Travel

๐Ÿน A new taste experience. While in Porto last weekend, I thought it would be rude not to try some port! This was a port and tonic, with a dash of raspberry liquor, over lots of ice. Absolutely delicious and I definitely had more than one!

The first day back in the office after a long weekend in European sunshine is… challenging. Absolutely loved my few days in Porto and really feeling the lack of sun up here in London.

โœˆ๏ธ I’m Porto bound. ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น

I just turned on myย โ€˜out of officeโ€™ notification and Iโ€™m heading home to pack my bag. Tomorrow afternoon, we fly to Porto for our first ever visit and I canโ€™t wait.ย 

Today is my Friday, as we’re off on our long weekend trip to Porto tomorrow. Only a few (dozen) things to get off my todo list, before I can pack and ease into weekend mode. Including a two-hour workshop this afternoon. I really have to have a word with whoever plans my schedule.

That would be me.

๐Ÿ“ธ Another quick snap from last week’s wander around Shinjuku san-chome, on our way to Shinjuku gyoen. Missing all that sunshine a lot today.

๐Ÿ“ธ This time last week, I was enjoying a wander around a very warm and sunny Tokyo.

๐Ÿง  It finally feels like I might be over my jet lag… Jet lag: vanquished!

๐Ÿง  Seems like I’m not over the post-Japan jet lag just yet. Wide awake at 5am. So I made a coffee and brought it back to bed. Just flicking through all the photos I took in Osaka and Tokyo and smiling.

๐Ÿ“ธ I’m loving this bowl we picked up as a memento in Osaka on our last visit earlier this month. Seeing our keepsakes from Japan dotted around the apartment always makes me smile.

โœˆ๏ธ Ninety-one days and counting

I flew back to London from Tokyo on Tuesday and, true to form, Iโ€™ve already organised my next visit.ย Pleased donโ€™t judge. Iโ€™m helpless and find myself in the grip of Japanโ€™s beauty!

โœˆ๏ธ In a surprise to absolutely nobody, I’ve booked my next trip to Tokyo. I’ll be spending my next birthday - in February - up to my eyes in ramen, neon and karaoke. So, so excited.

๐Ÿ“ธ Forgot I took this yesterday! Sitting on my BA plane awaiting departure from Tokyo Haneda, while earnestly wishing I was on the Japan Airlines flight across the runway instead.

And I didn’t even know where it was headed…

โœˆ๏ธ Finally arrived back in London. To some abysmal weather. The BA flight wasnโ€™t a complete disaster but Iโ€™m definitely glad I brought my own food. Awful, awful food on board. Looking forward to a shower and sleeping in my own bed tonight!

Wondering how so many people reach adulthood without developing an ‘inside voice’, or the capacity to read the room. A woman in this airline lounge can be heard the length of the room and I’m sincerely hoping she’s not on my flight.

Possibly related: I only had five hours sleep last night….

๐Ÿฅ˜ Just me enjoying a delicious JAL beef curry and a glass of champagne for my breakfast. This first class lounge is simply amazing.

Iโ€™m determined to squeeze out every moment of joy from this holiday I can!

๐Ÿ“ธ One final glance out at this incredible view before we leave Tokyo again.

โฐ Up at 5am to get our taxi out to Haneda Airport. The long journey back to London begins now. ๐Ÿ˜ญ But such incredible memories of our latest visit to Japan to bring back with us.

๐Ÿ“ธ This cute little bus in Shibuya this afternoon… I would love if this was my morning commute. Hachiko forever!

๐Ÿ“ธ Not a bad effort for a Monday lunchtime…

๐Ÿ“ธ Enjoying some cheap and cheerful conveyor-belt sushi fun in Shibuya this afternoon.

๐Ÿ“ธ Another random Tokyo snap, this time from Shinjuku San-Chome.

๐Ÿ“ธ Yesterday’s view of a gorgeous Tokyo sunset from our hotel’s executive lounge. And yes, that’s Mt. Fuji in the distance.

๐Ÿป It’s our last ‘night out’ in Tokyo, as Tuesday’s flight is at 0930am and we still need to pack. Summoning the energy for one last hurrah in Shinjuku Ni-Chome, but it’s safe to assume I won’t be sharing any more 4am photos. First stop: Eagle Tokyo, my number one favourite bar in Japan ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ

๐Ÿ“ธ It was 23C and very sunny today, so we (and most of Tokyo it seems) headed to Shinjuku Gyoen for a walk in the sunshine. Such a lovely, peaceful spot in the heart of an always-on city. I’m no botanist, but I was surprised to see several trees with fresh blossoms. Confused by the weather?

๐Ÿ“ธ I took this on my walk home in the early hours of this morning. Or the late hours? All I know is that it was after 4am, Shinjuku was still busy, and this sign seemed to burn through the darkness.

๐Ÿ˜ฑ Itโ€™s 4:40am here in Tokyo and Iโ€™m finally crawling into my hotel bed. Had a great night but it wouldnโ€™t be complete without a late visit to 7-11 for an egg mayo sando for the walk home. And now, hopefully, some sleep.

๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ๐Ÿบ I once again (shocked face) find myself in a Tokyo gay bar. Where (honest face) the staff have never met me, donโ€™t know my name, or anticipate my drinks orderโ€ฆ ๐Ÿ˜‰

๐Ÿ‘Ÿ The very advantageous Yen/Pound exchange rate has made it almost impossible to resist some bargains while visiting this time.

Case in point: AllBirds shoes. Massively cheaper here anyway, plus a great exchange rate and tax-free shopping make for some easy purchasing decisions.

๐Ÿ“ธ Another quick snap from one of our very long walks across Tokyo this week. This one taken in Ginza, yesterday. I love how this charming building seems snuggled under a massive, ugly flyover.

๐Ÿœ Went for an incredible lunch of delicious ramen at Ippudo in Ginza this afternoon. It was everything Iโ€™d hoped for and really helped my recovery from last night!