Accommodation at Ikebukuro

House Ikebukuro

This hotel, actually in my opinion much better than a guesthouse, is located in the northwest side of metropolitian Tokyo. Nevertheless, the massive railway network in the capital makes travelling in the large city very convenient.

It is about five minutes walk from the west entrance of the Ikebukuro station. If it rains, we can use the underground passage and exit at C1. The turnoff to the hotel is about 20 metres from the C1 exit.

That said, as there were many guests staying over when we were there, we only stayed at the actual location for a night. The following day, we have to make to another unit nearer to the rail station. The unit is located on the eighth floor of Orient Ikebukuro building. From our unit, we can see the station and Parco and Tobu Shopping Centres.

Compared to the unit we stayed on the first night, the facilities in this unit is not great. We do not the heated toilet seat and it gadgets. Moreover, the laptop in the unit is very slow. If you are a sound sleeper, the din made by the passing trains is not a great distraction. The consolation is that it is two minutes walk to the station's north entrance. The areas around this unit is packed with shops and food outlets.

Getting into Tokyo

Journey into Edo

The flight to Narita was bumpy due to Typhoon Seniang which hits the Philippines. The arrival was delayed by about ten minutes. After spending some time at Terminal One for the rest of the family to change into warmer clothing, we made our way to the Keisei terminal at the basement.

After overcoming the initial confusion on the use of the automatic ticketing machine, we purchase tickets for the Limited Express to Nippori, the transfer junction for our onwards journey to Ikebukuro.

As we wanted to avoid the morning rush hour in the city, we took the 0905H Keisei train out from Terminal One. The journey to Nippori took about 70 minutes and the train was not packed with passenger to our surprise. We have expected to see more passengers taking the train into the city.

Upon arrival at Nippori, I was again held up as I have to figure out how to transfer to the JR Yamanote line. I discovered that there is a need to exchange the Keisei ticket at the ticketing machine to a JR ticket. This is done by paying a transfer fee. In our case, it was 160 yen for the transfer to Ikebukuro. Child ticket is at 50% discount.

Holiday in Tokyo

PLANNING FOR THE TRIP

After a long year, I decided to bring my family for a holiday in Japan. The trip is part for me to recharge before the new year commences.

As we have two grown up children, my wife and I decided on a free and easy stay in Tokyo. Planning for the trip would have been easier if we had started earlier but the schedule of our elder daughter school holidays CCA put paid to the plan. Given the short reaction time, I had some problem securing cheaper airtickets for my family. This meant that we had to forego flying into Narita with SIA. Fortunately on the accommodation side, I managed to secure a relatively cheap rate for a family of four.

Yue Kai - 5th Month

Yue Kai - 5th Month
Originally uploaded by Sim Yong Hwee.

Amazing how children can always make you smile. Such a chubby kid.

My Family Tree

Hometown - Swatow

Paternal Grandfather
Sim Kwang Yang

Paternal Grandfather
(Yeo Gek Sen)

Father
Sim Mong Phong

Hometown - Kuching

Mother
Kho Lee Siang

Hometown - Singapore

Self
Sim Yong Hwee

Brothers
Sim Yong Poh
Sim Keng Hwee

Children
Sim Qian Hui, Brenda
Sim Zheng Han, Bryan

Nephews
Sim Boon Hee, Gabriel
Sim Yuen Yee

TK
Tk ,Tk is my school,
and it stands for Tanjong Katong Secondary School.
I have many friends in school
and I love my teachers too.
My school has very strict rules,
being a Tk student,
I must obey,
and abide the rules.
Tk,Tk,my secondary school,
Tk,Tk,I love you,
Tk,Tk,your the best......
SECONDARY SCHOOL!

My Baby Cousin
I have a very chubby baby cousin,
very chubby indeed,
Just like a cherub,
who has a round and plump face.
When he is asleep,
he is as harmless as a dove.
When he smiles,
his smile is as sweet as honey.
My baby cousin is very playful too,
very playful indeed,
Just like a kitten,
playing with mittens.

Yue Kai - Sleeping

Yue Kai - Sleeping
Originally uploaded by Sim Yong Hwee.

New Arrival - Little bundle of joy, our new nephew who arrived during the Lunar New Year. So blissful.

Botanic Garden - 30 Apr 2006

Botanic Garden - 30 Apr 2006
Originally uploaded by Sim Yong Hwee.

Spent a evening at the Botanic Garden listening to the SSO. The weather was clear but it was humid.

Blog List

Here are some Blogs done by my classmates:

Just Blog (Tan HC)
http://grisman.blogsome.com

Coleman The GREATEST! (Coleman Yee)
http://colemanthegreat.blogspot.com

HPilot (Kon SK)
http://honpilot.blogspot.com/

LiNkS

I would like to introduce you to some Wikis created by me and my fellow mates.

This is my class Wiki (Class B)
http://www.editthis.info/mid06/index.php/Class_B


This is my Wiki. Hope you like it!
http://www.editthis.info/mid06/index.php/User:Mid0625

Mug Shot

Photo of my son

HoMeWoRk

I have been given another homework. Wah l@@, imagine I have not even complete my previous piece of work given last week.

Marvel of Blogging

While I have read about blog in the news, I have not been interested in creating one. Now as part of my course work, I have the opportunity to create my first, albeit empty blog.

You may wonder what is the meaning of Rerk, it is Thai for first (numero uno), ie, First Blog.