Thursday, June 3, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Things to remember about Japan
Toilets:
Always remember how clean they are everywhere
Food
- Check that the toilet is vacant
- read sign carefully
- walk in, close door
- check to see how it is locked and how I will need to lock it (sounds simple but not necessarily so!)
- check for toilet paper (always take your own just in case)
- check how the toilet works,
- does it have a handle?
- do you press press button
- does it self flush
- do you put your hand over a sensor
- when you analyse this you are set to sit down.
- remember how 90% of public toilets provided a flushed seat cover
- check for normal bits and pieces ie tooth brush, soap, shampoo
- check to see if you have to step in
- check to see if you have to step down
- check which way the door opens
- Do not do what I did and go to the ensuite in the middle of the night and forget there is a step!
- Lucky for me I was holding onto the door handle and swung out with the door.
- the following night I stumbled in as I had forgotten that the hotel we were in you had to step down.
- check the way the water turns on for the shower
- remember the signs saying "do not leave door open when in shower as it will turn smoke alarm on and you will be charged for cost!" I didn't want to test this out so always kept the door closed
- Remember how deep the baths are. Almost all are as deep as my kneecap and the unusual switching of the water from the basin tap to the shower.
Always remember how clean they are everywhere
Food
- How nice the miso soup is!
- How nice the beef curry and rice is!
- How nice the sweet bread buns are with the diamonds around the edge.
- How nice it is to be given a cloth to wash you hands with before eating
- How nice it is to have a fresh glass of water on your table as you sit down.
- How many times we had breakfast in Andersons (Danish Bakery) loved the system of buying the buns etc and the fact that I knew I could get a nice cup of tea there.
- How many times I have beef curry and rice for either lunch or dinner, all dishes had approximately 4 pieces of meat but that suited me fine.
- Remember the pricing of food, for a good meal we would pay a maximum of A$15.00 for the two of us. Breakfast would normally be around A$12.00.
- Remember how everyone greeted you with a smile when you entered a restaurant.
- Remember how one girl in a restaurant thought I wasn't eating enough and came over and refilled my soup bowl - and I just love miso soup. All soup seems to be called miso but it was different in every city and town but I still loved it. Its bound to be full of something that we shouldn't eat but as I said I loved it!
- How nice it was to walk into a clean train - every time!
- How nice it was to be given drinks
- How nice it was to be able to ask directions at any station
- How unbelievable the train services are in Japan
- Always remember how we could move around Tokyo Station with approximately 50 platforms but how we couldn't work out how to leave one station that only had 3 platforms! We went up and down the lift at least 6 times with some Japanese ladies (who also couldn't work it out) before finally we realised we needed to walk quite a distance on one platform before we could exit.
Tuesday 1 June - Final Day - Departing from Ueno (Wayno)
Had breakfast and then packed up for the last time.
Wen
Wen
Monday 31 May 10 - Tolyo Disneyland
Had breakfast in the hotel and then packed up ready for the trip to Disneyland.
Had a much better night sleep here. I think the bigger room does make a difference.
We set of for railway station and decided to take a chance on the one that headed down towards the bigger one that we wanted. Sure enough it did go down to it but then we had a massive walk to the next plateform that we needed.
Finally we got to Tokyo station and we followed the signs to where ever we needed to go and sure enough when we got there a train was waiting just for us and it seemed within minutes we were at the station the Disneyland.
It looked very similar to the one in Los Angeles except everyone was speaking Japanese (what a surprise!).
Not long after we arrived there was a street parade which was very nice and of course if gave me time to rest my feet.
After that we decided to just walk around which suited both of us and also the day was just beauiful. Lots of little kids were walking around with mickey mouse ears on and they thought they looked good, and they did.
After a while we came across the Mark Twain boat and we took a ride on that. A short time later we had lunch in "Ma's Texas Restaurant" and it was one of the best meals that I have had over here.
We then decided to stand in line for some thing and after waiting for about 1 hour we finally got in and it took a full 3 minutes and truly for me it wasn't worth it. All I got out of it was sore feet. After that we had afternoon tea and just walked around again. Eventually we left at around 5.45 pm so that wasn't too bad.
We then followed our noses back via the trains to Ueon and we were there by 6.20 and decided to have dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and then walk through the alleys back to the next station and then took a left hand turn and walked back to the hotel. Mind you this was quite a long way possibly 5 klms so we both have sore feet now.
Tomorrow morning we will get organised with all our bits a pieces and prepare ourselves for the flight home.
Had a much better night sleep here. I think the bigger room does make a difference.
We set of for railway station and decided to take a chance on the one that headed down towards the bigger one that we wanted. Sure enough it did go down to it but then we had a massive walk to the next plateform that we needed.
Finally we got to Tokyo station and we followed the signs to where ever we needed to go and sure enough when we got there a train was waiting just for us and it seemed within minutes we were at the station the Disneyland.
It looked very similar to the one in Los Angeles except everyone was speaking Japanese (what a surprise!).
Not long after we arrived there was a street parade which was very nice and of course if gave me time to rest my feet.
After that we decided to just walk around which suited both of us and also the day was just beauiful. Lots of little kids were walking around with mickey mouse ears on and they thought they looked good, and they did.
After a while we came across the Mark Twain boat and we took a ride on that. A short time later we had lunch in "Ma's Texas Restaurant" and it was one of the best meals that I have had over here.
We then decided to stand in line for some thing and after waiting for about 1 hour we finally got in and it took a full 3 minutes and truly for me it wasn't worth it. All I got out of it was sore feet. After that we had afternoon tea and just walked around again. Eventually we left at around 5.45 pm so that wasn't too bad.
We then followed our noses back via the trains to Ueon and we were there by 6.20 and decided to have dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and then walk through the alleys back to the next station and then took a left hand turn and walked back to the hotel. Mind you this was quite a long way possibly 5 klms so we both have sore feet now.
Tomorrow morning we will get organised with all our bits a pieces and prepare ourselves for the flight home.
Sunday 30.5.10 Ueno
Well we both had a good nights sleep but now we need to pack everything up and take it down stairs so we can go straight to our bigger room when we come back this afternoon
Breakfast was interesting with a big variety to choose from but I stuck to the toast because of my stomach and how it can get upset very quickly.
First off we decided to go on the Loop bus in this area as we spotted one driving past last night. We found the spot to catch it and away we went.
It amazes me how that manage to get the buses down such small roads I think they work on the whisker principle if the front gets pass the back will follow.
When we had been on the hour trip around the place we decided to go on the ship tour of Tokyo bay. The after travelling for over one and half hours we arrived just to see the boat take off. It didn't wait and it was the last one for the day so that was a bit annoying but there was a shopping centre nearby so we went and had some lunch and then walked back to the station and caught the train back to Tokyo station.
We walked back to our hotel went to our new room and that you might say was that we both went to sleep for a couple of hours.
I then go up and read my email and found a lovely one that Pam had sent me of Cooper asleep on the floor in her office - he just looked beautiful and we are so grateful that she is looking after him.
We then walked back towards Ueno station and had dinner in a small restaurant and our meals were just huge, I could eat all of mine but Alan certainly enjoyed his.
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Breakfast was interesting with a big variety to choose from but I stuck to the toast because of my stomach and how it can get upset very quickly.
First off we decided to go on the Loop bus in this area as we spotted one driving past last night. We found the spot to catch it and away we went.
It amazes me how that manage to get the buses down such small roads I think they work on the whisker principle if the front gets pass the back will follow.
When we had been on the hour trip around the place we decided to go on the ship tour of Tokyo bay. The after travelling for over one and half hours we arrived just to see the boat take off. It didn't wait and it was the last one for the day so that was a bit annoying but there was a shopping centre nearby so we went and had some lunch and then walked back to the station and caught the train back to Tokyo station.
We walked back to our hotel went to our new room and that you might say was that we both went to sleep for a couple of hours.
I then go up and read my email and found a lovely one that Pam had sent me of Cooper asleep on the floor in her office - he just looked beautiful and we are so grateful that she is looking after him.
We then walked back towards Ueno station and had dinner in a small restaurant and our meals were just huge, I could eat all of mine but Alan certainly enjoyed his.
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Saturday 29 - Sendai to Tokyo for the last 3 days
Well I didn't have a good nights sleep and now I'm hungry so basically I'm ready to go.
I think this hotel room was one that I would rather forget. It was hot and we couldn't open a window and even though we had the air conditioning on 17c it was so stuffy it just wasn't nice.
So we left early and had breakfast over at the station.
We then caught the Loop bus that travels around a set route and you can get off whenever you want to. This time (we travelled on it yesterday as well) we wanted to go and see the mausaulum (I'll spell that correctly later) of Date ..... When we arrived I thought to myself bugger that is a steep climb up the road and it certainly was. Then when we got to the top we were faced with about another 1000 steps and then I was really buggered but it was worth the effort to get there. He was clearly was an amazing man, but being born into the the right family I think helps he couldn't have done what he did if he had been born a peasant!
After this visit we went back to the station had lunch in a nice little cafe and then caught the shincansen back to Tokyo. It was a most enjoyable trip.
When we got to Ueno station Alan gave the taxi driver the directions to our hotel and we were here by about 5.00 pm only problem was (if you could call it a problem) was the fact that our room was very small and we had no where to put our luggage so we decided to upgrade to a bigger room for the following two nights.
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I think this hotel room was one that I would rather forget. It was hot and we couldn't open a window and even though we had the air conditioning on 17c it was so stuffy it just wasn't nice.
So we left early and had breakfast over at the station.
We then caught the Loop bus that travels around a set route and you can get off whenever you want to. This time (we travelled on it yesterday as well) we wanted to go and see the mausaulum (I'll spell that correctly later) of Date ..... When we arrived I thought to myself bugger that is a steep climb up the road and it certainly was. Then when we got to the top we were faced with about another 1000 steps and then I was really buggered but it was worth the effort to get there. He was clearly was an amazing man, but being born into the the right family I think helps he couldn't have done what he did if he had been born a peasant!
After this visit we went back to the station had lunch in a nice little cafe and then caught the shincansen back to Tokyo. It was a most enjoyable trip.
When we got to Ueno station Alan gave the taxi driver the directions to our hotel and we were here by about 5.00 pm only problem was (if you could call it a problem) was the fact that our room was very small and we had no where to put our luggage so we decided to upgrade to a bigger room for the following two nights.
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Friday 28.5.10 - Sendai to ....
Today we set off by train to a town approximately 40 minutes from Sendai. It is a relative small town that is a fishing village.
The train was packed with school children who were it appears on a school excursion. Lucky for us we got seats so we could just sit back and watch the kids.
When we arrived at the town we just walked down the stairs and followed the road to the boats and bought our tickets. The sun was just pushing its way through the clouds so we knew we would have sun while on the cruise which makes everything so much nicer.
We stood in the queue while the boat came in and when we eventually got to go onto the boat we realised we only had economy seats but I said to Alan why don't we pay the extra 600 yen (A$6.00) and go first class, so we did this. What a surprise as we walked upstairs we had a much bigger open air area to walk around in plus tables and chairs. It was certainly worth it.
As the boat pulled away dozens of sea gulls started to fly behind the boat and it seemed almost immediately some people had treats for them to eat so began a feast for the seagulls and lots of laughter for the rest of us.
The scenery was just beautiful and we spent approximately 1 hour travelling around the bay.
When we got off the boat we walked over to a relatively small temple that was on a small island - this was very nice. Once we had seen this we continued walking towards a very long red bridge which turned out to be the only toll pedestrian bridge I have ever crossed. Many people were in the water collecting oysters. Once we got onto the island one of the signs said this was a island with a natural garden, we would be more inclined to call it a bush garden but it was nice. We walked for some distance, Alan bought an ice-cream and then we walked off the island.
When we left the island Alan said he had a map of places to go so our next stop was the museum of wax for special men and women (one) in Japan I found these interesting and then we came to a second of a Shogun by the name of Date Masamune he was quite clearly an extrordinary man. Although he was born into a powerful family he live a very privileged life but unfortunately at the age of 5 he contacted smallpox and lost the sight of his right eye. This left him disfigured for life and in fact although he was the eldest son his mother then decided that she preferred her youngest son and this of course would have been just dreadful for a young boy. He was married at 13 to a girl by the name of Yoshi who was 11, not much is mentioned of her except there is a beautiful mauosuleme for her high on one of the hills in the town, it is stunning unfortunately no photos as they were banned! Alan is now regretting that he didn't sneak one.
We had lunch in a little cafe which was very nice and then continued walking towards another temple which ws nice and then headed for the station. We were lucky because a train had just pulled in and we caught it back to Sendai.
Another thing that I should mention about this Shogun in the fact that way back in the 1500's he employed the services of an engineer to do something with the river banks as the people in the town quite frequently lost their rice crops. This engineer (who is nameless) designed a levy bank to protect the rice and within one year the town had more rice than they needed and this was the beginning of an exceptional time of rice growing for the people so much so that the rice became known as the Sendai Rice.
Also noticed a sign in the town to beware os Tusami and earthquake and to run to higher grown, now this was a little unsettling and I kept one eye on the water just in case.
When we arrived back at Sendai we decided to go on the Sendai Loopy a bus that does a circle of the town, this was quite good and I had a Japanese lady sit next to me who chatted for most of the trip although I couldn't understand a thing she was very nice and even gave me a place mat (I think) anyway its lovely and i'll frame it when I get home as she purchased it at an exibition.
We had tea in a white and red restaurant, the meal was pasta plus coffee and tea, now this is not a critisim but I just don't think tea made from hot milk will ever take off but it was refreshing as I was thirsty.
We walked back to the hotel and then worked out what we will be doing tomorrow.
Back to Tokyo.
.
The train was packed with school children who were it appears on a school excursion. Lucky for us we got seats so we could just sit back and watch the kids.
When we arrived at the town we just walked down the stairs and followed the road to the boats and bought our tickets. The sun was just pushing its way through the clouds so we knew we would have sun while on the cruise which makes everything so much nicer.
We stood in the queue while the boat came in and when we eventually got to go onto the boat we realised we only had economy seats but I said to Alan why don't we pay the extra 600 yen (A$6.00) and go first class, so we did this. What a surprise as we walked upstairs we had a much bigger open air area to walk around in plus tables and chairs. It was certainly worth it.
As the boat pulled away dozens of sea gulls started to fly behind the boat and it seemed almost immediately some people had treats for them to eat so began a feast for the seagulls and lots of laughter for the rest of us.
The scenery was just beautiful and we spent approximately 1 hour travelling around the bay.
When we got off the boat we walked over to a relatively small temple that was on a small island - this was very nice. Once we had seen this we continued walking towards a very long red bridge which turned out to be the only toll pedestrian bridge I have ever crossed. Many people were in the water collecting oysters. Once we got onto the island one of the signs said this was a island with a natural garden, we would be more inclined to call it a bush garden but it was nice. We walked for some distance, Alan bought an ice-cream and then we walked off the island.
When we left the island Alan said he had a map of places to go so our next stop was the museum of wax for special men and women (one) in Japan I found these interesting and then we came to a second of a Shogun by the name of Date Masamune he was quite clearly an extrordinary man. Although he was born into a powerful family he live a very privileged life but unfortunately at the age of 5 he contacted smallpox and lost the sight of his right eye. This left him disfigured for life and in fact although he was the eldest son his mother then decided that she preferred her youngest son and this of course would have been just dreadful for a young boy. He was married at 13 to a girl by the name of Yoshi who was 11, not much is mentioned of her except there is a beautiful mauosuleme for her high on one of the hills in the town, it is stunning unfortunately no photos as they were banned! Alan is now regretting that he didn't sneak one.
We had lunch in a little cafe which was very nice and then continued walking towards another temple which ws nice and then headed for the station. We were lucky because a train had just pulled in and we caught it back to Sendai.
Another thing that I should mention about this Shogun in the fact that way back in the 1500's he employed the services of an engineer to do something with the river banks as the people in the town quite frequently lost their rice crops. This engineer (who is nameless) designed a levy bank to protect the rice and within one year the town had more rice than they needed and this was the beginning of an exceptional time of rice growing for the people so much so that the rice became known as the Sendai Rice.
Also noticed a sign in the town to beware os Tusami and earthquake and to run to higher grown, now this was a little unsettling and I kept one eye on the water just in case.
When we arrived back at Sendai we decided to go on the Sendai Loopy a bus that does a circle of the town, this was quite good and I had a Japanese lady sit next to me who chatted for most of the trip although I couldn't understand a thing she was very nice and even gave me a place mat (I think) anyway its lovely and i'll frame it when I get home as she purchased it at an exibition.
We had tea in a white and red restaurant, the meal was pasta plus coffee and tea, now this is not a critisim but I just don't think tea made from hot milk will ever take off but it was refreshing as I was thirsty.
We walked back to the hotel and then worked out what we will be doing tomorrow.
Back to Tokyo.
.
Thursday 27.5.10 - Nagora to Sendai through Tokyo
Today we have spent a considerable time travelling by train to Sendai we are currently above Tokyo by about 3 hours. This is quite a big city and as usual most of the action seems to take place around the railway station.
We got here arond 3.30 and after we put all of our luggage into our room we went for a walk down to a market that I spotted when we were in the taxi. Although the market was interesting it was all food mainly fish but very colourful. We then walked back to the station and had a bit of a look around but we were a little bit too tired so came back to the room for a rest.
Tomorrow we head out of town towards the sea to go on a trip on a boat around some islands which should be good and then we come back to Sendai for the night and then I'm not sure where we are going .....
Had dinner over at the station, quite nice also I thought I was getting plain spaghetti but it had - things - in it so I left them. We then walked over to a big shopping centre and had a cake which was lovely plus a cup of tea for me and coffee for Alan.
Alan then went back to the hotel and I just wandered through the shops to the station and then back to the hotel. Bought a couple of necklaces for Le-Anne. If she doesn't like them I'll keep them for me.
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We got here arond 3.30 and after we put all of our luggage into our room we went for a walk down to a market that I spotted when we were in the taxi. Although the market was interesting it was all food mainly fish but very colourful. We then walked back to the station and had a bit of a look around but we were a little bit too tired so came back to the room for a rest.
Tomorrow we head out of town towards the sea to go on a trip on a boat around some islands which should be good and then we come back to Sendai for the night and then I'm not sure where we are going .....
Had dinner over at the station, quite nice also I thought I was getting plain spaghetti but it had - things - in it so I left them. We then walked over to a big shopping centre and had a cake which was lovely plus a cup of tea for me and coffee for Alan.
Alan then went back to the hotel and I just wandered through the shops to the station and then back to the hotel. Bought a couple of necklaces for Le-Anne. If she doesn't like them I'll keep them for me.
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Saturday, May 22, 2010
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 -Pirate Ship - Day 11
Already I can't remember the city we left but we headed out to a lake via the shincansen, then two slower trains, a cable car, a pirates ships and then a bus back to Odawarra and then back to the city we started at.
We had travelled up from Kyoto to this city and Alan had booked our accommodation in the morning so we left our luggage in the luggage boxes as we didn't want to travel with them.
Unfortunately the date was quite overcast and we couldn't see much but it was still enjoyable.
When we got back into town we tried to find the same restaurant that we had dinner in last year but couldn't so we went to another one and it was fine. We then set off to find the hotel and lucky Alan had made a mud map before we left Kyoto and we almost walked straight to it without any problems. The room was quite big and after we settled in I thought I go down to the shops but would you believe once I left the hotel everything looked a bit odd ie very little lighting and the streets didn't run straight so I thought it was better to go back to the hotel rather than get lost.
I watched the table tennis on the tv with Japan winning quite well, funny how you don't need your language to understand what's happening.
Alan bought a gift for Michael. I bought one for Le-Anne.
We had travelled up from Kyoto to this city and Alan had booked our accommodation in the morning so we left our luggage in the luggage boxes as we didn't want to travel with them.
Unfortunately the date was quite overcast and we couldn't see much but it was still enjoyable.
When we got back into town we tried to find the same restaurant that we had dinner in last year but couldn't so we went to another one and it was fine. We then set off to find the hotel and lucky Alan had made a mud map before we left Kyoto and we almost walked straight to it without any problems. The room was quite big and after we settled in I thought I go down to the shops but would you believe once I left the hotel everything looked a bit odd ie very little lighting and the streets didn't run straight so I thought it was better to go back to the hotel rather than get lost.
I watched the table tennis on the tv with Japan winning quite well, funny how you don't need your language to understand what's happening.
Alan bought a gift for Michael. I bought one for Le-Anne.
Tuesday - 25 May 2010 -Looking upside down - Day 11
I'll work out what city we started at when I get home.
We caught at least two if not three trains to our destination to a place where you stand on a concrete bench, look between your legs and you can see a stairway to heaven.
What you are looking at is like a peninsula between two island that has sand caught in little rows that look like steps ... well something like that.
As we travelled out to this town the clouds started to come down and then just as we got to the town it started to rain and initially we thought we'd stay on the station and not even bother leaving. But just as we arrived in the town I spotted what I thought was a cable car and I said to Alan that that wouldn't be too bad because it was inclosed. So we asked the attendant at the station how long it would take to get to the cable car? she said about 5 minutes and although from experience I didn't quite believe her we set off but in this case she was spot on. Also as luck would have it the rain had stopped and I indicated to the people in the carriage with us that we should blow the cloud away - so we all jokingly blew the clouds away and would you believe it the clouds parted and all of a suddent we were in sun.
It was quite a long ride to the top and then we could see the "stairway" and so we took it in turns standing on the seats and bending over and looking at the stairway and they were right it looked like a stairway to heaven. We spent about 40 minutes on the top of the mountain range and then headed back to the town and took some more photos as we travelled down.
It took approximately 2 hrs to get back to the city where our luggage was and it was fairly late about 7.30 pm but even after a long day it was a mosy enjoyable day.
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We caught at least two if not three trains to our destination to a place where you stand on a concrete bench, look between your legs and you can see a stairway to heaven.
What you are looking at is like a peninsula between two island that has sand caught in little rows that look like steps ... well something like that.
As we travelled out to this town the clouds started to come down and then just as we got to the town it started to rain and initially we thought we'd stay on the station and not even bother leaving. But just as we arrived in the town I spotted what I thought was a cable car and I said to Alan that that wouldn't be too bad because it was inclosed. So we asked the attendant at the station how long it would take to get to the cable car? she said about 5 minutes and although from experience I didn't quite believe her we set off but in this case she was spot on. Also as luck would have it the rain had stopped and I indicated to the people in the carriage with us that we should blow the cloud away - so we all jokingly blew the clouds away and would you believe it the clouds parted and all of a suddent we were in sun.
It was quite a long ride to the top and then we could see the "stairway" and so we took it in turns standing on the seats and bending over and looking at the stairway and they were right it looked like a stairway to heaven. We spent about 40 minutes on the top of the mountain range and then headed back to the town and took some more photos as we travelled down.
It took approximately 2 hrs to get back to the city where our luggage was and it was fairly late about 7.30 pm but even after a long day it was a mosy enjoyable day.
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Monday - 24 May 2010 - Hiroshima/Kyoto -Day 10
Today we spent most of the day travelling but it was still enjoyable.
Sunday - 23 May 2010 - Hiroshima - Day 9
Well today has started pretty wet and so far the rain hasn't stopped.
I've taken a video of some shops in Okayama while we were walking to catch the train to Hiroshima. It was amazing as the shop roll doors all opened at the same time and then they were ready for business. Anyway here it is
We caught the shincansen from ........ this time we had separate seats and I was lucky enough to sit next to a girl from Austen Texas who has just arrived here to teach children english. She was extremely nice and we will keep in contract via FACEBOOK which should be good. She will be based in a town just outside Hiroshima for the next 12 months.
We caught a taxi from the station to the hotel and once again we are pretty impressed with this hotel line Daiwa Roynet Hotels. Last night the cost was around $15,000 yen tonight its only 9500 (around 110.00 au).
We went to the hotel and left our luggage and then walked over the Hiroshima museum. I can't understand why people are hell bent on hurting each other. Anyhow after a considerable time there we walked back to the hotel and had a rest and now Alan has gone out to look at something else. My feet at this minute are quite sore so I was better staying here.
Here is a photo of the road that I was just talking about! Its not a really good photo but from the roof in from of me to the buildings on the other side that's how big the shopping centre is and it must be at least 1 klm long, give or take a meter.
I've taken a video of some shops in Okayama while we were walking to catch the train to Hiroshima. It was amazing as the shop roll doors all opened at the same time and then they were ready for business. Anyway here it is
We caught the shincansen from ........ this time we had separate seats and I was lucky enough to sit next to a girl from Austen Texas who has just arrived here to teach children english. She was extremely nice and we will keep in contract via FACEBOOK which should be good. She will be based in a town just outside Hiroshima for the next 12 months.
We caught a taxi from the station to the hotel and once again we are pretty impressed with this hotel line Daiwa Roynet Hotels. Last night the cost was around $15,000 yen tonight its only 9500 (around 110.00 au).
We went to the hotel and left our luggage and then walked over the Hiroshima museum. I can't understand why people are hell bent on hurting each other. Anyhow after a considerable time there we walked back to the hotel and had a rest and now Alan has gone out to look at something else. My feet at this minute are quite sore so I was better staying here.
Here is a photo of the road that I was just talking about! Its not a really good photo but from the roof in from of me to the buildings on the other side that's how big the shopping centre is and it must be at least 1 klm long, give or take a meter.
Saturday - 22 May 2010 - Okayama - Day 8
Today we are in Okayama after breakfast we are catching a train to the place where the twine/rope swing bridge is.
We rode in a double decker train and we were in the top section of it. While travelling we crossed the longest suspensions bridge in the world, it goes for 7.5 klms which is a long way in any mans language.
The town was not as big as Okayama but was still big.
We now have it down to a fine art of what to do with the luggage on the train as well as when you arrive at the town. One the train you go to the back of the carriage and put your luggage behind the seats, sometimes you have to move quickly to do this as there are only two seats so you can see why if the carriage can seat 40 people and if they all had luggage you have to move and then when you get to the town you put your luggage into the baggage holders section. Anyway we did this and then caught the train out to the swing bridge and I have to admit it was fairly disapointing. I thought it would be well up off the water but in fact it was only a couple of feet and not very challenging so we did the walk and then went onto see another garden but by that time my feet were very sore because it was a long walk from the station to the bridge and to be honest I was buggared.
We got back to town and then caught another train back to Okayama. We went back to the original hotel and then after a bit of a rest went out to dinner.
This time the restaurant didn't have photos or and english menu but a another visitor to the restaurant helped us and we got feed ok. But we didn't know if we had received everything so we just sat there. I did notice that one of the waitresses had walked out of the cafe and then a few minues later she bought back one of the girls from the hotel. who explained to use that we had received all our food. We paid for the dinner and then left.
Alan wanted to do some washing so we went to a corner store and managed to buy some detergent in sachet and I thought I let him do his washing. So together we put everything in the washing machine and came back to the room. About 3/4 hour later he went back and said it wasn't dry so he WASHED everything again but this time for 90 minutes, but this time it was 10.00 pm and I thought it getting a bit late to do that but it was already done. Well I've had a bit of a chuckle to myself. He has just come back with his washing and bugger me if it's still wet so now we have hung it up all around the place and fingers crossed it will be dry in the morning otherwise it will be smelly by tomorrow night.
We rode in a double decker train and we were in the top section of it. While travelling we crossed the longest suspensions bridge in the world, it goes for 7.5 klms which is a long way in any mans language.
The town was not as big as Okayama but was still big.
We now have it down to a fine art of what to do with the luggage on the train as well as when you arrive at the town. One the train you go to the back of the carriage and put your luggage behind the seats, sometimes you have to move quickly to do this as there are only two seats so you can see why if the carriage can seat 40 people and if they all had luggage you have to move and then when you get to the town you put your luggage into the baggage holders section. Anyway we did this and then caught the train out to the swing bridge and I have to admit it was fairly disapointing. I thought it would be well up off the water but in fact it was only a couple of feet and not very challenging so we did the walk and then went onto see another garden but by that time my feet were very sore because it was a long walk from the station to the bridge and to be honest I was buggared.
We got back to town and then caught another train back to Okayama. We went back to the original hotel and then after a bit of a rest went out to dinner.
This time the restaurant didn't have photos or and english menu but a another visitor to the restaurant helped us and we got feed ok. But we didn't know if we had received everything so we just sat there. I did notice that one of the waitresses had walked out of the cafe and then a few minues later she bought back one of the girls from the hotel. who explained to use that we had received all our food. We paid for the dinner and then left.
Alan wanted to do some washing so we went to a corner store and managed to buy some detergent in sachet and I thought I let him do his washing. So together we put everything in the washing machine and came back to the room. About 3/4 hour later he went back and said it wasn't dry so he WASHED everything again but this time for 90 minutes, but this time it was 10.00 pm and I thought it getting a bit late to do that but it was already done. Well I've had a bit of a chuckle to myself. He has just come back with his washing and bugger me if it's still wet so now we have hung it up all around the place and fingers crossed it will be dry in the morning otherwise it will be smelly by tomorrow night.
Monday, 17 May 2010 - Day 3
Today we headed off to the Tokyo Fish Market.
After changing a couple of train we made it to the spot. First impressions I didn't quite know what I was looking at, it appeared to be quite a lot of very old building but also a lot of little fork lifts running around. Now I'm not sure if they have any rules or not because they seemed to be heading towards each other all the time but always managed to miss each other.
As we walked between the building we came across a few little type shops which immediately caught my attention, especially one that had paper items, so I managed with great difficulty to select a few things (only a few because I would have liked to have bought heaps of stuff) working out the money wasn't hard as we had already changed our money and I always have a calculating/conversion table of the money hanging around next so it makes it very easy when you want to buy something.
Anyway we continued over some more roads and eventually we came to the fish. I cold work out how to ask them where the fish came from but I certainly have never seen some of it before.
When we started to walk back Alan decided to have some sushi so as I didn't want any I said I'd just go through the little shops again. This time lucky me I found a shop that sold gumboots and then silly me bought some - day two and I would have to carry them with me for the rest of the journey. anyway I like them and they will be good for me at home.
After changing a couple of train we made it to the spot. First impressions I didn't quite know what I was looking at, it appeared to be quite a lot of very old building but also a lot of little fork lifts running around. Now I'm not sure if they have any rules or not because they seemed to be heading towards each other all the time but always managed to miss each other.
As we walked between the building we came across a few little type shops which immediately caught my attention, especially one that had paper items, so I managed with great difficulty to select a few things (only a few because I would have liked to have bought heaps of stuff) working out the money wasn't hard as we had already changed our money and I always have a calculating/conversion table of the money hanging around next so it makes it very easy when you want to buy something.
Anyway we continued over some more roads and eventually we came to the fish. I cold work out how to ask them where the fish came from but I certainly have never seen some of it before.
When we started to walk back Alan decided to have some sushi so as I didn't want any I said I'd just go through the little shops again. This time lucky me I found a shop that sold gumboots and then silly me bought some - day two and I would have to carry them with me for the rest of the journey. anyway I like them and they will be good for me at home.
Sunday 16 May 2010 - day 2
Today we had breakfast at Andersons bakery that is within Ueon station. I love the process here. You walk in take a pair of tongs plus a tray and then you walk around and decide what you want and just place it on the tray. You then walk to a checkout and order your tea ie hot tea with 3 milk and 2 sugars and if you are lucky that's what you get. I always enjoy their buns and rolls. This morning I had a couple of buns plus some sandwichs of which I gave Alan two as I don't eat egg.
We then purchased our tickets to a place that eludes me at this minute and off we went to a market. At first I was a little disappointed but as we got more invovled in the process of the market I quite liked it. I bought a top for Leh which I think is really nice and only hope she likes it as well. If she doesn't I'll keep it for someone else, don't know who but I'll fine someone.
After the market we caught another train that travelled out of Tokyo to a garden. It was ok but not as nice as the ones we went to in Kyoto last year in fact I don't think it was worth the trip. But all in all it was a good day.
We then purchased our tickets to a place that eludes me at this minute and off we went to a market. At first I was a little disappointed but as we got more invovled in the process of the market I quite liked it. I bought a top for Leh which I think is really nice and only hope she likes it as well. If she doesn't I'll keep it for someone else, don't know who but I'll fine someone.
After the market we caught another train that travelled out of Tokyo to a garden. It was ok but not as nice as the ones we went to in Kyoto last year in fact I don't think it was worth the trip. But all in all it was a good day.
The lead up and departure 15 May 2010
We have been lucky once again and have obtained really cheap flights to Japan. This time two for the price of one so we leave on Saturday 15.5.2010. The cost of the tickets including travel insurance was approximately $1350.00.
We flew from Melbourne to Coolangatta domestic and then from there to Tokyo. We had a really good flight and I was pleased because we had a couple of empty rows next to us and I managed to have a bit of a sleep for about an hour. In fact it was interesting because through out the trip approximately 6 people did exactly what I did so it worked well for everyone except for Jetstar because it would have been better if the seats had had bums on them!
We arrived at Narita airport and exactly the right time and as Alan had already booked our accommodation at Ueon we just caught the train and knew exactly where to go once we had arrived. The rooms are small in the hotel but very close to everything so all in all it was a good spot.
We flew from Melbourne to Coolangatta domestic and then from there to Tokyo. We had a really good flight and I was pleased because we had a couple of empty rows next to us and I managed to have a bit of a sleep for about an hour. In fact it was interesting because through out the trip approximately 6 people did exactly what I did so it worked well for everyone except for Jetstar because it would have been better if the seats had had bums on them!
We arrived at Narita airport and exactly the right time and as Alan had already booked our accommodation at Ueon we just caught the train and knew exactly where to go once we had arrived. The rooms are small in the hotel but very close to everything so all in all it was a good spot.
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