TravelStream™ news feed for member amnezia on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/amnezia en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Tue, 13 May 2008 23:44:06 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/amnezia/1/1209958800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/amnezia/1/1209958800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/amnezia/1/1209958800/tpod.html Tue, 13 May 2008 23:44:06 -0400 Asia Holiday 2008 - Planning can 'bite' big time

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Beijing, China

Visited the Great Wall today and it is truly all its cracked up to be. It F@##$%$%^ Enormous!. Visited some touristy shops on the way and in the afternoon visited the Mausoleum - The tomb of Emperor Ding Ling.
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Beijing, China

We visited the Summer Place but it rained steadily all day so we missed a lot of it grandeur. Changed the itinerary and did some shopping instead at a market called Yashow. Be prepared to haggle. Prices can start at a whopping 500% of finished haggle price.
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Beijing, China

Today Yafan took us on a cultural journey through Beijing. In order to avoid the massive crowds he suggested we leave early for the Temple of Heaven which was quite beautiful. Whether it was smog or not we tended to think of it as an early mist to give ambience to our visit. Yafan was clearly a history buff which was great because he gave meaning and told stories for a lot of what we visited.

China is a place of walls. All emperors were constantly concerned for their safety and built fortresses to protect their dynasties. Shquare or rectangular walls represented the earth and round walls the heavens.

Also blue roofs were only allowed to be used for heavenly places, yellow for emperor buildings, green was also often used for places or workship and the common people were to stick with grey.

The highest point to call to the heavens is the circular stone. It is commonly believed that if you stand on the stone you can talk to god and he will hear you. Jenny this one was for you and Abby.

We then went on to visit the forbidden city. The magnitude of this place can blow your mind and you could easily get lost here for days.

We also visited Tienamen square with 100,000's of others apparently. It can in fact fit 1 million people in it with two people standing on each stone paver.
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Beijing, China

Day 1 in China. We ran into our first hiccup on leaving the airport. We have picked the National 4 day Long weekend to arrive in Beijing when all of China also decides to come and visit it's captial.
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Kyoto, Japan

Today we visited the Kiomizu Dera Temple which takes you through the Gion area (Famous for its Geisha Houses). Here there is a shrine famous for providing assistance with your wishes particularly in the area of "love"! We then went on to the beautiful Golden Pagoda where Darren spotted a crane (symbol for Longevity - age not height) before catching a train back to Shinagawa in Tokyo.

Some lovely photos from today - Enjoy
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Hiroshima, Japan

Today we took a training in the morning down to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome. This was quite an overwhelming experience to say the least but amazingingly peaceful now.

Later we trained it back to Osaka to visit the Aquarium before catching another train to Kyoto for our tradtional Ryokan experience.
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Osaka Japan, Japan

Today we took the Shinkasen Fast train down to Osaka where we visited Universal Studios.
Check out the Photos
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Tokyo, Japan

Today we had our first real cultural experience of Japan with a trip to Asakusa and Shibuya. In Asakusa we visited Nakamise a quaint market with shops dating back to the Edo period. The market leads upto the Sensoji Shrine. And we along with most of Japan seemed to have made the trek today to pay our respects and hopefully attract some good fortune. We were lucky enough to attract excellent fortune as you can see and so tied it to the prayer post rather than burn it (as is the custome should you draw a message of bad fortune.

Next door to this is the Asakusajinja shrine, famous for the Sanji festival, one of Japans three most important festivals which we assumed these unique vessels are for. And as our excellent good fortune would predict our timing ewas perfectand we turned up in time to watch a traditionak wedding ceremony.

Here is another more private shrine we found on our way out. Not sure of the English translation, but I loved the flowering trees. (Yes Darren is getting quite over this but I made him snap a few shots anyway)

So now we decided to make our way to the other end of the spectrum when it comes to cultural experiences. Next stop Shibuya. Japan certainly has it's fair share of architecturally obscure buildings. Along the way this one caught our eye and is apparently a brewery company.

And Jonelle here is another. I seemed to recall you may recognise this one of your assignments for Uni.

Shibuya is madness people (young people) every where and cross walks that seem to go in every direction. Apparently famous for high class shopping and for fashion trend setting.
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Tokyo, Japan

Big day out today. First stop was Akihabra or "Electric City". Lots to see but quickly learned not many bargains to be had. But still a mecca for electronic gadgets. Then it was the monorail to Odaiba a waterfront resort full of shopping and entertainment. First stop was the Museum of Maritime Science (in a building shaped like an ocean liner). Then on board the Soya a retired Antartic Observation Vessel.

From their we wlked up past the Telecom Centre and the Museum of emerging science and innovation. We left our run a bit late and so couldn't get in toi see much but we were very taken with the revolving globe of screens showing the Earth in rotation. Also the architectural style of the building was quite amazing (Jonelle you will love these pics - note the Leaves suspended from the ceiling)

We then ventured over to the Toyota Motor show to see some of the latest and bizare, checked out the big ferris wheel and then ventured to a Shopping Mall called Venus Fort which literally transports you to another time and place with Prices to match, but well worth the visit and a great place for a meal with atmosphere.
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Tokyo, Japan, Japan

Today we visited every child's dream - Disneyland. Our day has only confirmed my view that we should all stay in touch with the child within. Tokyo Disneyland was SPECTACULAR. While it may have been a public holiday weekend and we were joined by so many locals - you could not fault the experience. The place was spotlessly clean and colourful and full of magic. From the moment you get out of the train you are blown away. From the Hotel attached with it's themed rooms to the grand entry through the world bazaar - we were immediately transported.

In Tomorrowland, We were part of a "honey I shrank the audience" 3D experience, we also took a Star Wars like tour in a raider to destroy the death star, helped take out Zorg with Buzz Lightyear's Astro blasters and our favourite was a rollercoaster dark ride called space mountain that had us launched through a nova and spiralling past stars. This was so good we returned to ride this one three times. Best of all they use a fast pass system that lets you book rides in advance and we were able to avoid long waiting lines.

Toontown was simply adorable. Caitlyn you would have loved this. We visited Goofy, Daisy and Mickey. Climbed Chip and Dale's treehouse (my own chipendale felt quite at home). We took Gadgets coaster out for a spin. Darren had a momentary lapse and considered going back to school ! Then thought better of it and decided to blow something up instead.

From Toon Town we then went on to Fantasyland where we went on a ghostly adventure through a haunted house. This was a high tech Ghost ride complete with 3D hologram ghosts that even went on the ride with us. On the lighter side we also went on an amazing adventure with Winnie the Pooh and all his friends to find his Hunny Pot. This was a trackless ride that was amazingly choreographed. I still can't figure out how they did it.

In Critter Country we went down splash mountain which was an adventure with Brer Rabbit and his companions through caverns and eventually down a waterfall. Yes we got wet and purchased a great photo of my open gob!!

In Westernland we took a ride on Mark Twains Riverboat past wild life, Indian Reervations, Tom Sawyer's Island rafts and what Looked a little like F Troops fort. We also took another rollercoaster ride on Thunder mountain through some old mines.

In adventureland we climbed the Swiss Family treehouse, took a jungle cruise past some hippos and elephants and then joined Captain Jack Sparrow and his pirates of the carribean on the black Pearl. Here we found ourselves in the middle of a battle complete with explosions.

The other spectacular part of the day was a very colourful Disney Parade (I took thousands of photos of this - here is a select few) And of course a visit to the Disney Castle. Plenty of places to part with your cash with food and souvenir shops everywhere. We splurged on a Micky giant sandwich (right up your alley Bryce).

11 hours of non stop fun - and a very exhausted couple by the time we got back !
Stay tuned...........
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