Day 5 - Akihabara and Ginza
Well the plan was for Akihabara anyway, sort of fell apart when i exited the subway and realised I had left my printouts back at the hotel. BUMMER!
I did have a quick look in a big department store though.
On the sixth floor was thosands and thousands of Manga! Also on this floor was tower records, a cd shop. I bought a cosplay magazine and a manga called "cat shit one" with little commando animals on the cover. I wont be able to read this but I just couldn't leave it in the shop, not with a cover like that!
I also bought some JReggae and an anthems cd from tower records.
I then hopped back on the subway and headed back to Ginza.
The subway exited straight into a busy department store and eventually when I found my way out I was right on the main drag of Ginza.
This place also has all the big name shops in it, right on this street. I saw the apple store as soon as i exited the department store, another louis vitton and a Swarovksi store.
I want inside Ito-ya a multi-story stationary store and bought a few things. However, when i came out of the store the entire street had been closed off to traffic and tables and chairs where being set up in the middle of the road.
I headed back down the street, making my way to Shimbashi station and found the Toy Park. 6 floors of beeping, singing, barking, purring, laughing and music toys. The first floor was crazy! so much happy noise! and Halloween! "this is halloween, halloween, halloween".
I put some coins into this bizzare machine that photographed my face then made a little plastic copy of it. You then pick a body from the selection and take your face up to the counter and tell them the number and they stick your little face onto the little body you selected! I chose a pink panda. So strange and so cool!
The second floor had soft toys, disney merch and ghibli toys. I bought a cat bus! (I know...... I'm going to the ghibli museum monday why buy stuff now? well peeps this frees up more money to spend at the museum.) I got some tokens when i paid for my stuff which I assume was for the games part on the top level, but I never went all the way up. Too many toys!
I got some alice in wonderland stuff and a present for my bro and some halloween stuff. I LOVE HALLOWEEN!!!
I had some strange, but delicious, burger with potato salad in it for lunch. Then headed back to the hotel for an early day.
They are setting some things up on the street around my hotel, which i assume has something to do with the autumn festivaties, but cannot find any info on this.
Tomorrow is harajuku part 2!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Nihon - Day 4
Roppogi Hills
Before I start the day I just have to add that I am loving my thredless t-shirts!
Spent a long time getting ready to go out today, but finally at 10.45am I'm off to Roppongi Hills.
The complex itself, made of several buildings, is far more confusing than the subways.
I walked around for ages and stumbled across a giant rose, near a lookout over Tokyo, stunning.
I was trying to find the Spider on the map out in the garden when I suddenly noticed he was right there! Hovering above me! How could i have missed him. I am stoked that I found him though, or should that be she... looks like she is carring some eggs way up there.
I wondered into another building and found the Mori Art Museum. Great this was on my list to see. There was some amazing pieces in there, each room had a different one.
There was one room that had a paper mache over head, covering the whole room so you had to duck in places to get through the room. There were a few holes in it and people were poking their heads through, so i thought i'd give that a go, and wow! Through the holes was a winter wonderland with white trees.
Another room held a huge perspect tank with millions of dandilion looking bits being blown around like a soft wave, I would imagine this was signifying snow. It was beautiful.
Then my favorite piece was the water pond. It was white and round and there were water bottles suspended on the ceiling. Every few minutes all the water bottles would let out a single drop on water, into the pond. Simple, elegant, stunning!
After the art museum I headed to the City Sky View and wow is Tokyo big! You walk around the sky view to see every side of Tokyo.
Then I headed off to find some lunch and you will never guess. I ended up at a German bar and grill, haha, with a German beer. Well i thought it was funny anyway.
After lunch i did a bit more shopping, sent my postcard off and headed down to the garden attached to the centre. Many people in this complex speak rather good english. I found my prizes for the colouring in contest I am running at work back home.
Headed home around 4.30pm, stopping by a grocery store on the way to pick up some fruit (oh how i have missed fruit) and something for dinner.
Before I start the day I just have to add that I am loving my thredless t-shirts!
Spent a long time getting ready to go out today, but finally at 10.45am I'm off to Roppongi Hills.
The complex itself, made of several buildings, is far more confusing than the subways.
I walked around for ages and stumbled across a giant rose, near a lookout over Tokyo, stunning.
I was trying to find the Spider on the map out in the garden when I suddenly noticed he was right there! Hovering above me! How could i have missed him. I am stoked that I found him though, or should that be she... looks like she is carring some eggs way up there.
I wondered into another building and found the Mori Art Museum. Great this was on my list to see. There was some amazing pieces in there, each room had a different one.
There was one room that had a paper mache over head, covering the whole room so you had to duck in places to get through the room. There were a few holes in it and people were poking their heads through, so i thought i'd give that a go, and wow! Through the holes was a winter wonderland with white trees.
Another room held a huge perspect tank with millions of dandilion looking bits being blown around like a soft wave, I would imagine this was signifying snow. It was beautiful.
Then my favorite piece was the water pond. It was white and round and there were water bottles suspended on the ceiling. Every few minutes all the water bottles would let out a single drop on water, into the pond. Simple, elegant, stunning!
After the art museum I headed to the City Sky View and wow is Tokyo big! You walk around the sky view to see every side of Tokyo.
Then I headed off to find some lunch and you will never guess. I ended up at a German bar and grill, haha, with a German beer. Well i thought it was funny anyway.
After lunch i did a bit more shopping, sent my postcard off and headed down to the garden attached to the centre. Many people in this complex speak rather good english. I found my prizes for the colouring in contest I am running at work back home.
Headed home around 4.30pm, stopping by a grocery store on the way to pick up some fruit (oh how i have missed fruit) and something for dinner.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Nihon - Day 3
Harajuku (part 1)
Today it is raining!
the weather report says it should be all day and gives a typhoon warning for Okinowa.
I decided to scope out Harajuku today, see what its like before heading there on sunday for people watching. Despite the fact that this is my first time on the train system on my own, transfering between two different train company lines, it turns out its not that difficult!
I had a little issue finding the english button on the JR ticket machine, but some random (very helpful) buisness man stopped and helped me out. He even wrote my stop down in english and asked the man at the gate what number stop I was to catch the train at. Super helpful!
People are so quiet on the train, and i noticed the no phones sign. People back home would probably just ignore this. The trains are also so clean, as are the train stations. If fact while I waited for my train a cleaner scrapped up something that was stuck to the floor, then wipped the area clean again, Amazing!
Harajuku was great!
Although I was a little dissappointed Kiddy Land has now closed, I was relieved to find out from the girl at the information booth that it would have a reopening tomorrow! Even managed to score an invite to the opening...... not that i will be going, could you imagine all those kids!
I had a look in the 100 Yen shop and the tamagochi shop, where you can connect your tamaggochi to a machine and ....... well i don't know what it does exactley, but I hear this is simular to the pokemon shop too.
I saw the louise vitton, channel, issey myaki, and other big name shops. Had a good look in this gorgeous gothic lolita shop called Kithards. There was so much stuff I could have filled my wardrobe with had money been no object.
Stumbelled across Togo-Jinja, which has a beautiful moat around a ornate pagoda, like something in the final scenes of a romanitc japanese movie. I was a little lost at this point but found my way back to a place i knew, past a gorgeous chocolate shop that was painted like dripping chocolate.
I bought a few things here. I got myself a cool purple skull mug (plastic), a headband with a cool mini-hat and skull detail on it. Some miniture things, A laughing puimkin man (its halloween time in Harajuku!), a little cat thing from a gumball machine, lollilies for the kiddies back home and some things for my sister.
I don't think however that I will ever walk again! My feet are covered in blisters from these new bloody shoes, that I thought i had broken in but obviously not. If I could have done the day over I would have worn the same shoes i had been wearing the last few days again.
New shoes = Bad Idea!
The train trip back is even easier as I now know where I am going. I did miss my connecting train but in next to no time another one came, so no loss there, no wonder there are no seats in the subway, you would have to get up pretty much as soon as you had sat down.
I stocked up on food at family mart on the way back to the hotel, not intending to leave my room again today.
So now I sit in my room watching kids shows eating dinner, and drinking a beer from the vending machine in the hall, wondering what i will do tomorrow (if anything with all these blisters)
Today it is raining!
the weather report says it should be all day and gives a typhoon warning for Okinowa.
I decided to scope out Harajuku today, see what its like before heading there on sunday for people watching. Despite the fact that this is my first time on the train system on my own, transfering between two different train company lines, it turns out its not that difficult!
I had a little issue finding the english button on the JR ticket machine, but some random (very helpful) buisness man stopped and helped me out. He even wrote my stop down in english and asked the man at the gate what number stop I was to catch the train at. Super helpful!
People are so quiet on the train, and i noticed the no phones sign. People back home would probably just ignore this. The trains are also so clean, as are the train stations. If fact while I waited for my train a cleaner scrapped up something that was stuck to the floor, then wipped the area clean again, Amazing!
Harajuku was great!
Although I was a little dissappointed Kiddy Land has now closed, I was relieved to find out from the girl at the information booth that it would have a reopening tomorrow! Even managed to score an invite to the opening...... not that i will be going, could you imagine all those kids!
I had a look in the 100 Yen shop and the tamagochi shop, where you can connect your tamaggochi to a machine and ....... well i don't know what it does exactley, but I hear this is simular to the pokemon shop too.
I saw the louise vitton, channel, issey myaki, and other big name shops. Had a good look in this gorgeous gothic lolita shop called Kithards. There was so much stuff I could have filled my wardrobe with had money been no object.
Stumbelled across Togo-Jinja, which has a beautiful moat around a ornate pagoda, like something in the final scenes of a romanitc japanese movie. I was a little lost at this point but found my way back to a place i knew, past a gorgeous chocolate shop that was painted like dripping chocolate.
I bought a few things here. I got myself a cool purple skull mug (plastic), a headband with a cool mini-hat and skull detail on it. Some miniture things, A laughing puimkin man (its halloween time in Harajuku!), a little cat thing from a gumball machine, lollilies for the kiddies back home and some things for my sister.
I don't think however that I will ever walk again! My feet are covered in blisters from these new bloody shoes, that I thought i had broken in but obviously not. If I could have done the day over I would have worn the same shoes i had been wearing the last few days again.
New shoes = Bad Idea!
The train trip back is even easier as I now know where I am going. I did miss my connecting train but in next to no time another one came, so no loss there, no wonder there are no seats in the subway, you would have to get up pretty much as soon as you had sat down.
I stocked up on food at family mart on the way back to the hotel, not intending to leave my room again today.
So now I sit in my room watching kids shows eating dinner, and drinking a beer from the vending machine in the hall, wondering what i will do tomorrow (if anything with all these blisters)
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Nihon - Day Two
Day Two - the meeting
Today I started the say on the internet and I had a message from The Melbournite. He and The other Melbournite would meet me at the hotel after they checked out at 11pm
Excellent!
I went for a short walk around the neighbourhood, not really very far just down the street and around the corner. I walked past the police station, 2 post offices at least 4 convienence stores and goodness knows how many vending machines. (FYI smokes are cheap here)
You may get lost in Tokyo but you will never go thirsty!
11.30 I was waiting in the reception area from The Melbournites when it struck me that this was rather an odd way of meeting people who are friends of a friend (in a different country).
Around 11.45am they walked through the reception door, they were not hard to spot and I seriouskly doubt i was either (look for the westerners!). They seem pretty cool. We ditched their bags in my room and headed out.
We walked around the area and ended up walking through the Zojoji Temple, behind my hotel and saw the thousands of Jizo statues (Children of the temple statues).
We walked for a long time and talked and it was good to have some people around. They showed me how to work the subway and all about the adjustment machine (new best friend). Where you can buy the lowest ticket and just put it in the adjustment machine at the other end to pay the correct money. This is PRICELESS knowledge!
We then grabbed something to eat at the Family Mart and headed back to Shiba Park, opposite the Zojoji Temple, to eat and chat some more.
We then headed back to the coffee shop at my hotel for a quick drink. i got to use some of my basic japanese and ordered a "nihon-cha" Japanese tea or green tea.
We then went back to my room where they got changed and sorted their bags and then had to go to the airport.
I spent the rest of the night in my room watching japanese TV, very interesting, and had a fairly early night.
The weather channel warns of a Typhoon in Okinowa so it should rain the better part of the week.
I had planned to check out the Tokyo Tower tomorrow but maybe instead i will head to harajuku on the subway.
Today I started the say on the internet and I had a message from The Melbournite. He and The other Melbournite would meet me at the hotel after they checked out at 11pm
Excellent!
I went for a short walk around the neighbourhood, not really very far just down the street and around the corner. I walked past the police station, 2 post offices at least 4 convienence stores and goodness knows how many vending machines. (FYI smokes are cheap here)
You may get lost in Tokyo but you will never go thirsty!
11.30 I was waiting in the reception area from The Melbournites when it struck me that this was rather an odd way of meeting people who are friends of a friend (in a different country).
Around 11.45am they walked through the reception door, they were not hard to spot and I seriouskly doubt i was either (look for the westerners!). They seem pretty cool. We ditched their bags in my room and headed out.
We walked around the area and ended up walking through the Zojoji Temple, behind my hotel and saw the thousands of Jizo statues (Children of the temple statues).
We walked for a long time and talked and it was good to have some people around. They showed me how to work the subway and all about the adjustment machine (new best friend). Where you can buy the lowest ticket and just put it in the adjustment machine at the other end to pay the correct money. This is PRICELESS knowledge!
We then grabbed something to eat at the Family Mart and headed back to Shiba Park, opposite the Zojoji Temple, to eat and chat some more.
We then headed back to the coffee shop at my hotel for a quick drink. i got to use some of my basic japanese and ordered a "nihon-cha" Japanese tea or green tea.
We then went back to my room where they got changed and sorted their bags and then had to go to the airport.
I spent the rest of the night in my room watching japanese TV, very interesting, and had a fairly early night.
The weather channel warns of a Typhoon in Okinowa so it should rain the better part of the week.
I had planned to check out the Tokyo Tower tomorrow but maybe instead i will head to harajuku on the subway.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Nihon - Day One
Day One: Getting There
Headed to the airport around 10.45am, for 2 hour check in.
After checking in and getting my boarding pass we sat at the cafe and ate a bit of early lunch.
I had a ham and cheese crossoint.
After a quick goodbye I went through the door and headed to customs.
After finally bording we waited close to an hour before we could take off as the airconditioning had to be repaired. The in-flight movie was Iron Man 2, which i found funny as we had just watched the first one a few days earlier on free-to-air TV.
3.20pm = EXTREMELY BORED, and getting a little nauseas.
7.5 hours on a plane is obviously too much for me to fly, starting to feel every move the plane makes.
At Narita Airport we board a shuttle to get to the main building, squeezing in to get on the first shuttle.
Then we all line up at immigration with our passports and boarding passes. I am then directed by a man at the front of the line, which desk to approach. I hand over my passport, press my fingers to the pads and look at the camera. I am then allowed to go through to the next lot of desks. The man askes me a few questions, (yes ok, I get it I pack light!) then directs me through the glass doors. From here you have to find the esculators and head down to the arrivals. Thank goodness my airport transfer is standing right at the front and is easily found (best $300 i ever spent).
From here he leads me to the parking lot and I wait in a loading zone while he collects the car then brings it round to pick me up. Its a 60-70 minute drive he tells me. He was really nice, evem offered me his mobile to call my friends here to let them know I'm here.
At the hotel I check in at the desk and head to my room in the annex building. I get a call to my room a few minutes later saying that he forgot to get my credit card at sign in. I go down to give it to him. there is some sort of problem and he askes me if there is another card, I say there is not and start to panic ( i am already so home sick and want to go home at this stage). A realtivly long phone call later and the problem seems to be fixed.
i head back to my room and wonder what to do at 10.30pm local time. I still haven't eaten but am not feeling hungry either. I decide to try to sleep.
After some very disrupted sleep I wake for day 2!
Headed to the airport around 10.45am, for 2 hour check in.
After checking in and getting my boarding pass we sat at the cafe and ate a bit of early lunch.
I had a ham and cheese crossoint.
After a quick goodbye I went through the door and headed to customs.
After finally bording we waited close to an hour before we could take off as the airconditioning had to be repaired. The in-flight movie was Iron Man 2, which i found funny as we had just watched the first one a few days earlier on free-to-air TV.
3.20pm = EXTREMELY BORED, and getting a little nauseas.
7.5 hours on a plane is obviously too much for me to fly, starting to feel every move the plane makes.
At Narita Airport we board a shuttle to get to the main building, squeezing in to get on the first shuttle.
Then we all line up at immigration with our passports and boarding passes. I am then directed by a man at the front of the line, which desk to approach. I hand over my passport, press my fingers to the pads and look at the camera. I am then allowed to go through to the next lot of desks. The man askes me a few questions, (yes ok, I get it I pack light!) then directs me through the glass doors. From here you have to find the esculators and head down to the arrivals. Thank goodness my airport transfer is standing right at the front and is easily found (best $300 i ever spent).
From here he leads me to the parking lot and I wait in a loading zone while he collects the car then brings it round to pick me up. Its a 60-70 minute drive he tells me. He was really nice, evem offered me his mobile to call my friends here to let them know I'm here.
At the hotel I check in at the desk and head to my room in the annex building. I get a call to my room a few minutes later saying that he forgot to get my credit card at sign in. I go down to give it to him. there is some sort of problem and he askes me if there is another card, I say there is not and start to panic ( i am already so home sick and want to go home at this stage). A realtivly long phone call later and the problem seems to be fixed.
i head back to my room and wonder what to do at 10.30pm local time. I still haven't eaten but am not feeling hungry either. I decide to try to sleep.
After some very disrupted sleep I wake for day 2!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Shopping Post!
So happy today!
Qunitessential gothic item arrived today!
Beautiful black lace parasol
So happy with it!
Friday, January 1, 2010
New Years!
Soooo, this year we thought we might get away from it all for new years. I booked a cabin at PK's in Cape Tribulation far away from the city and the taxi cues and the upperty attitudes of the drunkards that hang out there.
A few hiccups at first, we left far later than we had intended then on arrival we discovered that they had us down as arriving tomorrow!! Without anything further from us the girl on reception changed it all and handed over the key to our room. 
It was very basic lodgings with a double bed and an ensuite, no fridge, no cupboards but at least it had an airconditioner.
We dropped our belongings in one corner and headed for the pool.
For dinner we went to the attached "resturant" and both got the chicken parmasians.
It rained most of the night and well into the morning.
The next day we hired a bike after brunch and headed to the beach, it rained a little the whole time but by the time we got to the end of the beach the wind had really picked up and it was bucketing down. So in the pouring rain we rode back to our cabin. When the rain stopped we headed off again on the bikes, this time along the roads to the creek.
We started our night out the front of our cabin with jaggerbombs. The couple in the room next to ours had the same idea and were quietly talking while drinking. Paul took them over a jaggerbomb each they in turn offered us some banana cocktail they were making.
Ten minutes to 12.00 we all headed over to the bar for the count down. We wished each other a happy new year, paul gave me my new years kiss then we headed to the bar to get a drink.
We mingled with the other patrons and had a few laughs.
This chick come and sat next to us and was talking to one of the other guys who was already sitting with us and she told him she would let him cut her hair, so he did! Using the smallest scissors he hacked away at her ponytail and eventually got through.
At around 3am the bar would close, we headed back to our cabin just before. Although we were invited to the beach party by several people, it had started to rain rather heavily again and we thought better of it.
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