Act III – Scene VII - Edinburgh2003 Wednesday 1 January cloudy / drizzle, 4°C · Up @ 10:00 · Out @ 12:30, drove south on the A7, through the snow to Galashiels then to Melrose · Stopped to look at Melrose Abbey then to Dryburgh Abbey (closed) and Scotts View for view over the River Tweed · Drove back home on A68, home @ 4:30
Melrose Abbey in snow, Melrose, Scotland Thursday 2 January rain, 4°C · Up @ 9:00 · Liz off to work @ 11:00 · AC @ home all day · Liz home @ 8:15 · Snow showers @ 10:00 Friday 3 January fine, 2°C · Up @ 7:15, bus to work, arr 9:00 · Left @ 5:15, walked home, arr 5:30 · Liz home @ 8:15 · More snow showers @ night
Wardlaw Street in snow, Edinburgh Saturday 4 January fine, 2°C · Up @ 9:00 · Picked up injection prescription from doctors then got injections (hep and typhoid) from chemist (£13) · Walked past Murrayfield to Ellersly Road to look @ flat/house for rent. Ok but not worth £575pcm · Bus into town, lunch @ Bakers Oven · Walked around in the snow · Bus home @ 2:30 · Out for takeaway tea @ 6:00, got DVD, “South Park” · Watched DVD Sunday 5 January cloudy / snow shower, 2°C · Up @ 10:00 · Out @ 1:00, bus to Pilton for a look around the streets then bus to town · Walked along Princes Street, coffee @ Costa Coffee · Walked to Queensferry Road then bus home @ 3:00 · Relaxed Monday 6 January cloudy / fine, 2°C · Up @ 6:00, snow showers overnight · Bus to work, arr 9:00 · Left @ 5:00, walked home, arr 5:40 Tuesday 7 January fine, 2°C · Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 9:00 · Left @ 5:00, walked home, arr 5:40 · Snow still on the ground Wednesday 8 January rain, 3°C · Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 9:00 · Left @ 5:00, bus home arr 5:30 Thursday 9 January cloudy, 3°C · Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 9:00 · Left @ 7:30, bus home, arr @ 8:00 · Liz out drinking, home @ 11:00 Friday 10 January fine, 4°C · Up @ 6:00, bus to work, arr 7:30 · Left @ 5:00, bus home, arr 5:30 · Liz home @ 8:15 Saturday 11 January fine / cloudy, 4°C · Up @ 9:00, had breakfast · Went for a walk around the streets then to Tyncastle Garage to get some tubing for the van · Bus into town and went to new cinema in Leith Walk for a look around · Lunch @ Princes Street Mall then bus to Fountainpark, bought tickets for “8 Mile” movie @ 6:30 · Walked back home, arr 2:30 · Out @ 5:30, walked to Fountainpark for movie, very good · Tea @ Pizza Hut · Walked home, arr 10:00 Sunday 12 Jaunary cloudy / drizzle / breezy, 6°C · Up @ 10:00 · Fitted new hose to van then out @ 11:00 · Drove to the airport then to Ingliston Markets for a look around · Drove to Gyle Shopping Centre for lunch · Back home @ 2:00 · Out for tea @ The Standing Order @ 6:00 (£15) then home @ 8:00 Monday 13 January cloudy, 10°C · Up @ 7:00, went to doctors @ 8:30 to register · Bus to work, arr 9:15 · Left @ 5:00, bus home, arr 5:30 Tuesday 14 January fine / partly cloudy, 9°C · Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 9:00 · Left @ 5:30, met Liz and bus home, arr 6:00 Wednesday 15 January cloudy / windy / showers, 10°C · Up @ 6:00, bus to work, arr 7:15 · Left @ 5:45, met Liz, bus home, arr 6:15 Thursday 16 January partly cloudy / showers, 9°C · Up @ 6:00, bus to work, arr 7:15 · Left @ 5:00, bus home, arr 5:30 Friday 17 January partly cloudy, 10°C · Up @ 7:00, went to doctor for checkup and typhoid injection · Bus to work, arr 9:00 · Left @ 5:00, bus home, arr 5:30 Saturday 18 January cloudy, 9°C · Up @ 9:00 · Walked to Russell Rd to pick up parcel for Liz · Walked to town, looked around shops · McDonalds for lunch · Bus home @ 1:30 · Out for a drive to the Airport @ 2:30 · Looked around shops @ terminal then watched the planes take off · Drove through to Dalmeny then to South Queensferry · Back home @ 4:00 · Out for tea @ 7:00 to Yo! In town (japanese) (£30) · Home @ 11:00 Sunday 19 January cloudy / showers, 8°C · Up @ 10:00 · Out for a drive @ 11:00 through to Bo’ness then to Grangemouth · Drove to Falkirk to look around shops and lunch @ 1:30 · Drove back to West Calder then back home via Kirknewton · Takeaway Chinese for tea Monday 20 January rain / fine, 8°C · Up @ 7:30 · Bus to work, arr 9:00 · Left @ 5:00 · Met James Carroll for a coffee before his interview @ Cooper Cromar (starts tomorrow) · Bus home, arr 6:15 · Liz home @ 8:30 Tuesday 21 January rain / fine, 7°C · Up @ 7:30, bus to work, arr 9:00 · Left @ 5:00, bus home, arr 5:40 · Liz home @ 8:15 Wednesday 22 January rain / cloudy, 6°C · Up @ 7:30, bus to work, arr 9:00 · Left @ 5:00, bus home, arr 5:30 · Liz home @ 8:30 Thursday 23 January fine / cloudy, 6°C · Up @ 7:30, bus to work, arr 9:00 · Left @ 5:00, walked home, arr 6:00 · Liz home @ 8:15 Friday 24 January cloudy, 7°C · Up @ 7:30, bus to work, arr 9:00 · Left @ 5:00, met James Carroll on Princes St then to Pivo Bar · Met up with other Mivan Guys and had a few drinks · Met Liz @ Ryans Bar for tea (£17) · Bus home @ 9:30 Saturday 25 January fine / cloudy / rain, 9°C · Up @ 9:00 · Walked up to Maplins, went to butchers to get meat · Back home then out @ 12:15 · Drove to Forth Road Bridge but it was closed to high vehicles because of high winds · Drove to M9 then west to Falkirk (rain) and across the Kincardine Bridge then east to Burntisland (fine) · Had lunch with Margaret and Edward (Liz’s cousin) · Left @ 5:00 and back over Kincardine Bridge, home @ 6:30 · Out to get burgers for tea and to Blockbuster to get “Panic Room” DVD · Had tea and watched DVD Sunday 26 January fine / cloudy, 13°C · Up @ 10:00 · Out @ 12:00, drove to Halfords to get oil (3l for £7), then to PC World · Bought mouse (£25) and laptop backpack (£45) · Drove to Craigleith Retail park, had lunch @ Sainsbury’s and did some shopping · Drove through town then through Holyrood Park and round to Portobello · Drove along coast then up Ferry Road then home · Cheese on toast for tea Monday 27 January fine / rain, 10°C · Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 9:00 · Left @ 5:00, bus home, arr 5:30 · Liz swimming after work, home @ 6:00 Tuesday 28 January fine, 7°C · Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 9:00 · Left @ 5:00 (last day at work), had a drink with James Carroll then met Liz and bus home Wednesday 29 January fine / breezy, 5°C · Up @ 9:00 · Bus to town, picked up envelope from Cooper Cromar · Walked home, arr 2:00 · Emptied van and moved bikes into flat · Left @ 3:30, picked up Liz from work @ 4:00 · Home @ 4:20 · Takeaway Pizza-Hut for tea · Packed bags Thursday 30 January cold (Edinburgh)/ snow (London)/ fine (Las Vegas), 0°C / 20°C Up @ 3:45, got ready and left @ 4:30. Drove to Airport, arr 4:45, checked in with Easyjet then parked van in long term parking (£106). Boarded @ 6:10, left @ 6:40 (20 minutes late), but with tail wind arrived 15 minutes early Checked in @ Virgin Atlantic @ 8:00 and went through to departure lounge. Bought Men in Black DVD (£17). Through to departure gate @ 10:00 (via light railway) and boarded @ 10:15. Holes in runway so delayed, then snow shower came through so had to de-ice wings. Left @ 11:45 (1 hour late) (3:45am Las Vegas time), bumpy take off but an ok flight. Landed in Las Vegas @ 2:00 local time (stopped very quickly) and went though immigration etc, @ 3:15! Caught a taxi to Circus Circus ($20) and checked in (£168 for three nights). Unpacked then walked around casino and watched circus act above casino floor. Tea @ Italian restaurant in hotel ($25), and back to room @ 6:30. Knackered so bed Friday 31 January fine, 23°C – Las Vegas Up @ 7:00, downstairs to the buffet for breakfast (free with voucher, £6.99 ea normally). Booked tickets to “The Blue Man Group” tonight @ Luxor ($89 ea). Back to room @ 8:00, got ready and left. Walked out to the Strip then walked south visiting The Venetian hotel (canals etc). Bought film for camera (4x24 exp $12), and bought perfume for AC’s mum (White Diamond $30) on the Strip, then walked to Bellagio (Gucci shops etc). Caught a free rail link to the Monte Carlo for a coffee and muffin ($10) @ 10:15. Back to Bellagio then across to Paris hotel, went up the Eiffel Tower ($12 ea, ½ scale replica of the real thing) for a view of the Las Vegas Valley. Walked through the new Alladin hotel and watched inside rain storm @ 1:00.
"St Marks Square", Inside Venetian Hotel / Casino, Las Vegas
Paris Hotel / Casino, Las Vegas Walked to MGM Grand hotel, watched lions in casino (bored) then had lunch @ McDonalds ($6). Walked to Excalibur then free rail to Luxor. Picked up tickets for Blue Man Group then caught a bus back to Circus Circus @ 3:00. Went for a swim in the pool @ 3:15, then back to room @ 3:45. Had coffee and cakes in hotel then played slots. Back to room @ 5:00, got changed then out @ 5:30. Caught bus to Luxor ($2 ea for oneway), arr @ 6:00. Played the slot machines then into show @ 6:45. Very funny and unusual show. Finished @ 9:00. Bus back to hotel @ 10:00, watched news then to bed. Saturday 1 February fine / windy, 25°C – Las Vegas Woke up @ 7:00, watched news of space shuttle “Columbia” explosion over Texas. Had breakfast then left @ 9:00, walked to Stratosphere Hotel then bus to Belz outlet mall, south of the Strip. AC bought slipon shoes ($30) and socks (6 pair $18). Walked back to bus stop then bus to MGM Grand, had lunch @ Dennys ($16). Walked to the Mirage to look @ white tiger then to Venetian to watch Gondoliers. Walked back to hotel @ 3:00. Starting get windy, went for a quick swim then back to room to relax. Liz had a sleep. Out @ 6:30, downstairs for tea @ Pizzeria ($15). Played the slots (Liz won $50) then out to the Strip and caught bus to Fremont St in downtown. Watched overhead light show @ 8:00 then bus back to the Strip to The Mirage to watch the volcano “erupution”. Walked to Treasure Island, went in and played slots then out to watch the pirate ship battle @ 10:00. It was cancelled due to high winds so walked back to hotel, arr 10:30 Sunday 2 February fine / windy, 25°C – Las Vegas to LA to Auckland Up @ 8:00, down to the buffet for breakfast then back to room, packed and then checked out @ 10:00. Left our bags at the “bell desk” then went to the casino. Played slots, watched circus acts etc. Lunch @ McDonalds (US$12) then played slots some more. Got our bags @ 2:00 and caught a cab to the airport (US$20). Checked in @ United Airlines etc then went through sercurity. AC got searched, then onto rail link to gate. Boarded plane @ 4:00, left @ 4:20. Listened to air traffic control on the flight (45 mins) and landed in LA @ 5:15 (terminal 7). Didn’t have to collect bags as they were checked through, so caught bus to terminal 2 and joined queue for Air NZ check in (1 hr 15) then through sercurity, Liz got searched. Had tea @ Burgerking, bought duty free (jim beam US$12, vodka US$12, drambuie US$26, gin US$12, 2 cartons of cigarettes U$22 ea = US$108) Sat and waited for boarding, boarded @ 8:45, left for Auckland @ 10:00pm. Monday 3 , °C Not observed, crossing the date line Tuesday 4 February cloudy, 18°C – Auckland to Wellington Slept on plane, arrived
Auckland @ 7:00. Got bags and cleared immigration / customs then rechecked
bags for domestic flight. Caught bus to domestic terminal then had a drink and
went through sercurity @ 8:30 (AC had swiss card seized, posted it to himself
in Wellington). Boarded plane (Air NZ) @ left @ 9:00 Arrived Wellington @ 10:00, met by AC’s mum, Liz’s mum and John and Luti. Back to Liz’s mum’s for coffee etc then to AC’s parents @ 1:30. Roast lamb for tea! Crashed to bed @ 9:30 Wednesday 5 February fine / partly cloudy, 21°C – Wellington Up @ 7:30, had breakfast then drove to Johnsonville @ 9:00. Walked through mall then did some shopping @ Woolworths. Went to bank and picked up bank cards. Back home and dropped off groceries then drove around Churton Park, Woodridge etc. Back home for lunch @ 12:00, then dropped Liz off @ Sharleens @ 1:00. Back home and setup internet access with Paradise ($15 for 150 hours). Sat in the sun, relaxed. Liz home @ 3:30. Thursday 6 February fine / breezy, 22°C – Wellington (Waitangi Day) Up @ 9:00, had breakfast. Went into town @ 10:00, parked @ James Smiths carpark and walked along Cuba St, Manners St, down Willis Street. Had coffee @ Starbucks then along Lambton Quay, then back to car. AC bought jeans (Levi’s $71), Liz bought trousers ($12) and new boots ($99). Drove to Peter and Sue’s house in Hataitai, had a cup of coffee, looked at all the renovations. Back to Ac’s mum and dad’s @ 4:00. Sat in the sun Out for tea @ 6:30 to The Green Parrot, home @ 10:30 Friday 7 February cloudy / fine, 23°C – Wellington Up @ 8:00, caught bus into town @ 10:00 ($3.50 ea). Ac went to see Stephen Quinn and then to WCC. Liz went shopping, bought trousers ($12.50). Met up for lunch @ Clarks ($14) @ 1:30. Walked through town, looked @ new Reading Cinema centre then walked along Courtenay Place. Liz bought watch ($10) then waited for AC’s mum to finish work for a ride home. Home @ 3:30 Cooked a curry for tea then relaxed in the sun. Liz went drinking with friends @ Johnsonville Club. AC went for a walk around Newlands College. Picked Liz up @ 10:30 Saturday 8 February cloudy / breezy, 20°C – Wellington Up @ 9:00, had breakfast then out for a drive with AC’s mum and dad, looked @ new subdivision in Ngaio Gorge and one in Rangiora Ave. Back home then had lunch @ 12:30 Left @ 1:30 and drove north to Paraparaumu to Nikau Heights to Andrew and Hilary Stroombergens house for Liz and Howards engagement lunch / dinner. Left @ 8:30 and dropped Liz’s brother John in town then home @ 9:30 Sunday 9 February fine, 23°C – Wellington Up @ 9:00, had breakfast. Out to Porirua to North City Plaza for some shopping. Liz bought watch ($59) and LOTR ring ($318) and AC bought watch (£79). Bought Sahara book for AC’s dad’s birthday ($60). Drove to the Mega Centre and went to Warehouse, AC bought cargo pants ($39) and Liz bought bag and outfit for Luti ($14 and $12). Went to Johnsonville Mall and had lunch then did some shopping @ Countdown (groceries), then went to Super Liquor and bought some booze. Went home to AC’s mum and dad’s and relaxed in the sun and the shade. Auntie Margaret and Uncle Graham came around @ 5:00 and had BBQ tea. Looked @ photos before bed Monday 10 February fine, 24°C – Wellington Up @ 8:00. Pottered around then Liz picked up by Kirsty Knapp @ 11:30 for lunch. AC caught bus to town @ 2:10, went to Spencer Holmes then to Council. Met Liz @ 4:00, walked up Cuba St and had a coffee @ Mr Bun Caught a bus @ 5:30 to Calabar Rd and went to Laurie and Jean Webb’s house. Had a drink in the sun then drove to Eden restaurant for tea @ 7:00 ($60). Got a ride home @ 9:30 Tuesday 11 February cloudy / partly fine, 22°C – Wellington Up @ 7:00. Left @ 12:30, caught bus to Thorndon Quay and picked up rental car from Kiwi Car (NZ$500 for 7 days). Drove to Thorndon and went into Quinovic to arrange visit to flat then lunch @ St Pauls Square. Drove through town to Liz’s mum’s work @ Wellington Hospital, then up Mt Victoria to take photos. Went out to Seatoun to look around then back around the bays and back to AC’s mum and dad’s @ 4:30. Left @ 5:30 and drove to Liz’s brothers for tea. Home again @ 10:00 Wednesday 12 February cloudy / fine, 20°C – Wellington Up @ 8:00. Packed bags and loaded the car. Drove to Thorndon to look @ Grant Road flat, everything fine. Drove to Island Bay to drop stuff @ Liz’s mums. Went to Kilbirnie for lunch (Liz left her bag @ café, and ran back for it). Drove around airport then went to David and Celina’s to look at their twin girls. Left @ 3:00 and drove through Karori to Makara to cemetary to visit Liz’s fathers plaque. Back through town to Island Bay to Liz’s mums. Out again @ 6:00, drove to Oriental Bay to the Fishermans Table for tea with AC’s parents and Peter and Sue for AC’s dad’s birthday. Left @ 9:30, back to Liz’s mums. Thursday 13 February fine, 22°C – Wellington Up @ 8:00. Had breakfast then left @ 9:30, drove up to Wind Turbine for photos then round Oriental Bay for some more photos. Drove into town and parked @ James Smiths ($10) then walked to Te Papa. Looked around the Lord of the Rings exhibition ($12 ea) (amazing) then walked to town. Liz went to lunch @ 12:30 with ex-work mates, AC walked around the streets. Bought Jack Johnson CD ($20). Met Liz @ 3:00 at Civic Square for a coffee. Drove back to Liz’s mum’s place Out @ 6:00 to Johnsonville Mall for tea then Liz went to Housie and AC went to driving range then to his mum & dad’s place. Picked Liz up @ 10:00 and home @ 10:30 Friday 14 February fine / southerly change / torrential rain, 26°C – Wellington to Martinborough Up @ 9:30, had breakfast and packed then left @ 10:30, drove north on State Highway 2, stopped for petrol ($36) then through Upper Hutt (raining) then over the Rimutuka Hill (fine), drove through Greytown and Carterton to Masterton. Parked and had lunch @ 1:00 @ café ($25). Walked along main street after lunch then bought groceries (drink and biscuits) then back to car. Drove back to Greytown then turned off to Martinborough. Drove through Martinborough and east to Tora on the coast, along partly sealed partly gravel roads. Back up road to farmstay (Linkwood Cottage) @ 4:00. Relaxed then watched news on TV then out @ 7:00 (heavy rain) to Martinborough for tea (25 minutes, 25 kms) at Da Vines ($28), very nice. Left @ 9:00, back to farmstay @ 9:30 Saturday 15 February partly cloudy / fine, 22°C – Martinborough to Wellington (Liz’s Birthday) Up @ 9:00, had breakfast then left farmstay and drove through Martinborough to Greytown, bought some fruit then watched the Harley Convoy go past (1000 Harleys heading to Masterton), then drove over the Rimutakas and then through Upper Hutt and then over the Haywards and south on State Highway 1, called in to see AC’s mum but not home so lunch @ J’ville mall. Back to Liz’s mum’s and relaxed. Out again @ 5:30 to J’ville Club, met up with AC’s mum and dad, and Liz’s mum and Jack. Had tea there then left @ 10:30 Sunday 16 February fine, 23°C – Wellington Up @ 6:00, out to golf with Warren and Stephen @ Wainuiomata. Nice weather, crap golf. Had lunch @ course, dropped off Stephen @ home then picked up Liz @ Sharleens @ 2:00. Went to J’ville for Liz to get lunch then to AC’s mum’s. Drove to storage locker and then back to Island Bay @ 4:00. Had bbq tea with Liz’s family Monday 17 February cloudy / breezy / fine, 22°C – Wellington Up @ 9:00, had breakfast, said goodbye to Liz and Howard, then drove into town. Parked in James Smiths then AC went to visit Mike Scott @ Council @ 10:30. Liz went shopping (bought perfume “Chloe”, $69). Met @ 12:00 and had lunch @ Mr Bun. Drove back to Island Bay then to Courtenay Place to take photos of Gollum @ Embassy Theatre. Met with AC’s mum. Drove to Liz’s brother place for coffee @ 2:00, then took car back to Kiwi Cars in Hutt Road. Caught bus to Island Bay @ 3:00 (one bus to Courtenay Place then another to Island Bay). Liz had a sleep then Liz’s mum came home @ 4:30. Out @ 5:45 in Liz’s mum’s car to AC’s parents for fish and chips with AC’s brother & Sue. Left @ 10:30 and home @ 11:00 Tuesday 18 February cloudy / windy / cloudy , 20°C (Wellington) / 27°C (Singapore) Up @ 8:00, packed and left for airport @ 9:45. Liz’s brother, Cel and Luti, Liz’s mum and Jack and AC’s mum came to say goodbye. Left late @ 11:45, rough takeoff then OK, landed in Auckland @ 12:40. Bus to international terminal, had lunch, exchanged money (NZ$214 = S$200) and left @ 3:30 (late) (Singapore Airlines). OK flight arrived @ 8:30 (in darkness) @ Changi Airport. Through custom etc then taxi to Concorde Hotel (£148 for 3 nights) (taxi S$20), then crashed. Wednesday 19 February cloudy / rain / fine / humid, 30°C – Singapore Up @ 8:00, breakfast downstairs in hotel (S$40), then left @ 9:00. Walked to Tiong Bahru MRT station and caught bus to Sentosa Island (free bus, S$3 entry ea). Caught monorail around island (free) to get a look then walked from Ferry Terminal up past fountains etc to Merlion then down to beaches and walked along to Dolphin Cove, arr @11:15. Caught bus back to Ferry Terminal (free) and had an ice cream and sit down. Watched bird show (free) @ 12:30 then caught monorail to Palawan Beach to watch Monkey Show (free). Bus to Cable Car Station, had lunch (hot dogs) then caught Cable Car to World Trade Centre ($S7.50 ea) @ 2:30.
Fountain and Merlion, Sentosa Island, Singapore
View of Singapore City from Sentosa Cable Car, Singapore Caught bus back to hotel (S$0.80 ea) then went for a swim (rain started so swam in the rain) then back to room. Booked zoo bus tour for tomorrow (S$100 for 2) then caught bus to Orchard Road (S$0.80) @ 5:00 and looked around shopping malls, AC bought Sony headphones (S$50 / £15) and Liz bought Big Fat Greek Wedding on VCD (S$16 / £5). Had tea @ Pastamania in Scotts Shopping Centre (S$20) then caught bus back to hotel @ 7:00 and relaxed and cooled down Thursday 20 February partly cloudy, 30°C – Singapore Up @ 7:00, picked up for zoo tour @ 8:00, drove north on expressways, arr @ zoo @ 9:20. Went to breakfast with the Oranutan until 10:00, then watched Polarbear feeding, then looked @ reptiles then watched primate show @ 10:30. Walked around zoo in the heat, looked at big cats then back to entrance for an icecream, then back on the bus @ 12:00. Back to hotel @ 12:45.
Breakfast with the Oran-utans, Singapore Zoo, Singapore Got changed then caught Singapore Airlines Hop-on bus (S$3 ea with SIA boarding pass), went past Botanical Gardens then embassy area then onto Orchard Road. Got off @ Little India, walked through backstreets then to Bugis MRT station, caught train to City Hall, walked through Raffles Hotel, then to Suntec Centre. Back on the bus @ 3:00, went through colonial area then Chinatown, and back to hotel @ 3:15. Bought chinese dragon (S$30) and jewelry box (S$18) and elephant (S$10) from shop in hotel. Went for a swim then relaxed. Out again @ 5:30, caught bus to Chinatown, had tea in foodcourt in Chinatown Plaza (chicken rice S$2.80 ea) then walked through Chinatown streets looking at food etc, bought a piece of pineapple (S$0.80). Bus back to hotel @ 7:30. Relaxed. Friday 21 February fine / cloudy, 25°C (Singapore) / 8°C (Tokyo) Up @ 6:00, packed up, checked out of hotel (S$500) and caught taxi to airport (S$20), arr 7:30. Checked then had breakfast and waited. Changed money (S$550 = Y37000). Went through to departure lounge @ 8:45 and boarded plane (Singapore Airlines). Left @ 9:45, good flight, arrived in Narita @ 5:10 (4:10 Singapore time). Through customs etc and bought tickets for the Narita Express train (Y5800 / £28 for 2), caught train @ 6:13, direct to Tokyo Station, arr 7:15. Got confused in station then caught train to Shinagawa Station and paid for ticket (Y170 each). Walked across then road to the Shinagawa Prince Hotel and checked in @ 8:00. Went to room and unpacked then went to food court in hotel for crepes (Y300 ea), then walked along street outside hotel. Back to room and tried to get aircon to work, called maintenance and couldn’t fix it, so shifted room (bigger room and better view) @ 10:00. Unpacked again and relaxed Saturday 22 February cloudy, 10°C – Tokyo (Y200 = £1) Up @ 8:30, downstairs for breakfast (free with room) of eggs and sausages, Caught train @ 10:00 to Tokyo station and then walked to Imperial Palace, took photos @ Niju-bashi (bridge), then into East Palace Gardens (free) and walked around. Walked to Otemachi subway station and caught train to Meiji-jingumae (with help from strangers) (Y190 ea). Walked to Meiji jingu shrine, very peaceful, and then back to Harajuku for lunch @ café (Y800) @ 12:30.
Imperial Palace, Tokyo Caught subway to Hibiya then walked to Ginza district, looked in Sony building and looked @ latest gadgets. Walked around Ginza then walked back to Tokyo Station. Caught train back to hotel @ 3:30. Booked night tour for tonight (Y5000 ea) and day tour to Mt Fuji on Monday (Y15000 ea). Back to room to relax. Out @ 4:45, caught train to Hamamatsucho for bus tour starting @ 5:40. Tour went to past Imperial Palace to Akasaka district for meal @ Japanese restaurant (included) then left @ 7:00 and then drove through Ginza with neon lights then over the Rainbow Bridge to Ariake. Walked around “Aqua City” mall, looked @ small Statue of Liberty then around mall. Back to bus @ 9:00 then back to hotel @ 9:30. Good tour. Sunday 23 February cloudy / hazy, 11°C – Tokyo Up @ 8:30, breakfast downstairs in hotel, out @ 9:30, caught train to Shinjuku. Walked around highrise buildings then up to 45th floor of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices to observation floor. Back down then to shopping area, looked @ electronics shops . Caught train to Harajuku to look @ “sub culture” people (little bo peeps and rock & roll band) then walked through shopping streets. Liz bought hair clips (4) Y1000, AC bought CD’s (Aerosmith and Millenium II, Y1000 ea), then had crepes @ 12:30.
"Little Bo-peeps", Sub-culture Parade, Harajuku, Tokyo
Rock'n'roll band, Harajuku, Tokyo Caught train to Ikebukuro and looked @ Art Gallery and rode up the escalator. Had coffee’s. Train round to Akihabara to look @ more electronics shops. AC bought USB memory device “EasyDisk” (Y6800). Liz bought Ceramic coated knife (Y4000), then train back to Shinagawa @ 3:00 Had McDonalds burgers, drew money, then back to room to relax. Out for tea @ 6:00 to New York Pier 17 restaurant in hotel (Y6300), back to room @ 8:00
Akihabara, Tokyo Monday 24 February cloudy / drizzle / snow, 5°C – Tokyo Up @ 6:45, had breakfast in hotel then picked up @ 8:00 and taken to Hamamatsucho Station. Boarded bus @ 9:00 for Mt Fuji – Hakone tour. Drove through Tokyo in the drizzle, out through Shinjuku and onto Chuo Expressway west, stopped for a break @ a service area @ 10:00(snowing), then on through the mountains to Mt Fuji area. Couldn’t see mountain at all because of low cloud and snow. Went to Sengen-jinja shrine for photos and look around then to Highland Hotel for lunch @ 11:30 (chicken breasts).
Sengen-jinja shrine, near Mt Fuji, Japan Back on the road @ 12:30, drove to Peace Park near Gotemba for a look around in the snow then on to Ashino-ko Lake, got on boat @ 2:50, for 15 minute trip to Hakone-en. Got on Gondola (Liz went to aquarium) to top of Komaga-take for limited view in cloud / snow. Back down then back on the bus @ 4:00. Dropped person off @ hotel in Hakone then tried to get out of area on expressway but onramps were closed in places. Finally managed to get on road (very misty) and drove to Odawara, arr 5:30, for “bullet train” (shinkansen) ride back to Tokyo (35 minutes) after watching some trains go past @ 300km/h. Back to Tokyo station @ 6:45 then train back to Shinagawa. Had tea @ hotel foodcourt then went back to station to book ticket for airport train (Y3000 for 2, takes 1hr 40 but leaves from Shinagawa). Back to hotel for a swim @ 8:30 (Y5000 ea!)
Viewing binoculars, Komaga-take, Hakone, Japan Tuesday 25 February fine, 10°C – Tokyo to London Up @ 6:45, packed bags then downstairs for breakfast. Back upstairs, got bags, finished packing then downstairs to checkout @ 7:45 (Y69000 (£350) for 4 nights). Walked to Shinagawa train station and caught Narita train @ 8:00, busy commuter train. Arrived @ airport @ 9:40, checked in for flight. Had a drink and browsed the shops. Boarded flight @ 12:00 and left @ 12:15 (empty plane, lots of room to spread out) (Virgin Atlantic). Good flight, lots of good things to watch on the inflight entertainment (Jackass the movie etc). Arrived @ 3:30, through customs etc then walked from terminal 3 to terminal 1. Had a coffee then Liz slept. Through to gate @ 7:00, boarded plane @ 8:15, left @ 8:45 (Brittish Midlands), arrived @ 9:45. Through the airport and got bags, bus to parking area and picked up van (started no problem). Drove home, picked up bread and milk enroute. Had a bath then crashed @ 11:00 Cost of Trip: Flights: 2 round the world fares “Star Alliance” £1650 Easyjet Edinburgh to Gatwick £73 (paid for rtn) United Las Vegas to LA £111 BMI Heathrow to Edinburgh £53
Hotels: Las Vegas “Circus Circus” £168 Singapore “Concorde” £187 Tokyo “Shinagawa Prince” £370 Spending money: £2250 Total: £4862 Wednesday 26 February cloudy, 10°C · Up @ 8:00, unpacked bags and sorted stuff out · Bus into town @ 10:00, AC went to Cooper Cromar to see about job, boss too busy · Liz window shopped then met AC @ Costa for coffee · Walked around town then to Bhs for lunch · Bus home @ 2:00, picked up drycleaning · Out in van to Tesco’s to do shopping @ 3:00 · Home @ 4:00 · Tea @ home and relaxed Thursday 27 February cloudy, 9°C · Up @ 6:00, Liz went to work, started @ 8:00 · AC lazed around all day, tidied up flat, caught up with Cooper Cromar, starts work Monday · Liz home @ 4:30, asleep @ 7:30! Friday 28 February fine / cloudy, 11°C · Up @ 6:00, Liz to work · AC home again · Liz home @ 4:45 · AC’s mum rang @ 7:30, Liz rang her mum @ 8:30 · Early night Saturday 1 March fine / cloudy, 10°C · Up @ 8:00 · Bus to town @ 9:00, then bus to Inverleith to look @ flat in Bangholm Tce, nice but old · Had a coffee then went to flat in Fettes Village (next to Liz’s work), very nice · Bus to Fettes Row to look @ another flat. · Pizza Hut for lunch @ 12:30 · Rang up and took the flat in Fettes Village (£600 per month) · Bus home @ 2:00 · Chinese takeaway’s for tea @ 6:00, £11 · Watched TV Sunday 2 March fine / cloudy, 11°C · Up @ 9:00 · Went to look @ a flat (cause we said we would) @ 11:00 then home · Out for a drive, drove to new flat to look around the area then to Leith and along to Portobello · Lunch @ McDonalds then drove to Musselburgh · Went to Newhailes House to a plant shop, then out through Longniddry and Drem to North Berwick · Went to East Fortune to a Sunday Market on the runway, Liz bought Daffidils in pots (£1.50 ea) · Drove home through town, arr 4:00 · Bus to town @ 5:30, tea @ The Standing Order (£15) · Bus home @ 7:00 Monday 3 March fine, 11°C · Up @ 7:30, bus to Cooper Cromar, arr 9:00 · Left @ 5:15, walked home, arr 6:00 · Liz home @ 8:45 Tuesday 4 March cloudy / drizzle, 10°C · Up @ 7:30, bus to work, arr 9:00 · Left @ 5:15, bus home, arr 5:45 · Liz home @ 8:30 Wednesday 5 March fine / partly cloudy, 10°C · Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 8:00 · Left @ 5:15, walked home, arr 5:45 · Liz home @ 10:15 Thursday 6 March fine / partly cloudy, 10°C · Up @ 6:00 (liz on early shift today) · Bus to work, arr 8:30 · Left @ 7:00, tea @ McDonald’s, bus home, arr 7:30 · Liz home @ 11:00 after ghost tour organised through work Friday 7 March cloudy / showers , 9°C · Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 8:30 · Left @ 5:00, went to Dome bar with guys from work · Met Liz for tea @ Ryans Bar @ 8:30 (£16) · Bus home, arr 9:30 Saturday 8 March cloudy, 10°C · Up @ 9:00 · Out @ 10:30, drove over Forth Bridge then onto A92 east, through Kirkcaldy to Leven · Stopped for a look @ the beach etc then east along coast to Elie for lunch @ 12:30 @ café · Looked @ Elie Harbour, then carried on along coast to Crail. · Parked van and walked around town and down to harbour · Back to van @ 3:00 and drove to Fife Ness then north through St Andrews and across Tay Bridge to Dundee · Drove west on A90, stopped @ caravan shop then back home, arr 5:00 · Takeaway burgers for tea · Out @ 8:00 to Grand Cru for James Carroll’s birthday, home @ 12:00 Sunday 9 March cloudy / breezy, 9°C · Up @ 9:00, watched TV then out @ 12:00 · Bus to Crewe Toll and walked to Fettes Rise to to landlords house to sign lease agreement and pay £300 for flat in Fettes Village · Walked to Safeways for lunch @ 1:30 then Liz went for a swim, AC caught bus home · Liz home @ 4:00 · Ordered curry for tea (£12) Monday 10 March cloudy / showers, 10°C · Up @ 6:00, bus to work, arr 8:15 · Left @ 5:45, bus home, arr 6:00 Tuesday 11 March cloudy / showers, 9°C · Up @ 6:00, bus to work, arr 8:45 · Left @ 1:45 (sick with tummy bug), bus home, arr 2:15 · Liz home @ 4:30 · Booked tickets on ferry to Belfast for easter (£140 for 2 people + van) Wednesday 12 March fine, 9°C · Up @ 6:00, bus to work, arr 9:00 · Left @ 5:00, home @ 5:20 · Still not 100% well Thursday 13 March fine / cloudy, 10°C · Up @ 6:00, bus to work, arr 8:45 · Left @ 6:15, bus home, arr 6:45 Friday 14 March fine, 10°C · Up @ 6:00, bus to work, arr 8:30 · Left @ 5:00, bus home, arr 5:30
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