Food and drinks in Japan!

Today's topic is going to be all about food!

I could have talked about the day I left Japan and went back to England...But I'm not ready for that yet. I want to stay in the moment for as long as I can, so let's still pretend I'm there shall we?

Sushi.
(What a way to start...)
Seriously though, we have to address this situation (and with we, I mean myself).
I love sushi, love it love it! In fact it is my most favourite type of food apart from chocolate!
But it's unfair to claim it is my favourite when all I've had is the sushi they make in the local sushi restaurants in my country...which (I can honestly say now) is NOT the same thing as I ate in Japan.

First of all the rice! I mean take a look at the bottom picture...

Can you see it? Can you see the rice? a bit? EXACTLY!! 

This is how it should be, a normal amount of rice and a BIG piece of fish (like this juicy fatty tuna!) on top of it! I think I addressed this before in another chapter, didn't I? Apperantely it makes me very upset haha.

Also between the rice and the fish is a bit of wasabi. Which (I discovered) is not that bad! The thing with wasabi, is that as soon as you swallow it (that's what she said), the burning sensation goes away (...that's what she said??)

But yeah that was the sushi example :P

So more interesting food....

And...one of the best meals! Teppanyaki!

The prawn on the plate (picture below) was still alive...I didn't figure it out until I leaned it and it moved! Needless to say the chef had a good laugh. 

I've got a clip of the prawn being cooked (alive), Link is not up yet, but once it is just visit my YouTube channel.

I would have loved to take this man home with me...But I don't think my boyfriend would have approved...

Shabu shabu was also very very good! as seen in the picture below (don't mind the lame look on my face though, I was in Shabushabu heaven) Look at them chopstick skills!

Time for another delicious subject...

Snacks and candy!!!

Last year my dad bought some candy for me in Japan, on my request, and brought it to my house when he came for a visit to the Netherlands. 

Those dogbiscuit looking things were the most delicious out of the whole bunch.

Now that I was in Japan myself, I obviously had to buy some candy myself....

I ended up buying nothing hahaha

The only things I bought were a gazillion different drinks (this is also the beverage section now) from vending machine ( I love the Japanese vending machines!)

Those three were my all time favourite!!! The first one...I have no clue what it's called (help anyone?) But it was soooo goooddd, so fruity and kinda like fruit gum taste. 

The salt and fruit (saw it on a youtube vlog and had to buy it) was also brilliant! You don't taste any salt, don't worry.

But the best one! absolute favourite of mine is the Melon Fanta!!! I absolutely dislike Fanta...I do not like it! But this said melon...and since melon is my favourite fruit I thought...this cannot be bad. and I was right! <3

Oh before I forget, one snack I bought...over and over again was the best Banana/Chocolate/Creme Crepe ever!!!! Did I talk about this already? I don't care it was delicious, I ate like ten! and they were only 200 yen per crepe. You hear that europe? with your stinking ridiculous prices!

Did this blog gave you an appetite? I hope it did :) Mission accomplished!!

Next blog will be about...I don't know yet, but what's life without surprises?

Love,

Flo

Tokyo Disneyland!

Friday was Disneyland day!!!

I <3 Disney and anything Disney...okay except Winnie the Pooh...I don't like Winnie the Pooh.
But Peter Pan, Alice, Sleeping beauty, Beauty and the Beast and Frozen! Are in my top 5!

The first time and last time I was in Disney was 20 years ago, so I was really really excited to go!

I went absolutely mental when I saw the gate

The first ride we took was Captain EO...I had no idea what that was and boy was I surprised! 

It's this old 3D show with Michael Jackson. One thing I learned from that show is that the man could not act! I'm sorry Michael, but really...You were born a singer!

We got a fast pass ticket for Space mountain. Fast pass tickets are special tickets with which you can get into the ride quicker without having to queue. Cause man oh man! They know how to queue in Disney!

The great thing about Japan (and I'm not sure if it's because of Disney), but everyone embraces their child side! It's such an amazing thing to see! I saw a lot of dads and mums wearing disney hats! <3

Okay these were young ones, but still. Isn't it great?

We went on the "it's a small world after all" ride, Peter Pan, Pirates of the Caribbean, haunted mansion, Splash mountain, Thunder mountain, Space mountain (a lot of mountains), saw part of the parade. and a lot of shops :) 

now times for some pictures!!

Standing in a queue! guess who I am?

 Splash mountain!!!

This girl stood across a bridge. She was waving frantically, and when I noticed her I discovered she was waving at me. So I took her picture! 

It's a small world after all!!

The castle at night <3

The haunted mansion!

Hello Jack!

I had such a good time! and this time I'll actually remember it! thanks to this blog, my youtube clips and the pictures :3

Next update will be about food!! :)

As a goodbye to Disney, here is the brilliant adele nazeem...uh I mean, Idina menzel as Elsa from Frozen.

Love,

Flo

Pokemon centre + Edo Tokyo museum

I've been on this planet for 27 years now and it's safe to say (and a bit sad...) that I spend a lot of time playing video games.
One of my favourite games is and will always be Pokemon. It was Christmas and I got Pokemon Red.
"Because you wanted it, but I think a girl of your age is too old for games like this." My dad had said.
Thanks dad... I was twelve!! Do you know what twelve year old girls these days do?

Felt like a bloody Mr. Darling moment. "Grow up, you're too old to tell stories."
And then Peter came and took Wendy away to Neverland.
I never saw him that Christmas night though...

Moving on!
Pokémon Centre it is :) I simply had to go and visit it, although truth be told,,,I thought it would be a bigger store. It was quite small actually and the pokemon stuff they sold, featured mostly the new pokemon. The X and Y version. Luckily they had a few pokemon I was familar with. Mainly Eevee and it's evolution (which is more than the original three atm). And of course pikachu and the starter pokemon.

So I bought Flareon and Espeon, my favourite Eevee evolutions. (I already had an Eevee at home, I've had it since...well over a decade already). plus a cup cause i thought it was cute and a cookie jar!

So the Pokemon centre (the one I went to) is in Minato, and the best way to reach it is to get off the tube in...Daimon. and its like a 5 min walk to the store. (It's on the first floor). 

After minato (and a short stop at the market where I found Melon Fanta!!! which is absolutely amazing!) I went to the Edo Tokyo museum.

Also the museum is inside this huge building...BUT! the museum itself is on the 6th floor. I know right? These people and their way of using space.
We can learn something of this in Europe!! But nooo everybody in Europe needs a big house...ridiculous.

Also might I comment (again) how nice and polite the Japanese people are?
Do you know that there is no such thing as petty crime there? no pickpocketing or shit like that. You can just get up and leave your phone and Ipad on a coffee table while going to a counter to buy more coffee and no one will take your bag or any of your personal belongings.
I'm talking to you, people in my country, shame on you!! stealing bikes whenever you can, nicking phones or pickpocket money from foreigners...Shame shame shame!!!

Back to the museum!!!

The museum was small, but quite educational. Definetely something you should do when you've got time left. 

Tomorrow will be a special because....It's about.... DISNEY!!!! That's right Tokyo Disneyland !! 

Until next time!

Love,

Flo 

Calico Cat Café

Neko Kawaiiii!!
Did I say that right? ;)

I love cats, love love love them! I've had cats all my life! At the moment I have two cats and I'm missing them terribly. Haven't seen them for almost two months now. They'll be incredibly pissed of when I'll be back home.
Cats are not like dogs, who actually seem to be extremely happy when their owner gets back after a long journey. They jump up, wag their tails...
Cats...nuhuh. They will ignore you for hours or simply walk to the cabinet where you store their food and be like....FEED ME BITCH!

Cats are like humans (women), holding a grudge because you left without telling them where you went.
Maybe it's just my cats who do that.

A few months ago I saw this video on youtube about a cat café. A place where you can spend time with several cats while enjoying drinks and food. (tea, coffee and pastries).
And decided I simply had to go there and see the cats! I need to cuddle cats! Cats love me and I love them :P

I went to Calico Cat Café in Shinjuku. I got lost, which doesn't surprise me anymore. Took me i think a few minutes to find it.
Tokyo is a really big city and because it houses over 32 million people (whih is almost twice the people in the Netherlands!) so the buildings are really tall and a lot of places, shops, restaurants  (like Calico cat café) are situated in buildings on different floors.

Prices are calcuated for the time you spend there. I stayed for an hour which cost me 1000 yen.
Go as early as possible, because the afternoons can get really crowded!
Also you're not allowed to pick the cats up, but you can pet them, play with them, and feed them (which costs extra but atleast then you'll be the centre of attention for them).

Remember to take off your shoes! and leave your bags and coat in a locker (they're big enough to fit a lot of stuff inside). Don't forget to wash your hands and use hand sanitizer. We don't want any sick kitties.

Unfortunately there were a few sick cats. Rnny noses, droopy eyes. The cat on my lap was quite sick, which is probably why she was looking for a warm place to rest. 

I tried to tell the woman the cat was sick. By fake sneezing and saying," Neko, achoo". Don't know if she understood haha. 

After receiving some souvenirs from the cat café I went shopping in Studio Alto, Isetan (which is like Harrods in London) IOIO and Lumine Est. Found a new vest size F (which means one size fits all in). Keep in mind that size F is similar to small and medium sized clothing (even though its one size fit all).

And that was Wednesday!! Thursday will be about... Pokemon centre and Edo Tokyo museum!

Enjoy the Mitchiri Neko march

Love,
Flo

Ueno zoo!

Tuesday I went to Ueno, to visit the Ueno zoo.
One of the things Ueno zoo is known for is for the two Giant Panda's they've got, so naturally I was very eager to see them!

But first I had to get there....
Now for those of you who know the Japanese underground system, you know ow very hectic it can be...and how confusing it is as a foreigner. Even if you have some experience with the underground (such as London) You can't compare the Japanese underground with that.
I spent the first few days in Japan trying to decipher the underground. How does it work, how does the ticket system work.
The Japanese do try to make it easy for foreigners, they offer English menu in the ticket booth and on the signs they write the train lines in western letters.
Still it is very confusing, if you don't pay attention you can walk right past your station (and even if you do pay attention you might miss it haha). Just always make sure you know where you have to go! Write down the details of where you want to go, so you can show this to others should you need help.
Remember most Japanese people read English better than listening and speaking it!! Don't be one of those people that keeps talking in English! You'll only make them uncomfortable, and they do really want to help you. Just point on a map where you want to go or have a translation booklet with you.

Anyways, back to the zoo!
After getting lost in the park (which is ridiculous, I know), I finally made it to the zoo :)

Then this happened....

No pandas....!!! SOB! *cries in the corner*

I'm a sad panda...

They better make one cute baby!

Moving on!

There is one thing I have to get off my chest regarding certain....things. I noticed a couple of sick animals. (I have 2 degrees in Animal management, and worked at a zoo for 3 months. Trust me on this). Also many of the animals are alone, (a lot of these should live in groups). 

So my tip for Ueno Zoo, please keep the sick animals out of sight from the visitors! I got quite upset a couple of times, (especially when I saw the zebra with its incredibly overgrown hooves!).

Overall the zoo is quite nice, since it's in the middle of a big city I think they did a good job on it. 

Not to mention the price! it's only 600 yen! (which is like 6 dollars in the USA and 4.5 Euro). Where I live we pay around 15 euro's sometimes even more! for a visit to the zoo :O 

And that was Ueno Zoo! 

Come back tomorrow for a new update about... The Cat Café!

Love,

Flo