Michhysaurous Travelogue - Osaka & Kyoto Trip March 2015 (Part 1)

There will be a series of post about my first trip to Japan (Osaka & Kyoto) and this is the first of them all. Starting from my first time flying Non-Budget and going on a Tour Schedule and my 5-Star Accommodation and many more experiences. This trip was made possible with Thanks to my Aunt! I am very sorry that I can't advise you on how much the flight & hotel was because mine was paid by my aunt, but the shopping and food, I will try to answer to the best of my memory. haha!

Let's Get Started Shall we?

My first flight on a non-budget airline, I'm taking Cathay Pacific - Economy Class.

Took off at about 9, Reach Hong Kong 12+ Midnight, waited for about an hour for my transfer flight to Kansai Airport and I finally arrived at 5AM-ish SGTime. Didn't manage to sleep on both flights. 

Ate Supper and Breakfast on my flights.. First experience on In-flight food as well. I was pretty excited deep inside. Everytime it was meal time, I was very excited and anticipating what would be served. Hahaha! Like I'm talking inside my mind "OMG OMG Its Meal Time! YAY! What will I get this time??" But on the outside, I act like I've had so much experience already. LOL.

My Hotel was at Hilton Hotel Osaka - Twin Hilton Room. Clean and spacious room with a Bathtub in the bathroom and Yukatas (Japanese Cotton Kimono) for guests, It's really great! They are using Thomas Sabo toiletries and the Toilet Seat is Heated one!! Almost all toilets in Japan are Heated Toilet seats, Ahhhhh... Shiok!

First Stop: Kuromon Ichiba Market (黒門市場)

 (2-4-1 Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 542-0073, Japan)

A 600M long market with over 170 stalls which offers fish, fruits, Vegetables and other foodstuffs. The market has been called “Osaka’s Kitchen” since it opened in the mid Taisho Period (1921-1926) and many cooks in Osaka came here to get the ingredients. 

Deliciously Fresh Seafood and Fruits are available at Kuromon Ichiba Market. Giant Scallops Grilled on the spot, Freshly fried tempura, Creamy Uni and also Fugu(Pufferfish), a deadly Japanese delicacy if not treated well. I only had 45minutes there, therefore there wasn't much time to explore. But a good tip is to go during weekdays, I was there on a Thursday morning, not much crowd.

Beancurd Skin and Fishcakes

FUGU ( Pufferfish)

Next Stop: Osaka Castle
(1-1 Ōsakajō, 大阪市中央区 Osaka Prefecture 540-0002, Japan)

Yeap, That's the face of no sleep for more than 24 hours.. and my aunt who brought me on this trip!

The Osaka Castle has been demolished and rebuilt twice before it has finally been safe and protected. I forgot the whole story that my tour guide told me but it was once demolished by a powerful man in history, but after that rebuilt by the people of Osaka where they pooled money to rebuild the castle, a castle to call their own.

It's a pretty long walk in, but take your time to enjoy the view.. Come during Sakura season and be drown in the beauty of it. Too bad I was there in early March, so no sakura, only botak trees. :(

A cute couple that was having their wedding photos taken, became a tourist attraction. lol.

Right opposite the entrance of the castle, is a row of food shops! Think about Ice Cream, Hot soups & Freshly baked Japanese sweet potatoes!

OSAKA CASTLE.

You are advised to climb up to the top level first and then slowly make your way down to visit the different galleries to understand the history of Osaka.

I have already fallen in love with Japan and it has only been half a day! The beautiful scenery, the delicious food and the cool weather. Be sure to check back soon on my other adventures! Next up in like pipeline would be my night at Osaka's famous Food Street/Place - Dotonbori!

See you then!




With Love, M♥

LIN's Australia -Tilley Reed Diffusers and Scented Candles

*Sponsored*

Bringing nature into urbane settings, LIN's seeks to exude the wonders of mother earth with our natural and organic concept into your lifestyle. I got to try out Tilley's Reed Diffuser and Soy Candle in the fragrance - Pink Lychee. To be very honest, I don't eat lychee but I was expecting a very sweet scent from these 2.

LIN's products are extracted from plants, and with selective bottling of nature, what we get are gentle, wholesome and delicate products that are the best off our soil. I was seriously thinking that Pink Lychee meant PINK coloured diffusers and PINK Soy Candles. Hahaha!

I got to try out the Pink Lychee Reed Diffuser and Soy Candle. My Whole house smells so good as I'm typing this. It's my first time trying a Reed Diffuser and I must say that I am very impressed with the coverage of it, The aroma spreads throughout the whole living room!!

A Beautiful sweet & tangy waft of enticing tropical aroma that lifts the ambience of any room. The Sweet Lychee smell is very pleasing and it makes me want to stay in my house all day. I didn't know just a bottle of aroma can make my mood different in the house. Retailing at $69.00, you can find a wide range of aromas on their website under the Home Spa Tab.

The delicate, sweet fruity tang of this delectable pink lychee candle is made from premium vegetable soy wax and a slow burning lead-free cotton wick, the white frosted glass container adds an elegant ambience to any décor. I have always felt that Candles are very beautiful when the fire lights up and the aroma slowly spreads out throughout the room. Another addition to my collection of Candles, Hahaha. You can find the full range on their website under the Home Spa Tab.

You will only need to see, smell and feel LIN's to experience our dedication to perfecting the art of using nature to transcend beyond worlds. They have a wide range of products from skin care to home care to body care, I'm sure there will be something for you. Do check out their website and their facebook page for more information.

LIN's Australia

Website: http://www.lins.com.sg/index.php

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LINs-Home-Beauty/623193077735687

 United Square #B1-70

TEL: +65 6254 6009

Midview City #03-107

TEL: +65 6659 9368

You can check out my previous post of LIN's Goat Milk Shampoo here.


With Love, M♥

Aone Porridge - New Menu New Experiences!

*Food Tasting*

I believe that we have all seen Aone porridge around in Food Courts in the past few years and maybe you have seen them in shopping malls in the recent year too! Aone porridge have always been famous with their porridge in a claypot because it has good airflow and good insulation which locks in moisture and nutrients. I am glad to be invited to their outlet at Kallang Wave Mall for an introduction to their new menu!

Clean and spacious layout, creating a casual atmosphere where everyone would feel comfortable eating and sharing family-style comfort food. Because I believe that we tend to find comfort in food that are most familiar to us.

Starting off with some tea, their Signature Fruit Tea and my personal favourite, Jasmine Tea. I believe the fruit tea has some Hawthon inside which makes it a little bitter sweet but very pleasing to the palate. The Jasmine Tea is just plain Jasmine Tea but very good for cleansing the palete and tummy from all the delicious food that you are about to have.

Premium Dried Scallop Porridge(pictured) & Dried Scallop Porridge with minced meat & assorted egg were two of the delicious porridge I got to try that day. My bias would be the Latter, It was more to my suited to my taste due to the use of meat and assorted eggs like Century egg and Salted egg. 

Steamed scallop with minced garlic & vermicelli - Very aromatic when it was served, we rushed though the photos because we could not wait to dig in! Fresh Scallop topped with fragrant garlic, resting on a sea of vermicelli was a tad salty but if paired with Aone's porridge, it would be just right.

Deep Fried Pumpkin and Lotus Root with creamy salted egg sauce - It came to us golden brown and my table had high expectations for it but it was oily in the mouth and the salted egg punch was not strong enough. I gave up after 1 piece.

Premium Claypot - Consisting of Abalone Mushroom, Scallop, Sliced Fish, Prawn and Fish Maw. Light taste, suitable for people who have light taste buds, fresh ingredients and very homely feel.

Assorted Vegetables in Sambal Sauce - A very localized dish where sambal is used to stir fry vegetables till fragrant, albeit slightly oily, it was really fragrant and delicious, pair with porridge for optimum taste.

Honey Chicken - Suitable for all young and old, Crispy fried chicken tossed in sweet sauce sprinkled with sesame seed, presented with cute little cucumbers around is definitely a MUST ORDER in my opinion. I ate like alot of this during the session, I love it!

Thank You Aone for the invite for this wonderful food tasting session, I have been a fan of Aone's porridge and I will continue to patronize even if they never invite me to the food tasting! hahaha!

With Love, M♥