🍹 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!
Travel
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.
✈️ I’m Porto bound. 🇵🇹
I just turned on my ‘out of office’ notification and I’m heading home to pack my bag. Tomorrow afternoon, we fly to Porto for our first ever visit and I can’t wait.
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.
📸 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.
📸 This time last week, I was enjoying a wander around a very warm and sunny Tokyo.
🧠 It finally feels like I might be over my jet lag… Jet lag: vanquished!
🧠 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.
📸 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.
✈️ Ninety-one days and counting
I flew back to London from Tokyo on Tuesday and, true to form, I’ve already organised my next visit. Pleased don’t judge. I’m helpless and find myself in the grip of Japan’s beauty!
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 →
✈️ 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.
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 →
📸 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…
✈️ Finally arrived back in London. To some abysmal weather. The BA flight wasn’t a complete disaster but I’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….
🥘 Just me enjoying a delicious JAL beef curry and a glass of champagne for my breakfast. This first class lounge is simply amazing.
I’m determined to squeeze out every moment of joy from this holiday I can!
📸 One final glance out at this incredible view before we leave Tokyo again.
⏰ Up at 5am to get our taxi out to Haneda Airport. The long journey back to London begins now. 😭 But such incredible memories of our latest visit to Japan to bring back with us.
📸 This cute little bus in Shibuya this afternoon… I would love if this was my morning commute. Hachiko forever!
📸 Not a bad effort for a Monday lunchtime…
📸 Enjoying some cheap and cheerful conveyor-belt sushi fun in Shibuya this afternoon.
📸 Another random Tokyo snap, this time from Shinjuku San-Chome.
📸 Yesterday’s view of a gorgeous Tokyo sunset from our hotel’s executive lounge. And yes, that’s Mt. Fuji in the distance.
🍻 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 🏳️🌈
📸 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?
📸 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.
😱 It’s 4:40am here in Tokyo and I’m finally crawling into my hotel bed. Had a great night but it wouldn’t be complete without a late visit to 7-11 for an egg mayo sando for the walk home. And now, hopefully, some sleep.
🏳️🌈🍺 I once again (shocked face) find myself in a Tokyo gay bar. Where (honest face) the staff have never met me, don’t know my name, or anticipate my drinks order… 😉
👟 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.
📸 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.
🍜 Went for an incredible lunch of delicious ramen at Ippudo in Ginza this afternoon. It was everything I’d hoped for and really helped my recovery from last night!
