Signed Blooms

Owiie! I've been looking forward to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (WWOHP) ever since we started planning our Osaka trip. I'm not really a Potter junkie (I've seen all the movies and I like them but that's it), but the place looks so freaking awesome so I made sure we allot a whole day all for the little kids in us to wander and get lost at Universal Studio Japan.

Hogwarts Castle at Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studio Japan

We bought our tickets at Kansai Tourist Information Center at the airport on the date of our arrival for JPY 7,400 each. It was a bit expensive than those they sell at the booths in front of the entrance. I would still recommend buying it ahead of time though during peak season to save yourself the trouble. The queue in the ticket booths were relatively long.

We arrived at the theme park early, at around 9 o'clock in the morning, just a few minutes before the gate opens. Once we got in, we asked the staff where to get the timed entry ticket for WWOHP but we were told to just go straight to the place. It's seems like timed entry tickets aren't necessary for a cold, winter day. Well, judging from the stories we heard from those who've been there before, it indeed didn't seem like a day you would say it's crowded. Choosing a weekday was definitely a good idea.

On our way to Hogsmeade, with the Harry Potter soundtrack playing and the beautiful pine trees surrounding us, it was already all magical. It felt like we're really in the movie.

On our way to Hogsmeade!

This flying car was so famous that I only manage to sneak a shot just right before another group's turn.

Flying Car

Finally, we're at Hogsmeade! Please respect the spell limits (or so the welcome sign says).



I mentioned, didn't I? We actually rode Hogwarts Express from Manila all the way here. >.<

Hogwarts Express at Platform Nine and Three Quarters

Before you ask when's the next train coming and how much is the fare, here's a handy timetable.

Hogwarts Express Timetable and Fares

Owieee! Look at all those snow and icicles. They really fit the season and our winter clothes. Honeydukes and Butterbeer spotted on the side!

Three Broomsticks

Ollivanders, Scrivenshafts and Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipments

Owl Post

Three Broomsticks, Wiseacre's, Owl Post—the list of fancy shops just doesn't end. I'll do a separate, more detailed post featuring each of the them soon. For now, let's hurry our way to Hogwarts!



It really is stunning. To think that the one in the movies wasn't even real (or at least its exterior), it's crazy how I was standing next to it (and yet I was telling you I'm not a Potter fan, hahaha).






Right in front of the gate. Hands down to the intricate details.


Behind the gate is the long queue for the Forbidden Journey, the famous Harry Potter ride. We barely minded the time we spent in line though because of the beautiful scenery. We also take it as a chance to charge our phones and munch some snacks.

We waited for about one hour and fifteen minutes before we could enter the castle. Inside, you could find the sorting hat as well as the moving paintings. I don't have decent photos as it was really dark and it isn't a place appropriate for flash photography, either. (How I wish my phone could capture pictures better in low light.) Once we reached the locker area, we're instructed to leave our things so we don't lose it during the ride.

The Sorting Hat

Then comes our turn. Forbidden Journey is a dark ride that uses 4K3D technology for an experience of unparalleled realism. You have to wear 3D glasses and the ride will simulate a broomstick flying experience led by Potter, himself. Not really sure, but I think it was a quidditch match. Aside from Harry apologizing after we almost hit a wall, I could hardly understand a thing as they talk in Japanese.

Ever since I was a kid, I'm not so much fan of theme park rides, especially breathtaking roller coasters. That's why Forbidden Journey is such an experience for me! With all those soaring across the sky at high speed, sudden turning right before you hit the Hogwart's wall, flipping and tossing to avoid getting burnt by a dragon's flame, it was so freaking CRAZY but heck, FUN! I was so thankful it's a dark ride, giving me no idea how high I was from the (real) ground or how fast we were going.

I was up for another round as one of the staff gave me a pass for the 11:30 time slot but my friend was not looking well already after the ride. >.< I was feeling a bit dizzy myself so we just decided to go ahead and get lunch.

With the four-story Fully Booked branch nearby, it seems like business wasn't going well with Power Books, Serendra as they decided to shut the store down. But of course, quoting Graham Bell, when one door closes, another opens.

Art Bar, Serendra, BGC

The bookstore gave way to the newly opened art store at the heart of Serendra, Bonifacio Global City—Art Bar. From calligraphy pens to high quality paints, it surely is a haven for every artist out there.

The first floor features calligraphy pens for beginners and professionals alike. From fine tips to brushes to nibs, they've got everything.

Faber-Castell Premium Brush Pens

I actually spent around fifteen minutes on this table trying out brush pens I couldn't afford to buy. 😛



If downstairs caters for your calligraphy needs, upstairs is an eye candy for the little painter in you. They sell premium stretched canvas in different sizes, aquarelle pads, high end acrylics, watercolor and oil, all kinds of paint brushes, and even a canvas stand.

2nd Floor, Art Bar

The items are pricey though. I was looking for a decent watercolor set worth PHP 1,000 to PHP 2,000 but all they have is a palette way beyond my budget. They sell even more expensive individual watercolor pans worth around PHP 500 each.

Paint Brushes in Various Kinds and Sizes

Canvas and Canvas Stand

I ended up buying Faber-Castell pens (I'm trying to learn faux calligraphy, at the moment), watercolor paper and this adorable wooden painter's pallet (I'd always wanted one!). They wrapped my hauls in a paper envelope with Art Bar's logo printed on it. It was pretty cool actually but just a little inconvenient compare to plastic bags with handle. Fortunately, they've got a fancy paper bag for bigger items.

Calligraphy Pens, Wooden Painter's Pallet and Watercolor Paper from Art Bar

P.S.

There's a Toby's Estate at the side with indoor and outdoor seating in case you wanna grab some brownie or have your caffeine fix. I so love the industrial and contemporary look it gives to the overall feel of the store.

Is that a rabbit hole, I see? Yes, it is! Welcome to Wonderland...I mean Alice On Wednesday. With the exterior that pretty, it's probably the cutest shop I've ever been.

Alice on Wednesday (Osaka)

We dropped by this little store during my trip to Osaka last January. It was located near the America Village (Amerika-mura) where streets were crammed with cafes, miscellaneous good shops, clothing stores, fashion malls and more.

The store is divided into two areas, the Red Queen's room which comes right behind the rabbit hole and the more brighter White Queen's Room where the cashier is located.

Red Queen's Room (left) and White Queen's Room (right)

The Red Queen's features a long table of Alice in Wonderland charms on checkered flooring. From all kinds of jewelries to bags to hair accessories to key chains to stationery, they have it all!


I did try my best to take decent photos but it was really dark inside the Red Queen's room and I don't want to ruin the mood with flash photography.

The White Queen's room, on the other hand, is like a mini pastry shop for your tea party fixes. It has various kinds of cookies and candies. The Drink Me bottles (although I read that they taste like cough medicine) and the Eat Me cookies are just so adorable. No wonder Alice was tempted to try them.

White Room Goodies

Drink Me Bottles

Eat Me Cookies in a Book

Fortune Cookies

Look at all these Wonderland goodies I got myself, vintage pocket watch, White Rabbit charm and Eat Me cookies in a book! The little Alice on me is rejoicing!

Alice on Wednesday Hauls

Will definitely drop by this shop again when I got to come back to Japan, maybe the Tokyo branch next time. ^o^

Ever since I've came to know such thing exists, I been always wanting to fly a sky lantern. Tangled makes the experience seems really pretty and magical. The idea of writing your wish on a paper lantern, lighting it up and letting it go so it can fly high above is just so dreamy. Even this scene from the popular Kdrama, Love in the Moonlight makes me want to attend a sky lantern festival so badly.

Love in the Moonlight (Photo Credits to BEAB)

That dream realized when I attended last year's Yi Peng festival in Chiang Mai, a province situated at the north of Thailand.

Yi Peng also known as Lanna (northern Thai) festival is celebrated on the evening of the full moon of the second month according to Lanna lunar calendar (usually November). Thousands of sky lanterns (khom loi) are launched into the air where they resemble large shoals of giant fluorescent jellyfish gracefully floating through the sky.^[ref]

Yi Peng 2016

Yi Peng coicides with Loi Krathong, another festival celebrated annually throughout Thailand, Laos, as well as parts of Malaysia, Myanmar and China. The name literally means "to float a basket", and comes from the tradition of making krathong or buoyant, decorated baskets, which are then floated on a river.^[ref]

Lit Krathong Floating in the River

Having thousands of lanterns floating up above the sky and at the same time, baskets of flowers with lit candles floating through the river, really made the night glow.

Yi Peng and Loi Krathong Celebration at  Nawarat Bridge, Chiang Mai, Thailand (2016)

Last year's celebration was actually toned down as the Thai people were still mourning the death of their former King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Colored lanterns were banned and fireworks display was cancelled. But this doesn't make the event less fun. Everything that night was still so fascinating.

I just got to cross out an item on my bucket list! Fly a sky lantern: ✓

Web services like Google Maps, Navigation, etc. make travelling a hundred fold easier than before, the time when internet and GPS weren't still a thing. Also, being connected while you travel abroad means being able to get in touch with your family and loved ones at home. For me, as I hate unnecessary phone calls and messages, that would mean updating my IG so they would know I'm still alive, kicking and having fun.

There are several ways to stay connected while you travel abroad:

Data Roaming

I won't really suggest this one 'cause it's really pricey. Globe, for example charges a flat rate of PHP 599 per day. That's just crazy. -_-

Buy a Local SIM

Buying a local SIM card, loading it with credits and subscribing it to a surfing promo is one of the cheapest ways to have internet access abroad. I did it when I was in Thailand. I bought a SIM card at a shopping mall and had the saleslady register it for one week unlimited internet access. I don't really remember how much did it cost me, but it was a lot cheaper than renting out a portable WiFi or buying what they promoted as a Traveler SIM at the airport. 

However, not all countries allow anyone to buy a prepaid SIM that easily. In countries like Japan, you need to be a local resident to be eligible to buy one. (Although now, they have a prepaid SIM for visitors to be used for data service only).

Rent a Phone

Yes, in some countries, you could also rent a mobile phone with SIM. I never consider this as an option but I guess it could help if you need a more reliable smart phone, equipped with a better camera that would be handy for all IG junkies.

Rent a Portable WiFi

If buying a local SIM card is not an option, I would definitely go by this one. You can either rent a portable WiFi at the airport or have it booked online and claim it once you arrived.

If your country of destination is on their list, I would suggest to just rent a router at flytpack. Have your device before you leave and get connected the moment you arrived! It's cheap and reliable. You have to pay a deposit fee of PHP 2,800 but no worries, you'll get this back once you return the router.

There are several ways to stay connected while traveling abroad. Options vary on different countries. Make sure you research well so you can get the most out of your money.

Have fun in your next trip!

 As a requirement for a Japanese tourist visa, I needed to get a bank certificate from BDO. To request for one is pretty easy.

In BDO, you need to get the certificate from the branch where you open your account. I know this is quite a hassle. Maybe that's why when you open an account, they require your home or office address to be near. The good thing is BDO has a separate line for this kind of transactions. I didn't even have to wait before I got assistance.

For BPI account holders, you can get a bank certificate in any of their branches. They don't have separate counters for this kind of requests though. You have to go to the normal queue which can be quite long especially during payout dates.

Just present your ID and pay for the processing fee. You also need to fill up the request form (asking for the purpose of the request, the addressee, etc.). Both BDO and BPI charge PHP 100.00 for processing a bank certificate. You can get the certificate straight from the printer on the same day.

Tips:

• List down the addressee details before you go to the bank. I was not aware that they will request for it. I thought it will just be the general and classic "To whom it may concern". I even had to google the address of the Japanese Embassy. Thankfully, I have data connection that time.
• Only transactions made the (banking) day before you requested for the bank certificate will reflect on your account balance. Be sure to make your deposit ahead of time.

In preparation for my 2017 trip to Osaka and Kyoto, I applied for a Japanese visa last December.

I already laid out my itinerary, booked the plane tickets and even bought a couple of winter coats few months back. If the Japanese embassy didn't approve my application, it would definitely be a waste of money and effort. I just thought then that why wouldn't they approve when I am surely going there as a tourist.

As of time of writing, applying for a tourist visa requires the following:

• Philippine passport (must have at least two blank pages)
• Visa application form
• Remember to put N/A to fields that are not applicable for you.
• Photo (must be pasted in the application form)
• must have a white background
• size: 2" x 2" or 4.5 cm x 4.5 cm
• Birth Certificate (must be issued within one year by NSO)
• Marriage Certificate (if married, must also be issued within one year)
• Daily Schedule in Japan
• Bank Certificate
• You don't have to worry too much about your transactions, only the total amount of your account(s) will be shown in the bank certificate.
• Don't know how to request for one? You may check this handy guide.
• Income Tax Return/BIR Form 2316 (original and photocopy)
• The agency just needs to see the original copy but they will return it back to you. It won't be forwarded to the embassy.

You need to submit the complete requirements to any travel agency accredited by the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines (complete list here). As of July 30, 2007 submitting an application directly to the embassy is no longer an option. I guess it's because verifying if the applicant has the complete requirements saves them a great deal of time (especially for other types of visa that requires a lot of supporting documents).

The visa itself is free but you have to pay a processing fee to the agency where you decided to submit your application. We chose Reli Tours & Travel Agency, because it offers the cheapest processing fee of PHP 950.00 for tourist visa. We applied to their branch located in Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati. They're agents there aren't the nicest though.

We submitted the requirements early on a Tuesday morning. We were told that they'll just gonna contact us if our passport our ready for pickup but we'll only know the result once we have it on hand. The next Friday, I received the text advisory. That afternoon, we went back to the agency and got our passport with approved visa!

Tips:

• If you're gonna submit your application to Reli Tours & Travel Agency, Dusit Thani branch, be there early. We picked up our passports in the afternoon and we're surprised by the long queue. Thankfully, those who are just there for pickup don't have to fall in line.
• As an addition to the requirements above, I think it'd be better to include your booking details as well. Of course, that is if you already booked your flight. I forgot to include mine but I think it would help.
• I read that the Japanese embassy usually process visa applications on a Wednesday. If that is true, you may want to submit your application on a Monday/Tuesday if you want to get your passport back within the week.

Good luck and have fun during your trip!