Every good story needs a montage. It's the bit where you fast-forward to here, from there. Here is currently Otaru, Hokkaido. And it involves a great deal of luxury. But lets not get ahead of ourselves.
We flew JAL for this trip. The flight was nice and wholly uneventful. Air Canada did several things better, however. For starters, we travel light. One carry-on each. Air Canada lets you check in via the website and print your own boarding pass from home. Brilliant.
Secondly, Air Canada has movies on demand. Trust me, it's better.
Thirdly (and admittedly this is Tokyo's fault) immigration came before baggage. In Osaka, we jumped queue by not waiting at the baggage. Essentially we walked off the plane, right past the baggage turns, and straight up to two very confused immigration and customs officials. Not so in Tokyo. We got to stand in line again.
On a positive note, nobody moves a line more efficiently than the japanese. And an extra bonus: neither Jenn nor I were accosted by stern looking customs agents with white plastic gloves.
Our first two nights were booked at the Hotel Sky Court. The hotel was pretty nice - spacious for a Japanese semi-double and a very reasonable price. It just happened to be in the red light district. We were a little uncertain of the directions, but a very nice pimp gave us two umbrellas and confirmed the directions, and we reached the hotel without incident.
The next day we visited Kamakura, an hour south of Tokyo. The train ride was pleasant, the weather cloudy but dry. We explored the town with a great deal of inefficiency and photography. Viewed several temples, shrines, shops, and the second largest (second best?) Buddha in Japan. In fact, second-best sums Kamakura up rather well.
On the way back to the hotel, zagged and zigged and stopped in at Anato No Warehouse; a five story arcade building built to resemble a run-down Chinatown neighbourhood. The walls were brick, the floors concrete, the vending machines rusted. Everything had a dingy, dirty appeal to it. Except the ladies bathrooms, which were done in high Parisian style apparently. That's understanding your demographics. The first floor was the entry, floors 2-3 were arcade and prize games, interspersed with darts and pool tables. We snapped pictures like crazy gaijin until on the fourth floor one of the staff finally had the nerve to tell us pictures weren't allowed.
At the top was an internet cafe. We tried to use the internet, but apparently we needed a card. We asked for a card, and were told we needed a card. Evidently, something was lost in translation. That something was our internet, we returned to the hotel in defeat.
Which brings us to today, when we woke early and boarded another train, took another plane, to yet another train. And thus we reached the Dormy Inn.
Okay, silly name. But the hotel is literally 100 feet from the JR rail station. The room is excellent (and has complimentary internet), but it is the baths that seal the deal.
The men's bath had three indoor pools (ranging from ice cold to lobster bisque), a sauna, and two outdoor baths. Nothing beats soaking in scalding water when the ambient temperature is -12 degrees Celsius. And after all the walking and traveling we've done the past few days, it was nice to scurry into the hot baths to soak for a few hours.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
One good trip deserves another
In less than two weeks we depart (again) for the land of the rising sun.
Our vacation was cast into doubt when Japan airlines announced over Christmas that it had almost run out of money. It had money, it said; but the money seemed to be gone. They were rather embarassed.
Fortunately for us, the Japanese government has stepped in to guarantee loans and keep JAL flying. So for now it seems that the airline will have enough money to continue until we get over there.
They might even have enough to get us home.
Our vacation was cast into doubt when Japan airlines announced over Christmas that it had almost run out of money. It had money, it said; but the money seemed to be gone. They were rather embarassed.
Fortunately for us, the Japanese government has stepped in to guarantee loans and keep JAL flying. So for now it seems that the airline will have enough money to continue until we get over there.
They might even have enough to get us home.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Empire State Building
I didn't think I'd be terribly impressed by the Empire State Building, but the experience ended up being thought-provoking for a number of reasons.
First, it was our first real taste of the security measures many of the major US attractions now have. I was kind of amazed at the process we had to go through - line ups, x-ray scans of all belongings, metal detectors, etc. I spent the whole trip expecting to be stopped because I had a metal water bottle in my purse/coat all the time, but no one ever even blinked at it. I guess I'm lucky that I don't 'look like a terrorist' (whatever that means).
Secondly, the style of architecture also really resonated with me. I think it's the Art Deco style and for some reason it just gives me a moment of pause. Seeing such a large building in real life done in that style was impressive.
Third of all, we unexpectedly got to have a 'behind the scenes' peek at what goes on with all the security. After seeing the view from the observation platform and heading back down, Kim had a moment of panic when she thought she had dropped her camera somewhere (inside the building). So we went to the nearest uniformed person to tell him what happened and he immediately began escorting us around the building, checking with the various places that it might have ended up. Everyone was very polite about it and it was kind of neat getting to stand in the hallway outside the main security office. In the end, Kim found her camera in her purse afterall.
Lastly, we got a bunch of neat tidbits of information about the building process when we went on the Circle Line Tour. The Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building were a kind of architectural pissing contest. The Chrysler building thought they had won it when the Empire State building pulled out all the extra building parts they had been storing inside the empty building to add on the final crucial stories to make it the tallest building in the city. They were both built by car manufacturing magnates. Oh how times have changed! I think the last thing car manufacturers are thinking of right now is erecting ostentatious buildings.
First, it was our first real taste of the security measures many of the major US attractions now have. I was kind of amazed at the process we had to go through - line ups, x-ray scans of all belongings, metal detectors, etc. I spent the whole trip expecting to be stopped because I had a metal water bottle in my purse/coat all the time, but no one ever even blinked at it. I guess I'm lucky that I don't 'look like a terrorist' (whatever that means).
Secondly, the style of architecture also really resonated with me. I think it's the Art Deco style and for some reason it just gives me a moment of pause. Seeing such a large building in real life done in that style was impressive.
Third of all, we unexpectedly got to have a 'behind the scenes' peek at what goes on with all the security. After seeing the view from the observation platform and heading back down, Kim had a moment of panic when she thought she had dropped her camera somewhere (inside the building). So we went to the nearest uniformed person to tell him what happened and he immediately began escorting us around the building, checking with the various places that it might have ended up. Everyone was very polite about it and it was kind of neat getting to stand in the hallway outside the main security office. In the end, Kim found her camera in her purse afterall.
Lastly, we got a bunch of neat tidbits of information about the building process when we went on the Circle Line Tour. The Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building were a kind of architectural pissing contest. The Chrysler building thought they had won it when the Empire State building pulled out all the extra building parts they had been storing inside the empty building to add on the final crucial stories to make it the tallest building in the city. They were both built by car manufacturing magnates. Oh how times have changed! I think the last thing car manufacturers are thinking of right now is erecting ostentatious buildings.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
First Day of New York
The first day we arrived in New York, we decided to take it easy. We were going to be meeting Barbara's friend Jane at 4 in our hotel for dinner, but had no other fixed plans for the day. Our first order of business was finding some food for breakfast . . .
This place had some great bagels that were very large and tasty. So large that we couldn't finish them for breakfast so they came with us and served as some snacks throughout the day as well.
I wanted to go to a large electronics store that I had heard of to buy myself a small digital camcorder. It took a while for me to pick one and I'm pretty happy with my choice. Unfortunately, it looks like I lost the software CD somewhere along the way. So until/unless I order another one, I'll have to transfer files directly off the memory card with a card reader.
Then we headed to the Empire State Building. It has a New York Skyride attraction that takes you through a virtual tour of the city (the cheesy narration is provided by Kevin Bacon). Then up to the observation platform on the 86th floor.
That evening we walked around Greenwich Village and had dinner at a very nice Italian restaurant. It was really fun hearing about the city from someone who lives there.
This place had some great bagels that were very large and tasty. So large that we couldn't finish them for breakfast so they came with us and served as some snacks throughout the day as well.
I wanted to go to a large electronics store that I had heard of to buy myself a small digital camcorder. It took a while for me to pick one and I'm pretty happy with my choice. Unfortunately, it looks like I lost the software CD somewhere along the way. So until/unless I order another one, I'll have to transfer files directly off the memory card with a card reader.
Then we headed to the Empire State Building. It has a New York Skyride attraction that takes you through a virtual tour of the city (the cheesy narration is provided by Kevin Bacon). Then up to the observation platform on the 86th floor.
That evening we walked around Greenwich Village and had dinner at a very nice Italian restaurant. It was really fun hearing about the city from someone who lives there.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Finally! A Post from NYC
Ok, I gotta be quick because I only get 10 minutes and then my session ends. I don't want to stand in the line up again.
So, things have been fabulous so far. We've done pretty much everything we set out to do.
So, things have been fabulous so far. We've done pretty much everything we set out to do.
- Broadway
- Circle Line
- Statue of Liberty
- Central Park
- American Museum of Natural History
- M&M World
- Madame Tussaudes
- Some shopping too
The Hotel is fabulous! We've either been out or too tired to hit up the free wine and cheese in the evenings, but they did have a free Merlot in the room when we checked in, which I've been greatly enjoying. The room is fairly quiet and very centrally located. The subways are great, but some of the stations are a bit smelly.
Ok, apparently typing registers as idle for the computer, so I may end the post sooner than I thought I would . . .
The weather has also been quite agreeable. One day of a bit of rain and today we got a bit of snow. But, now the sun is shining again and it's just nice and crisp.
We've yet to spot any celebrities in the city, but I'm not sure if I'd recognize them if I did see them in the street - too busy watching everything else. Oh, and this city is definitely a bad influence on jay-walking! Though I feel safer jay-walking with a crowd of New Yorkers than I do crossing legally at some intersections back home. Well, time to wrap it up. Still need to look up some actual info.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
On Packing Lists
When preparing for this trip, I was trying out a bunch of online travel organization sites. Largely, none of them really had me coming back again and again.* I didn't want to super-organize the trip, I wanted flexibility for weather and how we felt each day, so the itinerary planning sites didn't work too well for me. I enjoyed checking out the suggestions and such, but they just didn't click with my travel personality.
However, for those who enjoy packing lists, I do want to recommend "don't forget your toothbrush." Basically, you get to create a personalized packing list. They provide you with a list of things that you choose to add to your trip list. Then they email you with your list of things for 2 weeks before, one week before, one day before, and the night before. Very handy for list type people like me. I do have one small criticism about the site. Under the "day before" category they list the item "Tell your wife/husband you are going away." I sure as heck hope that when people travel without their spouse, they have the sense to tell them further in advance than the night before!
However, for those who enjoy packing lists, I do want to recommend "don't forget your toothbrush." Basically, you get to create a personalized packing list. They provide you with a list of things that you choose to add to your trip list. Then they email you with your list of things for 2 weeks before, one week before, one day before, and the night before. Very handy for list type people like me. I do have one small criticism about the site. Under the "day before" category they list the item "Tell your wife/husband you are going away." I sure as heck hope that when people travel without their spouse, they have the sense to tell them further in advance than the night before!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Bound for the Big Apple
The girls' week away in New York City is almost upon us. I know they have computers in New York, so I'll try to pop in with a few updates on our time there. I'm also going to update the sidebar with the correct flight information for anyone who wants to check on things like that. Still have loads to do before we go (I haven't even started thinking about which clothes I'll pack) and I know this next week will pass by in a flash.
EDIT: The current flight numbers are now correct thanks to the heroic efforts of my husband! We will be departing Sunday the 15th and returning Sunday the 22nd.
EDIT: The current flight numbers are now correct thanks to the heroic efforts of my husband! We will be departing Sunday the 15th and returning Sunday the 22nd.
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