We all understand the excitement that comes with traveling—it's a thrilling aspect of life. Whether it's watching your plane soar through clouds or cruising over waves in a boat, there's a sense of exhilaration, signaling the start of another adventure. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that vacations can also bring about moments of anxiety, even for couples like us. Yet, here we are, finding humor in our mishaps.
Traveling has the power to strengthen your marital bond. Here's how:
1. Leverage Each Other's Strengths
In our case, my wife excels in planning and capturing moments through photos, while I navigate directions and capture videos.
2. Understanding Travel Styles
Discover your partner's true attitude by understanding their travel style. Fortunately, both of us share a laid-back approach, prioritizing rest, connection with nature, and culinary exploration.
3. Active Listening and Communication
Effective communication, coupled with active listening, plays a pivotal role in travel planning and handling unexpected situations. Remember, we have two ears and one mouth—listen more than you talk.
4. Shift the Focus
Remind yourselves that it's not just about taking photos and videos but about creating meaningful experiences together and broadening your perspectives. Explore how the locals perceive life, understand their cultures, and incorporate these lessons into your own lives.
5.Appreciation and Deepening Love
Always value the time spent with your spouse. Be selfless, stay in love, and let appreciation be a constant companion.
Traveling provides an opportunity to forge a deeper connection with your spouse. Use these moments to truly know and understand each other.
Happy Journeys with your better half! Remember… your spouse will be your forever travel buddy! Isn’t fantastic?! ❤️
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Accommodation Excellence
ExpediaBooking.com, Hostelworld: Your one-stop-shop for hotel and hostel bookings. Find your perfect home away from home with Expedia's extensive listings.
KKDAY: Not Just for Attractions. KKDAY offers excellent options for accommodations. Explore and book with confidence.
Oh, and speaking of dreams, let's talk OOTD (Outfit of the Day) goals. Head over to Zalora for some jaw-dropping fashion finds. Click [here] to explore and snag those Instagram-worthy outfits for your trip. A fashionable adventure awaits!
For those of us from tropical climates, the allure of snowy destinations like Japan and Switzerland comes with a skincare challenge. After an 2016’s unprepared visit to chilly Chicago 2016, we've curated our must-have products to keep your skin happy and moisturized during your winter adventures.
FOR BODY: Nivea Body Lotion Repair and Care: A non-heavy, non-sticky lotion that works wonders in keeping your skin moisturized.
Swisse Ultraboost High Strength Vitamin C: Ensure your skin stays healthy from the inside out. This Vitamin C not only boosts your immune system but also aids in skin repair.
Skin Saviors: Winter Skincare for Japan & Europe
FOR LIPS: Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer: Perfect to prevent chapped lips, plus it adds a shimmering touch.
FOR HAIR: Loreal Elseve Extraordinary Oil Serum: Ideal for locking in moisture, especially when hotels don't provide conditioner, ensuring your hair looks vibrant, not dull.
FOR FACE: Vichy Intensive Purifying Gel: Keeps your face clear and free from breakouts while washing away impurities.
Vichy Purifying Pore-Tightening Lotion: Paired with the Purifying Gel, this toner is perfect for maintaining clean pores in the cold climates of Japan and Switzerland.
Neutrogena Hydra Boost Hyaluronic Acid: The star in moisturizing your face, providing that much-needed hydration.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400: The best sunscreen for high altitudes, a must when exploring the peaks of Switzerland.
Watsons and MINISO Eye Mask: These eye masks provide a relaxing break, especially during long plane rides.
Hope these recommendations ensure your future winter wonderland travels are as enchanting for your skin as the destinations themselves.
CHECK THIS OUT!
Accommodation Excellence
ExpediaBooking.com, Hostelworld: Your one-stop-shop for hotel and hostel bookings. Find your perfect home away from home with Expedia's extensive listings.
KKDAY: Not Just for Attractions. KKDAY offers excellent options for accommodations. Explore and book with confidence.
Oh, and speaking of dreams, let's talk OOTD (Outfit of the Day) goals. Head over to Zalora for some jaw-dropping fashion finds. Click [here] to explore and snag those Instagram-worthy outfits for your trip. A fashionable adventure awaits!
At last we set our feet to the Land of the Rising Sun. It is not without its navigation challenges as you explore but fret not. The technology, through internet and apps, will help you towards an enjoyable vacation.
We had Google Maps and Japan Travel Apps installed in our phone and we also got the pocket wifi for the duration of our trip. The apps are helpful specially with the train timings. They even show the platform where you supposed to wait for your train.
Our Japan Rail Pass is with the Green Car but you still have to book a seat reservation.
We opted to book the either ends of the coach to place our luggages and still have extra legroom.
Always check if reservation is required in trains else you take the local train which takes more travel time.
We ask hotel staff for directions to confirm where we’re going.
Signs in Japan are written in their language along with English, and sometimes Korean and Chinese.
Favorite Food
Hard to say which one is my favorite but their pork bone broth ramen, omakase and rice balls stood out.
This is the first time I got a coffee in can which served hot. Perfect for cold weather.
Favorite Accommodation
Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku is the place I liked the most. It was an onsen alongside a river and mountains. Hot and cold in one place. Our accommodation includes breakfast and dinner as well as shuttle to and from the train station. Worry free and total relaxation.
Favorite Train Ride
All our train rides are unique but what I enjoyed the most are the ones in Shinkansen (bullet train). We booked for the Green Car and it was awesome; fast, spacious, clean, and quiet. And best thing is you can eat inside the train.
Best Experience
Overall the Japan stay is best experience. We got to know a little bit more about the country; their infrastructure, culture, and food.
Ultimate Japan Adventure Exploring Fukuoka, Kyoto, Gunma, and Tokyo - Laregst Onsen in Japan Itinerary
Ultimate Japan Adventure Exploring Fukuoka, Kyoto, Gunma, and Tokyo - Tallest Gundam in Japan Itinerary
WILL:
How to Enter Japan without Missing Connecting Flight
We had a connecting flight from Tokyo to Hakata and we missed our flight. Our flight ETA in Narita Japan is 2:35, and our more than 3 hours layover is not enough to transfer from Narita to Haneda. Why? There’s a long wait in the immigration that time and a heaby traffic everywhere. The 1 hour bus travel to became more than 2. Luckily ANA re-booked our ticket to yhe next flight without questions asked. Literally no questions. Haha. From there, I fell in love with ANA. So what is the lesson? Since Narita and Haneda is pretty far from each other you need to alot a 2 hours travel time by bus/train, 2 hours to clear immigration and 1hour for the automated check-in. More ore less 6 hours is pretty safe for a transfer.
Favorite Accommodation
Who beats to our Takaragawa Onsen Stay? We experienced the old and traditional side of Japan. But I know not everyone do not like ro stay in suburbs so my next suggestion is look for Montan Hostel. We stayed at montan Hakata. The staffs are lively and helpful, the room is huge, clean and most specially it is affordable! Indeed a value for your money! You won’t regret staying in this hostel. Wink-wink.
Favorite Food
Although we had a fun experience dining in Takaragawa’s dishes, omakase at Sushi Tokyo Ten and the most expensive coffee we had in LV Cafe what I really enjoyed is eating food from the groceries. Haha! It feels so local. The unforgettable rice balls, bentos, chips and LOVE chocolate. The best part is, it is veryyy cheap! I love the food and booze in Tokyo Bay Cruise Symphony. If they say booze it is indeed booze. Undilutedand unoverwhelmed with ice! A MUST when you visit the capital of Japan. Ohh, before I forgot, the Hojicha Tea of Starbucks Japan is a thing not to forget in your travel.
Favourite Train Ride
Do you know that our train ride total cost is JPY240,044 and we bought the Japan Rail Pass for only SGD791.30(Klook). We saved SGD1,476.27! We really do maximised our Japan Rain Pass. Haha! My favourite train ride is from Hakata to Osaka, Sakura 550. The views outside is majestic and you’ll wonder how Japan sticks to its culture and agriculture while being one of the advanced and developed countries in Asia. This idea truly baffling and amazed me at the same time.
Best Experience
Everything!!! We had a great time! We enjoyed the food, the tranquility, bullet train ride is unforgettable experience. One tip I will give to you! STAY AWAY on tourist flooded sites. If you can’t and want to experience what you’ve seen in your feeds, go there early as 6AM. Japan is the Rising Sun of the east so expect that 5AM the sun is already grazing its rays. Enjoy your Japan Planning. Hope this blog will help you in your itinerary!
