were kids everywhere some with their parents and many of them with their schools.  Apparently today was a day of field trips for a number of schools.

After spending a lot of time viewing and taking photos we started to work our way down.  We got down to the 340th floor and just sat by the window as the day was turning to the evening.  That's what everything started getting pretty because of the lights.

After viewing Tokyo in all its night time beauty both Sherryl and I worked our way down.  We got to the 4th floor and we were looking for something to eat.  We walked out and saw a McDonald's, Denny's, and a Cold Stone.  Without much hesitation we decided on Denny's.  They have a completely different menu than they do back home.



After dinner I was craving ice cream and therefore I got a strawberry shortcake special from Cold Stone.  After walking out of Cold Stone we then saw Sky Tree in its beautiful illuminated beauty.

The photo above does not do it justice.  We took a slew of photos from different vantage points.  After we were done we headed back down the subway and took the train back to Shinjuku.  Today was a great day.  Got to see some great things and some historic landmarks both modern and traditional.  

Before I went to bed I asked Sherryl what she wanted to see, she replied that she wants to see Yokohama.  I want to see it too but it seems like a such a long ride away.  Nevertheless I agree to it and feel that the train ride there would be interesting and awesome.  

Yokohama

For Wednesday Sherryl and I did not have anything really planned.  After dinner on Monday night I posted a picture on Facebook of our dinner at Tsukiji Sushiko.  Immediately I got notified by how many of my friends that liked the picture.

One of those friends happens to be a fighter from Japan that I trained with at the Kaewsamrit gym about 3 years ago.  I met Masashi Hirano at the Kaewsamrit gym along with Yuya Suzuki who was also training at the gym.

Apparently Masashi asked if I was in Japan and I responded that I was staying at a hotel in Shinjuku.  He then asked if we could meet up on Wednesday since he lived in Yokohama.  I told him that I would let him know on Tuesday night.

Honestly, since it was my first time in Japan I was kind of hesitant in meeting with him.  There's nothing wrong with Masashi but I had this idea that Yokohama was pretty far.  I did not really have anything to gage the length with.  I figured it was like driving to Sacramento from Stockton.  I did not want to commit to seeing him and then bailing on him at the last minute.  Sherryl on the other hand thought it would great to see him.

Well Tuesday came around and I told him that I would give him a final answer on Wednesday after breakfast.  He politely stated that he could meet us at either Tama Plaza Station or Shibuya station.  Shibuya station is not far from where I am and so I asked if we could meet there.  He agreed at first and so Sherryl and I just winged our Wednesday since we did not have anything planned for that day.

After breakfast we took a short nap.  Later on we decided to go grab Starbucks and just relax for a bit.  We found one on our way back to the hotel the previous day but for some odd reason we couldn't find it again.  With the help of one of the locals we found a different one that was located in a department store.

It was very different experience at this Starbucks.  We were told that we had to sit outside.  We complied, sat for a few minutes, and then one of the baristas escorted us to our table.  It was very similar to eating a restaurant.  Once we were at the table we just waited as we did not know what else to do.  I then decided that I would get up while Sherryl waited at the table.

I ordered what I normally always order which is a white mocha with no whip cream grande size.  Sherryl got a tall caramel macchiato with soy instead of whole milk.  She also got a cinnamon roll while I ordered a slice of apple pie.  We relaxed for a bit and talked over on what we were going to do for the next couple of hours before we meet up with Masashi.

I haven't visited any kickboxing or MMA gyms on this trip and I did not have any reason to.  But since there was time to kill I decided to head out to Shibuya and visit Silver Wolf Gym which is home to Masato the most famous Kickboxer from Japan.

We went to Shinjuku station and after a transfer of trains at Shibuya we headed off to Sangen-Jaya station.  After we exited the station we walked to Silver Wolf where there wasn't anybody really training.  The gym was small but fully equipped.  It had one boxing ring and every piece of gear that was necessary as well as all of the heavy bags.  Ken, who was manning the front desk at the time asked me to come back in an hour at around 4 because that is when the professional training starts.

Sherryl and I thought it would be cool to see the training but we had one hour to kill.  We walked down the road and saw a department store called Keio but later we found out it was Walmart Japan.  Sherryl ended up shopping and buying a sweater and some other useful items.  I took it as an opportunity to just sit down and relax.  After Sherryl was done we headed back out to Silver Wolf.

Once we got there the gym gave us two chairs to just sit down and watch.  They told us that the training starts at 4 but training did not really start until 4:30.  From 4 to 4:30 the fighters just start trickling in.  I knew two of the fighters just from watching K-1 but the rest I did not know.  In Thailand training starts at 3 pm and it really starts at 3.  If you're late you're late, the session starts without you.  

There's only one head trainer and that trainer is the only trainer period.  There were about 11 fighters and 10 of them were paired up so there were 5 pairs training each other.  One fighter would attack and the other would be working the mitts or the thai pads.  One of the fighters seemed to be new and he was working with the head trainer.

We were able to see about 3 rounds of training.  Sherryl and I couldn't stay long because we were under the impression that we had to meet up with Masashi at 5:30 pm at the Shibuya station.  So we got up and I bowed in respect to Daiguji san (the head trainer) for allowing us to watch.  He bowed back politely and waived at us as we left the gym.

We walked back to Sangen-Jaya station and were able to make it back to Shibuya.  Unfortunately Masashi asked that we go to Tama Plaza Station instead.  Since we were already committed in meeting him we tried to find a way to get to Tama Plaza.  I did not even see it on the train map so I figured it was pretty far.  However one of the station attendants told us it's not far, not expensive, and that we should take the express train.

Sherryl and I take the express train and it was a different kind of ride.  It did seem long at least longer than some of the other rides that we took.  I even see us crossing a bridge over a body of water and what looked to be Tokyo in the background.  Anyway, we finally make it to Tama Plaza Station.

After a bit of waiting we meet up with Masashi and he's looking cool as always.  He informed us that he had his own car and that he'll be taking us to a Yakiniku Restaurant (Japanese BBQ).  We get into his spot clean Toyota Prius and he takes us for a drive.  Almost instantaneously my Japanese just flows and Masashi and I start conversing in Japanese.  I then notice that the area and pace of life is similar to Stockton and is much quieter than Tokyo.  Masashi then tells us that we're in Yokohama, Kanagawa and outside of Tokyo.  It made a lot of sense as Tokyo seemed like a place in which you really needed to rely on the public transit system similar to New York or Singapore.  In Yokohama it seemed like you really needed your own car to get around.

After a little bit of driving we arrived at Yakiniku Daifuku.  It's a cool restaurant and Sherryl was immediately excited.  We were ordered to take off our shoes and put them in a locker.  I never had to do that before but everybody had to do it.  We were then escorted to our table and Masashi informs us that the salad bar is all you can eat and the drinks are all you can drink.

I get back to my table after getting my salad and my orange juice (they did not have regular coke).  Once seated I was given three sauces which were soy, Japanese spice, and lemon juice.  We were then given three types of raw steak that were finely cut and were marinated in 3 different ways, various vegetables to grill, and rice.  In the middle of our table is a open stove that was covered in mesh.  I immediately get it that we had to BBQ the steak and the veggies ourselves.

It was easy cooking the steak and the three of us ate like kings.  After few more servings of steak the waitress comes to us with Chicken and Pork.  Both Sherryl and I declined on the pork but we ate the chicken and the vegetables as well.

After dinner was served Masashi informs that we would be meeting with two of us friends, one of which spoke fluent English.  We pick up Komone and Yuka and they get into the backseat with Sherryl while I sit in the front.  Komone, who speaks perfect english, just lives a few blocks away from Masashi and we later find out that Masashi lives really close to Tama Plaza Station.

Because we ate already and the other girls did not we decided to hang out at a Denny's.  Denny's in Japan is actually pretty good as opposed to how it is back home.  It's similar to Sizzler in Bangkok in which it's so much better in Bangkok as oppose to Sizzler in the US.  Both Sherryl and I are still full but we end up purchasing all you can drink.  I start off with a mocha but Sherryl and I discover hot lemonade and it immediately starts soothing our throats.  We've been both battling colds since our stay in Thailand and the warm lemonade starts helping out a lot.

At Denny's Masashi finds one of his training partners Sasaki dining in and goes out of his way to meet him.  He also wants me to meet his friend as well and the three of us ended up taking a photo together.              

While I'm drinking the hot lemonade both Sherryl and Komone start discussing the cool things that we should see while we're still in Tokyo.  We were notified that we should go to Asakusa and visit the Sensoji Shrine which is the oldest temple in Tokyo.  Also, we were notified that it's in the same direction as the Tokyo Sky Tree which is one of the landmarks that Sherryl and I wanted to visit.

After we were done at Denny's Masashi surprised Sherryl and I by informing us that he'll just drop us at our hotel.  It was a grand gesture and one that I would never forget.  Sherryl and I would be able to witness a highway drive from Yokohama to Tokyo which also entailed crossing the Tama bridge which separates the two cities.

While enjoying the drive Masashi informs Komone about an event three years ago that he's forever grateful.  I couldn't really grasp what was being said except for the fact that I did something for him when we were in Thailand.  Komone then translates to me about an event that involved Thai television visiting the Kaewsamrit gym in 2011.  Suddenly I remember everything that happened that day.

At around September 2011 it was a normal Saturday in which  I was just getting ready to go to church.  I was suddenly stopped by the gym and asked if I could stay for another 30 minutes.  It was not just me but four other fighters that were asked as well.  It was myself, Reuben from New York, Sloan from Australia, Carlito from France, and finally Masashi.

The interview was done in English as the interviewer spoke it fluently.  The first four of us answered our questions flawlessly.  However Masashi, who could speak some english but writes it a lot better, was having a hard time and looked petrified in front of the camera.  Almost immediately I jumped in and started translating both the questions and his answers for him.  It went a lot smoother and both the interviewer and Masashi thanked me graciously.

Apparently that made such an impression on him 3 years ago.  I remember hanging out with him along with some other guys as well.  My training trip to Kaewsamrit and Singapore in 2011 was one of my fondest ones and he's a big reason as well.

Once we crossed the Tama bridge Masashi was able to find our hotel on his NAVI (navigation) that's connected to his car.  Sherryl and Komone ended up conversing about the history of our relationship.  We ended up dropping of Yuka at one of the stations first and then Masashi takes us to our hotel.

We park right in front of the hotel and the two of them go with us to Lawson's which is a drug store at the bottom of the hotel.  We later find out that they did not have to go but rather they wanted to show us where we could buy hot lemonade.  It was another nice gesture and shows how nice good friends can be.

We then parted ways, hugged each other, and exchanged well wishes.  Both Sherryl and I head back to the room.  It's been decided, we're going to visit both Asakusa and Tokyo Sky Tree.        
             

Meiji Shrine

With one full day in the books both Sherryl and I decided to visit the Meiji Shrine.  After eating the same things for breakfast we went back to our room to get ready.

Looking outside of our hotel window we see the clear blue skies and light winds and just know that the day was going to be good.  Weather out here in Tokyo is so similar to San Francisco.  Once we were out we started walking back to Shinjuku Station.

Once we got to Shinjuku Station we had to take the JR (Japanese Railway)Line and exit Harajuku.  The JR line is different in a sense that the train is above and not in a subway.  Once we exited Harajuku station we asked a police officer (they're everywhere) where the Meiji Shrine was.  He told us to go straight and make a right.

Right after we make our right we are greeted by a big Shinto Gate.  The shrine is a Shinto Shrine to honor the great Emperor Meiji who oversaw Japan's government being transferred back to the Emperor from the Shogun era.

The area that the shrine encompasses is huge and requires a lot of walking.  There were a lot of people present walking down the shrine also.  After walking and taking photos here and there we finally encountered the shrine itself.

I then had to practice the ritual of cleansing my hands and mouth.  There was water that was coming out of a bamboo orifice that looked like a faucet.  I then had to use what they call a "dipper" and have the water fill it up and use it to cleanse first my left and then my right hands.  I then had to rinse my mouth and afterward I bowed in respect.  After I was done Sherryl did the same.

After the ritual we entered the shrine itself.  We took a few more photos until we approach Emperor Meiji's actual shrine.  There was a Shinto Priest present and we were not allowed to take photos or videos at the actual shrine.  

After paying respect to Emperor Meiji, Sherryl and I bought some souvenirs and decided to walk over to the Treasure Museum.  It was quite a trek and then we later found out that the museum was closed and only open during weekends and national holidays.  We decided to walk there anyway and it was a shame that it was closed.  It really is a nice building.  

After hanging out for a bit we decide to walk back and get something to eat.  We eat at the local restaurant located in the shrine's premises.  I order a beefsteak with fries and veggies.  Sherryl orders spaghetti with some sort of special sauce.  On the pics the spaghetti has a fried egg on top but Sherryl asked that the egg not be added. 

Lunch took a while but it was different but very good.  We see an even better souvenir shop and buy more items.  I was actually shopping for my co-workers and Sherryl was shopping for her relatives.  After we buy what we wanted we head back out to Shinjuku to rest up.  

Once we got back to the Shinjuku we took a light nap and then it was time for dinner.  I decided that we were going to have dinner at Hard Rock Cafe Tokyo.  Hard Rock Cafe and Gordon Biersch restaurants are my favorite chains.  We had to walk back to Shinjuku Station and get on the same line that took us to Tokyo Tower.  Instead of heading out that far we exited Roppongi.

Roppongi is such a interesting place.  Way too many foreigners and way too many clubs.  We skip the majority of them and find another Police Officer who was polite enough to give us good directions.  We find Hard Rock and the hostess escorts us to our tables.  

I order an old favorite (fajitas) and Sherryl, who was craving a burger, orders a Mushroom and Swiss burger.  Bruno Mars's Treasure is playing on the screen and I tell Sherryl that it must be a good omen that we're going to have a great dinner.

Dinner is always great at Hard Rock and the fajitas here were a lot better than the ones I got at Hard Rock Bangkok.  The steak was easy to cut and chew and there were so many more veggies.  In Bangkok I did get a great portion of steak but it was tough to eat and instead of a variety of veggies I got an overabundance of onions instead.  

Sherryl to my amazement pretty much cleaned out her plate.  I enjoyed my food but also enjoyed having Sherryl around, the ambiance, and just being at Hard Rock.  

On our way back to Roppongi station we see a Mos Burger.  For some odd reason I'm just not in a mood to eat it.  I'd rather go back to Hard Rock or eat somewhere else.  

We make it back to our hotel.  Two days down, two awesome cultural icons down, and two great dinners to remember.    

       

Tokyo Tower

Monday morning was the start of our official first day in Japan.  Both Sherryl and I got up early to catch our breakfast.  The breakfast was ok, it just seemed a little plain after the grand breakfast we had at the Conrad.  I ate enough, I had an omelet, mixed fruits, some meat, and a bowl of cereal.  Sherryl had something similar except she was more on the fruit side than I was.

It was already determined that we were going to see the Tokyo Tower.  We just did not know how to get there.  Luckily for us the hotel had information sheets for us to use on how to get there.  We had to walk from our hotel to Shinjuku Station.  From Shinjuku Station we had to take the Toei-Oedo line, one of the many lines from Shinjuku, and then we had to exit Akabanebashi.

As easy as the directions make it look it was still hard for Sherryl and I to find the station.  After much walking we encountered a police officer patrolling the streets.  I asked him in Japanese, "Shinjuku Eki Minami Entorii doko desu ka?", in other words "where is the south entrance of Shinjuku Station?"  The police officer advised us to go back and on the next intersection make a left, go over the bridge, and there is the entrance.

We made it to the entrance but then a traffic advisor advised us to go back and make a right since we had to take the Toei Oedo Line.  We found the line and there was an employee at the ticket station that spoke perfect english and instructed us how to buy a ticket and where.

We were able to catch our train and make it to Akabenabashi.  Once we exited the station we looked out and there was no mistaking the Tokyo Tower.  The tall massive structure was right in front of us.  Sherryl and started walking and then we had to cross an overpass, and then enter a small side street.  From the side street the Tower was right in front of us.  There was already a tour group taking photos and posing for pictures.  Sherryl and I took some photos but it was hard to get in the photo and all of Tokyo Tower.

Since we were there we decided to at least go to the top.  We went to the ticket office and bought a combo ticket for the main observatory deck and a special deck which is a lot higher.  We had to enter a special elevator and it took us to the Main Observatory.  Sherryl and I took some photos but mostly we just surveyed Tokyo from higher up.  The city is so clean, no pollution, and traffic just flows.  At least that's what we could see from the observatory.

After going around the main observatory we went to the "Special Viewing Observatory" which required Sherryl and I to climb a few feet of stairs and then get into another elevator that took us higher up.  Once we got there I started to remember my time at the top of the Statue of Liberty.  We were so high up and the space at the top was much smaller.  At the Tokyo Tower it was pretty much the same but the viewing area is much more spacious that then Statue of Liberty.

After taking a few more photos both Sherryl and I decided to go down.  We went down to the second floor to grab something to eat.  I just needed something to get me going while Sherryl seemed to be very hungry as well.  I settled on a American Favorite (McDonald's) while Sherryl ordered Pasta.

After lunch we retraced our steps back to the Akabanebashi Station and road the train back to Shinjuku.  Unfortunately we exited a different exit from where we entered and we got lost.  We did some walking around and eventually we were able to find the road that we were familiar with.  We took that same road back to our hotel.

Once back at the hotel we rested up.  After napping for a few hours we had to grab dinner.  Sherryl was craving sushi and we decided to eat at Tsukiji Sushi Ko.  I found the restaurant on the web, had high reviews, and even better was that it was walking distance from our hotel.

When we got to the restaurant we were greeted warmly, seated, and then we had to order.  We ordered a combination of Salmon based sushi dishes and rolls.  We even had miso soup which is so different from the miso soup back home.  Miso soup here has either fresh or salt water claims or fish.  Sherryl and I wanted fish but they were sold out so we settled on fresh water claims.

The sushi here in Tokyo is so good and so clean.  Back home the rolls are always slathered in teriyaki or some sort of sauce.  Over here there is no sauce.  The closest place that serves sushi the way they do here in Tokyo is Sushi Ran.  Unfortunately Sushi Ran is so far from where I live, it's located in Sausalito.

After eating we just decided to chill out at the restaurant and watch the chefs do their thing.  After a few a minutes of that we decided to call it a night and go back.  One Tokyo landmark was done and another was going to be seen the next day.        

Last Day in the Kingdom

I woke up early Saturday morning to my alarm clock.  I really wanted to sleep in more, Sherrryl kept raving on how great the pillows are.  However, I thought about checking in early for our flight to Tokyo.

Unfortunately for ANA flights we can only check in 3 days in advance and by Saturday it had already passed.  Undeterred by the unfortunate circumstances I went back to bed.

Sherryl and I then woke up and got ready for breakfast.  Luckily our breakfast was already included on our booking fee.  We went to the international restaurant and just feasted it up.  I ate everything that I can enjoy and the restaurant had everything I wanted and more.  Sherryl did the same and later commented that we shouldn't eat like we're in a hurry since it was our last day in Bangkok.  Later it dawned on me that it may be my last full breakfast in Thailand.

After breakfast we walked around the hotel, looked at the restaurants, and inspected some of the creature comforts that the hotel offers.

So thereafter we went back to our room to get ready for church.  For the 6th time over the past 6 years I attended Mission Seventh Day Adventist Church.  The taxi from our hotel to the church was a quick trip and cheap as well.

When we arrived at the church the divine worship service was in full swing.  Pastoral prayer had just finished and we were able to catch the children's story.  It was followed up by an all women's choir for special music.  Finally we were treated to a great sermon.  It was about how Salvation is for everybody, we just need to seek it.

After the church service was over both Sherryl and I were able to grab a taxi and head out to Siam Paragon.  We both decided that since this mall had everything we should just stay here and enjoy it before we head back.

Once we got to the mall Sherryl decided to get a pedicure at a salon called "The Sisters."  She suggested I get one myself.  I was a bit shy at first because of the rashes I have on my feet and legs.  For those that really know me, I've had rashes on both of the inside of my ankles since I was a sophomore in high school.  They've come and gone throughout the years.  Since 2008 I have a big rash/scar on the right side of my lower leg.

After deciding to go forward with the pedicure both Sherryl and I were taken to a VIP room.  We both had our own pedicurist.  Within the first few minutes it became apparent that I made the right decision.  I've never had my feet pampered like this before.  Sherryl was done before I was and since I've never had a pedicure it took me a little longer.  After I was done Sherryl told me to just tip the girl who serviced me, she had already paid the bill.  Thanks babe!!

We ended up having a late lunch since we ate a late breakfast.  Also, since we ate more than usual for breakfast we didn't have to eat lunch at our customary time.

I decided on eating at a Taco Truck that was on the bottom of Siam Paragon.  It was awesome and it tasted like all of the awesome Mexican food that I eat back home.  After two weeks of eating just Thai food I was just dying to eat something new.

After eating we just browsed the mall, looked for souvenirs, and even went to the theater to see if we can catch another movie.  Unfortunately there wasn't any movies that caught our eyes.  Sherryl wanted to see "A Walk Amongst the Tombstones" starring Liam Neeson but it had just been taken off of the rotation.  With nothing else left to see we decided to head back to the hotel.

At the hotel it dawned on us that we had to pack.  With a flight at about 6:50 AM we had to get up at around 2 to 2:30 so that we can check out, catch a taxi, and head out to the Airport.

We were able to make really early to the Airport.  Actually it was a little too early as we got there at around 3 AM.  We waited for a bit and we were able to finally check it at around 4 AM.

After the numerous obligations of bag inspections and immigration we finally made it to Gate D4.  We waited for a bit and finally we were able to board our plane at around 6:30 AM.

I do not know what's gotten into me on the flights this year.  I normally feast on the movies that our Airlines offer.  However, I just can't get myself to watch anything.  Luckily I have my iPhone and I just doze off listening to music.

With my nap the flight seemed relatively short.  It was 6 hours in duration but when I woke up we had a little over 2 hours left before we would land.  Again I just listened to music and the time just fly by.

Japan has a special place in my heart.  I've never been there but it was always the place that I wanted to go.  In 1994 I really got into Martial Arts.  I was a Tae Kwon Do practitioner at the time and the Ultimate Fighting Championship had debuted.  One of the contestants, who later became a future champion, was Ken Shamrock.  I had found out that his dojo was just 5 minutes away from my high school.

After finding the dojo and personally calling Ken on his house line (his phone number was in the Lodi, CA phone book), I was invited by him to come by the dojo.  Once I entered the dojo I was greeted by Jason DeLucia, then Frank Shamrock, and finally Ken himself.

Ken was nice, and for the record he was ALWAYS nice to me, and we spoke about fighting.  He invited me back to train but advised me that he would be gone the next week.  I had asked why and he told me that he had to leave for Japan and that he was fighting that week against Leon Dijk from Holland.  He then told me that the sport is actually bigger in Japan than it is here.  He showed me some magazines in Japan in which he was featured.  I was then shown a tape of the matches in Japan.  Immediately I was hooked and I finally wanted to visit Japan.

There were other things that happened from 1994 - 2000 that reinforced my desire to visit Japan.  Japanese animes (cartoons) were getting big in the US around the mid-90's and I got into the Japanese Dramas as well.  It wasn't until 2003 when I was about to finish college that going to Japan may be a possibility.  However, from 2003 to 2010 I couldn't find anybody to go with me.  I couldn't find a tour that included everything (airfare as well).  In 2011 I decided to finally do it and just do it alone.

In 2011 I was dead set on going to Japan for about a week after training in Thailand.  I had hooked up with a friend who invited me to train at the Tri Force gym.  Unfortunately the tsunami hit and had completely destroyed Sendai.  I decided not to go to Japan this time and decided to visit Singapore instead.  I ended up going to Singapore two more times and honestly I have not regretted visiting that great place.

Finally in 2014 I really decided to visit Japan and fortunately Sherryl wanted to go as well.

We landed in Tokyo at around 3:30 Japan Time.  Narita Airport is huge and it took a bit of walking until we got to immigration, a little bit more walking until we got to the baggage claim, and finally a short trek until we got to customs.

Customs was a breeze and when we exited it was a little different for both of us.  In Thailand I've always had a ride on all of my arrivals.  The gym always picks me up and I've never had a problem.  For my first time in Singapore I was able to catch a taxi on my way to my hotel.  After that I've had friends pick me up.  Now in Japan neither one of us had any real contacts to pick us up.  Also my hotel informed me not to take a taxi as it is far away from the airport.  Instead I was advised to either take the Limousine Bus or a the Narita Express Train.

Both Sherryl and I decide to take the Limousine Bus.  I paid the fee (roughly $60 dollars US for both the both of us) and we got out of the airport.  Once outside I noticed that the weather is just like San Francisco.  It was cold and not humid.  We waited for a few minutes before we got on the bus.  The ride took about an hour and a half from the airport and it was quite a relaxing ride.  It would take about an hour before we could see the Tokyo that we were accustomed of seeing.

Once we entered Tokyo we saw the Tokyo Sky Tree out in the distance and it looked massive.  I later found out that it is the 2nd tallest structure in the world and is the tallest tower to date.  I then see Tokyo Disney to my left and it looked massive as well in a different sense.  Everywhere else is just high rise buildings.

Once we got to Shinjuku station we exited the bus, grabbed our bags, and were lucky to find a Taxi.  The I did not have the hotel address but had the phone number and the driver said he could use it to find the hotel with his GPS.  He found it rather quickly and we were taken to our hotel in less than 10 minutes.

After checking in we went off to our room.  It's a nice room to be fair but since we had just stayed at Conrad it just looked to small and too cheap.  After getting settled in we headed off to dinner but we did not know where to go.  Nagi Ramen House was considered to a good option but once we got there we found out that there was a bit of a wait.  We walked around for quite a bit and found another Ramen house and decided to eat there.  Both Sherryl and I ordered the same dish but Sherryl couldn't handle the smoke.  The smoke was awful to be fair but the smell reminded me of all the countless times I hung out at Eisuke's and Ryosuke's apartment in Stockton.  It was a bit of nostalgia for me and I was able to eat my meal with no issues.

After eating at the Ramen house we went back to our hotel and just called it a night.  We have a long day tomorrow.      

  

The Conrad

When Friday rolled around both Sherryl and I decided to take the day off of training.  We had a packed day ahead with laundry, lunch, and getting picked up at 2 pm to get to our hotel.

Sherryl put in our last load of laundry and I decided to watch the morning training session.  It was around 8:30 am already and there were only three people that were training.  Eddie from Liverpool and was getting his bag work in, Andre was getting technical assistance on his technique, and Grace, a new girl from the UK, was sparring with one of the fighters.

A funny scene was occurring with Grace's sparring session.  Both Yot and Liam were screaming with every kick thrown and both were imitating gamblers reminiscent of the live muay thai event that took place last night.

While watching the sparring Themo comes out having just woken up as well as Oliver and Sam.  Themo goes out of his way and asks all three of us if we trained this morning. After the three of us told him that we took it off he sighed in relief.

Andre was in the ring getting  tutorial on how to the Ram Muay and the Wai Kru, both traditional dances that take place before each fight.

After training was over we had breakfast.  The breakfast was uneventful as usual but Sherryl and I invited Oliver and Sam to lunch at 11 am at Central Plaza Salaya.  Sam ended up not coming but Oliver showed up to go with us.

We promptly catch a taxi who promptly took us to the biggest mall in Salaya.  Oliver was impressed and politely asked us to teach him how to say in Thai "please take me to Central Plaza Salaya."  He just couldn't grasp it so I typed on the notepad of his iPhone, 'Centan Salaya'.

We decided to eat Santa Fe Steak as it was Western and Sherryl was sick of Asian food.   Both Oliver and I ordered Steaks and Sherryl ordered fish.  When we got our dishes the meat looked good but Oliver was so disappointed with his 7 pieces of french fries.   He ended up ordering a side order of fries just to be satisfied.

After we ate we saw a Dairy Queen and Sherryl's eyes lit up.  When we first started dating I introduced her to my Dairy Queen Blizzard of soft serve vanilla ice cream mixed with Reece's and Snickers.  She's so addicted it to it now that she needs it at least once a week.

In Thailand there is Dairy Queen but they don't have candy bar ingredients that they have back home in California.  Both Oliver and I settle on Oreo Blizzards while Sherryl gets a mocha almond fudge.  Dairy Queen was Sherryl's treat and Santa Fe Steak was mine.  Oliver was really appreciative of the gesture.  We both like Oliver and were disappointed that Sam did not tag along.  However, before we left Sherryl gave him a bag of Pepperidge Chocolate Chip cookies which Sam ate as if there was no end.

After coming back from Central Salaya both Sherryl and I put the finishing touches on our luggage.  We promptly move out of the room and settle our luggage in front of the main area.  We took the free time that we had taking photos with our friends and trainers.  The taxi that was originally planned to pick us up ended up breaking down so Tar and the others took us to the main road and got us another taxi.  After hugging and saying goodbye our taxi takes us to the Conrad.

Conrad Bangkok is a hotel that Sherryl and I have never stayed at before.  Five star luxury hotels like this are normally out of our price range.  However, I found a deal and it was reminiscent of the same deal that I got for our weekend stay in Carmel last May.

Once we entered the hotel we were promptly greeted by the bell boys who took our luggage.  We were then escorted to the main desk to check in.  I gave them the plastic and their staff escorted us to our room.  Once we got to our room it was nice to be able to just crash on the bed or use our own bathroom.  My home back in California has its own bathroom.

After settling in we decided to head off to dinner.  I was already set on eating at their international restaurant buffet.  There were so many choices and the receptionist was showing us everything.  She was about to take us to the Indian food section when I promptly stopped her and said, 'no no no, you don't have to take us there.'  Sherryl then shakes her head.  We both ate so much when Sherryl then asks, 'by the way, how much is this?'  I replied, 'I don't know.'  We both laughed and prepared ourselves for the worse which was a good thing, we ended up spending more money on a single setting than any of the previous meals I've had on all my previous trips in Thailand.

Both Sherryl and I needed to catch up with our families.  Sherryl called her dad while I spoke with my parents.  It's always nice to speak to my parents.  They're always worried about me and the least I can do is let them know that I'm fine.

After web surfing and looking at resorts both Sherryl and I head back to the room for bed.  Tomorrow's going to be a busy day and potentially my last full day in Thailand.