Legoland Florida

The day we visited Legoland Florida, it was a very very hot October day.

one of the places to hide from the hot sun

Hence we could not stay in the park for long and what a pity.

Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida

We spent a week in here in Orlando Florida.

First by spending 3 nights in a disney hotel All Stars Sports and then moved to Orlando downtown hotel for Universal and shopping.

We totally love the experience. We purchased park hopper in our package with meals option. So we can actually hop from one park to another any time without having to worry about which day is for which. If Magic Kingdom is too crowded, we can always pop over to Animal Kingdom first. The bus services were top notch. Easy and comfortable.

Epcot is the top choice for boys above 9yo. It was much fun there trying out the Chevrolet Design Studio.

The all time favorite Magic Kingdom.

My family enjoyed the Safari ride for the Animal Kingdom, the view was awesome.

 
 

Las Vegas Premium Outlet North

Going to this outlet mall when in Las Vegas for holiday is very convenient.
Public transport (bus) is easily accessible from various part of the strip.

We were staying at New York New York and the bus stop is just opposite the hotel in front of MGM. We started off at about 10am and purchased tickets the vending machine at the bus stop. It was USD8/pax for a 24-hour all access pass. We didn't have to wait too long for the North-bound bus to arrive. The bus was a bit crowded with a mix of tourists and locals. We spotted some who didn't purchase tickets on the bus too. About half way through the journey, a conductor boarded the bus checking all tickets, those who took a free ride were very alert and alighted before the conductor reached them. The bus went through the major hotels along the strip before reaching the mall.
It was a very simple ride, though if you take a cab, it will be faster minus the stops and indirect route.

The North Bound and South Bound Routes

The RTC Transit ticket

At the Nike Factory Store

Part of our loots

We even bought a luggage because one of ours broke-down in Tokyo en-route here

The return bus stop is just opposite the place where we alight

Total "damages" for one day :)

The weather was good, sunny and not humid. Do bring water as it is expensive to buy from vending machine. There is a food court within the mall. We had lunch there in between shopping.

Las Vegas Day 1

Yet another sunny day, we are lucky!

Las Vegas is totally a different world from Tokyo. It is very vibrant but people are like zombies & service sucks. Or rather I must say there is no service at all. NYNY hotel is very old, rundown and poor in facilities.

Once u stepped into the hotel main lobby, there is no single window where u get to see outside. You have no idea if it is day or night. Like a typical casino place, the gaming machines are all around you. It is not suitable for kids.
Many people came to the city of sin, for one reason or another. From shopping, gambling, entertainment to Grand Canyon!
'What happens on Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas'
But I will still blog about my experience.

The best thing we can take away from Las Vegas is really the Grand Canyon. It was an awesome road trip.

Grand Canyon

Why I said the service is very poor in NYNY.
We arrived late afternoon to LV on the 10th. Our Grand Canyon south rim trip booked much earlier was scheduled pick up at 6am on the next day where I planned to spend my birthday! 
Due to jetlag, we slept around 8pm that night and woke up early for the day trip. However, due to the US govt shutdown, the south rim was closed, we waited for almost an hour at the hotel side entrance with no sign of our tour bus coming. The rest of the other tours came and left. There was no one around for us to ask. Finally we went to the conceige for help. They finally agreed to help us call the tour company and to our horror, they tried to contact us via hotel about the cancellation and possible replacement but the hotel did not inform us.
From then on, we used our international mobile to make arrangement with the tour company and replacement the trip to the west rim on the next day. It actually took us the whole morning to reschedule everything. Time wasted! We could be out walking on the strip!

I ended up spending my birthday shopping at outlet mall :) Another blog on that later.

Well I must say I don't regret coming to the west rim. It is very grand. 

The distance from vegas to west rim is shorter than south rim. The tour included breakfast, lunch and bottled water were provided throughout unlike the Mt. Fuji tour.

 

See the picture above, can you spot the eagle flying toward you?

 That's the lovely eagle point.

Day 2 - Shinjuku

We wanted to see the world busiest subway station!
So we planned our lunch time around this area.
This is not the first time I am here but it is for the family.

 

We had sushi buffet for lunch & shop in Takashimaya.

Day 2 - Tokyo - Skytree (last stop for the day)

Our last stop for the day was Tokyo Skytree. The latest attraction in Tokyo.

It is very easily to get to skytree, once you reach Oshiage train station, it is directly link to the skytree town.

 we took another exit from the train station to get above ground and were rewarded with this view of the tower. if you go directly into the skytree town, you will not be able to view the outside of the tower.

long queue at around 3+pm , at this timing, we get to see day and night views when we were up there.

 I like the graphics electronic display while queuing for tickets

This is a see thru glass panel on the floor. The japanese students are all jumping on it. I was so worried it will break and tried to stop them :)

after getting down from the tower, it is time to buy this tokyo milk cheese biscuit, delicious. as we are leaving for USA, we bought a box to eat on the way. now really miss it.

Tokyo convenience store

This convenience store at hamamatsucho train station is well stocked

from sushi to toast and drinks

it is very convenient to grab and go

Our hotel booking did not come with breakfast, we just walked around in the morning and chose what we want to eat. There is a bread shop too and this is a sample of what they sell.

Tokyo Day 2 - Meiji Shrine

Day 2 was a fully packed day. We intended to cover 3 major places.

We started the day to Meiji Shrine. Taking the JR Yamanote line to Harajuku Station from Hamamsutcho.

The convenience store at the train station selling all sort of snacks.

At Harajuku, this drugstore is huge and sells many many beauty items. There is also a long line queuing for Garrett popcorn!

We had breakfast at Mac!

After breakfast, we proceeded to the entrance of the Meiji Shrine. It is next to the Harajuku station. To go to Meiji Shrine after getting out of the station, the direction will be:-
From the station facing the road, turn right and walk towards a bridge (神宫桥

), turn right again at the bridge and cross a side road to see the entrance of Meiji Shrine. From then on, walk inside the lovely greenery ground of the shrine to reach the main area. Along the way, you will see this display of wine containers.

When you reach the main area, most visitors will cleanse themselves just outside before proceeding in. Above is the wishing place. We are lucky to chance upon a wedding during a weekday noon.