Long Weekend in Solvang | 長週末到美西丹麥小鎮

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During the July 4th long weekend, we drove from San Diego to Solvang, and hit many spots along the route. Solvang isn’t too big, and slow-paced enough for a weekend getaway. Parking is quite convenient and free, even with the long weekend crowd. We stayed at a lodging on a nearby Air Force Base.

Day One

Our original plan was to leave the house by 8 am, but decided to sleep in a little more. By the time we got to our first stop, San Juan Capistrano, it was almost noon.

Sundried Tomato

31781 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Outdoor seating is spacious, perfect for enjoying lunch in California’s nice weather. Lunch specials are a good deal!

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Ticket: $14 (include multi-media guided tour)

Founded in 1776, Mission San Juan Capistrano was the 7th Spanish mission built in California. The multi-media guide has a lot of wonderful explanations of the history of the mission. I hope to visit other missions in California.

Saffron & Rose Persian Ice Cream

What unique ice cream flavors! We picked Faloodeh, Saffron with pistachio, and Date! Pro tip: add some lemon juice!

Griffith Observatory

Wanted to hike here, but my condition wasn’t optimal for strenuous activities, so we visited the observatory instead. The obsera houses the most visited telescope in the world. Come and be a part of Guiness World Record!

Day Two

Solvang is a small town perfect for exploring on foot. Nicknamed Little Denmark in USA, Solvang is decorated with Danish architectures, windmills, and various museums.

Solvang Windmill

A must visit place. Easy to spot, and in close proximity to many popular restaurants nearby.

Solvang Restaurant

1672 Copenhagen Dr #2759, Solvang, CA 93463

People line up early in the morning for the world famous Abelskiver (be sure to ask the locals how to pronounce it). Goes really well with raspberry sauce, but is it worth the hour long wait? You be the judge!

Hans Christian Andersen Museum

1680 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463

Hans Christian is the creator of many familiar childhood stories, including Little Mermaid! Museum is on the second floor above the bookstore. Pays a lot of tribute to Hans Christian’s works and his life. The only downside is the museum doesn’t have an elevator or escalator.

Old Mission Santa Ines 1804

1760 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463

Compared to Mission San Juan Capistrano, it’s much quieter here. Self-guided tour is provided here.

Lincourt Vineyards

Solvang is also known for wine tasting. Why is a pregnant lady visiting a vineyard, you might ask? UN wondered the same thing too. We had a nice late afternoon stroll in the vineyard, perhaps next time we can bring our babies back with us.

Industrial Eats

UN found this restaurant on Yelp, their Beef Tongue Pastrami is a must order! Pizzas are wonderful too! They also offer fresh raw oysters, but too bad I was not able to enjoy them this time.

Ostrichland USA

Hard to associate a Danish town with ostriches, but if you google Solvang, you will definitely not want to miss this place. I came here with no expectations, but UN thought we would see free-range ostriches roaming in the open pasture. It wasn’t exactly that, but we had a lot of fun. I got scared by the ostriches when trying to feed them, but UN had a blast closely interacting with them. Tip: bring close-toed shoes, or prepare for your feet to get really dirty.

Day Three

We had plans for a few other places to visit on our third day, but we were too hungry. Ended up standing in line for 2 hours for a really popular breakfast/brunch place. Breakfast was meh, a bit disappointed, maybe because we waited too long. After breakfast we headed back to San Diego. We met up with UN’s college friend on the way back. What a relaxing long weekend!

長週末時，我們從聖地牙哥開車到丹麥小鎮（Solvang）。沿途經過一些清單上的景點，趁這次旅行順路參觀。Solvang不大，步調也不快，非常適合長週末來。停車方便，有幾個免費停車場，路上也有許多停車格，即使長週末也很好找到停車位。我們的住宿則是住在附近的空軍基地（Vandenberg Space Force Base），我就不在此介紹。

第一天

原先預計八點前出門，但實在很想睡飽在出門（預料之中），我們到San Juan Capistrano已經快中午了。

Sundried Tomato

31781 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

室外用餐區空間非常大，完全能享受到加州的好天氣，當然大部分的人都坐在外面用餐。中午有提供套餐，經濟實惠！

Mission San Juan Capistrano

門票：$14（含多媒體導覽）

起源1776年，是西班牙人在加州第七個駐點的mission。透過導覽能學到許多創立過程，希望之後能到加州不同的mission參觀。

Saffron & Rose Persian Ice Cream

好特別的冰淇淋口味！我們選了Faloodeh、Saffron with pistachio、Date，店員推薦能加點檸檬汁！

Griffith Observatory

原先想來這爬山，但這天我的狀況不太適合，所以改為到天文台參觀。這裡有全世界最多人使用的天文望遠鏡，看了你就是金氏世界紀錄一部份！

第二天

Solvang非常適合步行欣賞這個小鎮，丹麥建築、風車、博物館。沿路走走停停參觀這些不同景點，有幾個地方是我們特別喜歡。

Solvang Windmill

必看景點！非常好找，也在許多有名的餐廳附近。

Solvang Restaurant

1672 Copenhagen Dr #2759, Solvang, CA 93463

一大早已經大排長龍！大家都特別來這裡買這裡的著名甜點Abelskiver，配上覆盆子醬還不錯，但至於值不值得排將近一小時的隊伍，不方便說！

Hans Christian Andersen Museum

1680 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463

你沒看錯，就是最近許多人在討論的小美人魚也是他的作品！博物館位在書店二樓，雖然不大，但有許多安徒生的介紹。唯一缺點是沒有電梯或手扶梯到博物館，需要走樓梯上樓。

Old Mission Santa Ines 1804

1760 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463

比起第一天參觀的Mission San Juan Capistrano，這裡安靜許多。風景是一片葡萄酒園。這裡有提供自由導覽！

Lincourt Vineyards

來Solvang就是要來酒莊品酒。懷孕的我當然不能喝，UN也很傻眼我竟然把這行程排進去。我兩只能在這走走聊天，等下次帶寶寶們來好了！

Industrial Eats

181 Industrial Way, Buellton, CA 93427

UN意外找到的餐廳，絕對要點Beef Tongue Pastrami，比薩也很推！這裡也有一些海鮮生食，可惜我吃不了。

Ostrichland USA

610 E Hwy 246, Solvang, CA 93463

實在是很難聯想丹麥小鎮和鴕鳥有關係，上網查丹麥小鎮必去的景點，這裡是大家必推的點。我帶著完全沒有興奮的心情配上UN以為能和鴕鳥在大草原奔跑的想法到Ostrich World，我們在這玩的很開心。餵食鴕鳥時，我狂被鴕鳥嚇；UN好開心能近距離看鴕鳥。切記：穿包鞋，不然腳會超髒。

第三天

原本第三天還有安排幾個景點作為尾聲，但我們太餓，吃飯勝過看景點。我們去當地很有名的早餐店，排隊人潮湧不斷。不知道是不是等太久，但早餐有點普通，失落感有點強烈。吃完我們就往回聖地牙哥方向開，順道與UN的大學好友見面，結束這長週末。

72 Hours in Singapore | 新加坡三日遊

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（中文翻譯請往下滑）

Our first international trip since the pandemic! Our last trip was more than two years ago to Iceland. After that we have been locked down in Japan. This would also be our last trip before our babies arrive. We are looking forward to traveling with our twin girls in the very near future!

UN’s idea of a Singapore trip was to relax poolside at a resort. But I jam packed our schedule with food crawl from dusk till dawn. Eating was our only mission!

Accommodation List

Marina Bay Sands

You may recognize this hotel from Crazy Rich Asians, and it definitely lives up to its hype of luxury. We were most impressed by their service. We got into Singapore on a red-eye flight and were thinking about dropping off our luggage and returning to check-in in the afternoon. Instead, they escorted us to our upgraded room at 6 am. We quickly changed into our bathing suit and took a nap by their rooftop infinity pool. In addition, we were offered late check-out the next day, and it felt like we stayed there for two days! Entrance to the infinity pool at MBS is by reservation only. You have to be a hotel guest to use the world’s longest spanning infinity pool.

Duxton Reserve Singapore

President JFK stayed at this exact hotel before, and took the same elevator that is still being used! The room designs were inspired by ancient opium houses and brothels, and have a bit of a mysterious feel to it. But we weren’t that fond of our bathroom.

Hawker Center List

Like many Asian countries, Singapore has more delicacies than there’s room in your stomach. How I wish my stomach is a bottomless pit so I can eat all that Singapore has to offer! Singapore is a small country, but my food list is too long for our short three full days there.

We visited many Hawker centers, where the options are plenty and the prices are friendly. They remind me of Taiwanese night markets and indoor food courts. If you don’t know what to order, the rule of thumb is to get to the back of the longest line that you see. Don’t hesitate to ask locals for recommendations either. Don’t know where to sit? Don’t worry, Singaporeans “reserve” their seats by putting a packet of tissue paper or umbrella on the table or the chair. Strangers are willing to let you sit with them at the same table, you just have to ask nicely. I love this kind of culture, it allows me to interact with the locals and pick their brain on what else to eat and learn their culture and history.

Maxwell Hawker Center

Home to many of the famous delicacies, such as Hainan chicken rice, also has a huge crowd!
https://goo.gl/maps/1da8VjT2nX1kKEfD6

  • Sugar cane juice with lemon: a must have no matter which Hawker center you are at. When you see it, just buy it, don’t even think twice. Only $2 Singaporean dollars, not overly sweet and will quench your thirst! We had at least one cup every single day, and we still talk about it today. Tip: add ice and lemon (a must have!)

  • Cassava cake: recommended to us by a lady who we shared a table with, tasted like sweet rice cake with coconut flakes.

  • Tian Tian Hainan Chicken Rice: Two thumbs up! The lady who we shared the table with told us that we were lucky because for many days there was a shortage of chicken imports from Malaysia, and no one was selling Hainan chicken rice. The chicken used to make Hainan chicken rice is never frozen to preserve its freshness. The meat of the chicken is not dry, and goes very well with house spicy sauce.

  • Jin Hua Fish Head Bee Hoon: condensed milk-based broth really adds a unique flavor. Many Singaporean restaurants have their own spicy sauce, but this one is particularly spicy!

  • Fu Shun Shao La Mian Jia: I actually prefer this one over the one Michelin-starred Hawker Chan. The owner is friendlier and loves to joke around!

Chinatown Complex

Another recommendation by the lady who shared our table, said this Hawker center is favored by the locals!

  • Hawker Chan: awarded one Michelin star from 2016 to 2019, known as the world’s most affordable Michelin restaurant, but its BBQ is not our favorite.

  • Bedok: The owner explained to me that the crunchy texture is like Taiwanese pickled cabbage. Definitely speaking my language! But instead of the salty flavor, this is actually sweet, I love it so much!

  • Sue Hua Fei: Chendol is a local favorite dessert. We ordered durian chendol. If we weren’t concerned for UN’s stomach, we would’ve probably each ordered one.

Lau Pa Sat (Satay Street)

We shared the same table with an Australian backpacker this time. We had the same conclusion that at Satay Street, it’s a bit more chaotic and the staff are less friendly than at other Hawker centers. The satay stands and the dining tables blocked off an entire section of the road, where during daytime there would be cars passing through.

  • Satay Street #7 & 8: We chose this stand because all other stands had waiters fighting for customers. This stand doesn't seem like they care much for your business. You don’t have to order from the set on the menu, and you can order however you like, but with a minimum of 10 skewers. The satay sauce is so good that you will definitely order more than just 10 skewers!

  • Ming Yen: Since getting pregnant, I have been craving stir fried vegetables. Ordered myself one plate when I saw it on the menu, and also added stir fried clams, another one of my favorites.

  • Tarik: Not bad, but sugar cane juice is better!

People’s Park Complex

People’s park complex: Affordable fresh fruit stands! Very chaotic and a bit dirty, but has all of my favorite fruits. Mangosteens are usually very expensive in the US and Taiwan, here it’s less than $3 for a big bag!

Restaurant List

  • Song Fa Bak Kut Teh: The couple with whom we shared a table with have been coming here since they were young (they still look young!), and they even know the owner. They told us that there’s unlimited refill on the soup, and recommended some other menu items to us. Order a pot of tea first, then some Ngoh Hiang and dough fritters, and then the pork rib soup (bak kut teh) and pig’s kidney bak kut teh. The Singaporean couple recommended the red hot sauce!

  • Kopi Express: Reminds me of Hong Kong’s “cha chan tang”, it has fast food as well as dim sum. But the weather was too hot, so we ordered Singapore’s famous ice kacang. Interesting concept to have corn kernels on top of shaved ice.

  • Mellben Signature: My college friend took us here for chili crab, but don’t be fooled by the name, it’s not that spicy! Chili crab goes really well with man-tou (fried buns). Normally I’m not a fan of anything that’s gooey, but I mopped up the chili crab sauce with man-tou. Salted egg pork ribs is another must order item!

  • Tong Ah Eating House: Known for their “Kaya Toast”, and Combo B is the best! Traditional Kaya toast feels like it’s missing something. Crispy thin toast Kaya is perfect! French toast was a little disappointing. Kopi-O is with sugar but no cream, Kopi-C is with sugar and cream, Kopi is without sugar and without cream. If you are a coffee snob, stay away from their coffee, because they are no different than instant coffee.

  • Sungei Road Laksa: This is Laksa, small portions, good for a single serving, but one will easily finish the entire bowl. Beware, it’s super spicy!

  • Taising: This stall next to Sungei Road Laksa has all the Tainan delicacies that I crave for, such as pink sausage and shrimp roll! I can’t believe I found them here in Singapore!

  • Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle: Pork liver is not my go-to, and I thought I would just take one bite and give the rest to UN, but I actually ate it all by myself, and even wanted more! This one Michelin star restaurant’s owner is super down-to-earth. Don’t get deterred by the long line. UN loves this place so much that he still talks about it!

  • Yat Ka Yan Dessert: Located on the second floor of this indoor marketplace, specializes in sweets. Find your table first, and give your table number to the store owner when you place your order. For Singapore where the recorded temperature has never dropped below 67F, eating frozen dessert in an air-conditioned room is a treat!

Sightseeing List

  • Garden By The Bay: Can be seen from the balcony of Marina Bay Sands hotel room. The free admission light show at the Garden goes on every night at 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm. You can hear the music from the light show anywhere inside the Garden. I think the best view is from above the Garden.

  • Merlion: A symbol of Singapore! Recommended route is to walk from MBS to Merlion at night (don’t do it during the day), you will get a beautiful view of the night sky. Along the way are many art exhibits and street artists.

  • Buddha Tooth Relic Temple: Arms must be covered to enter this temple. A scarf used to cover your arms is available to borrow free of charge.

  • Art Science Museum: Some of the exhibit tickets sell out very fast, so book ahead of time! We ended up visiting TeamLab here, it was a lot of fun!

  • Chijimes: if you are thinking about getting married, this would be a great location! Created as a Catholic school for girls, it has now been transformed into a square with an open area and various restaurants. A great place for UN and I to rest our tired feet and sit on the grass.

  • Little India: Singapore is a big cultural melting pot. You can find great local eats here.

  • Haji Lane: its colorful walls were featured in many travel books and magazines.

  • Singapore Changi Airport: Please note that the famous Jewel (indoor waterfall) is outside of the security checkpoint.

Thank God for this opportunity to travel to Singapore! I took at least 20,000 steps everyday during my stay. UN and I have since been back in the US for a few months now, but everyday we still talk about the food in Singapore. Especially with the current heatwave sweeping through Southern California, the craving for sugarcane juice is real! Don’t forget to budget some time to check out the world’s No.1 airport!

疫情後的第一次出國！掐指一算，距離上次出國已經是兩年前的事了。2020年冬天從冰島回日本後，日本開始鎖國。不僅如此，這也是我們生小孩前最後一次出國玩。期待以後帶我們的雙胞胎女兒們出去玩！

UN原本想像的新加坡行程是悠閒坐在泳池旁，過著度假般的生活，結果我把行程安排從早吃到晚，除了吃以外，我們就是往吃的方向前進。

住宿清單

Marina Bay Sands

飯店走的是高大上風格，雖說不上金碧輝煌，但絕對有Crazy Rich Asians 的揮霍感。我們對MBS印象最棒的一點是我們的飛機很早就到新加坡，原以為在MBS寄放行李後就得出去走到下午直到check in時間到，但工作人員有夠貼心，讓坐紅眼班機累到不行的我們早上六點就能入住，我們直接到泳池旁睡覺。除此以外，工作人員還讓我們晚check out，有種多住一天的感覺。MBS的泳池是預約制，入住時工作人員會很仔細地解釋預約方式，只要在飯店住戶一定能享受全世界最長的無邊際泳池。

Duxton Reserve Singapore

太酷了吧，美國甘迺迪總統曾經在這電梯裡過！房間設計成以前的鴉片屋和青樓，讓整間飯店充滿神秘感，但我對我們住的房間的廁所設計不是特別滿意。

熟食中心清單

和許多亞洲國家一樣，新加坡滿街美食讓你吃不完。真希望我們有無底洞胃，把新加坡全部食物吃遍！新加坡雖然不大，但我行前列出來的美食清單多到讓我們好希望能再多待幾天。

我們去了許多熟食中心（hawker center），食物便宜又好吃，有點像是台灣露天夜市結合室內賣場美食區的概念。在熟食中心必須盲從，看到隊伍千萬別猶豫，也不需要研究該點什麼，只要問前面的當地人就好了！至於該坐哪，這點也不用擔心！新加坡人會放面紙包或雨傘在桌子或椅子上佔位置。一大張桌子可以併桌，我愛併桌文化，能和同桌新加坡人聊天，他們會推薦你更多好吃的美食，還能學到新加坡的歷史。

Maxwell Hawker Center

聚集多家超有名小吃攤，像是天天海南雞飯，人潮當然也多到嚇人。

  • 甘蔗檸檬：熟食中心必點！不管你在哪家熟食中心，只要看到賣甘蔗檸檬汁，直接買一杯。新幣兩塊錢，好消暑的飲品，完全不會過甜喝完不解渴！在新加坡一天連喝好幾杯，到現在我們都念念不忘。切記：一定要加冰塊和檸檬（拜託要照做！）

  • 木薯糕：同桌阿姨推薦！口感有點像是甜版年糕上面有碎絲椰肉。

  • 天天海南雞飯：好吃！同桌阿姨說我們很幸運，有好幾天因馬來西亞的雞肉斷貨，沒賣海南雞飯。阿姨說海南雞用的雞肉是沒有冷凍過的，保持雞肉原本的鮮味。我和UN都覺得雞肉不會乾（可能我們吃慣美國超乾雞胸肉），配上辣椒醬，超好吃。

  • 金華魚片米粉：好特別，湯頭加煉乳，味道更濃郁。在新加坡，許多店都有屬於自己的辣椒醬，這家超辣，像是吃辣椒子的辣感。

  • 福順錦記燒臘麵家：老實說這家比起摘星米其林燒臘店好吃，而且老闆比較親民，還很愛開玩笑！

Chinatown Complex

同桌新加坡阿姨大推薦，說這裡食物比較道地！

  • Hawker Chan: 2016年到2019年米其林一星，是米其林最便宜的餐廳，但這不是我們的最愛。

  • 水粿: 當我問老闆上面脆脆口感是什麼，老闆用我很熟悉的台語回答菜脯！天阿，瞬間像是回到台灣！和台灣菜脯完全不一樣，味道是甜甜的，難怪我這麼喜歡！

  • 雪花飛：煎洛（chendol）是住在新加坡朋友推薦必吃的甜點冰。我們點了榴蓮煎洛，要不是擔心UN吃冰腸胃不適應，我們應該會一人一碗冰。

Lau Pa Sat（沙爹街）

同桌澳洲弟弟和我們一致認同這裡雖然店員超兇、超混亂，但和其他的熟食中心r完全不一樣。幾乎都是當地人。而且白天是正常行車馬路，晚上路上擺滿桌子，大家啃著沙爹烤串。

  • Satay Street #7 & 8: 我們選沙爹7＆8，你會發現其他家都一直拉客人，這家反應太慢還不給點菜。不需要照著菜單一樣，可以點自己想吃的（必須點10支以上），但沙爹醬好吃到你絕對不可能只點10支。

  • 銘雁：自從懷孕，我天天想吃炒空心菜。看到招牌有炒青菜馬上點一盤，還加上我愛的貝殼類海鮮。

  • 拉茶：是不錯啦，但甘蔗汁完勝！

People’s Park Complex

非常便宜的新鮮水果攤！非常混亂且偏髒，但全是我愛吃的水果。有平時在美國或台灣都賣好貴的山竹，在這竟然美金不到3塊一大袋。

餐廳清單

  • 松發肉骨茶: 同桌新加坡夫婦從年輕吃到還是很年輕，還認識老闆。他們告訴我們能無限加湯，也推薦我們必點食物。點菜前先點一壺茶，然後點五香捲、油條、排骨肉骨茶、豬腰肉骨茶。新加坡夫妻推薦辣椒醬用紅色的！

  • Kopi Express: 讓我想起在香港的茶餐廳，有賣快餐和點心，但天氣實在太熱，我們點了新加坡有名的ice kacang，最特別的是冰上有淋玉米粒。

  • Mellben Signature：大學學妹帶我們來吃辣椒蟹，別被名字騙了，一點都不辣！辣椒蟹一定要配上小饅頭（感謝學妹點菜），完美指數報表。連不愛吃稠稠醬類的我都把小饅頭和辣椒蟹吃光。鹹蛋排骨也必點，只是份量有夠大，把我們三人都吃撐了！

  • 東亞餐室：套餐B最好吃！法國吐司讓我們失望，傳統咖椰吐司又感覺少一味，但酥脆薄片吐司是最完美的！咖啡烏是帶糖不加奶，咖啡是沒糖沒奶，咖啡C是加糖加奶（菜單上沒解釋）。如果你對咖啡很挑的話，這是即溶咖啡的味道！

  • 結霜橋叻沙：原來這就是laksa，小小一份，一人一碗，好吃到我們把碗清空，但非常辣！

  • 泰興：是結霜橋叻沙旁的一家小吃攤，賣的全是我懷念的台南美食，像粉紅色香腸和蝦捲！這些就是我心心念念，一直喊著回台南一定要吃的食物，竟然在新加坡找到。

  • 大華豬肉粿條面：對豬肝沒好感的我，一開始抱持豬肝只吃一口就給UN的心態，但最後我把豬肝全吃光，還一直喊著想要再吃。米其林一星，老闆人超和藹可親，千萬別被長長隊伍嚇跑了，連UN都超愛這家店！

  • 一家人：位在二樓，專賣甜品。到了先選位置，然後點菜時老闆娘會問座位。在平均溫度不低於67度的新加坡，在冷氣房裡吃冰真的太舒服了！

景點清單

  • Garden By The Bay：從MBS房間往外看就是Garden by The Bay，每天晚上7:45和8:45有免費燈光表演。表演音樂聲音在Garden By The Bay的每個角落都聽得到，我覺得最棒的角度是在上層。

  • 新加坡魚尾獅：來新加坡必看的魚尾獅！大力推薦晚上從MBS一路走到魚尾獅（千萬別在正中午做這事），不但能看到超美夜景，沿路還有許多裝置藝術。

  • 象牙寺：進入寺廟記得遮手臂，寺廟有提供薄巾使用。

  • Art Science Museum：原本想看的展覽，但我們沒有提早預約門票（以為疫情不會賣光票），我們只好去TeamLab玩。

  • Chijimes：還沒結婚的人，這裡辦婚禮很漂亮喔！從學校轉變到現在有餐廳和綠地，我和UN走路走到快鐵腿，這裡讓我們能坐在草地上休息。

  • Little India：喜歡新加坡融合各國文化，在地美食在這都能找到。

  • Haji Lane：五顏六色的牆，你肯定在各個旅行書或網誌上看過這地方！

  • Singapore Changi Airport：切記機場裡超有名的室內瀑布是出海關後才能看到（好險朋友提醒！）

感謝神這次來新加坡，我的身體能讓我天天兩萬步起跳。已經回來美國幾個月了，我們還是常常想念新加坡的美食，尤其最近南加州熱浪，我們好懷念那好喝又解渴的甘蔗汁！最後別忘了在全世界第一名的機場逛一下！

Our First Ever Babymoon | 產前蜜月

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（中文翻譯請往下滑）

“Babymoon: traveling while pregnant to enjoy the calm before our family grows from two to four. Recommend to do it during the second trimester. ”

Transportation

We originally planned to rent a car, but considering that getting around in Nikko will require driving through serpentine mountainous roads, we opted to take public transportation instead (a wise choice). From Utsunomiya, we took the JR to Nikko station and hopped on the bus to Lake Chūzenji. The bus dropped us off right in front of The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko, very convenient and affordable.

Hotel

The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko
https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/japan/nikko

The one and only Ritz-Carlton with natural onsen, flowing down from the popular onsen town Yumoto. Our room faces Lake Chūzenji, to the right is Mount Nantai, quite a serene scene. The hotel design is chic minimalist, not a lot of presumptuous superfluous decorations, and not too many empty spaces that birth excessive lines and angles. There’s a level of comfort and a sense of coming home as you sit in the lobby (if only my house is this beautiful!). Most impressionable is our host Ms. Inoue, who greeted us and helped us check in. We chatted briefly about the purpose of our trip and why we chose Nikko, and that same night when we returned to our room after dinner, Ms. Inoue and hotel staff surprised us with a “Welcome Baby” balloon and towel cake on our bed!

When we planned our babymoon, I was in charge of picking the location, and UN was in charge of planning the rest. I kept debating if we should go somewhere we haven’t been before, such as Ine of Kyoto Prefecture, or revisit my favorite city in Japan, which is Nikko. I asked UN what is his favorite city in Japan, and as if he read my mind, he answered Nikko without hesitation. Nikko it is!

Nikko’s beauty is unparalleled, ideal for a babymoon. The first day when we arrived it was a bit misty from the rain, quite mysterious and yet romantic. Before dinner, UN and I even walked along the lake with an umbrella in the light drizzle. The sun came out the next day.

Babymoon has been something that seemed out-of-reach. Since getting married, we learned that getting pregnant is not as easy as we thought. There were many hiccups along the way. From being diagnosed with infertility, to considering adoption, seeking treatments, to starting IVF in July 2020, and the many failures in between. When I started opening up to my friends about this issue, I started learning that I am not alone in this journey. I hope infertility becomes less of a taboo topic. At the fertility clinic, I met many ladies who live healthy lifestyles and have healthy diets, the complete opposite of what I have been told about people who suffer from infertility. Throughout the entire IVF process, I’m thankful that UN respected every one of my decisions. January 2022 was gonna be our sixth and the last time going through IVF. God has been so good to us, He blessed us with more than we could ask for, turned one embryo into two. And because of His grace, we were able to go on this babymoon!

Japanese breakfast

Western breakfast

Afternoon Tea at The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko

“產前蜜月：帶著在肚子裡的寶寶們出遊，也讓準爸爸和準媽媽能享受小孩們出生前的寧靜，享受最後的兩人世界。建議時間為孕中期。”

交通工具

原先計畫租車，但考慮到我們已去過大部分景點和往日光必經的九彎十八拐，我們決定坐公車（明智的決定）。坐JR到日光站下車換巴士，巴士會在The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko門口停靠，方便又便宜。

飯店住宿

The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko
https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/japan/nikko

第一家提供日式溫泉的Ritz-Carlton，溫泉水源從上次來日光時有去的湯元（非常有名的溫泉聖地）。房間面向中禪寺湖，右邊俯瞰男體山，環境清幽。飯店設計走的是我很愛的簡潔路線，沒有多餘擺設或是過於極簡產生太多線條感，整體非常舒適輕鬆，有種回到家的感覺（只希望我家也這麼美）。最讓我們印象深刻的是我們和幫我們check-in的Inoue San閒聊，我們隨意提到這次來日光的目的和我們有多愛這地方。沒想到晚餐後回到房間，Inoue San和工作人員們竟然準備了Welcome Baby的氣球和毛巾蛋糕，真是太大的驚喜了！

計劃這場產前蜜月，我負責想地點，UN負責行程。我一直猶豫該去我倆都沒去過的地方，還是重遊我們在日本最愛的城市。如果去新景點，京都的伊根是我私心最想去的地方（就是當時UN把伊根和伊勢搞混的地方）。舊地重遊的話，我百分之百選擇日光。所以當時我決定問UN哪裡是他最愛的日本景點，UN像是有讀心術，毫不猶豫回答日光！哈，這就好辦事啦！

日光就是美，babymoon選日光絕對是對的決定！第一天綿綿細雨卻詩意滿滿，完全不會因天氣而破壞興致。晚餐前，我和UN撐傘在外走走聊天，尤其走在中禪寺湖旁特別愜意。第二天天氣放晴，工作人員帶我們到中禪寺學習當地歷史。

Babymoon一直是我不敢想像的事。從結婚到希望有小孩到發現原來懷孕不是件簡單事，這其中發生太多事。知道自己不孕、考慮領養、開始看醫生，直到2020年七月開始做人工受孕，過程也失敗好多次。當我開始和朋友提到時，發現好多人都因不孕困擾，真希望這事能被更多人重視。當我去看醫生時，更發現大多數人都有規律生活和飲食習慣，完全不是外界所想像的刻板印象。做人工受孕的過程中，很感謝UN非常尊重我的每個決定，而2022年一月是我們兩人決定的最後一次人工受孕。神很眷顧我們，一顆胚胎變成同卵雙胞胎，也讓我們這次能到日光一起享受產前蜜月！