Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Konnichiwa Nippon!!

Just booked two tickets to Japan using Krisflyer points.

No turning back. No point angsting about it (though for me, the anal retentive me) that IS part of the fun.

So Gillian, Trin and I will fly SQ. KH will take the rest on NorthWest. This is because we have a buy 1-get-1 free deal on the UOB Signature card. When I last checked, a ticket on NW to Tokyo costs about $840 with everything in. So we will buy two tickets and get the other two free. With 5 kids, we have to be creative in cutting travel costs and really maxing out the money.

I asked KH: eh, you sure you can handle Mr Owain for the flight? His reply: Can he handle ME??

Wah... okay, he is clearly ready for battle.

But by Nov, Owain would be 4 and hopefully not as attached to the breast as he is now. In travelling apart, we also have different arrival times and departure times - though I have chosen the flight which is closest to the NW schedule. It still means that KH and 3 kids would have to navigate their way via the Tokyo train and subway system (which is huge and can be mindboggling), with luggage, to find the ryokan where we will stay. And so will I, with Trin and Gillian. Hmm... I smell adventure...

Now got to source for backpacks to borrow. Brush up on basic Japanese phrases. And finetune my itinerary. Yippee!!

10 comments:

Karmeleon said...

when you going?

Momto5 said...

Nov 17 - 25 2007 inclusive. Back in SG early hours of Nov 26.

Karmeleon said...

whoa, u sure plan early!!!

Momto5 said...

No choice lah. Frequent flyer points going to expire. In fact we already lost a couple of thousand miles in Jan because we were dithering about where to go! But planning this early has its perks - book accomodation early, slowly save up or pay for train tickets early - so we don't feel the impact at one go!!

Karmeleon said...

is it supposed to be a reward trip for end of PSLE year? I notice you are going around the time that PSLE results will be out. Which is also the time that u need to put in your application for secondary school?

Anonymous said...

Pat, from my experience of going on holiday last year on 18th November, I found that the kids missed out on the orientation stuff. Nothing very major but a pain in the butt. But we saved quite a lot of $$ because it hasn't quite hit the peak period yet and then Qantas was having very good rates (which we can't enjoy if we had gone later)

When's the secondary school posting date ? Is Cait going to P1 next year ? Normally the P1 orientation is around that date. I was blissfully unaware of this when I booked our holiday dates last year.

Have fun !!!!

Karmeleon said...

For this year, Sarah's PSLE results was 23rd Nov which was a Thurs, and they had until the following Tues to put in their option for Secondary school. If u r not around, u hv to nominate a trusted proxy who has to make the decisions on yr behalf. The posting results & secondary sch orientations were just before Christmas, so that won't affect u. If u need wintery stuff, let me know - I only hv items for Timmy's size, suitable for subzero temps, which would prob be the temp for Japan then.

Momto5 said...

Hey Sam, thanks for offer of winter clothes. I think Timmy's size would fit Isaac. Will take you up on the offer nearer the date. Japan not sub-zero temps in Nov though. More like 17deg average daily? Looking forward to it. But also realise, after reading what you and Rita wrote, that I have to plan ahead, nominate proxy etc. Missing Orientation would be a hassle for Caitlin. And if this is really a problem, then may need to change dates - ie take the kids out of school a week before or something like that.

Anonymous said...

Should mull over your options carefully. Will it cost you anything to change the travel dates ?

MIM said...

If it's 17deg average, then you'd just need the long-sleeve tops. You won't need the thermal inner wear. ;-) The jacket i have is warm though. If use that jacket at 17deg, I think can wear tank top inside. *HAHA*! I thought 17deg in Nov was like Taiwan or Hongkong. Korea in Nov was around 5 deg.

Isaac is 3 years older than Tim, leh!!! But anyway, they are large for Tim.