sam heart travel

Tokyo 2025: Day 8 - Lost in Translation, a Learning Curve   Tokyo, March 16, 2025 – 8:00 AM: The alarm blared, gently pulling me from a dream filled with ramen and robot restaurants. Today was the day – our departure back to Manila. After a quick breakfast of perfectly fluffy scrambled eggs and toast (a stark contrast to what awaited us back home!), I packed my suitcase, carefully arranging my souvenirs amongst my clothes. OOTD? Comfy travel attire – jeans, a cozy sweater, and my trusty sneakers. No need for high fashion on travel day!   10:00 AM: Check-out from our Airbnb was a breeze. We hopped on the train at Senkawa Station, heading towards Ueno Station to catch the Keisei Skyliner to Narita Airport. Our Klook-booked tickets were waiting for us, and soon we were settled onto platform #6, ready for our journey.   The hour-long train ride was surprisingly peaceful. Despite my initial intention to soak in the scenery, the gentle rocking ...

Tokyo 2025 - Day 7: An Unexpected Encounter at Meiji Jingu Shrine   Our Day 7 in Tokyo started with a delicious lunch, followed by a trip to Harajuku. Our initial plan was to hit the shoe stores first, but as we approached Harajuku, Meiji Jingu Shrine unexpectedly caught our eye. We decided on a spontaneous change of plans – a visit to the shrine first!   The sheer scale of Meiji Jingu was immediately impressive. Despite the constant flow of visitors, it never felt crowded. The entrance and exit areas were incredibly well-organized, and the pathways were surprisingly wide, not paved but made of soft, comfortable pebbles. At the entrance of the Tori gate, we found information about the shrine's history, but we decided to save that for later, eager to explore the grounds first.   The first thing that struck us was the massive display of sake barrels – rows upon rows of them, each with its own story and significance. From there, it was a pleasan...

Tokyo 2025 – Day 5 – Starbucks Reserve Roastery – 03/13/2025: A Coffee Lover's Dream   Okay, so you've probably seen the photos all over social media – the Tokyo Starbucks Reserve Roastery is not your average Starbucks. It's seriously unlike anything I've ever experienced, and they have seasonal items you can only get there. Seriously, it's a must-see!   First off, the location is amazing. It sits right along the Meguro River, and I can only imagine how stunning it must be during cherry blossom season (sakura!). We were a little early for the full bloom, but honestly, the building itself was so impressive, it didn't even matter.   Imagine a modern warehouse, but with a distinctly Japanese origami-inspired twist. The building is huge, with a massive roastery as its centerpiece, surrounded by these incredible chain link structures. It honestly looks like something straight out of a movie – all sleek lines and industrial chic. Serious...

Tokyo 2025 – Day 5 – Meguro City – 03/13/2025: A Relaxing Day   After four busy days, we decided Day 5 needed to be a relaxing one, to soak in the Tokyo atmosphere. We slept in, then had breakfast before heading to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery. This was originally planned for Day 2, but got pushed back. The weather was fantastic – sunny and warm after yesterday's rain in Hakone.   We took the train from Senkawa to Shinjuku, then walked, following Google Maps, to the Starbucks. The walk was pleasant. After about 20 minutes, we arrived. The Starbucks looked great.   #Tokyo2025 #MeguroCity #StarbucksReserveRoastery #TravelBlog #Japan #RelaxingDay #TokyoAdventures #SunnyDay #Starbucks

Tokyo 2025 – Day 4 – Hakone Tour: Ahoy, Matey! (or, How I Conquered the Lake Ashi Pirate Ship) – March 12, 2025   Okay, so Hakone. Picture this: We're trekking, a merry band of tourists, towards Lake Ashi, all hyped for our pirate ship adventure. The walk from the Hakone Shrine? A pleasant fifteen-minute stroll, though I wouldn't call it a leisurely amble – the anticipation was palpable! And the queue? Yeah, let's just say it rivaled the line for the latest iPhone. But hey, worth it, right?   The "Pirate Ship" – I'm using air quotes because, let's be real, it's not exactly Blackbeard's vessel. No skull and crossbones, no swashbuckling crew. Instead, think plush seating, Renaissance-style murals on the ceiling, and even crystal chandeliers! Seriously, it was more luxurious than what I Imagine. There's even a coffee bar – perfect for those who prefer a warm beverage and a window seat to the dramatic scenery. The "pirat...

Tokyo 2025 – Day 4: Hakone – OMG, Those Tori Gates! – March 12, 2025   Okay, so the bus ride from Shinjuku to Hakone? Two hours of my life I won't get back, but hey, the scenery was pretty sweet. Seriously, the temperature dropped like crazy as we got into the mountains – even with the heater blasting! And snow on the sides of the road?! So unexpected and cool. Mount Fuji was playing hide-and-seek though. Total tease!   First stop: Hakone Shrine and those AMAZING torii gates in Lake Ashi. Our guide, Tom, gave us the lowdown on the shrine – it's like, super old and important, and people pray there for good luck. The lake reflecting the gates? Picture perfect (even without Fuji showing off).   We had an hour – bathroom break first, obviously, after that bus ride! Then, straight to the gates. They were even more stunning in person. It was like something out of an anime – seriously, I felt transported! The crimson red against the lake and mountains… chef's kiss. ...

Tokyo 2025 – Day 3: Kamakura Ramen, Shibuya – March 11, 2025   Two hours at Shibuya Sky. Amazing views, but by 3:00 pm, our stomachs were screaming for food! We needed a serious refueling session after all that sightseeing. Shibuya's restaurant scene is insane – so many choices, it was almost overwhelming! We spent a good fifteen minutes just wandering, paralyzed by decision fatigue. Everything looked amazing!   Then, BAM! We spotted this little ramen joint called Kamakura. They had these killer combo meals – ramen, tonkatsu, and karage! Perfect for two hungry travelers like us. The place was tiny, a real hole-in-the-wall kind of vibe. It felt like eating at a bar, with the kitchen right in the middle of everything. We shed our winter jackets immediately – the place was seriously toasty!   Ordering was super easy – one of those automated ticket machines. You punch in your order, hand the ticket to the staff, and wait. About ten to fifte...

Tokyo 2025 – Day 4 – Hakone Tour – SMBC Shinjuku – Mar 12, 2025   So excited for today! This is the day we've been looking forward to – our Hakone adventure! We booked a package tour through Klook for JPY 13,000 (PHP 5000), covering five amazing spots, although the Pirate Ship ride on Lake Ashi will cost an extra 1200 yen. The best part? It's a guided bus tour, meaning less hassle and more sightseeing! Our meeting point was 8 AM in front of the SMBC Bank in Shinjuku.   We woke up at 5 AM, packed our breakfast, and headed out. The trip from Senkawa station to Shinjuku took nearly an hour, with a few minor navigation challenges. We arrived at the bank with just 15 minutes to spare before the 8 AM meeting. Luckily, we found our guide, Tom, and were among the early birds. By 8:30 AM, the bus was full, and... that's the start of our Hakone Tour! I'm already anticipating stunning views and unforgettable experiences. Wish us luck (and hopefully som...

Tokyo 2025: Day 1 - March 9th, 2025   6 PM: Touchdown in Tokyo! The temperature dropped the second we stepped off the plane – a definite winter chill! We instantly bundled up in our winter jackets. First mission: find anything that screams "JAPAN!" and take a million pictures. Narita Airport delivered with a fantastic Pokémon mural – perfectly capturing the vibe. I hate to compare, but seriously, the difference between Narita and, say, NAIA3… I could write a whole book on it, but you get the picture. 😉   Immigration was a whirlwind of locals and tourists. A half-hour wait in a snaking queue later, we finally got our stamps. And that's when it hit us: "Konnichiwa Tokyo, Japan!" We were starving! Dinner hunt activated! Spotted the Ninja Wifi kiosk – picked up my portable wifi (Klook reservation, sorted!). Then, up to the 4th level of Narita's terminal – restaurant heaven! No time for exploring; we were famished. Ended up...

Tokyo 2025: Day 1 - A Smooth Flight and a Mountainous First Impression   March 9th, 2025. 12:30 PM: Boarding the Cebu Pacific flight to Narita Airport felt like the start of a grand adventure. The anticipation was buzzing! 1:00 PM: We were airborne, soaring above the clouds. I spent the ascent snapping photos – the Manila skyline from above was breathtaking. My usual middle seat in the Airbus 360 wasn't ideal, but the view made up for it.   Merienda time hit, and I grabbed a bowl of instant noodles (100 pesos – not bad!). Then, the unexpected happened: Cebu Pacific's in-flight games! The question? "What is the capital of Japan, a global megacity, a vibrant blend of ancient traditions and modern innovation?" My hand shot up faster than you can say "Tokyo"! And guess what? I won! My prize? A cute Cebu Pacific mini pouch – perfect for keeping my Philippine Pesos safe and sound.   After my mini-celebration, I drift...

Tokyo Family Adventure: Day 1 - March 9, 2025   So, Tokyo again! This is my second time in this amazing city, but this trip is extra special. It's the first time in ages – probably the second time ever – that my whole family's been on the same continent! We're making the most of it, believe me. This is a trip we've been planning for ages, and the anticipation has been building for months. The countdown is finally over, and the adventure is officially underway!   Our journey began bright and early. The alarm clock screamed at 7:00 AM, a sound I usually resent, but today, it was the soundtrack to excitement. We piled into a Grab car – a familiar sight here in the Philippines – for the ride from Cavite to NAIA Terminal 3. The 600-peso fare was a small price to pay for the convenience, especially with all our luggage. The traffic was surprisingly light, and we arrived at the airport by 8:00 AM.   The airport buzzed with activity, a symphony of hurried footsteps, roll...

Siquijor Sunset (That Wasn't) and Paliton Beach Bliss   Okay, so Day Two in Siquijor! We finished all our planned activities super early – like, 4 PM early! This left us with a dilemma: Bucafe sunset or Paliton Beach sunset? Given that our tour was winding down and the sky looked suspiciously gloomy (sunset seemed unlikely anyway), we opted for Paliton Beach. It's closer to our hotel, which was a major plus after a long day.   The drive to Paliton Beach from the Balete Tree (and that whole Old Balete Tree saga – another story for another time!) took almost an hour. And guess what? No sunset. Zip. Zilch. Nada. The sky remained stubbornly cloudy. But, hey, at least we weren't the only ones there!   Paliton Beach was buzzing! Turns out, the real attraction isn't the sunset (at least not on this particular day). It's the famous swing! Seriously, there was a massive queue of people waiting their turn to get that perfect Instagram-worthy...

My (Slightly) Disappointing Trip to the Old Balete Tree   Okay, so, full disclosure: I wasn't exactly thrilled about visiting the Old Balete Tree. It was part of a package tour, and honestly, I'd been there before. I'd already done the whole "Old Balete Tree experience," and I wasn't exactly jumping for joy at the prospect of a repeat performance. I tried to gently suggest we skip it, mentioning that I'd already seen the, shall we say, unique charm of this ancient tree. But nope, the tour was set, and off we went.   The thing is, the Old Balete Tree is... well, it's a tourist trap. I'm not saying it's bad, per se. It's just... underwhelming the second time around. The first time, the mystique was there. The sheer age of the tree, its gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, the stories whispered about its supposed supernatural powers – it was all quite captivating. But the second time? It felt a little… manufactured. The ...

Laggan Falls: A Hidden Gem in 2025   Okay, so confession time: I got lazy after our time in Hapitanan Broomshot, and that laziness carried over when we got to Laggan Falls. The thought of another waterfall hike after Cambugahay Falls had me feeling a little…meh. Hiring a guide? Even more effort!   But something about Laggan Falls kept calling to me. Maybe it was the allure of the unknown, or maybe it was the promise of a less crowded experience. Whatever the reason, I eventually pulled myself together and decided to go for it.   The trek down was…well, let's just say it involved a fair bit of huffing and puffing. We descended almost 100 feet, winding our way down below the entrance to reach the river. It was a bit of a challenge, but the reward was totally worth it.   When we finally arrived, we were greeted by a truly stunning sight. Laggan Falls is a beautiful, quaint waterfall, far more intimate and less crowded than the bu...