The water is open: spring swim

Braved the cold waters again for a pre-summer swim training session. Headed down to Hayama Isshiki beach (more like a bay) with a couple of other brave souls.

From Hayama April swim

It was another early start to the weekend. Why do I find myself getting up earlier on weekends than I do on weekdays (work days). It’s almost as if I look forward to Mondays purely for the sleep in (the luxury of getting up between 7:30-8am).

After the Polar bear dip on New Year’s Day and nearly dying, I donned the wetsuit this time. A summer wetsuit (sleeveless and short legs) but a wetsuit nonetheless. Air temperature was 10 degrees. I’m guess water temperature between 13-15 degrees. Stung like ice and your chest constricts making it hard to breathe. Legs are numb and your arms feel like lead pushing through the water. It takes a good long while (about half an hour) to warm up and not feel numb. Makes breathing really difficult. We managed a loop around the bay and swam about 1.2km all up which is not bad for my first open water swim training session, considering it’s still only April.

Perfect conditions for it though. Flat as. Just the way I like it. Was a bit hard to get into a good stroke and breathing pattern and my sighting was terrible. There were quite a few people out there on SUP boards and in dragon boat boats.

From Hayama April swim
From Hayama April swim
From Hayama April swim
From Hayama April swim

Perfect conditions to SUP:

From Hayama April swim
From Hayama April swim

Am soo looking forward to SUPing again this summer.

From Hayama April swim
From Hayama April swim
From Hayama April swim

It was a struggle getting down there early in the cold temperature, but it was totally worth it. Will be needing to get in a few more open water training sessions.

Last night, I did a really good solid training session in the pool. I’ll share my set with you – good for building endurance and speed and kills the boredom of a straight 5.5km swim:
1km warm up (1km). No rest
10 x 100m sprints (1km). 2min turnaround (ie 100m sprint + 10-15 second rest + start the next set all within 2min)
5 x 200m sprints (1km). 10-15 second rest between sets.
10 x 100m slow/easy (continuous 1km alternating between sprint down 50m, recover 50m swim back). No breaks.
1 x 500m sprint
1km cool down/recovery swim
Total Distance = 5.5km

Ivy (Daikanyama) brunch

Been a while since I’ve done some dining reviews. Really need to get back into the brunching and high-teaing.
Seriously, where does the time go these days. I feel like I have no free time. Am also constantly super tired. Not getting enough sleep. Working is really getting in the way of living ne.

Here’s a brunch I did last month. The venue: Ivy. At Daikanyama, fancy, I know. Not an area I frequent much but would love to if I could afford it. It’s a wealthy part to Tokyo full of designers and expensive places and everyone who lives there has dogs. You know the kind of place, where there are cafes for pooches (ie dogs).

Reservations for Ivy are essential, otherwise be prepared to wait in the very long line to get in. Yours truly, of course, secured a reservation about a week in advance (due to someone else cancelling, as I got put on a waitlist). The venue was surprisingly really large with lots of different areas.

A glass of sparkling to whet the appetite:

From Ivy brunch

They do have an official breakfast menu for brunch, but it ends at 11am, so we had to choose from the lunch menu instead.

I had a craving for seafood pizza on this particular day. Just as well, I went for a jog that morning. Also shared some wedges.

From Ivy brunch

The pizza base was really light (more like a flatbread rather than a dough), not so bready, so there was room for dessert.
I didn’t hold back. Pancakes it was then.

From Ivy brunch
From Ivy brunch

Pricey for what it was considering it’s not gourmet food. And overrated. I don’t think I chose wisely from their food menu. You might do better with some of their other dishes. Dinner might be a better option but it’s not exactly cheap.

Cherryblossoms

That time of year where the cherryblossoms bloom. It’s oh so wabisabi.
They were only out for about 2 weeks this year and peak hanami viewing was hampered by rain.
Nevertheless, snapped a few shots of the cherryblossoms.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OSndNRjT75uk0NrO-KgONl1Dt6afYLMC_5J_ERPEVds?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v3nqpgXankc/U0QA0smytUI/AAAAAAACiaQ/XRjyAPzrGPo/s640/sakura.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Cherryblossoms02?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Cherryblossoms</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/njyu-MEFdjCwmOmpN8s-Ol1Dt6afYLMC_5J_ERPEVds?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JsPTRJLyFa0/U0QA4HLjyNI/AAAAAAACiaY/OFVDvhMbtj0/s640/yoyogi%2520hanami.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Cherryblossoms02?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Cherryblossoms</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Here are some taken around my workplace:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WdsIZObYtZakq3AYeW2uPl1Dt6afYLMC_5J_ERPEVds?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HoQKtOybcBQ/Uzq200KqASI/AAAAAAACiEQ/E1kVAIlbTjM/s640/DSC_0498.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Cherryblossoms02?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Cherryblossoms</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yyWAkQq2-1KwJ2ZSY6-fZF1Dt6afYLMC_5J_ERPEVds?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xYZXQMBFl54/Uzq218DIzMI/AAAAAAACiEM/O4cpFOwXyas/s640/DSC_0503.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Cherryblossoms02?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Cherryblossoms</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/L82aUVBL1nnHdOwDFAfjvl1Dt6afYLMC_5J_ERPEVds?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LGOLlNI0QnA/Uzq23MvrwbI/AAAAAAACiEs/6dG5obi8Q0I/s640/DSC_0504.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Cherryblossoms02?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Cherryblossoms</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7mJT5rVh0nUg9ZwQ2HnHcF1Dt6afYLMC_5J_ERPEVds?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L17LN_DTjt4/Uzq2-acxhRI/AAAAAAACiGc/4jwK8CJ7tbo/s640/DSC_0522.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Cherryblossoms02?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Cherryblossoms</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/b61W6jkizsDZEtrmNTY3yV1Dt6afYLMC_5J_ERPEVds?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5gebEziOGmg/Uzq3AZ4EumI/AAAAAAACiG4/i76p8BrzMt4/s640/DSC_0528.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Cherryblossoms02?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Cherryblossoms</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HcO-EdJ3zgQEa6Lws0kdNF1Dt6afYLMC_5J_ERPEVds?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LrhWMvea_Ik/Uzq2_riHt6I/AAAAAAACiGw/X-gQt12UIQ8/s640/DSC_0527.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Cherryblossoms02?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Cherryblossoms</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NVgi-bcfMTtwc32t2n4NBl1Dt6afYLMC_5J_ERPEVds?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Um5ZNQjqlls/Uzq3BEGVtPI/AAAAAAACiHU/JmI7n9Etp3Y/s640/DSC_0532.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Cherryblossoms02?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Cherryblossoms</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/V3_yVzt9NhojWLGCaaic2l1Dt6afYLMC_5J_ERPEVds?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9AzlV09Gwnw/Uzq2wwjl54I/AAAAAAACiDE/hSwkbs29QcA/s640/DSC_0487.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Cherryblossoms02?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Cherryblossoms</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/y1FYzfp8d-lghJBbMNM6GV1Dt6afYLMC_5J_ERPEVds?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tVIE7hE0m2M/Uzq2z-lDw-I/AAAAAAACiDw/YthwqOvFZ-Y/s640/DSC_0494.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Cherryblossoms02?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Cherryblossoms</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Here are some taken around my neighbourhood during an early morning walk:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Lio5lS0h4bOGWnno50Bz1BBrg7ZMpatMx_wgTAbOWXo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WM7Bnc1sCxs/UztK-qrrG7I/AAAAAAACiKI/p4fUd-zE0gw/s640/DSC_0003.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/NeighbourhoodSakura?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Neighbourhood sakura</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/I3CM5ieCAPBzRFBDLbG0RBBrg7ZMpatMx_wgTAbOWXo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ulL3Z26vvts/UztLAxrgLEI/AAAAAAACiKk/UA4boJyD2dQ/s640/DSC_0008.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/NeighbourhoodSakura?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Neighbourhood sakura</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RTPH28ckV5ejglh2BtvAJhBrg7ZMpatMx_wgTAbOWXo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e2DD7zNhr60/UztLEgLQLII/AAAAAAACiLw/BX6riJKOSCM/s640/DSC_0015.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/NeighbourhoodSakura?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Neighbourhood sakura</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ce8-LcT9j7YEY4hOerjYvBBrg7ZMpatMx_wgTAbOWXo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u6GP602xFOk/UztLFd52ZuI/AAAAAAACiLk/YXI-Hs8NSwo/s640/DSC_0016.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/NeighbourhoodSakura?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Neighbourhood sakura</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-Q9bb2L15q0ggwrIoHE9mRBrg7ZMpatMx_wgTAbOWXo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ikGCDs0Jnsk/UztLIQZA7oI/AAAAAAACiMc/OsAZxhQKuFk/s640/DSC_0022.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/NeighbourhoodSakura?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Neighbourhood sakura</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GVdcDzQqqanCnuHw5EYsjhBrg7ZMpatMx_wgTAbOWXo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NvmWdy0Xr6k/UztLItRE7lI/AAAAAAACiMg/Ttq8v_yAH04/s640/DSC_0023.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/NeighbourhoodSakura?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Neighbourhood sakura</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VzxkRdzaV2HKPPE1HBCsNhBrg7ZMpatMx_wgTAbOWXo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NmNFyJQ6dxQ/UztLJfR9MVI/AAAAAAACiM0/skJvVfJviB4/s640/DSC_0024.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/NeighbourhoodSakura?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Neighbourhood sakura</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K0HEdjg9fDBR9vuwfcDRDRBrg7ZMpatMx_wgTAbOWXo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yItpBKAI558/UztLJYYcThI/AAAAAAACiM8/PbhUn9Rzbro/s640/DSC_0025.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/NeighbourhoodSakura?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Neighbourhood sakura</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sG6S5LvQukK5VqsbzQzMwxBrg7ZMpatMx_wgTAbOWXo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rdwk5faAJXs/UztLNqUw0sI/AAAAAAACiOQ/_K1aqSeF_3A/s640/DSC_0034.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/NeighbourhoodSakura?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Neighbourhood sakura</a></td></tr></table>

And here are a few unexpected snaps during the above said walk.
Someone collecting beer cans and lining them up on the sidewalk:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zGKUa80ZJT-a8Odz-ywIxhBrg7ZMpatMx_wgTAbOWXo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0DHU_h68YBc/UztLL8HaUMI/AAAAAAACiNc/yWcIjctGMoQ/s640/DSC_0030.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/NeighbourhoodSakura?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCOa5-PWWiOWIPQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Neighbourhood sakura</a></td></tr></table>

And a dinosaur playground:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bR8HsEOI3I0knc0IYRvxeRBrg7ZMpatMx_wgTAbOWXo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lqy4XWMX4D8/UztLOnnVdPI/AAAAAAACiOM/HN9Mg878PSY/s640/DSC_0036.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/NeighbourhoodSakura?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Neighbourhood sakura</a></td></tr></table>

A dinosaur lizard slippery dip:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kelSFbRwkGDdNDrrIp2KXBBrg7ZMpatMx_wgTAbOWXo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-logH0uAg5K0/UztLO1Lpj4I/AAAAAAACiOU/CUtyceJZ3xw/s640/DSC_0037.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/NeighbourhoodSakura?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Neighbourhood sakura</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sUcgBShhe_3G3ZjW0vQWXBBrg7ZMpatMx_wgTAbOWXo?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cBddfxG0_bE/UztLSXqmAMI/AAAAAAACiOs/fCWlDAtmmMU/s640/DSC_0040.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/NeighbourhoodSakura?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Neighbourhood sakura</a></td></tr></table>

A sporting long weekend: Tokyo Sevens

Last weekend was a long weekend. And what a sporting one it was. Friday was brunch, followed by a baseball game at Tokyo Dome, and then on Sunday it was all day at the Tokyo Sevens. The Sevens series is awesome and the Tokyo Sevens was a really fun day. Went and saw the finals round on the Sunday. An early start for a Sunday. 9am. But it was a glorious day and dare I say, it was even singlet weather. Unreserved tickets are the way to go, that way you can move around. It’s a rather small stadium, so no matter where you sit, you’re bound to get a good view.

From Tokyo Sevens

When I go to the rugby, I like to dress up. (Just kidding, that ain’t me):

From Tokyo Sevens

Sporting events are awesome in Japan. You can pack whatever food and drink you like, alcohol included. No bag checks at all. Given we were going to be there from 9am to 5pm, we packed a whole gourmet picnic. I like to watch the Rugby in
style. We even bought in a bottle of champagne. We had cheese, deli meats, fruit, sandwiches, chips etc. And when you don’t have a knife to cut the cheese, a plastic store card found in the ol’ purse will do the trick. Beers can also be brought in or purchased at the venue as well.

From Tokyo Sevens

Let the Games begin:

From Tokyo Sevens
From Tokyo Sevens

We got these free blow-up batons which you clap together:

From Tokyo Sevens

Even got a free flag (supporting) face tattoo. Go Australia!

From Tokyo Sevens

The great Tasman rivalry: Australia vs New Zealand:

From Tokyo Sevens
From Tokyo Sevens
From Tokyo Sevens
From Tokyo Sevens
From Tokyo Sevens
From Tokyo Sevens

Sadly, we lost again NZ, but we won our other two games, and came 5th or 6th overall.

I did manage to get a photo with a Kiwi player, Kaka:

From Tokyo Sevens
From Tokyo Sevens

And the Fiji team took out the Sevens. We somehow ended up sitting amongst the Fijian supporters. They’re quite vocal. I was surprised by how well represented they were in terms of numbers.

From Tokyo Sevens

If only every weekend were a 3-day weekend.

Put the Tokyo Sevens on your to-do list in Tokyo. It’s an annual event (usually in March). Pack food, booze, friends and it’s a super fun day out.

Imperial Hotel, Tokyo – Afternoon Tea

It’s been an eternitea since I’ve done an afternoon tea in Tokyo, and this one didn’t disappoint.
Caught up with my doppelganger from my Niseko/Hirafu days. People think we are the one and the same person, much to her chagrin.
My friend was in Tokyo visiting from Hokkaido over the long weekend just gone.
Being British, she enjoys a good afternoon tea just as much as I do and it had been about 6 months since we last saw each other.
Time to get our tea on!

So it was off to the Imperial Hotel’s Aqua Lounge on the 17th Floor. Apparently, their lobby lounge also offers a more basic afternoon tea. Might have to go back and try that one too.

From Imperial Palace Tea

Beautiful Spring Saturday afternoon with views that overlook the Imperial Palace Gardens. Cherryblossoms not quite in bloom yet.

From Imperial Palace Tea
From Imperial Palace Tea
From Imperial Palace Tea
From Imperial Palace Tea

Had made reservations in advance and scored ourselves a window seat:

From Imperial Palace Tea

Afternoon tea here consists of an amuse bouche, plus your usual 3-tier stand AND it also includes unlimited tea sampling. Try as many different teas as you like: don’t mind if I do.

From Imperial Palace Tea

This was the amuse bouche + soup:

From Imperial Palace Tea
From Imperial Palace Tea
From Imperial Palace Tea

The afternoon tea stand:

From Imperial Palace Tea

I actually, really thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon tea. It was simple, but delicious. And can’t complain about endless pots of tea variety.

From Imperial Palace Tea
From Imperial Palace Tea
From Imperial Palace Tea

I enjoyed the savoury bites: crab sandwich, chicken sandwich, quiche and gherkins. I love me some gherkins/pickles.

From Imperial Palace Tea
From Imperial Palace Tea

The sweets were very, very petite. But also really good.

From Imperial Palace Tea
From Imperial Palace Tea
From Imperial Palace Tea

But the highlight were the scones. These were probably the closest thing I’ve come to proper real Aussie scones in Japan. They were soft, and not like hard American-style biscuit scones.

From Imperial Palace Tea
From Imperial Palace Tea
From Imperial Palace Tea

And I got through 3 pots of tea. There was probably about 10 different hot beverages (teas/coffees) you could choose from.

This is a standard, simple, good value afternoon tea in Tokyo.
Whilst not too fancy, I would highly recommend.

I fear I am running out of places in Tokyo for afternoon tea. I think I have been to nearly every afternoon tea-offering venue there is.

Holy #flyingfuton

About a week or so ago, I came home to find my futon (Japanese-style mattress) on top of the Lawson sign!

From Flying Futon

I had done laundry that day, hung out the linen and aired out the futon over the balcony.
Came home later that night to make my bed with my newly-washed sheets, to find that my futon was missing. I assumed it had slipped and fallen down onto the balcony below, so at about 10pm on a Sunday night, I am running around my apartment building, knocking on the lower two apartments to ask my neighbours if my futon had fallen onto their balconies. Futon was not to be found. Where could it have gone? Quick check of the streets below, still nowhere.

Went and stood back on my fourth floor balcony, wondering where the hell it could have gone. I scanned high and low.
Lo and behold, my futon was on top of the Lawson sign! (Lawson being a chain convenience store, very much like a 7-11).

There was no way I was going to be able to get that down. How the hell it even got there in the first place is beyond me!
Had a most uncomfortable sleep that night with no mattress! And of ALL days that I had no mattress to sleep on, was the day I decide to swim 7km. Yes, 7km! That was a personal best distance for me. I have never swum 7km in my life but am doing some intensive swimming training at the moment. My shoulders were sore and I could have done with a good night’s sleep on a mattress.

In the morning I was able to take proper photos in daylight:

From Flying Futon

Air BnB anyone? Great views, great location, close to shops. Will even throw ya a free pillow!

From Flying Futon
From Flying Futon

My futon has seen bedder days.
Maybe it has an identity crisis, and thinks that it is an air mattress and not a futon.

It must have been a damn windy day for the wind to have lifted my futon up there.
I really do find it hard to believe how it could have gotten up there, and at no point having dropped to the ground. Gravity yo.

The yellow towel is my balcony. And the yellow towel is the exact spot where I had hung my futon over.
I thought that if anything, the futon would have slid and fell down. But somehow, it lifted up and got carried sideways and landed in the one most irretrievable spot, without ever falling and dropping to the ground at any point. I mean, that’s pretty amazing.Who was aiding and abedding this scheme?

From Flying Futon

I mean, seriously, it should have dropped and fallen to the ground at any point in time. Of all places, it had to land ON the sign.

From Flying Futon

My main concern was that one day, when – I don’t know, but one day, the futon was going to fall from the Lawson sign. Some unsuspecting person was one day going to be hit by a #flyingfuton. I kept imagining a poor pedestrian, or worse, someone on a bike, getting hit by a falling futon.

On the Monday night, it was still up there, so I went and bought a new futon.
And, of course, as luck would have it, my futon must have fallen down at some point on the Tuesday. Had I endured one more night without a mattress, I would have saved myself from buying a new one.

My housemate had messaged me during the day on Tuesday, telling me how windy it was over there. (Not sure if joking or serious. My #flyingfuton was the the butt of many a joke). I was at work on the other side of town. When I got back to my apartment on Tuesday night, someone had laid out my futon nicely outside the front fence of the apartment building. It must have fallen from the sign at some point during the day. And bless, Japan, someone has laid it out nicely outside the apartment building. Now my dilemma was how to take the futon without looking like some crazy homeless woman trying to steal a futon.

From Flying Futon
From Flying Futon

Yes, clearly winning at life these days.
I honestly do not know how these kinds of ridiculous things happen to me.

Thus ends the adventures of Aleisha’s #flying futon.

Brunch at Peninsula Hotel: Dom and Pavlova

Been a while since I’ve done a brunch review.
This was a celebratory brunch back in December of last year. It was a much needed celebration after a month of crappiness (think police, compensation and exams to boot). I got myself into a bit of pickle last year, but that’s another stay for a time when I have left the country. Best to retell that story once I’m out of Japan.

It was time to indulge and nothing says indulgence more than all-you-can-eat brunch AND all-you-can drink Dom Perignon!

The Peninsula Hotel’s Peter restaurant offers this brunch menu on Sundays only (so book in advance).

The brunch experience is unncessarily complicated, but the free flow champagne is definitely a bonus.
One of many glasses:

From Peninsula brunch

Let the brunch begin:

From Peninsula brunch

Salads and appetizers are buffet style. Easy. Knock yourself out.

From Peninsula brunch

In addition to that you can order a whole bunch of other dishes. All these dishes are all you can eat as well, but you need to order a la carte and each dish is literally a mouthful portion. So the waiting time is a little longer every time you want to order food. However, it also means that the table is full of tiny plates of bite-sized dishes:

From Peninsula brunch
From Peninsula brunch
From Peninsula brunch

The variety and quality is pretty good though, but it was rather slow service. This is definitely a slow leisurely brunch, so you better not make plans afterwards. This is a 2-3 hour eating ordeal.

The highlight here is the dessert buffet. They sell honest to goodness real Pavlova. Wow. Gobsmacked. It was damn delicious. It tasted like home. If you don’t know what pavlova is, in a word, it’s “divine”. A giant meringue nest topped with fresh fruit and cream.

From Peninsula brunch
From Peninsula brunch
From Peninsula brunch

Would totally go back there just for the pavlova.

Brunch here was very good, if not a little convoluted. Considering it’s the same deal as the Ritz Carlton, you’re better off going to the Ritz Carlton. (Just realised that I haven’t blogged about that…so I must get around to doing that. I have a huge backlog of blog posts to do! This thing called “work” is really cramping muh style.

1300 steps: Climbing Tokyo Tower

During a limited time each year, you can apparently climb the stairs up Tokyo Tower. I thought you could take the stairs all year round, but it seems you can only do this during a 2-week window each year (I have my suspicions that you can take the stairs all year round though). I managed to sneak in a trip to Tokyo Tower just for the sole purpose of climbing about 1300 steps. I needed the distraction. I’ve been to Tokyo Tower before but took the elevator up.
Decided this time to go up to the observatory by taking the 600 or so steps up and then back down again. And still had to pay the regular entry price for the privelege.

Tokyo Tower:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gFKiO6biqmF_IQQXO5L1rEyfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tCK-98LAadM/UtVNTf9OWMI/AAAAAAACeWE/sPyiroJHJZE/s640/IMG_6434.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/k3QvKQ4Tut0ziWlv_8ZBoEyfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5FGmEg6Weg0/UtVNTbwVhDI/AAAAAAACeWQ/q02kR4mc5TE/s640/IMG_6436.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

Here we go:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3FbDZd_1BuwwE7oxmdHpUEyfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jgisW1fseE4/UtVNTeKuRsI/AAAAAAACeWI/mNq9G6X7wfE/s640/IMG_6437.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Xxfp6P5UWwg9HkwJzfKsXUyfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lU44y-ke7CQ/UtVNYy5SBiI/AAAAAAACeXo/W0FjfnUsc8Y/s640/IMG_6448.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cyGGCADKFs3qKKoHJdV0lkyfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4_8rP2Tlx-I/UtVNaWfsuFI/AAAAAAACeX8/Py83zij1Ke4/s640/IMG_6450.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

At the 333rd step:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RJvU8Pm8nwKGyEK6LjFg1kyfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LV-JiPeCFrY/UtVNUSkai7I/AAAAAAACeWc/uVEP6IeepYM/s640/IMG_6438.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIv73p-fzLnWZQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AqzlTE0Eg4qpFUosaD-2zkyfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IQJYr8lt4dE/UtVNa88itOI/AAAAAAACeYI/RDvMFwgdyr8/s640/IMG_6452.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIv73p-fzLnWZQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pQ0BzaVaNOVQu4tuputbyUyfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-votKzGa8SXk/UtVNdI_1LrI/AAAAAAACeYs/mD5ilVn1yDM/s640/IMG_6455.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIv73p-fzLnWZQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

At the 500th step:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9VwNYDeDzOj8QRN4sK2-VkyfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FBYqtk4ZefY/UtVNVFkJqKI/AAAAAAACeWk/JUPS7zlB-8Y/s640/IMG_6440.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIv73p-fzLnWZQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hSdtSn5t8kQynV-eKsX3ukyfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UKQKwDiDheM/UtVNiCKl-lI/AAAAAAACeZ0/tiyZsAgCJOA/s640/IMG_6468.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

The view on a cold winter’s day:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dPoDNh9g5eh9Cl8bPshmckyfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bkTGOSgBXGc/UtVNWrfVv2I/AAAAAAACeW4/qs-W1BMm1Vg/s640/IMG_6443.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIv73p-fzLnWZQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2npBjBqE-tUOG5C8jiWm9kyfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k95ROIwS_wo/UtVNXYlUhbI/AAAAAAACeXI/ANjJfh1SDMM/s640/IMG_6444.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIv73p-fzLnWZQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RENZqDFGrh-43gQUcsMePEyfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qi7zEigGWcM/UtVNXbolMJI/AAAAAAACeXQ/2pnPgltiNtg/s640/IMG_6445.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIv73p-fzLnWZQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yx-iuSfWhKNSCnMMnl6RO0yfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y-s0jSUqcgQ/UtVNX_TeeQI/AAAAAAACeXc/Fd6QT73_zfU/s640/IMG_6446.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCIv73p-fzLnWZQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

And now to walk the 600-plus steps back down again. I do believe you can ride the elevator down if you so wish.

View from the ground, looking up:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xIpZixZxBMoNi0qy8yRBr0yfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xZuWNmPuMFc/UtVNdB8JdCI/AAAAAAACeYk/vGPA_ypaf60/s640/IMG_6456.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7psYr8yB9ScFWI_ACzFR0UyfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GHemtoaLRlE/UtVNdS98cRI/AAAAAAACeYw/EPwFE4TJhKk/s640/IMG_6457.jpg&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xyIm-CqhaLWryO4iHHDfJ0yfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_mD-G0LpDIM/UtVNeD8iiBI/AAAAAAACelE/uyZgrVN4cw8/s640/IMG_6459.jpg&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/E_nsPRDD8XdNLSwE_aafpkyfHhUe1gNt21gz4-UIDf4?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ez9ip9c-oWo/UtVNfG6p11I/AAAAAAACeZQ/GkhKB5_KvnI/s640/IMG_6462.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/TokyoTower?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Tokyo Tower</a></td></tr></table>

For less than 10buks you can get in a good stair workout, and entry to Tokyo Tower and views over Tokyo.

Skytree: Tokyo night view

It is the tallest tower in the world and the second tallest structure in the world. And I went up it. That’s right, the Tokyo Skytree, which opened in 2012.

Purchasing tickets is a little convoluted if you don’t have a Japanese credit card, which I don’t.
This meant that I rocked up there at 4pm. Upon arrival, I was given a coloured card with a time slot printed on it. You have to come back at that time slot, just to purchase the ticket. I was allocated the time slot of 7:30-8pm at which time I would be allowed to purchase a ticket.
That was fine by me. I could grab dinner at the other end of town and kills some time and then get back to the Skytree.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/k7E8_lBCHJ7sc47zMVWOxFR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V-y9bMk_RyU/UsF7i8SG_3I/AAAAAAACcnw/A9e0LHHpFL4/s640/IMG_6254.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Between the 7:30 – 8pm allocated time slot, I was then allowed to line up to purchase a ticket. A line that I waited in for 45minutes, just to purchase a ticket. At about 8:30pm, I finally had a ticket and was then free to go up the Skytree.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hxAGeNEXo6CWJkuURTbhH1R4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5ylEJ6Q9BCs/UsF7jL3JAZI/AAAAAAACcn4/8RZcv5RvfNo/s640/IMG_6255.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

By the time, I actually got to go up the Skytree, I was well and truly in time for the nightview.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZkV-vfPUAPD6vPJDb_d8LFR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uRiXX-NNq5k/UsF6-obepfI/AAAAAAACccc/9CoHnhsPiHo/s640/DSC_0038.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ouCT_qTevohuRzEoDdQnrVR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qjKDun0dtHY/UsF6-IOLKbI/AAAAAAACccU/yWZto5BnafQ/s640/DSC_0036.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

This is Tokyo by night:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/O38nlPnqBtYkZZlkUTdx81R4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gc-uXsB9q2I/UsF62NT524I/AAAAAAACcaA/3wRUHI-miy4/s640/DSC_0007.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

The Edogawa river:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4GkwTu8aaBb_pAM1xFPgx1R4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ak0eQuMWO04/UsF7J424o9I/AAAAAAACcgE/mPDLqcW4y0g/s640/DSC_0089.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/f2rEjE60yQch2wfk6sapbFR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RJqqIPzdqts/UsF68CWu9MI/AAAAAAACcbs/0LKCObMbBdg/s640/DSC_0025.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

My super dooper zoom lens: Big Brother is watching yo!

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2IExKFL3inK-D03GSBNUVVR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F_hnwIkco0c/UsF68xgJSwI/AAAAAAACcb0/qWJtpZeV8fc/s640/DSC_0029.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Tokyo Tower:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/n1VXwbC9oxBrihVgR4pL-FR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OJT0R_6ocBY/UsF7aIwrcCI/AAAAAAACclA/DF0zmRMFIlI/s640/DSC_1686.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0tT5TOuu3ScBTWn8mig68FR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3xcGvO1PrWw/UsF7azBpNWI/AAAAAAACclY/-81aORmhveE/s640/DSC_1691.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Trust me: There is nothing wrong with your eyesight:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4HuGkKmh-d82nAOZtie3xVR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7QDFzAGoOgA/UsF7c1gqbDI/AAAAAAACcl8/q5VaZwZtlfo/s640/DSC_1695.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mM6y41SxISPbSeVhmKWi_VR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e3E4GZyt5s8/UsF7B6iUy6I/AAAAAAACcds/wVaUv49nSgk/s640/DSC_0053.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

The view from the top is pretty impressive. So long as you don’t mind jostling with people for window space. It was crowded! Avoid the long weekend if possible.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yqAJxjy63Ex4WrXIdv0RwlR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WHCCipi1C_A/UsF7Y48RrfI/AAAAAAACcko/b359kBbjQPA/s640/DSC_1680.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

Tokyo is a pretty awesome city:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tuXhVcMpvBZHDjqO3ogYolR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_NE0xD5C_04/UsF7UCZFQPI/AAAAAAACcjU/sThJb4TRvoY/s640/DSC_1669.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YktsqDjDW5rn2-f5NnQYcFR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/–8-Q6hyk3xU/UsF7p4QwnsI/AAAAAAACcqI/n6hjzaxPdUc/s640/IMG_6306.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OeSV4ZBj3KT0P-Vux4rEgFR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3UkjSnIg3sc/UsF61ZEe0YI/AAAAAAACcZ4/1gAcsNc9oSQ/s640/DSC_0004.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yWTxKbxkwbUHF6sb_Z5r_FR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wNI4gZzxi34/UsF7hBhcmrI/AAAAAAACcnU/hlHmFX9Ftg8/s640/DSC_1709.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zoB15v8AsNSGT_Bg1VVZhlR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fnDjq4nEbtA/UsF66XbeN3I/AAAAAAACcbE/tlRRoAr-f6Q/s640/DSC_0020.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/V77YAqZZ_zw_RISk664yalR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-r7XTDcuRHS8/UsF7eEo2dVI/AAAAAAACcmY/U_E2QlOy2-A/s640/DSC_1698.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YDODlcjvmTnfXDNl5cfq7lR4lJf8NLaTQbGlvs79c_0?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gIZ4kl6HpEg/UsF8AL4V01I/AAAAAAACcqo/jk0PQiRaHGQ/s640/IMG_6307-TWINKLE.gif&#8221; height=”640″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/Skytree?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Skytree</a></td></tr></table&gt;

My second half marathon

Why do I run?
Because it feels soooo good when I stop!
To say I do not enjoy running is an understatement.

Last weekend, I ran my second ever half marathon. Much easier the second time round. (You can read about the first time here).
Managed to even convince a few friends to sign up.

Truthfully, I was supposed to run a half marathon a month ago. It rained on the day so I didn’t even bother turning up. A half marathon is not fun on a nice day, let alone being wet, cold and miserable.
So I signed up for another one this month instead.

The run was at Odaiba bay (a man-made artificial island somewhere off Tokyo Bay). It was the most unorganised running event ever. If I had of rocked up on my own, I actually would have left and just gone home. But there was a bunch of us, which motivated me to stay.
They were severely disorganised and understaffed. It took over an hour to register upon arrival and they had to postpone all the races by about nearly an hour.
I do not recommend partaking in this half marathon event (The International (Embassy) Friendly Run).

The ridiculously long line to register, least of all no race/event t-shirt.

From Half marathon 2013

Ready to run:

From Half marathon 2013

It was a 7km course, which we had to complete 3 laps of. The course was absolutely flat as a pancake. As far as half marathon courses go, it was an easy course.

I didn’t train a lot for this. On average 2-3 runs a week between 6-10km. And in the last 4 months I only did a 15km run 2 or 3 times.
Was pretty proud of my time though.
2 hours 12 minutes. A huge improvement on last year’s first half marathon event which I did in 2 hours and 45minutes. A 30min shaving off of previous time.
Maybe a sub-2 hour half marathon next year if I decide to actually proper train.

A well-deserved beer and bowl of ramen. Any calories burnt after running 21km were just all put back on.

From Half marathon 2013

Post-race festivities was a trip to the Oedo Onsen Land in Odaiba. 4 hours of onsen, massage and exfoliation (think Turkish hamam Japanese-style called “akasuri”) is just what the doctor ordered. The absolute bomb. The next day I felt as though I didn’t even run a half marathon. Felt like a new woman apart from my flat feet giving me grief. I think I have something like plantar fascititis or something. Ouch. It’s been a week and still hurting.

Might have to hang up the running shoes for a while and SUIT up. Swim SUIT up, that is. I am planning on doing a marathon swim next year (in the swimming world, (only) 10km is considered a marathon).