Touchdown Japan

June 9, 2017 was the first time I set foot in Japan. As I knew very little about the country and Kobe in particular, I did not set any expectations at all. But the trip turned out to be an awesome experience for me. 
  
Kobe is one of Japan's ten largest cities and is located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range. It is a city known for its marbled beef and scenic setting of mountains framing the harbor.  

Experience Japan below.

SEE

I spent my second day in Kobe visiting different attractions of the city, together with my partners. We visited Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum (where we tasted different kinds of sake), Nunobiki Herb Garden (where we were able to take a cable car and see the city from above), and Kobe Port (where we experienced a short cruise). Of course, the day wouldn't be that great had we not eaten the most famous Kobe beef!  

Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum

Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Ropeway

 

 

 

 

 

Kobe Port

EAT

What I can't forget about my 5-day stay in Kobe was the kobe beef experience! Until now, I can still savor its superior flavor, it's tenderness and it's buttery texture. It just feels like tasting ice cream for the first time as a child. If you visit Kobe in the future, don't forget to include Kobe beef in your meals! 

DRINK

Sake is a traditional Japanese drink that is made from fermented rice.  For over 2,000 years now, Sake has been consumed in and used for religious ceremonies. 

As part of understanding the Sake history, we went to Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, an old sake brew house which was opened to visitors to give them a feel of the tradition of sake-making.

The first floor shows various Sake production implements. There is also a sake-tasting area where visitors can enjoy freshly pressed unpasteurized sake.

The various stages of making Sake are shown in the second floor of the museum. Traditional methods are also explained with actual tools and videos. 

I wish to visit Japan again in the future.....with my family this time.

The Family's First DreamTrip Travel

The family spent Christmas in Singapore last year from December 24 to 27. We stayed at The Conrad Centennial Singapore, a hotel located in the bustling Marina Bay area. We got two rooms, 3 pax per room.

For this trip, the accommodation, airport transfers, tour, transportation, 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner, were included in the whole package. Each of us even received a surprise souvenir to commemorate our trip. Such an awesome deal, wasn't it?

Day 1 - December 24

The moment we arrived in Singapore, a person bringing a blue sign with him was already waiting for us. He was courteous enough to take pictures of us while waiting for the other guests from China, Australia, Indonesia and other countries to arrive. 

 

  

A picture taken by the In-destination support team member who welcomed us at the airport.

 

 

Another pose while waiting for the other Dreamtrippers to arrive.

Our souvenir items.  :)

 

Just too excited to meet the other Dreamtrippers....
we were the first to get to the Cocktails event.

  

 

 

The pool beside the area where the cocktail was held.

Day 2 - December 25

The second day of our trip was a full day Singapore Tour. We went to Universal Studios and, of course, enjoyed the adventure rides the whole day. From there, we went straight to a local restaurant for the Christmas Dinner. My daughter Nina got to sing during the program.

The breakfast buffet exclusive for the Dreamtrippers!

The ballroom where we had our breakfast....everyday....and only for the Dreamtrippers!

On our way to Universal Studios.

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

Last pose before heading to our Christmas Dinner. Good thing it rained only after the tour.

The Christmas Dinner.

Ean and the other birthday celebrants.

Day 3 - December 26

December 26 was the day of our leisure.  Our first inaanak couple, George and Karen, gladly met with us and offered their time to show us around.  They brought us to the Gardens by the Bay and to the Marina Bay Sands Skypark. The best part was the catching up. :-) Hope to see you again soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With our inaanak, Karen and George.

 

 

 

While waiting for the tickets to the Skypark :)

 

 

Day 4 - December 27

The fourth day was spent buying stuff for pasalubong. We also had a quick visit to the head office of the company that offered us this awesome travel club membership! The trip was quite short but definitely, all of us had a great time!

And oh, didn't I mention that the whole trip was free? That makes the trip even more memorable! Only $0.06 was spent for this trip. Really not bad! :)