ANA Maintenance Hangar Tour

Back in early April of this year, I was able to (finally!) join my friend in touring the ANA maintenance hanger attached to Haneda airport, in Tokyo. This tour requires a reservation; however, due to its popularity, most have to book three months in advance. Because my friend and I do not work on Tuesdays, we were able to fill in for a sudden cancellation.

We arrived early to receive our ID pass; soon after, we moved to a large presentation room, where we were treated to a talk about ANA's history, their various airplanes, how airplanes fly (in particular, the engine & wing shape), as well as two short quizzes regarding the content of the presentation. This seminar was in Japanese only; however, it was quite easy to follow. At the end of the presentation, we were invited to lift a new carbon fiber wing component seen on the 787 Dreamliner, and compare that with the older type. The older one was much heavier!!

Lifting carbon fiber wings/ Gundam / Cutenekko/ 

Inisde the presentation room:

Following the Power Point presentation, we were escorted out and given hard hats. Guided by a new tour leader, we entered the cold maintenance hangar, first, from above, and then proceeded to floor level. We were lucky as on this day, two things were in our favor: first, the hangar doors were open (rare, according to the guide) and two planes were in the hangar (also, very rare). 

The space inside was immense; perhaps much larger than several American football fields. I enjoyed taking lots of photos here and captured several maintenance workers atop an engine.

Hangar (center + left view)/ 786 plane / workers

tail/ our tour group / Hangar (right)

At ground level, it was incredible to view each aircraft up close. We were able to walk around and under the planes, as well as view the massive engines up close. All the while, our leader explained the various features of the plane, its statistics, etc. By tour's end, we were told to enjoy the landing strip of Haneda airport from the hangar doors. It was quite spectacular; even more so, as the guide knew every plane (including the company & from which destination) as they roared home.   

Full plane / Cutenekko & friend in front of the 786

aircraft engine / a plane coming home:

This tour was absolutely free and a great way to spend a rainy day. For those who are interested, or have some time before departing from Haneda airport, why not make a reservation to join this tour? 

Happy flying! 

Information: 

ANA Maintenance Hangar Tour info HERE. (Japanese only) 

Currently, the next possible date open for a tour is November 26, 2015. (VIEW) --> You should book at least four months in advance to guarantee a spot! 

Reservations REQUIRED.

Four tours are available: 

1st／10:00～11:30

2nd／13:00～14:30

3rd／14:00～15:30

4th／15:00～16:30

Cost

Free! Young children especially welcome.

Tip

For English speakers, try contacting an ANA agent (via the website HERE). He/She may be able to make a reservation for you on the website. 

Note

The tour is in Japanese only. There are no English translators available. 

Miami Cruise 5

This is part of a series regarding a cruise on the Norwegian Epic to 3 different countries. 

Other posts are: ONE / TWO / THREE / FOUR.

After visiting Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, our ship moved to the final port -- Cozumel in Mexico. My friend and I love history, so we booked a full day tour to view some ruins in Tulum -- approximately 3 hours by bus and boat from Cozumel.

The boat crossing from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen would take about 40 minutes and we were warned numerous times that the crossing would be rough; regardless, many staff on the ship offered margaritas to passengers at 9am! 

Tulum was a pre-Mayan port town; now, it is a park showcasing the ruins of this once, thriving community. On the bus, our guide explained the writing system (similar to Egyptian hieroglyphics) and black stone carvings. 

Scenes from Tulum and Playa del Carmen:

Bottom row -- the very famous beach at Tulum, with cliff views of the ruins

My friend was a bit disappointed, as she had wanted to see large, fully restored pyramids. Tulum offered only ruins and remains of these former structures. Regardless, the grounds of the park were beautiful. Upon our 6pm return to Playa del Carmen, we were rewarded with a blue sunset. 

 Tulum sign / the beach at Playa del Carmen

Bottom rows: ruins at Tulum, writing system and a stone tunnel

Returning to the ship, my friend and I quickly ate dinner and headed to the comedy club for a special "meet-and-greet" featuring the cast of Blue Man -- the show which was featured on the ship. I learned one of the cast was Canadian (yay!) and listened to the cast explain how they were selected, trained for the show, etc. It was really great to meet the men "behind the blue face paint". 

 Blue Man musicians and cast members / carved watermelons:

Following the stop in Mexico, the Epic spent another full day at sea, before finally returning to Miami Port. My dad, who was not too keen on going on the cruise at first, changed his mind completely after this experience. While cruising is not for everyone, if you prefer a laid-back holiday, with no fancy dress, or strict dining rules, then Norwegian Cruise Line is the right choice for you. ^_^

Happy cruising! 

Information

Tulum, Mexico -- Wiki page is HERE. Trip Advisor site is HERE. 

If historical ruins aren't your thing, head to the beach there -- it's beautiful! PHOTOS of the beach. (via Google image search)

Location

Map HERE. 2 ~ 3 hours drive from Cancun, Mexico. 

Guided tours from Cancun are approximately $65 ~ 80 USD per person.

Best time to visit

Between October & December -- post-hurricane season and low hotel prices. 

Miami Cruise 4

This is a series about a cruise from Miami port to 3 different countries. 

Part one is HERE. Part TWO. Part THREE. 

In the last post, we were finishing up a plantation tour in Ochos Rios, Jamaica. After that, we headed to our final, and most famous destination, Dunn's River Falls. In Jamaica, climbing waterfalls is a popular tourist activity and my friend wanted to try it. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate, and we ended up walking along the river in a downpour. Instead, I snapped photos of those brave souls marching up the river in the rain....


A note about Dunn's River Falls:
It's a tourist trap. They (guides) will say you must have special water shoes, which you have to buy for $10 ~ 15. We didn't buy anything and noticed once we got to the falls, you don't need shoes at all. The "must have water shoes" is a scam; don't fall for it.








Once returning to port, our ship, the Norwegian Epic, sailed on to Georgetown, Grand Cayman Islands. The Caymans were first settled by the British back in the 1700s. Now, Georgetown is most famous for its international banking and lovely beaches.

My friend booked a full day snorkeling tour of Stingray City -- a popular place to see these creatures up close. I was excited to be on a ship again...

Our tour boat, a welcome sign, the Epic and Cutenekko:

After approximately 30 minutes, our boat arrived at the sand bar which featured numerous stingrays. Now, I know that the great Aussie, Steve Irwin died from an attack from one of these, so I was cautious and a bit frightened of these creatures, even if the guide was hugging one! 

Fish, guide with a guest, overview of the sandbar, my friend:

The tour included a professional photographer and a guide, who would put a stingray on your back, let you hold one and if you wished; guests were also welcome to feed and kiss the sea creatures! Of course, souvenir photos were later sold at the end of the tour. 

By 4pm or so, we headed back to our cruise ship. I enjoyed the local sights of the island from our mini-bus -- strip malls, condos and the like. All cruise passengers were pleasantly surprised at the dock, where Norwegian staff greeted our return with cool drinks (free!). 

When I spoke with my parents later, we all agreed we needed to come back for a longer holiday on this island. The Caymans were beautiful! 

Information

The Cayman Islands are located a stone's throw off the coast of Cuba. Wiki page is HERE. 

When to go

May to July, when hotel rates are low. 

Rainy season is May ~ October. (US Travel News)

What to do

Snorkeling, scuba diving. The water visibility is really good with lots of tropical fish and rays.

This stop was part of a 7-day cruise aboard the Norwegian Epic. Cost: $345 USD for an inside room. $100 onboard spending credit included (which I used to buy an underwater camera!). 

Norwegian Cruise Line site is HERE. 

Miami Cruise 3

This is part of a series. Parts one and two are HERE and HERE. 

By the third day of our cruise, we had finally reached our first port-of-call -- Ochos Rios, Jamaica. My high school band teacher raved about Jamaica, but I wasn't sure what to expect. I don't drink rum, I'm not into ganja, so I wondered, "Just what in the heck is there to see?" Well, it turned out my travel partner solved that problem for me -- she wanted to visit a plantation and learn more about slave culture. She booked a full day tour exploring two sites on the island.

The plantation welcomed us with free samples of Blue Mountain coffee. Soon, the tour guide greeted us and escorted us to our tour "bus" -- a hard-workin' Ford tractor hitched to a series of wooden benches attached to a flatbed. I felt like I had become a member of the Ingall family, a la Little House on the Prairie.

Various scenes from the plantation tour:

The tour snaked its way through the grounds, passing fields of sugarcane, pineapple, and various other fruits. At the halfway point, we stopped to enjoy a coconut husking demonstration, as well as sample raw coconut slices and juice. 

Our tour continued to the plantation's main house -- a sprawling white home tucked at the top of the hill, amidst a sea of mahogany, and other trees.  

Scenes from the plantation's main house: 

I was surprised to hear the plantation owner welcomed many famous guests over the years -- Winston Churchill, former Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, and more. The inside rooms of the home were preserved well.

We had to wrap up our tour, as the late afternoon would be spent at a second location. More on that soon!

Happy travels!

Information: 

I cannot remember the name of this plantation; however, the Sun Valley Plantation Tour is quite famous in Ochos Rios. Trip Advisor site is HERE. 

Tour includes: free coffee, some fruit & juice tasting, guided tour of the plantation. 
Optional tour: camel rides, ATV & mini jeep rides. 

What to wear:
Bug spray, rubber boots/ rubber flip flops (if it's raining, as the pathways are very muddy)

Other:
Souvenir shop is very limited; packets of Blue Mountain coffee are cheap to buy. About $5. (USD)

Yokohama English Garden

For the past week, I had been needing to de-stress from my work. Unfortunately, we are in the midst of the rainy season in Japan, so the weather did not cooperate with my wishes. Finally, just yesterday, the sun stood tall for an entire day, so I asked a friend to join me in visiting Yokohama English Garden.

This garden, located only 10 minutes from Yokohama station, showcases five zones, with a large number of roses. With the rose being the symbolic flower of Yokohama, the garden boasts over 1,250 varieties!

Enjoy the photos....

Entrance & cosmos, one my favorites: 

The gardens are not free; the entrance fees are 500 yen for adults and 300 for children and seniors. You can buy a one year member's pass, which costs 3,000 yen ($30) allowing you to visit the garden an infinite number of times. 

 Garden paths, benches and brick walls:

There is very nice gift shop near the entrance to the garden with many reasonably priced, rose/flower themed items. Rose tea and rose ice cream seemed to be the best sellers. I asked the shop staff when was the best time for visiting this garden? Her reply: "Mid May to late May".

Statue and arch:

While walking, I loved taking close ups of the various flowers. You will see many older, retired Japanese doing the same, so why not copy the locals? Photography is a popular hobby among the elderly here. 

Garden and macros:

Despite it being a bit late in the season, there were many roses in bloom, or soon-to-bloom. I was quite surprised to find many variations of color. 

Roses, lilies, irises, lanterns, benches:

The garden is most famous for its roses; however, during the rainy season (early to mid-June), Japanese hydrangeas are in bloom and should not be missed. 

Blue hydrangeas, grapes and more:

The garden itself is located inside a large complex which features: a wedding reception hall, a reform center and over thirty full scale, model houses. Those other attractions are free (except the wedding reception hall, which is reserved for wedding ceremonies only). Visitors to the garden should allow one to two hours to walk, and if you want to view the model houses, allow another three to four hours. 

Garden path, gazebo, and various greenery:

I enjoyed my time meandering through this garden. Yokohama is full of surprises -- even in a city of 3.6 million -- there are many places one can feel at peace. 

My two favorite photos: a lantern and myself!

All photos by Cutenekko except me on the bench
 (taken by my friend using my camera)

For those living or working in Yokohama and in need of some respite, this English garden is a welcome place to sit and read a book or just veg out. I hope you will try to visit.

Happy travels!

Information: 

Yokohama English Garden website is HERE. (Japanese only) 

Access: 
Yokohama station. Walk through "The Diamond" and take Exit 8 (across from Yodobashi Camera). There is a free shuttle bus (yellow, says "Housing Express" on the side) at Exit 8. See the bus timetable HERE. (Japanese only, but easy to figure out)

Cost:
500 yen ($5) - adults
300 yen ($3) - children and seniors 

Rules:
No commercial photography
No food or drinks inside

Other:
There is an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet at the garden restaurant here. 
Cost: 1,800 yen ($18) per person. 

Try:
Rose ice cream or rose tea (at the gift shop). 

Miami Cruise 2

This is a series regarding a cruise taken in December, 2014 from Miami to three ports of call aboard the Norwegian Epic. Part one is HERE. 

Our ship left Miami port at 4pm, we would cruise for the next two days on the open sea, passing Cuba.

We enjoyed dinner that evening and the next morning, I was up bright and early for my typical, enormous, buffet breakfast. The open air cafe next to the pool deck offered great ocean views.

breakfast, dinner & desserts

My friend and I love taking advantage of the many free classes on board, so we poured over the daily newsletter and highlighted our favorites. For the first day at sea, we selected two activities: first, a workshop on how to make paper flowers. Second, a lecture on upcoming cruises offered by Norwegian.

Early morning sunrise; Cuba in the distance; flower workshop:

The paper flower workshop was quite fun. Making those flowers was a challenge! 

As it was a few weeks before X-mas, the ship was decorated with numerous trees everywhere. I loved the gingerbread men dangling from one tree near the buffet restaurant. (see photo below) 

Our afternoon lecture on the various Norwegian ships and sailings was very interesting and quite crowded. I got the impression that many people are repeaters when it comes to cruising. 

I fiddled around more with my camera, using another filter to take "old fashioned" style photos of the lobby areas and theater. In the evening, we enjoyed a show of various copy-cat singers: Aretha Franklin, Jimmy Buffet and Adele. I loved the woman playing Adele best. Her voice was incredible! 

Our favorite restaurant onboard proved to be "Taste". We often went early, when the doors opened, to enjoy the quiet atmosphere and delicious food. I was especially eager to chow down on the cheesecake -- peanut butter cup flavor -- which is not sold in Japan.  

I'll post photos from our first port-of-call soon. I hope you will check back. 

Happy travels! 

Information: 

Norwegian Epic is now based out of Europe (Mediterranean Sea). Ship's website is HERE. 

This cruise, 7-days from Miami, cost $345 per person for an inside cabin. It included $100 onboard credit. 

Miami Cruise 1

Last December, before X-mas, I skipped town to fly very far -- Tokyo --> Chicago --> Miami. I went with my favorite travel friend, Ms. Y, where we met up with my parents to enjoy a 7-day cruise together.

Before the trip, I got an early Christmas gift -- a new camera. My red Nikon came with many features; a fav being the monochrome and color filters. I enjoyed playing with the camera while at the airport....

Monocrome postcards:

Photo by cutenekko. Taken with a Nikon Coolpix P600.

Blue filter at Miami Port: 

photo by cutenekko

In Miami, the cruise ship we chose was the Norwegian Epic. The reason? I found an extremely cheap deal online; our 7-day cruise to three ports cost only $345 per person (inside cabin), including a $100 onboard spending credit. The ship is a "mega-class", holding over 4,000 passengers. It first went into service in 2010.

Postcard shopping /Miami hotel

Our cabin on the Norwegian Epic:

All photos : Cutenekko

Our cabin was smaller than the one we had experienced on Costa cruise lines; however, the very modern furnishings inside, including an amazing shower, won us over quickly. 

We had an hour in port before departure, so we explored all the decks of the ship. Americans love their toys, and the pool deck had plenty -- a music stage, numerous pools, three water slides, a rock climbing wall, basketball courts, a big screen TV nestled between two hot tubs, shops and small track. During the cruise this pool deck proved to be "the" place to be; it was often packed with people dancing or enjoying pool side parties. 

Norwegian Epic:

Norwegian differs from other cruise lines in its laid back dining style. While most cruise ships demand formal dress for dining, Norwegian is casual, all the time. Also, the unique concept of "freestyle dining" allows guests to eat whenever and wherever they like. There are no assigned dining rooms, nor dining times. My father loved these points, especially. 

Various restaurants on the ship: 

Bottom row: Miami beach view.

Cruising out of the port, we were treated to fantastic views of the famous Miami Beach. 

I have more photos to share from onboard the Epic and the various ports we experienced. I hope you will return for more. 

Happy travels!

Information:

Norwegian Epic 

From April, 2015, this ship's home port changed from Miami to Barcelona. 

The ship's Norwegian Cruise Lines website is HERE. 

Cruises on this ship are found HERE. 

Miami Cruise Port 

A tour guide said 50% of all employment centers on the cruise industry. 

Check the port's website HERE for terminal and access information. 

Top 5 hotels close to Miami Port

From TripAdvisor - HERE. 

Ikuta Ryokuchi Park - Ikuta Rose Garden

Last week, my travel friend took me to a beautiful garden. As roses are in season, it was the perfect time to for our visit, as this park predominately features roses. Located in Kawasaki City, the garden is easily accessible by train from Tokyo.

Garden overview, roses from all over the world:

To get to the garden, you can catch an express Odakyu train from Shinjuku, going towards Sagami Ono. Get off at Mukogaoka-Yuen station. From there, walk straight until you see the sign that reads "Bara Road" (bara = rose in Japanese). This road, filled with roses, will lead to you to the park itself.

Be warned -- there is a very long, steep, uphill climb to the park's entrance. For those coming by wheelchair, or needing assistance, the front gate staff will escort you to a van and drive you. That service is completely free. 

Statue stands over the "Royal Court" of roses;

Roses  from English, Holland, France and Japan.

This rose garden is run by a group of volunteers and is supported by Kawasaki City. The entrance fee is free; however, donations are warmly encouraged and those who do donate can receive a small gift in return. For my small donation, I received some flower seeds and a map. My friend, who donated more, got a very nice book on various parks in the Kanto area (Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama).

Statues; Cutenekko; Macro rose:

Those living in Japan, or visiting with their (older) parents or grandparents, I recommend coming to this park. The entrance is free and picnic lunches are welcome. Allow one to two hours to walk around, take photos and enjoy a snack inside the grounds. 

Enjoy traveling!

Information: 

Ikuta Ryokuchi Park -- Website HERE (Japanese only) 

Access: 

Odakyu Line going towards Sagami-Ono station. Get off at Mukogaoka-Yuen. 

From the station, take the South Exit. 

Walk 20 minutes to the park entrance. Follow the signs that say "Bara Road". 

** If lost, just ask people: "Ikuta Rose Ko-en"? They will point you in the right direction.

Map HERE (Japanese only)  

Open:
Mid-May ~ the end of May ONLY. (re-opens in the fall for late blooming roses) 

Entrance Fee: 

Free 

Donations welcome 

Other:

Picnics are okay inside. 

One food stand selling small snacks but very pricey ($5 and up!).

Clean toilets inside the park.

Many rest areas (benches, picnic tables) for the elderly, or parents with small children. 

Royal Thai Air Force Museum

While in Thailand last September, I had one more day left in the capital city of Bangkok, before catching a red eye flight back to Japan. I spent my time at an unlikely, hidden attraction, close to Don Muang International Airport -- the Royal Thai Air Force Museum.

Located approximately twenty minutes by taxi from the airport, this museum offers historical airplanes fans an excellent opportunity to see many of the machines up close, and in great detail.

Various scenes from the museum:

All photos by Cutenekko

The museum is open daily, from 09:00 ~ 16:00 except on Thai national holidays. The largest benefit for visitors is the entrance fee -- it's FREE! 

During my visit, there were no English brochures available; however, many signs explaining the name of the aircraft, plus build information, country of origin, as well as years in service, were written in both Thai and English. A self-guided route allows visitors to wander through the facility at his/her own pace. 

Various aircraft on display, including several very rare ones: 

All photos by Cutenekko

Historical airplane buffs should visit to see two extremely rare, restored aircraft -- the Curtiss Hawk III (the only one in existence in the world) and the Tachikawa Ki-36 (one of two in the world). "The museum was established in 1952 to collect and restore aircraft previously used by the Royal Thai Air Force. " (via Wikipedia)

Many airplanes, helicopters and some engine/ propeller parts are on display, both inside and outside the museum. Allow two hours to fully see all the exhibits. 

It's still an unknown, rarely visited place in Bangkok; during my visit, there were only one or two other guests. For those who wish to see something different, or who are on a tight budget in the Kingdom of Smiles, the Royal Thai Air Force Museum is an interesting stop. 

Information:

Royal Thai Air Force Museum - WIKI PAGE - BANGKOK.COM REVIEW

Open:

Everyday except Thai national holidays

09:00 ~ 16:00 

Entrance Fee:

Free

Location & Access: 

171 Paholyothin Road, behind Don Muang Airport, Bangkok, Thailand 

**
Take a taxi from airport. Twenty minutes, 70 ~ 100 baht (=$2.30 ~ $3)

**

Bus from airport. Bus # 59, 522 or 543. Get off in front of the museum. Approximately four-five minutes. Cost unknown.

Google Map (with directions) 

Travel Tip:

Ask the front desk staff at your hotel to write the name of the museum, in Thai script. That way, if you take the bus or taxi, you can show the writing to your driver. This tip helped me greatly. 

Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum

Today, I had the privilege to visit a fantastic, off-the-beaten-path, open-air park in Kawasaki City (a 15 minute train ride from Tokyo). This historical park, known in Japanese as Nihon Minkaen, is home to twenty-three various houses, a kabuki stage and a shrine. Buildings were dismantled, imported from various areas in Japan and reconstructed in Kawasaki.

The unique point? All were built over 200 years ago, feature traditional, Japanese architecture and have been wonderfully restored. This park is a must for history fans and those who wish to walk around various homes which belonged to pharmacists, samurai and farmers.

The Suzuki house, The Saji Gate:

The park, commissioned by the city of Kawasaki, was opened in 1965. It serves as a resting place for various historical homes, saved from destruction. The park is quite large and visitors can follow a clearly marked route to view all the buildings. Allot two to three hours to walk the entire park.

The Misawa House, A volunteer tends the hearth, 

Wood carvings, Shingled roof with stones:

Homes in which volunteers are tending to a small fire pit inside, can be entered by park guests. My friend and I enjoyed slipping out of our shoes and placing our feet on tatami mats, straw mats and even bamboo flooring! 

Sign post, Mill, Gears inside the mill, 

Thatched homes, Cutenekko inside, Alter inside:

Bottom row: Two hearths, Close up of the thatched roof.

It took almost three hours to fully explore the park and speak with the volunteers. My friend learned that, despite providing various language brochures, very few foreigners visit this lovely park. I promised to promote it, hence this blog post.

On the way to the main gate, after completing our tour, my friend and I noticed there was a secret, hidden pond full of blooming Irises. The photos below should remind you of a Monet painting, no?

Bamboo floor, Stone pathway, Irises:

The park includes many rest areas, so bringing a picnic lunch is a smart idea! For those who wish to eat a Japanese meal inside, one historical home houses a reasonably priced, soba (buckwheat noodles) restaurant, open 11:00 ~ 15:00. Enjoy traveling! 

Information:

Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum  (Nihon Minkaen) -- HOMEPAGE (English)

Entrance fees:
500 yen (Adults), 
300 yen (Students/ Seniors over 65) 
Free for children (Junior High School and younger)

Closed:
Mondays
The day after a national holiday
Between Dec. 29 ~ Jan. 3 

How to get there:
15 walk from Mukogaoka-Yuen Station. (Odakyu Line)
** From Shinjuku station, take the Odakyu Line, Express train, going in the direction of Odawara. 
Get off at Mukogaoka-Yuen. 
Take the South Exit. 
Walk straight, following the signs that read "Nihon Minkaen". 
** Access map is HERE.