Tokyo Accomodation

Attached is a night photo of Tokyo Tower taken from our apartment balcony. It was a heavily cloudy night, thus the light reflection above the tower. The apartment we stay in has 3 bedroom, 1 bath plus a seperate toilet. Y29800 (US$3200)for 65sqm per month. XGG has lived in 4 apartments all near Tokyo Tower through the 9 years here. We have stayed in all 4. I cannot remember one that was uncleaned. Somehow the Japanese has made tidiness and cleanliness into an art. When in Tokyo, forget the 300-400sqm homes in melbourne, even our 144sqm apartment in Beijing feels luxurious space-wise.

The standard toilets here come with heated seat. There is a tap that flows into the water cistern automatically each time the toilet is flushed, meant for washing hand with the same clean water that goes into toilet cistern for flushing later. That is now Kimberley's favourite hand washing spot......

Within the building, lady 'neighbours' and youngsters will bow their heads to say hello each time we meet at the common lift. I always acknowledge with a smile in return, but I have never initiated a bow to a stranger, yet.

To Tokyo on Northwest

It has been a while since we last took a flight on a US airline. At Beijing airport, the security checks for Northwest Airlines passengers were 2 layers extra than normal. Our checked-in baggage were opened and checked by Customs at the NWA check in counters, plus the usual xray just behind the checkin counters. We were asked to stay until the bags have cleared the Xrays. Then our carry-on baggage were scanned upon entering the boarding gate area as per normal. No liquid is allowed through here, so we always bring an empty bottle to be filled with drinking water once inside. The final bag check was a surprise, just before boarding the plane. By then we had filled our empty bottle with drinking water. That was taken away.

The flight was full. We landed 30mins ahead of schedule due to favourable tail winds. Most passengers on that flight were transiting to the US. Kristine, Kimberley and I breezed through Tokyo Immigration and Customs. There were free supplies of face masks at the quarantine desk. Just an officer on duty manning a temperature camera. We didnt even have to wait for our bags. They were there as we reached the carousel.

the limsine bus ticket(japan)i bought it. 1 ticket is ::kids:1500 yen adult: 3000 yen...it:kristinegiam!!**

Kristine had her chance to practise her Nihongo buying our airport limo tickets.

The trip to ANA hotel downtown took 90mins. We had two front seats. Kimberley got to sit on my laps for free without ticket. It was a long trip for the kids and they were very tired. When Kristine and Kimberley became boisterous with laughters, the driver showed his displeasure by staring at us through the rear-view mirror.

Photo1: Kris n Kim at Beijing boarding gate

Photo2: with Adelu at carpark downstairs of apartment building.

Double Decker

Their first ride in a Beijing double decker bus. It was a hot day with temp in the mid 30s. The bus being not air-conditioned, was hot in the upper deck when it was stationery, but what can one complain for US$0.06 per ride for adults and kids ride free?

MJ DVDs

A present from Grace for Kristine. The metallic box contains 33 of MJ's dvds spanning his entire career. What makes this gift interesting is how Kristine tried to flog this off to Kylie: A$50 for the dvds, and another A$50 for the box. Kylie did not take the bait.

Norbulinkha‏

A park between Potala Palace and Lhasa River that housed Dalai Lama's summer residence from March to October. The park is big but the residence is not palatial. Dalai stayed inside Potala Palace from November to February.

The clocks inside Dalai's summer residence stopped at 9:00. It was 9pm that Dalai left that summer residence for India in 1959 and never returned. The residence is now maintained as a museum, with everything kept as it was.

We met a cheerful curator monk who explained some remarkable insights to us. Haitao spent a long time going through the carpet designs. They were thick lambs wool carpet without any protective covering to cushion the tourists shoes. Xiao Lu, our Lhasa expat friend from Beijing, made it his mission to chase this up through the local govt ranks.

Unlike Potala Palace, the summer residence comes with modern amenities, porcelain toilets and bathtubs (no photos allowed inside). Bulky radios presented by Indian PM Nehru, and beautiful hanging lampshades.

New Life into Potala Lake‏

A day after meeting the Reincarnation Kid (转世灵童）, we rescued three turtles from a local fish market for release into lake next to Potala Palace. Our mission attracted many curious eyes, from kids to adults, from visitors to park rangers. They were all duly supportive and entertained.

The smallest turtle was released into a small pond by Jane and Haitao. The two bigger turtles were released into an adjoining deeper lake, with help from 3 local Tibetan kids, who promised to return each week to check up the turtles.

Japanese Home Tutor

Kristine with her Japanese tutor. Mise-san is an exchange student in Beijing from Kyoto. 3 times a week, Kristine gets to practise her Japanese at home with her. The actual lesson lasts just 1 hour but she always ends up staying 3-4 hours.

Never a shortage of drama from Kimberley‏

It is not uncommon for Kimberley to bleed from her nose during her sleep. This is another photo of Kimberley unintentionally creating early morning drama to scare us.

Public Transport

On bus #675 to a cinema in Wangjing. This particular bus was not air-conditioned for the day, but it cost RMB0.40 for each adult per trip.

Dancers at Home

Kristine and Kimberley took turn dancing to musical peformances on TV. Kimberley won in the 'Energy Moves' category. Kristine emerged winner in 'Artistic Expression & Style'