I have tested a few lights to heavy oil cleanser and my verdict always turns negative with various reasons. It's either too thick or just didn't suit my skin. So, what do I think about Althea Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser? Let's find out here.

Althea Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser Curitan Aqalili
Is it she lovely?
Mount Fuji is a spot for a nature lover, and if I were given more time, I would definitely explore the city more in-depth or even hike the mountain. But, you know time is our best enemy, and we need to make a full of it yet it just for one day. So, here's my insight on Fuji Shibazakura Festival.


Fuji Shibazakura Festival Japan Curitan Aqalili
Pink moss phlox with Mount Fuji as background? Call me anytime.

Since the festival tickets weren't sold outside of Japan, we need to visit the JR East Travel Sevice Centre (Shinjuku) in the country and settle everything. Initially, we didn't plan to went there which I honestly can tell you that it is a last minute plan. Therefore, I experienced ups and downs throughout this road trip outside of Tokyo.

But, before we get into the juicy stuff, let's get to know about the Shibazakura festival a bit. 

WHAT IS FUJI SHIBAZAKURA FESTIVAL?

Located three kilometres south of Lake Motosuko in the Fuji Five Lakes area, Fuji Shibazakura Festival (富士芝桜まつり) offers breathtaking views of 800,000 moss phlox with Mount Fuji in the backdrop on bright days.

The festival estimates run from mid-April through early June and it can get crowded during Golden Week, which is Japan national holidays happened. 

Fuji Shibazakura Festival Japan Curitan Aqalili
2017 map of the festival.
Fuji Shibazakura Festival Japan Curitan Aqalili
They have around 800,00 type of moss and this is one of them.

BUDGET & TRANSPORTATION?

Since we stayed in Shimokitazawa, we need to go to Shinjuku via Odakyu Line. Then from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko via Shinkansen non-reserved seat. So, here's the summary of my ride to Shibazakura Festival.

1. Shimokitazawa > Shinjuku JR Station via Odakyu Line: JPY 160
2. Shinjuku > Otsuki : JPY1,320
3. Otsuki > Kawaguchiko: JPY1,140 
4. Kawaguchiko > Fuji Shibazakura Festival : JPY600 (include bus round trip and entrance fee).
5. Kawaguchiko > Otsuki: JPY1,140
6. Otsuki > Shinjuku : JPY1,320.

Total: JPY5,680.

The price that I stated here is for an adult in the year 2017. Since it's 2019, there might be an easier route if you stay nearby Shinjuku station or you can just take a bus to Kawaguchiko which save some budget.

Fuji Shibazakura Festival Japan Curitan Aqalili
Train to Kawaguchiko.
Fuji Shibazakura Festival Japan Curitan Aqalili
Beautiful view along the train ride.
Fuji Shibazakura Festival Japan Curitan Aqalili
Kawaguchiko station is very crowded at this time.

TIPS FROM MISTAKES THAT I LEARNED... THIS IS SUPER HONEST

I could say that this trip to Shibazakura takes most of our time and energy because we need to woke up around 4.30am to transfer one station to another. Again, it depends on an individual situation. Let me share you some of the mistakes that I learned and tips from it.


1. TAKE YOUR TIME

What I meant by this is to make sure that you are not rushing and pay for a night train, if available. Because our train time from Kawaguchiko to Shinjuku was around 4pm or 5am which is not great at all if there is a massive traffic jam to Shibazakura that took most of our time (two hours if I'm not mistaken).

So, we get to spend around half an hour only at the festival which is not enough. I don't like to rush things, and since the view is just marvellous, I don't want to go back to the city at that time. But, since the train ticket is paid and we need to head to Osaka on the next day, it's time to say goodbye to the beautiful moss phlox. 

Fuji Shibazakura Festival Japan Curitan Aqalili
One with the moss and Mount Fuji.
Fuji Shibazakura Festival Japan
I'm going to say this a thousand of time; BEAUTIFUL VIEW!

2. AVOID THIS DATE

Since Shibazakura happened around April to June, please avoid Golden Week timing. In 2019, the national holidays are going to be from April 27 until May 6 this year. 

While, Shibazakura festival will open from April 13 until May 26 (8:00 - 17:00), but take note that the date and time might changes depends on the flower conditions. So, please hear me out. If you don't want to stuck in a terrible jam and spend little time at the festival, avoid going on this date.

Fuji Shibazakura Festival Japan Curitan Aqalili
I didn't show the other side of the festival yet.


3. HOLD ON TO YOUR TICKETS

Since the bus and entrance tickets are attached to one, please hold onto it with care. Because sometimes, you can accidentally tear one of it, which will create a vast misunderstanding. My brother experience that with the entrance staff and it wasn't a good experience at all.
You can keep this ticket for memory!


4. TAKE YOUR BREAKFAST FIRST

The trip to Shibazakura took around 2 or 3 hours of your time which it's a must to grab some breakfast. Plus, there aren't any Halal Certified food in the festival (Mt.Fuji Delicious Food Festival), so along the way bring some Onigiri or you can check the Halal-ness by showing Muslim Dietary Card by Halal Navi. 
Fuji Shibazakura Festival Japan Curitan Aqalili
One of the Fuji Shiba-Zakura Limited-Edition Souvenirs.


5. DON'T FORGET TO CAPTURE YOUR MEMORIES!

Like I said all the time in this post, the view is just remarkable. You can't take your eyes of the colourful moss phlox with a Mount Fuji as a background at all. Take a lot of pictures because you are allowed too and visit the Panorama Plaza, which is a raised viewing deck that overlooks the whole of the site.
Capture memories even it just for a while 😊

I love this lilac and pinkish flowers.
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I love sharing mistakes that I did during travelling because that's where I won't repeat the same thing all over again. But, if you are looking for more tips, you can check out this article by Sora News 24. By the way, watch out for this space because I will be posting quality topics range from travel to beauty and there might more personal post where I shared marriage stuff and others. I'm so excited to start 2019 by curating a quality content for you all. Till next time!


Fuji Shibazakura Festival Japan Curitan Aqalili
If you are in Kawaguchiko on April 13 to 26 May, totally recommend you to visit the festival.


DISCLAIMER:
This trip is not sponsored by any entities. But, either sponsored or not, the write-up will be 100% my personal opinion. Btw, this post may contain affiliate links, so make sure to check DISCLOSURE for more info.



Thank you for spending your time reading my blog! It means so much to me. Before that, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to my email list on top of the page, to be the first one to receive updates from me!
It's Althea's FIRST celebrity collaboration and I was shook because the products are not skincare related but instead it's a body mist. So, if you are a fan of body mist and perfumes, I think this will be an interesting discovery. Would I fall in love with the body mist? Let's find out here!

Althea Stay Fresh Body Sparkling Mist Curitan Aqalili
Would it be Yay or Nay?
This time I'm looking at the window of one of the middle east country and I felt really grateful to be able to write two-long articles on a media platform [PURSUIT, Focus Malaysia]. To extend my first time visited Dubai, I said to myself 'Why not I try to review the 7-hour Emirates flights?' 
and this is how it all started.


Dubai Curitan Aqaili
Selfie with the Creek at Al Seef.
I never would imagine visiting Dubai anytime sooner! Truthfully I'm so thankful with the opportunity to discover my first Middle East country in Dubai, especially flying with Emirates.

It's my first time to fly with Emirates and knowing to be in Dubai for the business trip makes me feel as nervous as ever. But, thank god I met and clicked with another journalist from my hometown, Malaysia and just enjoy the 7-hour flight.


Emirates Dubai Curitan Aqalili
Take-off view with songs from one of my favourite K-POP band, iKON.
To be honest, I didn't put a high expectation because I was so tired and planned to sleep throughout the flight. Oh boy, that's just a dream! Instead, I woke up the whole flight, excited by all the latest movies that I didn't get to watch before with an interactive screen that showed the took off.  

After we are being lifted from the ground, my economy flights with Emirates started to get pretty interesting.

Services, Amenities & Comfort

My mindset is as long I get to arrive at the destination, I would be super happy especially when it doesn't kill my budget. I agreed to say that Emirates flight is a bit pricey than what I normally go for but what you pay is what you get. 

Estimated return flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA 1) - Dubai International Aiport (DXB) - KLIA 1 is around RM7,000++ (all-in) but take note that I was sponsored due to a business trip. 

The moment you walked inside, you will see a blanket, two-pin headset and a soft pillow. These items the aircraft property so make sure to ask the flight attendant if you can bring the blanket home!


Emirates Dubai Curitan Aqalili
Amenities provided by Emirates Economy flights.
Speaking about the flight attendant, they are really helpful and makes me feel like I'm at a business class seats. Indeed they are very attentive and friendly. 

The leg space for me is quite 'okay' but I expect to get more space because it's kind of similar to the aircraft that I usually get into. 


Entertainment & WiFi

Never had I experience in-flight entertainment until this trip. I couldn't be happier to not open my laptop and just have a screen in front of me consist up to 40,000 channels. From KL to DXB, I watched Patrick Melrose, Mamma Mia, Ocean 8, listen to iKON songs and even playing games.

To kill more time, I connect my phone to complimentary 20MB of free WiFi. Seriously, the connection ends pretty quickly after checking on Instagram, WhatsApp and googling. After the 20MB end, you need to pay in order to get connected. I don't think it was necessary since I have the flight entertainment. 

From DXB to KL, I watched The Greatest Showman, Misson Impossible: Fallout and Along With The Gods. Again, I listen to iKON songs to killed time. These are some of the movies that I remembered watching and it might be more than that because there are tons of drama and movie choices.

Overall, I could live without WiFi for 7-hours as long there is a wide range of in-flight entertainment. In fact, I didn't get to sleep because of it and it was fantastic!

Emirates Dubai Curitan Aqalili
I remembered to screenshot this site to connect WiFi in the flights.

Food

My favourite things to talk about! I have a mentality that flights food will just be ordinary but not with Emirates. This time let the pictures and captions explained it all.

By the way, all of Emirates meals are halal but they also served alcoholic beverages.


Emirates Dubai Curitan Aqalili
My meal from KL to DXB. From left to right: Lunch and before landing meals.
Emirates Dubai Curitan Aqalili
Snacks (salted pretzels) and water that comes twice a day (if I'm not mistaken).
Review meal flight from KL to DXB (above):
I like how they explained each of the menus very detailed and I would say the food quality and taste is pretty top notch. From salad, main course (grilled perch with red pepper sauce) to dessert, everything just tastes great. 

Review meal flight from DXB to KL (below):
My favourite meal is lunch time! Because the sandwich is a bit dry and it's really good with chilli sauce but too bad they don't have it. So yeah, very balanced diet during lunchtime, we have fibre, protein and carbohydrate. The only thing that I don't like is the desert because I just don't like cherry. 

By the way, if you bring your own bottle you can ask the staff to refill and save the world!


Emirates Dubai Curitan Aqalili
After take-off meal: A smoked turkey sandwich with a selection of beverages.
Emirates Dubai Curitan Aqalili
Lunchtime! Pasta salad, grilled chicken and milk chocolate mousse.
___________

With the slogan 'Fly Better' I would absolutely love to fly again with Emirates for my next trip to Dubai. The services are excellent which led me feeling comfortable moreover with scrumptious meals. I hope you will get a chance to fly with them and if you are planning to, click the link below! 

EXPERIENCE EMIRATES FLIGHT HERE


DISCLAIMER:
The whole familiarisation trip was sponsored under the company that
I worked with. Either sponsor or not, the write-up will be 100% my personal opinion. Btw, this post contains affiliate links make sure to check DISCLOSURE for more info.


Emirates Dubai Curitan Aqalili
Would love to visit Dubai once again with Emirates!
Thank you for spending your time reading my blog! It means so much to me. Before that, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to my email list on top of the page, to be the first one to receive updates from me!

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