TravelStream™ news feed for member s_and_d on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/s_and_d en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:48:41 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1207749600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1207749600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1207749600/tpod.html Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:48:41 -0400 Japan!

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Yokohama, Japan

A brighter, unwet day!
Dee feeling a bit better (although tired as peanut on a nightly rave ritual) and Si woke with a sore head (erm wonder why!)
Decided that it was a good day to visit Yokohama (also JR Rail passes run out today).
Got the train to Yokohama and had a really good walk around, it's a lovely city which we both enjoyed. Not too built up and not too big to get around. Walked through Chinatown down to the bay/dock which was lovely. Stopped for a bit of lunch (all that sea air!) and then found our way to the largest building in Japan although decided it wasn't worth the fiver to travel in a fast glass elevator (especially after lunch!)
Dee loves the fact that the shopping plaza next door has a Tiffany's and a ladies Wednesday - especially when it meant she got an extra scoop of ice cream at the parlour!!
Both really enjoyed the day (thank god it didn't rain today).
Forecast rain for tomorrow so going to the zoo and getting ready for Friday as it's home time to fly home (boo)...






















































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Osaka, Japan

Another day in Osaka. Today we took the wrong train to Nara! It sorted itself out though and we ended up seeing the biggest wooden budda in the world! Amazing. Bit rainy and sunny at same time but otherwise ok.
Dee quite tired today as Peanut kept her up most of the night kicking and punching - a growth spurt we think (with the belly to show!)
Caught the train back to Osaka and ate some strange looking meal which turned out to be a variation of okinomiyake but baked - basically an omelette with bisto gravy - yum!
Catching up on some washing in hotel room whilst deciding whether or not to spend another night in Osaka so we can have more time seeing Kyoto.
Both really looking forward to spending a few days in a traditional japanese ryoken next week where we have a room with a view - of Mount Fuji!!
Can't believe we are at the end of our second week - don't want it to end at all...
Us 3 x


























]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1206520260/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1206520260/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1206520260/tpod.html Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:35:47 -0400 Japan!

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Osaka, Japan

Konnichiwa!
Travelled by Shinkansen to Osaka this morning and then went to the Umeda Sky building - amazing views of the city!! Glass lift going up was a bit scary for Dee!
Weather was a bit grey so decided to go to the aquarium which housed a huge tank and some wonderful aqua animals - dolphins etc. Also saw what claims to be the biggest feris wheel in the world.
Dee craved pizza so pizza it was at all cost - pizza hut rules in all countries!(American's taking over the world again)
Planning on going to Himeji Castle tomorrow so currently resting and watching some strange Japanese type programme somewhere between "It's a knockout" and "World's strongest man" - Sukesi
At another Toyoko Inn Hotel bit out of the way but it was the last place we could get as Osaka appears to be VERY busy for some reason - perhaps to do with Cherry Blossom?
All well, bit tired today due to travelling and walking lots. Peanut's been kicking and punching a bit but good.
Days are merging into one but we're not complaining!
Us 3 x

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Aquarium...






]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1206372900/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1206372900/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1206372900/tpod.html Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:30:23 -0400 Japan!

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Hiroshima, Japan

Another day in Hiroshima. Today we got the train to Miyajima-guchi and then the ferry to miyajima island. The weather was great all day until we were leaving and it rained - good job we got there early!
The island is amazing - deers are everywhere and very tame - you just need to watch your food as they eat anything. We got a few good comedy moments on camera.
The shirne and the torri gate in the sea is awsome. Very tranquil which probably explains penaut's quietness today.
Decided to take the rope way to the top of the mountain - not such a great idea for Dee who has never travelled by cable car! Let's just say the view and the monkeys were worth it - better on the way down.
Apparently nobody is allowed to give birth or die on the island so good news there then re the cable car and a v good job peanut didn't decide to arrive 4 months early!
Off to Okonomi-mura village in a bit for tea for some more of those delicious pancakes - and perhaps a beer or two!
Up early as we are travelling to Osaka where we are staying for 5 nights. Daytrips inlcude Himeji and Kyoto as well as meeting up with one of Dee's parents old students who came to learn English and stayed at their house.
Seriously don't want our holiday to end...!
Us x
Photos now...





























































]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1206280800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1206280800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1206280800/tpod.html Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:27:47 -0400 Japan!

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Hiroshima, Japan

Got the shinkansen to Hiroshima (no sickness this time for Dee).
Found hotel and then went to the A-Bomb site and peace park. Rather gloomy thinking of event but weather was nice so took the edge off a bit.
Decided to take advice of Gary and find a place near station to eat the pancake food (at time of writing this Dee's memory is rather bad!) Either way food was amazing!! Dee now very happy (and peanut!)
Both going to have a rest this evening and an early night as up early tomorrow to see the Miryaji island (spelling probably wrong).
Back to work for you all tomorrow?! (Sorry)
Us x
ps - lots of photos to follow v. soon!

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]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1205778900/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1205778900/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1205778900/tpod.html Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:02:10 -0400 Japan!

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Tokyo, Japan

Well after a bit of a wait at Heathrow and an 11 hour flight we arrived safely in Tokyo Narita airport.



We managed to find our way on to the orange limousine bus (thanks Dan G for the tip), passing Tokyo Disney on the way straight to our hotel. We are a little bit out the main central Tokyo but our hotel is amazing. Both in desperate need of sleep especially Dee and peanut (who has been bouncing around like a mad baby!)
After settling down a bit we went out to see the local area - managed to go full circle but eventually found the way back to the hotel. It is now 10pm here in Tokyo and we are going to force ourselves to sleep or we'll be in trouble tomorrow!
Dee is very ashamed to say that she has already had a Big Mac meal!! It was a combination of too many local restaurants (with no English translation) and tiredness. She is very determined though to try local food tomorrow (with the help of a good translation book!). Si was good and got a chicken bento box which we originally thought was fish - he's happy.
Off to our second hotel tomorrow morning and to see more Tokyo sights. As we speak the internet room in the hotel looks at the Tokyo Tower - amazing!
We both hope you are enjoying whatever you are doing whilst reading this - for the BT people - are you missing Dee yet?
Bye for now,
Si, Dee & peanut x

PHOTOS FOLLOW
































]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1205848800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1205848800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1205848800/tpod.html Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:01:35 -0400 Japan!

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Tokyo, Japan

Woke up rather later than planned due to jetlag, found our way on the subway and to hotel, with the help of a very nice lady who took us all the way there (she has also offered to meet up with us and show us the cherry blossom when we are next inTokyo!)
Hotel is basic but nice, a good location. Found our way to the Imperial Gardens but managed to walk the very long way around rather than the shorter one (our legs hurt now) The gardens are amazing!
Found a starbucks (naughty but we needed a latte!)
Went to Akihabara to find a mobile and cheap laptop - no such luck! However we did find a great terriyaki bar where we were introduced to every part of a chicken we don't usually eat! Oh and for Si - Sake - which he loved.
Good day but rather tiring, especially for Dee and Peanut.
Photos follow!





























]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1205960400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1205960400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1205960400/tpod.html Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:01:13 -0400 Japan!

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Tokyo, Japan

Woke up rather earlier than yesterday although a lilttle tired still (Dee is awake at 2.30am for some reason and can't sleep).
We go the subway to the Meiji and Sensoji shrines - both different but beautiful!
Found it very hard to find an internet cafe so we are now thnking of buying a laptop - not cheap but got to be better than what is currently on or not on offer!
Off to Rapongi tonight to see what is there. Off to kagoshima tomorrow!
Photos follow!























































]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1206021600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1206021600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1206021600/tpod.html Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:00:47 -0400 Japan!

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Kagoshima, Japan

Woke up rather later than planned to a very blustery, cold and wet day in Tokyo-reminds us of somewhere else in the world!
Worked out the chain of hotels we are staying in is near us so checked that out - very good, and free internet access-yay! Dee is not getting along with the japanese keyboards so apologies for any typos!
Used the shuttle bus service to get to Haneda Airport for our flight. Flight so good, JAL are amazing! Arrived here about 8pm and found hotel ok (via a tram ride).
Hotel is so good we have decided to use these in every city.
Kagoshima is south so hot - 20c today!
Here for 2 nights, then our first bullet train experience - can't wait.
Both ok, Dee bit ratty (tiredness and hunger) but peanut ok. Si is good - so happy to be here.
National Holiday tomorrow (Fri) so just like in UK.
Bit early but Happy Easter! Enjoy your long weekend - we have lost what day we are on - fab!
Photos follow!
















]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1206104940/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1206104940/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/s_and_d/1/1206104940/tpod.html Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:00:23 -0400 Japan!

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Kagoshima, Japan

Woke up to a very sunny and hot day - Dee has burned!
Got tram, ferry and bus to Surakajima volcanoe island - amazing place. Si trying to work out how to put pics on web for you all.
Seems to be a Tiffany's in the most obscure places of Japan - local shopping centre houses one - bizarre!
Off to taste the nightlife later and then early night as travelling to Kumamoto by train tomorrow.
Peanut well, moving and kicking lots today, bless.
Hope you are all having good easter friday - weather like summer here!!
Photos follow!


























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