Umrah 2.0

In 2009, my mother decided to take me to Mecca and Medina to perform Umrah for the second time. It was her third Umrah, and my mother's been to perform the Hajj twice. It was my consolation for not being able to perform the Hajj with the rest of my family two years earlier. Moreover, it was a couple of months before I had to leave home for the United States.

I don't remember much of Hong Kong for two reasons: the obvious is because I was too young and the other reason is because I only went around the city with my mother with no guide nor did we go to a whole lot of the tourist attractions. The only tourist spot I remember is the marine park we visited. It was HUGE! There were many types of deep-sea creatures swimming all around me. Besides that, I also remember the beautiful harbor and the nice weather of spring that was not too cold. Five days later and I'm on the plane again to TOKYO, Japan!

If I don't remember much of Hong Kong, then I remember less of Tokyo. How can I not? We only spent three days there. But I will never forget the first thing my brother pointed to me when we stepped out of the airport. It was of a huge billboard advertising a soon-to-be-released Doraemon movie :p And the only other thing I remember about Tokyo is that we went to the TOKYO DISNEYLAND! I grew up watching Disney cartoons so imagine my excitement when I saw Mickey, Goofy, and the Seven Dwarfs walking around greeting visitors :D Unfortunately, I can't go on much of the rides because I was too young (not because I was short *cough*). All in all it was a nice experience at this beautiful amusement park. Another worth-mentioning experience in Tokyo was of me having my first and last accidental taste of pork. Interesting, no?

Next we went to OSAKA! Now, remember that I was five therefore pardon me that I was not able to differentiate between Osaka and Tokyo. As you can see in the pictures, there is only of the Kyoto Castle. Again, back then I knew nothing much of the castle except as a place for me to run around and make a lot of noise (which has not changed actually).

Lastly, before heading home we made our last stop to SEOUL, Korea. To tell the truth, the only thing I can recall from my trip to Seoul is my first experience of a really beautiful hotel and the first time I discovered the existence of an egg-holder. Honestly. I remember taking that last picture at the hotel's lobby room (see, it's all about the hotel) before making our way to the airport to say goodbye to East Asia and hello Europe!