Hakodate Comfort Hotel

From Aomori, we took the Limited Express Hakucho which passes through the Seikan Tunnel to get to Hokkaido. 
Japan main island (called Honshu 本州) and Hokkaido are separated by the Tsugaru Straits (津軽海峡) and it is definitely a great feat to be able to build the longest tunnel in Japan in order to connect Japan main Island with Hokkaido. 

On the backrest of the train seat, you can see the details of the tunnel, including the train schedule, from the moment it enters, to the deepest area and time it exits. After all, Japanese are really detailed with their schedules.

We finally reached Hakodate (函館), Hokkaido's third largest city located on the Southern part of Hokkaido. 

Comfort hotel Hakodate is just a 5 minute walk from Hakodate JR station, situated at a very convenient location.  

The rooms and the toilet are standard from what you expect from a business hotel. Also having the same decoration as the Comfort Hotel chain. 

A simple photo frame on the wall, but if you look closely, these are actually pictures of famous buildings and scenery which fully represent Hakodate. 

Buffet breakfast is provided complimentary, with a simple fare of assorted breads, sausages, eggs, soup, salad, fruits and even a variety of onigiri (Japanese rice balls). There is even a coffee machine which provides 24hr complimentary coffee and tea for inhouse guests.  

Comfort Hotel Hakodate

北海道函館市若松町16-3

16-3 Wakamatsu-cho, Hakodate 
Nearest Train station; JR Hakodate

Aomori Hotel JAL City

After an exhausting 8 hours train ride from Niigata, we finally reached Aomori City!

The first thing we did was to check into our hotel - Hotel JAL City, Aomori. 

This hotel must be the best hotel during our stay in Japan this time round. The room costs us JPY8000 per night (approximately SGD120). Still great value worth the money. The only downside is that as it is approximately 10 minutes walk away from Aomori station, we had to drag our luggages in the slippery snow to the hotel. 

We had a spacious room, and even the toilet is bigger than the normal business hotels. 

 
A great sunrise view from the hotel. 

Our hotel is just 5 minutes walk away from the ASPAM tourist center. A place where gift shops, restaurants, local crafts and an observation deck where you can have a great view of the city. 

Just located a few steps away from the hotel, is a monument commemorating Japan's no. 1 best tasting water. 

Aomori Hotel JAL City

青森県青森市安方2丁目4番12号
2-4-12 Yasukata, Aomori Shi, Aomori
Nearest train station: JR Aomori 
www.aomori.jalcity.co.jp

The House of Dancing Water, City of Dreams Macau

One of the main reasons we went for a 2D1N sidetrip to Macau from Hong Kong is to watch the highly acclaimed show - The House of Dancing Water (水舞間), at City of Dreams, Macau.

The story is simple - a brave stranger encounters and falls in love with a beautiful Princess, who was thrown into a cage by her evil stepmother-the Dark Queen who is finally defeated finally by the stranger & the Princess.

The uniqueness of the HKD2 billion production is the stage pool that holds a record-breaking 3.7 million gallons of water, equivalent to 5 Olympic-sized swimming pools, which can lift or descend to make the stage dry or filled with water.

The City of Dreams (新濠天地), along the Cotai Strip is owned and managed by Melco Crown Entertainment and has 3 hotel properties - Hard Rock Hotel, Crown Towers Hotel and the Grand Hyatt Macau. 

The super stretch limo welcomes us as we alight the shuttle bus at the main entrance.

Some of their shuttle buses are wrapped with the House of Dancing Waters promotional visuals. 

Once you step into the City of Dreams, the Casino Entrance welcomes you, and you will be mesmerized by the Vquarium (virtual aquarium) surrounding the Casino Entrance, where aquatic life and mermaids appear to wish you well. 

Directional signages leading you to the Casino can be found everywhere around the City of Dreams. 

Hard Rock Hotel Macau is one of the hotel property housed in City of Dreams. The hotel main entrance gives you a feeling you are walking into another world. Welcome to the world of Rock'n'Roll!

The lobby is relatively small, but the design of the reception area is very unique, especially the backdrop which definitely captures everybody's attention. 
"Hello... I love you, won't you tell me your name?" by The Doors from their 1968 album Waiting for the Sun was released as a single that same year, reaching number one in the United States. A very appropriate sentence to choose, since all guests checking in would have to tell their name to the receptionist. 

As with all Hard Rock Hotels, pictures of celebrities and their guitars or concert clothes would be displayed around the hotel premises.  

The chairs for the King and Queen...

The lift lobby area

We bought our tickets for The House of Dancing Water through their website as you get to choose your seats. If you purchase through a travel agent, you would only be given seats pre-allocated to you.

The ticketing area where you can purchase tickets on the spot, or collect your tickets which you purchased online.

Our tickets to the show - I'm so excited to watch the show!

On the next day, we went back to the City of Dreams to watch our long awaited show! As we have already checked out from Galaxy Macau, we brought our luggage along, and left them at the baggage deposit area. When we arrived at the theatre, who would to know that my camera battery went flat on me (>.<) Well I guess maybe it's a sign to tell me that I should protect the privacy of the show and that you should definitely go watch the show for yourself!  

Pictures are allowed, but no flash, so I still took a few shots with my handy iphone. 

The stage setup before show starts.

The boat scene. The stage is now filled with water as performers perform acrobatics and jump down from the boat into the water. 

The House of Dancing Water is a must watch if you have some time to spare in Macau. Be mesmerized for a full 90 minutes with the state-of-the-art theater bringing you a spectacular journey through time, showcasing dazzling costumes, special effects and record breaking acts never seen before in a theater.


House of Dancing Water Stage Map and Prices

* Visual taken from http://thehouseofdancingwater.com


Show Schedule

Mon, Thurs, Sat, Sun - 5pm / 8pm
Friday - 8pm
No shows on Tuesday and Wednesday

Banyan Tree Macau

Another hotel property at the Galaxy Macau is the popular Banyan Tree. It is the first high-rise urban resort in Macau which features private indoor relaxation pools in all suites and resort villas complete with their own gardens and personal swimming pools. 

Welcome to Banyan Tree Macau - paradise in sin city! This is the entrance from Galaxy Macau, there is also a main entrance for guest / car drop off point.

The inviting sofa welcomes you once you enter the doors.

Balinese style wood carvings are typical Banyan Tree style. 

Bird cage chair - where can I find one too?  

Lift lobby area. Notice the intricate details on the walls. 

As usual, lobby area is huge!

The lounge area at the 2nd floor. 

The Banyan Tree spa is also located at the 2nd floor.  

The opulence of the lift lobby is incomparable! Marble walls, crystal chandelier, framed mirrors, oriental carpet... what more can you wish for..

Care for a pot of afternoon tea at the Banyan Lounge?  

The silver trees corridor leads to Hotel Okura.

An array of art pieces surround the hotel. 

I especially like this framed branch with the intricate details  

The outdoor pool. There is also another indoor pool, which I didn't get to see.

There are 8 cabanas lined alongside the outdoor pool, where you can order some light snacks or your favourite cocktail from the poolbar and relax at the cabanas.

Closer view of the cabana. Luckily we were not chased away by the staff there for trespassing outside their cabanas. 

Though I have not stayed or visited any of the Banyan Tree properties, the Banyan Tree Macau definitely exudes a sense of opulence and tranquility. Perfect for couples who wants a nice getaway, yet amidst the convenience of the full facilities of the Galaxy Macau. If you have some extra cash to spare, do book a suite or villa there to experience the Banyan Tree yourself!