Manila --> Narita Airport --> Ikebukuro-ku

My sister Pincky has been assigned to her company's Tokyo office for 2 years already and last summer, the rest of us sisters in Manila decided to pay her a visit.  It was really great because the last time we travelled together was in Summer 2000 to Hong Kong.

Tokyo being the expensive city that it is, we're quite fortunate that we don't have to pay for hotel.  We all just cramped in Pincky's small (approx. 40 sqm) but very nice apartment.  It's prolly the size of our living room, but it was nice and quaint - minimalist Japanese style - and we survived 2 weeks without stepping on each other.

The most economical way to fly from Manila is via Northwest.  Although I've heard a couple of negative reviews on the said carrier's services, it gets you there in one piece, but hopefully with your checked-in luggages in tow.   I took JAL not because I'm such a wealthy snob, but because I finally got enough asiamiles and foturnately JAL is part of the group.  My sisters are lucky that NW didn't lose their luggages. :D

We departed Manila at 8:00am(NW)/ 9:00am(JL). By 3:30pm (Japan Time) we finally found ourselves in Narita Airport buying our 'Airport Limo' tickets (Y3000) that will get us to the city. Our stop is in Sunshine City in Ikebukuro-ku.  The ride that was supposed to be less than 2 hours stretched forever as the traffic was unbeliveable.  My sister thought she would have to work undertime in order to meet us, turned out, she had to wait for us cuz we arrived so late.  It was so tiring as we've been travelling for a day already, even if we were just sitting in the plane and bus the whole time.

1st Stop: Sunshine City

It's actually a complex of buildings with everything in it.  Shops, hotel, planetarium, observation deck, aquarium, theme park, restaurants, etc.  It's a short walk from my sister's place, so we decided to check out the observation deck so as not to waste a day by sleeping in early.  The ticket (Y1000) took us to the 60th floor and we found the magnificent view of Tokyo by night.  Tickets came with a mug of beer and a sprinkle of 'Edemame - an interesting salty delicacy of the beans family.  I got so hooked with it that I bought a bunch home.  Some of us met Chikara for the first time. 

2nd Stop: Food

It's called IMONJAYAKI and it's interestingly DIY.   First you get a bunch of little plates with assortment of ingredients.  You combined them on small bowls while.  You pour the mixture into this hot flat surface, like for cooking burger. Get 2 spatulas and mix, toss, turn.  Then you get little teaspatulas and sample them from the corners.  It's quite interesting.  I remember quite enjoying it even if I was full from the beer we had.  I also discovered a new refreshing & yummy drink, Cassis Grapefruit Cocktail. :D


Last Stop: SEGA World

Walking back to the apartment we passed by the brightly lit SEGA world where there are roooowwwwws of amusement shops with UFO catchers, Pachingco Machines, Dance Evolution, etc. etc.   We were a little surprise at the popularity of these things and then remember we're in Japan and it's the birthplace and mecca of games.  A few days later, we will get into the groove and spend the pocket money we couldn't part for shopping in some of these machines! It's a little like Las Vegas with the big bright signages and arrays of machines, except these slot machine spits out stuff animals! :D