I don't know whether it is because it is my final year as a student or just because I've simply grown to love travelling, but this year I have so many trips planned and lets just say with only one work day a week, my finances are going down the drain. Goodbye to all my hard earned money hahahaha (and welcome the experiences I shall gain in return). 

I am going to Melbourne in June, Taiwan & Japan in July and hopefully at the end of the year I'll have another trip to celebrate my graduation! Other than that, there are also Balls and social events to think of. I've been letting myself go this year, just enjoying life (also eating a lot, I cannot seem to stop eating). Oh well, lets hope I finish all my blog posts before I go on my next set of adventures (unlikely).

I think its getting to the point that I really need to accept that blogging isn't a huge passion anymore - I guess because so many things happen every day that I cannot be bothered to document it anymore. I remember back in the day when I used to share every single detail. I'm probably mumbling to myself most of the time but ya know. 

At the end of this year, if I still have money left I am going to treat myself to my first designer bag ever (hopefully a kate spade or prada). That is quite a commitment I have made, considering how cheap I am. Oh well. 

Okay, so it is totally awkward that you are all reading posts about my life approximately four months ago - and it has remained like this for a while but oh well. I have yet to sort out half the things I need to in life so this will have to suffice. 

We set off from Tokyo and took our first bullet train ride to Yamagata, which is a city in the Tohoku region in Japan (area affected by the earthquake few years back). Actually, we didn't have much planned because the plan was mainly to splurge on something fancy experience a Japanese ryokan (inn).

We arrived at the city and managed to find our way to Yubou hotel Ichiraku with the help of some Japanese locals we met on the bus. They were so cute, asking us about Australia and giving us directions to the hotel once they learned where we were going. 

After we settled at the hotel, we called up a taxi to take us to Yamadera (Risshakuji) temple as it was just a bit too far for a walk, not to mention freezing. With my broken jap, I managed to have half a conversation with our driver and they were nice enough to agree to pick us up after we were done. 

My two adorable minions. As you can see, my gloves were stolen by somebody... 

After some miserably snuffling and blowing into our hands for warmth, we eventually made it all the way to the top and the view was so so worth it. We did manage to see some spots of snow collected in the corners, but not enough to start a snowball fight or anything. That being said, you can definitely see some snow in the mountains. 

We proceeded to the dinner hall and was presented with a huge banquet, and this wasn't even all of the food... our waiter was super nice and could speak chinese and Japanese which was convenient. 

Vincent, Pk and I were too pansy to go into the public Onsen (hot springs), since you know, nudity is compulsory so we booked a "private" onsen. It was like $20 to book the entire spa to ourselves, no limit in the number of people. Look at this..... 

It was so goddam amazing. We went against tradition and wore our towels into the spa. This was the outdoor area with two hot spring pools, a bamboo garden and washing area. 

There was even a bamboo room mirrors,  featuring a bathroom, massage chair, high class shampoos, hair dryer, water and other assorted items. 

Of course, the night wouldn't have been complete without some Japanese cherry wine and the likes :3 It has always been a dream of mine to stay at a Japanese Inn, experience the hot spring and have some cold drinks afterwards.