12/10/13 - the final day

Again in actually partially writing this from a toilet. In going to miss these things so much. My hostel or backpacker hotel has just normal toilets or squatters. I mean I'm not an animal! So I started my day with yet another sleep in, woke up at 9ish as opposed to 7 like I set my alarm for. I got to the showers and actually it was pretty new compared to everything else. But I skipped breakfast at the hostel because for 300¥ you get toast and a boiled egg. So I just went to family mart for some food. I think I hear a female in this toilet...the fuck? Anyways so I ate whatever it was, I think some butter thing and so I went to the shopping centred nearby. They all have free samples. I tried a $10 apple. I'm still not sure why it's $10 because to me it just tasted like a normal apple. I then went over to the other shopping centre after cursing the information board which had information in English but everything else in Japanese. So I walked around and saw a girl band called 9nine playing. High security and all that jazz and then the guys dancing along. Salarymen dancing! What. The. Fuck. On top of that, I saw a guy wearing a grey suit. They all wear black suits and white shirts. It's practically their own uniform.

Anyways so I'm taking my time here because it's almost 12 and I apparently need to try Mos Burger and I just found one here. And just so you know, the water pressure on the toilet I just used was either light and couldn't feel it, or water torture of the anus.

On my way to finding Osaka castle I noticed there were a lot of guys in the park surrounding the castle. They all had one thing in common, they were trading pictures of what seemed to be girls in just their...intimate clothing. They were all giggling and having a good time. I mean hey no doubt they would.

Finally in the Caslte I realised that it's by far a hollowed out structure with a boring museum inside. Eh. Waste. There was an annoying Amercan, (I know right, again?!) who was telling his friend how the US has adopted all these different customs and types of government, social an economic ways over time and it's mainly from the 19th century when this all occurred. Dick. Your government just shut down. I had to walk off because he was giving me the shits, all I wanted to see was the goddamn model of the Osaka castle. 

Once I got out of the "Caslte" I saw a guy with his three little dogs. They all had costumes on and one had glasses. They were no bigger than my forearm. Tiny little things. 

I got my way back to the hostel when I realised that the shopping centre I went to today is apparently Japan's tallest building at 300m tall. It's amazing how nice it is, in a shit area and it's that tall. So I walked around back to the hostel and kept walking. I saw all these little karaoke bars and people in there by themselves singing. Horrible horrible voices.

I'm finishing writing this in my room, I realised that I'm as tall as wide as this room I'm in. How about that! Head to toe, wall to wall. Could fit a few of me in here.

So I had a nap again, how on earth did I do contiki!? I'm so stuffed after two weeks. Then I went to reception to ask where I can eat whale meat. The guy said to me it was the first time anyone has asked him and he will need to research online. First time!? WHAT? Sorry. Sorry I offended you. He said only people over 40 will eat whale meat. Well fuck. I just ate raw beef. I even ordered a beer and sake and seriously that was the worst choice. The girl taking my order was confused why I wanted two drinks. Now I see why. Anyways I had deep fried cheese.

And this is where I leave my traveling. Tomorrow I leave early for my flight to be home in Melbourne at 9am Monday. It's Saturday night and it feels like I have a pointless 11 hours of flying. Because I arrive at KL airport at 5pm and leave at 10pm. I couldn't last 3 hours at Dubai airport. How can I do 5? God help me. 6 hours flight, 5 hours of nothing at an airport and 8 hours again flying. Gotta love cheap and indirect flights. 

11/10/13 - Osaka

My morning started off with me sleeping in again. But hey...I'm on annual leave. So I went to eat breakfast thinking crap this is going to be awesome having potato salad again, I love the mayo they use. Nope nope. It was macaroni salad...covered in mayo. Let me tell you, it goes down like a treat when it's with orange juice. So I went back up stairs to pack my bag and dash and mum messages me with some lady got shot dead in sunshine. No surprise there but she actually said for once that I don't need to be told to be careful. That's right worrying wog mother. You be careful.

So I got the tram or streetcar, whichever you prefer, to Hiroshima station. Grabbed the next train to Shin-Osaka and sat my fat ass down. What I love here is that even old people have mobile phones and they're like teenagers, so absorbed into them. So on the train this couple are looking for a seat together. I took the last two spare seats together before I saw them and the bitch gave me the death stare. Well fuck your seat. Hope your break up.

I arrived in Osaka, somehow got a train to my Hostel, or as it's known, backpacker hotel. Or as you can see, tissue box sized room...

I walked into the room and thought when the hell did I book this? I thought I got the western room. Whatever. I actually couldn't care less. I'm the guy who will sleep anywhere. Just not on a car, bus, train or plane. So give me a Japanese bed in a room 3 tatami mats big and I'm happy. Kind of.

I thought at this point what is there to do? I know! Grab lunch. So I walked the streets and realised holy crap I'm staying in the scummiest place ever. Bums everywhere and I feared it was going to be like Paris all over again. It's fine though because the Japanese are so polite. I mean even watching tv last khht they bow as they open with the news headlines.

I got the train back to Osaka or Udeno station. Grabbed some lunch at the first place I saw and I ate eel. Yeah I didn't realised because it said assorted sushi. It was actually really really good though. So on I went to the floating garden. Let me clarify. It's not floating and neither is it a garden. It's an observation of Osaka which is has a lot of roof top gardens. There. Done. Said it.

Then I decided to take a crap as my hostel has normal toilets. Yes, 36 floors above the earth I take a crap on this toilet which has a back rest. A goddamn back rest. Who sits on the toilet that long, they need a back rest?! It even has a music function which is just the sound of the toilet flushing to drown out the poop sounds. I don't care. Hear me poop damn it! 

Then I went to the new shopping centre just outside of the non garden viewing and non floating observation circle. It had a coke shop, the shop I saw Milano with all the clothes in small cubes and a lab shop which was a science type place. Then it had amazing restaurants and stuff. I then went to the station and felt a bit nostalgic when I saw Dimaru shopping centre and best of all, Pokemon centre. POKEMON CENTRE! I went and got a photo in there. The staff just laughed. Eat shit, I'll never see you again silly staff.

I left and got the train back to the hostel and had a nap. Once I got up I went for a walk to Dotorimuri and had Tokonyuki (ocptus balls) along the way. After burning my mouth I got to my destination. After some guy tried convincing me into his bar and inaued the tourist card and couldn't understand him. What, beer? $1? I don't understand. 

I walked around and got some amazing photos of the area and walked back, a total 2 hours walk. I went to the Noya roof top garden and saw some guy grabbing girlfriends tits as she was sitting on him. Ah. So young. You have to learn to be more discrete. But once I got back at 10.30pm from walking random streets I was done. 

10/10/13 - Deer me

I woke up this mornjng and had some potato salad for breakfast, because that seems to be a Japanese dish somehow, see I think Germany and Japan has a lot in common. So I decided to go to Miyajima, you'll know the island if you googled it. I didn't realise that it's all the way over here actually. You honestly can't expect me to know when I've done zero research on this trip. I mean for Europe I did like 9 months worth, even if it were sporadic, it was more than my less than a month worth. To be honest I only got my rail pass and booked my accommodation a week before I left. Anyways the island!

So I got up late. I wanted to sleep early but I kept waking up and slept in during the morning. I went to reception and they had no idea what was going on, I asked how to get to the Island as I read you can use the JR rail pass and it's all included. The girl in reception made me buy a tram and boat pass. Sweet. It was actually a free boat rise for me because of the rail pass. Oh well it was only an extra $3. Then it came to 11am by the time I got to the place. It took over an hour to get there by tram. Like crap it's not like I'm getting the tram to Bundoora. Actually I got into the JR boat not the tram companies boat. I used my innocent travellers look, that card always works.

Did you like that the island itself is considered a god and also that the gate in the water is just sitting there, 16m talk and 24m wide. It's own weight holds it down. It's been replaced 7 times and has been there since 1200. Yep and there's wild but tame deer around the island. I think bears are up the top too but nothing I needed to worry about. I read people can stay for a little or a whole day or two. Fuck that. Up down back and bye. I saw the gate. Saw the deer. Saw the girls taking photos with the deer. Saw the school teachers feeding the deer paper bags. Saw the deers piss in one of my photos. Saw a couple getting married. Saw an annoying American girl kick rocks into a pond with koi fish and no one said anything to her, stupid bitch. Saw a lot of oysters and not many muscles which is what I wanted, so I got octopus on a stick. 

I got the boat and tram back, again more annoying American tourists trying to pay for their tram ticket during the ride. Here it's different. At home you touch on or pay when you get on. Here you pay when you get off and it's a flat rate, generally. That's on the trams. But on the buses you enter through the back door and pay when you exit at the front door where the driver is. So the poor ticket guy had to deal with these fucking annoying Americans. I mean, isn't it enough that you assholes bombed this place?

So I went to the Hiroshima memorial centre and the museum. It was so depressing walking around there. Never have I been to a city that was demolished. I've been to cities that have been attacked by it's own governments, I've been to cities that have burnt, cities that have been bombed by terrorists and been to camps where people have been exterminated. I haven't seen a city where it was absolutely flattened. The devostation is horrific. There were tiles that melted, stone with glass straight through it, twisted iron which were at least 5mm gage thick, clothes of people who had them burnt onto them, fingernails of people who lost them (there was a story of a boy who sucked the pus out of his fingers from losing his nails and he died shortly after, we was in need of hydration), a girl who was sitting at the front of a bank an age just vaporized into the stone. They don't know how many died but it's estimated at 140,000. That was some heavy stuff. I know I went to camps where people died, but it's a different scene again to a city unexpectedly being removed within seconds.

There was a lot of other stuff in the museum about bombs and stuff but it wasn't of interest to me. There were however two little boys who were running around and they actually jumped into the tiny display of Hiroshima before and after. These are big models and they jumped in, the mother freaked out and screamed and hit them. I couldn't help but look. Maybe don't scream so loud?

Anyways later on for dinner, I decided to find some okonimyaki or muscles. I walked for an hour. No English menus. The only English menus were hairdressers. It actually said menu. Then I found some funky weird looking pub. Everything was deep fried, at least from what I could see. There were things like beef uterus and raw chicken skin but I wanted something I wasn't going to vomit over since I wasn't feeling well, hence why I skipped the Hiroshima castle. I just ordered anything that sounded normalish. Prawn, eggplant, pork chops, pork skin, green onion wrapped in "meet", some chin-ui lemon drink, saki (which I still don't know was the lemon thing because I got a glass with clear liquid in it and a lemon slice on the side...then the okonimyaki. I ate as quickly as possible and left. $17 thanks and bye. 

9/10/13 - Kyoto to Osaka in 10 minutes, one hour wait and then to Hiroshima

My choice for this morning was to either go to Nara first thing then travel to Hiroshima or go straight to Hiroshima. Seeming as it was absolutely pissing down when I woke up, I picked the later.

I went to have breakfast but I woke up with a sore throat, possibly from all the smelly shit I've had to deal with in that dorm. The people I've been staying with have stunk really bad, so I just fart my way through it all. Silent ones or not, I don't care, anything to mask the smell. However when I went back up the smell was so musky and strong I actually thought I was going to vomit.

Anyways so I decided to take off and get the train over to Hiroshima and fuck the deers in Nara. Not literally, I'm not that sick in the head yet. I know I wanted to see them, everyone said it's worth it but hey Hiroshima is waiting for me. It's funny because Nik was telling Fujitu San about me going there and he was surprised that other people knew about it. Nik and I were being stupid about it and I asked why what's there to know about the place? We joked how maybe a little firecracker went off and they've made a thing about it. I'm actually really interested to see what the park looks like because I'm staying just a few minutes walk from there. And seeming as it's now clearing up and not raining, things might actually be on my side. It made me realise before that maybe althought I'm traveling, things aren't too bad when it comes to sight seeing because I've never managed to go out for a day and have to cancel plans, they either work out or I work around it.

Anyways so I got to Kyoto station to go and get the 1.5-2 hour train to Hiroshima. Oh I'm sorry, 10 minutes from Kyoto to Osaka by bullet train which is amazing at say the least, take note Melbourbe and feeling, and then a one hour stop at Osaka station seating is as scarce as people's height in Japan. As much asks love to spend almost 3 hours to travel, this isn't my idea of a fast service. However as the lady on the bus said, it took her 10-12 hours by train from Kyoto to Tokyo when she was younger. This makes you wonder that if Japan has a fast rail network, Germany has almost as an extensive network and the rrst of Europe is following, then Thailand is also building it's own fast trains, why the hell has Melbourbe still got a non metro service style train operation called metro and no plans for a fast train service? After seeing all the salary men (that's the guys ways in suits, usually on trains and walking the streets) then why is the worlds second busiest air route not connected by rail? Beats me.

Anyways so funny story. When I was in tongi with Nik there was one guy who was sitting at the train station, a salary man actually, with his pants down playing with himself. Funniest thing. Go Japan.

Anyways so after I arrived at Hiroshima station I went to the hotel motel comfort inn, which I then realised althought it's so close to the Hiroshima memorial, it's a business hotel. So single beds and full or, you've got it, salary men. So anyways I went for a walk, went to get cash out as I'm down to myast 3000¥ and the ATMs all said service is not available. I thought stuff it I'll get some lunch. So I got pasta because it's what I do when I don't see maccas. It was actually pretty good, also the first time I ate salad with chop sticks. So I went to lay and my MasterCard was denied. Cash it is, last 2000¥. I realised after using my card at several ATMs that I couldn't access my money and I just got paid. So I called mum at work and she said she will call the CBA as soon as possible. I walked around Hiroshima memorial park but didn't go into the memorial building because I didn't know what was happening with my cash. I got to the hotel, went to use the wifi in my room and it's not working. So I had to go to the lobby and call home to get this money sorted. CBA was being a massive hassle. Finally after an hour they said go to a post office. I ran over and sure enough the post office ATM worked, but not on my MasterCard. So what. I got cash out. In the meantime I had sent them a Facebook message to call me. An hour later they did just as I got out of the shower. The guy was so helpful but I said I'll see how things go before I call again.

I decided that being 7.30, it's time for a walk in the city. My legs actually feel so tanked after doing all this walking. So I go to the parks where it said on the maps it's famous. Bull. It's full of stray cats. Then got to the red light district. I don't know how I keep finding them. Finally back to the memorial park and got some night photos. Over to 7/11 for some food and up to the room to eat. Thank god 7/11 is next door. 

8/10/13 - How to lose an American family

I woke up early, everyone in my dorm left earlier than I did for some reason and so I decided to eat as early as they serve breakfast and go! I needed to squize in as many places today as possible. So I got to Fushini Inari, this is where I'm sure Jetstar has made an add or two, it seems like the place. But it's an amazing park where there are gates upon gates all lined up one after the other.

So I got into the train, and on jumps an American family. I don't mind Americans, as long as they don't talk loud or attract too much attention. None of which they respected and were loud and annoying. They wanted to go to the gates too and on the train they were talking about getting off at Inari station. However the old lady was a loud bitch and was yelling out how people cherish turtles like gods. Well that was enough for me not to give a fuck about them. Now the park is two station stops outside of the main terminal, Kyoto. We got to the first stop and one of them asked of that's the stop they needed, the girl with them said no it's Inari and it's 30min away from what she's read. Yes, but 30min from where? So we got to Inari, all the tourists got off and I was about to say something to them but thought fuck it, enjoy your 30min trip to Gojo.

I got to the park, super amazing,  I walked as hard and fast as possible to go and see all the gates as possible. I power walked that bitch like there were dragons following me. So I got to the top, covered and drentched in sweat. But it was beautiful. Then it got to going down and there was a sign, exit and it was going up the hill again or there was no sign but it was going down still. So I took the exit, naturally, who wouldn't? Well fuck me sideways. I ended up in some random little village. Serves me right to fuckibg over the Americans. At least they didn't declare war on me.

I found the station, thanks to Google and Apple maps, best things ever. I got to the station and this guy walked up to me an asked if I knew how to get a bus to Tokyo. Hell if I know mate. I said ask information at Kyoto station, seeming as you're going that way. He said no there is no information. So how on earth am I meant to help you out?

I got to the station, found information and asked them how to get to the golden temple. Amazing, they knew how to get there. BY BUS. Thought I was told it would be 14 minutes. Sorry I think she meant to tell me at the information desk it would be 40 minutes. As I was waiting to get on the bus, I noticed a machine to buy tickets. These three Aussie girls went up to the staff next to the machine and asked him if they need to buy a ticket. He said no you pay when you get off. So I asked them and sure enough those lovely girls and I got onto the right bus. We later asked an elderly man who said he would tell is which stop to get off at. So whilst the girls slept, I spoke to the man. He was so nice and really interested in a genuine conversation it was lovely because I've always heard about people being like this here but haven't yet experienced to this degree. We checked out the temple, got a free feed from all the sample foods they had on offer. There was also an instant noodle vending machine, the noodles in a cup. I also FOUD a vending machine for cameras and accessories. So we got to try green tea with gold leaf flakes to go with the theme of the golden temple. It was only 400¥ entry but such a small walk. Anyways I got onto the bus and got off where I thought I had to get off at. As I was talking to the girls they were saying they're school teachers in the Pilbra region and moved from Perth. They had such passion about their work it was fantastic. They were then saying they went from Tokyo to Kyoto then later that day onto Hiroshima and then Osaka. Funny that, same here! Such a small world. I didn't think people would do the same route as me because I did next to no research into this holiday.

So I got off the bus and got to the next stop. The best hung about Kyoto is that it's a grid city, unlike Tokyo. So I asked a lady at the bus stop if I'm going the right way to the imperial palace. She said yes and we spoke the whole way to the palace. I sat next to her and she was so amazingly nice. She said she just came from visiting her first grandchild. I swear these people are great.

I got off at the stop, she was so helpful. I feel bad and don't know how ever repay them. Maybe just a thank you and bow is good enough. I couldn't find the entry I the palace so I walked around the gardens. Funny because you need a permission slip to get in and book in advance. One guy in the hostel said you just go to info and they give you a permission slip...mm okay I didn't see that. But I did find a toilet which was beeping like an elevator and it had a squatters toilet and a sign explaining how to use it then at the bottom it said "good luck!" Thanks!!! I saw a bride and grome though taking photos in the park and some nice things.

Then I got hungry, felt like I needed to eat. So I found maccas. Everyone should know, leave me to my own divices and I'll  maccas anywhere I can find those beautiful Golden Arches. Nothing says Japan like a traditional delecacy - the Big Mac. So I walked past and got sushi from the Family Mart, or I think they call it Fuck here for slang. Anyways I got that and seats are nearly impossible on the streets of Japan. So I found a spot where a homeless man was and sat on the ledge of a building in some random street. Ah traveling...

I carried on and went to Nijito Caslte and walked around there. But on the way I saw a box of free glasses and cups. I swear my childhood Sesame Street glasses were in there. So tempting to reclaim them. I got into the castle and it was a large ground and like no other castle I've see.  Seeming as in Europe they're all stone, this was traditional Japanese with sliding outside walls made from paper and timber. Oh and no shoes inside either. Just like the bed at my hostel, there is an area just outside the bed to place shoes. Like the dressing rooms here. Anyways. I saw a fat bitch trying to walk up stairs. Fuckkkk she was dying I think her face turned purple and she was dying to walk up them. Bitch, 1 minute walk. Get your fat ass into gear. But then as I was leaving there was a snake and I wanted to get a photo of it. I couldn't because the girl it was next to started screaming and it rushed off the snake. Rude. So I had to act like "woah fuck mate" whereas my inner Aussie was like "shit yeah son, a fucking snake! Feed it to the dingos."

When I got back to the hostel I just slept for a bit. Went down to the bar and drank with the same group from last night. Loving the 200¥ beers. We added each other to Facebook and went from dinner. I never knew how amazing Kyoto station looked from up the top. We had dinner, got some photos and headed back to the hostel. Not much of a night life here. 

7/10/13 - Tokyo to Kyoto

Now the backpacking starts. And so did the packing this morning. Struggle! My deal was to fly here with 10kg in my suitcase and I was between 9.9 and 10kg at the airport. I was seriously impressed. Anyways that's not the case anymore. The shopping here is cheap and the quality is good. So after somehow being able to jam pack everything into the bag I thought to myself how the hell did Alicia travel with that for a month last year?! Especially with the amount of shopping she did.

Leaving Niks apartment was a strange and surreal moment, he won't be coming back to Melbourne until he has to leave Japan next year. Although that's not what I wanted to hear, it's what he wants to do and I must respect that. As he explained it was like he was a guest when he came back last time. That's understandable.

So as I set off, the beautiful old lady down the road, Fujitu San was standing out the front. I said thank you to her for all the ice creams and being the lovely lady she is, she gave me things to take on the train to Kyoto. Another mint choc ice cream and custard filled pastry in the shape of fish. Beautiful beautiful lady.

Now sitting in the train I can't help but feel that my holiday, althought I didn't go up close to Mt Fuji, may not be gong to Nara or watching sumo wrestling, this holiday wasn't a holiday from the get go. It was to visit Nik. It makes sense how mum keeps saying a holiday is where you relax. It makes sense that it's not what I see, not what I miss out on, it's not the amazing people you meet and see. It's what you make of it. This is all bringing back such amazing memories of last year, I need not to do this every year to remind myself that life is actually pretty amazing at home.

Now for something a little less serious, everywhere I go I see these Japanese people bowing. For example when the staff get in and out of the cars and between them, they bow. When I got onto the lifts in Tokyo, they'd bow. When I got something from maccas they even bowed. I couldn't help but think how shit my customer service must have been. All I did was "here's your order" and that's it. What a cuntbag I am. Even when staff were going out the back of a shop they would bow and it made me realise the culture is something we need to adopt a bit of.

I got to the hostel and was told that I needed to come back at 3pm to get to my room and to leave my bag in reception. So I did that. But I got a drink and roll at a small store so that there was something for me to at least eat. Then I got to the hostel after walking back eating my roll and realised it tasted like a maccas cheeseburger but it was fish. Eh. 

I got to the room and had a nap thought. Nice room because it was new and had a massive tv in it. Not sure why you'd need that but anyways. It then go to 4 so I enter for a walk and nothing was open. I walked all the way to the Nijito Castle and it was shut but I got some good photos. Even the temples which are all around the streets were amazing at sun set. There was a market which seemed to run for so many streets and it was so beautiful so I walked for most of it. Then I got back I the hostel in time for happy hour and spoke to Britney, Ken and Maddy. We went and got some dinner from the supermarket, 50% off that, 3 beers, only cost me 899¥. That's $10 for 1.5Ltr of beer and a big plate of dinner. We sat outside on the terrace and just chilled until about 11 then went to bed. 

6/10/13 - recovery

*** It was a day of recovery. Not for the alcohol, I'm old enough to be able to maintain that shit, but for my feet. I noticed that the blisters on my left little toe popped so the pain was gone. I just have my right foot wrapped up still.

I slept and slept and slept and Nik and I were meant to go to a picnic for the girls birthday from last night but Nik double booked himself for lunch. I was waiting for an email from Ken, one of the guys from last night and I got it. Wen I headed over to Yoyogi Park my phone decided to be a dick and not dial out. It just kept saying I got a misse call. Because this SIM card you can to dial out it calls you back but in your number. So I just walked. I did see this on the way to the park, I think it's got to have a butcher attached to it. 

When I got to the park my idea was to just find the group, shouldn't be that bad right? Nope. Not bad. Impossible. It was COVERED in people. I had no chance. But I looked and walked around. There was also a nice food festival going on. It was amazing. I got econimyaci (oh look at my bad Japanese spelling) and sat down and this little kid came up to me and started talking to me in Japanese. So cute but sorry kid I had no idea what you were saying.

I got walking around and this stupid Aussie bogan had beer and knocked it and said in his bogan accent he dropped his beer. As he loved his hands he dropped his phone into it. Eh. This is why I hate traveling and seeing Australians. But I've noticed there are a lot of French, heaps of Americans and a few British, Australians and Italians. Oh god they love Italians here.

So I carried on and went and got a gift for mum, she wanted a kimono and so I got it. I told her and she said not to buy anything for anyone else. I don't understand! Anyways it's done. Then again I got a lot of clothes for myself.

Once I got back I managed to call Nik and asked if he wanted dinner. We went for octopus balls. They were so good but so sickening, they were covered in cheese and mayo. We then walked around his area and it's amazing how it appears to be small but everything is openate and everything is everywhere. All the big brands and small local shops. It's amazing. But the best thing is, they're all open late, if not 24 hours. The best thing I found was this jumper though.

We got back as all I wanted to do was sleep. So I did. Two hours later I wake up after a horrible dream where a lady got murdered right behind me and I took a photo and didn't notice she was calling out for help. So I woke up feeling absolutely helpless and horrible. Then Nik took it upon himself to share some ghost stories. Fantastic. What I wanted. But we watched some YouTube or horrible Japanese shows and it was a great D&M we had. Something we haven't done in ages. 

5/10/13 - going out

Niks friend had her birthday in Shinjuku and it was her choice to go out to the "gay bars" which really isn't that gay. Maybe except for the straight bar staff who stripped down to their undies towards the end of the night. I find it strange that people will go out and get the last train home. I'd have thought that Japan, a massive country with 130 million people and falling, would have 24 hour public transport. Regardless the trains only don't operate for about 4 hours and start at about 5am.

So we stretched the night out as much before getting the last train. I met some amazing people though and I could appreciate that they were mostly speaking English. As I said above that it was a "gay bar" there really isn't gay in Japan. It's still an emerging concept here so these places aren't solely for gay people, it's strange but interesting. So we were enjoying the 1000¥ (about $11)all you can drink until 9pm thing. I got as much as I could fit in during that time. Meaning the toilet and my waterworks system got a fantastic flush out.

We then decided to head over to the tranny bar. I question why I agreed but I say stupid shit when I've had alcohol. As we got there the cover charge was a drink of 1000¥ so I didn't mind. However the headmaster or headytranny or owner, whatever you want to call it, noticed two of the guys in the group didn't buy a drink. I had just gone to the toilet, the music stopped and I heard yelling. Oh the awkwardness. However one of the guys, from Germany, noticed that as I went to the toilet I left my drink unattended and he decided upon himself to take it. The head tranny noticed and yelled at him, he left and I got my drink back. Before you think shit Angelo got roomies, I didn't. Drugs aren't a thing here. As much as one guy got annoyed at me for not bringing any because Australia should be the same as London, right? This guy lived in London for a bit and just assumed that because we were colonized by the British we should have their drugs. Sure thing mate. So drugs are a solid no in Japan. Also this explains why the hostel guy in Germany was saying that I travel like the Japanese and do one night in places, they only get 10 days off a year. That's it. The birthday girl was telling me she went to New York for 8 days and that's all she did. 

As the stealing nazi German had left, I was now able to actually drink my beer and enjoy the night with the old man pretending to play guitar with a ping pong bat and dancing like a moron and thinking that none of them knew the music. As we left we walked past two "ladies" and the group asked for them to take a photo with me. I had no idea what was going on. I just went with it. Makes for a good photo. 

But look at the DJ in the photo below. It's the lady with the blond bob cut. I know right. 

5/10/13 - Lazy and can't walk

I have wrapped my right foot up in a clothed bandage because I can no longer bear to walk on it. My left foots little toe is covered in two massive blisters, so it looks a little like Bowser got to it so I put a bandaid over that one. Therefore I can't actually walk today because this is probably the only day I can actually chill all day and do nothing. So I woke up at 10.30-11, chilled out, took my time doing things. Called up mum and dad and then went out for lunch at 7/11. I couldn't walk right, but I didn't realise it was raining too. I went and grabbed an umbrella from inside, so the one I got had holes in it, of course.

I got to 7/11, and now we've all established that I love their meals because they're super amazing here. $8 for Udon curry noodles and gorza's and a small cake for $1.

I came back, ate, went for a nap and then at 4.30pm Nik got home. He fell asleep whilst I tried to find the Julia Gillard interview from the other day.

4/10/13 - my ass is so warm and I ate a horse

I had to be out of the house all day for Nik, which is fair enough. He's just finished his job so he can study but needs to be able to bring in some cash, so he teaches English. He had a student in the morning, interview at 3.30 and a student in the evening. I couldn't be at his place during those times which was completely fair enough. So I got up 'early' and set off to the fish markets. But first...

It's super cold outside compared to every other day I've been here and I made it to a department store to use the toilet so I could rest and write my blog whilst taking a lovely dump. First thing I notice is the seat is warm, not "oh god someone just took a crap in this thing I don't think it's hygienic" warm, but "OMG THESE JAPANESE ARE SO SMART WITH ELECTRICALLY WARMED SEATS" warm. I actually don't want to leave it's that good. Gosh imagine winter here.

Anyways this morning I got up and went to the fish market. It was like going to the Vic market but mainly based upon fresh fish. When I say fresh I mean like they're still alive in the buckets of water. I got into a few peoples ways but I got a few good photos. The first thing I noticed was the fact I had walked down here only last night. Massive shame. But I did go into the temple I wanted I see. I also got a bowl of "special salmon" which wasn't so special but it was okay. It actually came very quick. I almost didn't know how to open the tea jug, the guy next to me was about to help. Sure because I'm still trying to get used to using chopsticks like how Nik taught me last night as opposed to my very western style fashion. At least I don't stab the food. So imagine the immense pressure I felt flipping between the two styles. I was praying no one would just come to me with a fork, that's how ugly it got.

I walked down to Ginza, as put by Nik, rich people. I see. All the massive brands like Chanel, Burberry and so on were there. And uni qlo. The worlds biggest with 14 floors. So I got shirts for work. Their stuff is amazing. They can't come any sooner to Melbourne. Just like h&m.

However as I was walking down I saw this old man slap an old lady on the bum with his newspaper. He didn't know her, she just got off a bus. It was pretty funny actually...

Then I went and found the Apple store in Tokyo, it's like finding a $100 note on the floor, except you expect that note would have free wifi, along with the expected things like people going nuts for it and what not. But nope, no free wifi. Thanks Japan, heaps of wifi spots, but no free wifi anywhere. So I carried on and found a department store, which is where I was taking my warm toilet seat dump.

Later on I decided to go see Tokyo Tower, which as it says, is lighter than the Eiffel Tower and also taller. Taller maybe, lighter well yes, as amazing? No. Everything in Tokyo covers the tower, so it's almost pointless. At least in Paris the Eiffel Tower is the tallest thing in Paris itself, other than the sky scrapers outside of Paris but that's a different thing. Almost anywhere in Paris you can see the tower, but in Tokyo you practically have to be next to it to see the tower because now that the Tokyo Skytree is taller, it's also away from all the towers. It's also lost it's romantic appeal with the Eiffel Tower has because it's next to a small park, in the middle of nothing really. However, it's an icon and I appreciate that. But it's also lighter because there is less to it, but maybe it's taller because of the spire? Not sure. But the funny thing is, there's this 'mystery ball' which is on display in a cabinet and spinning around like it's a diamond, with lights all around it saying that they found it after 50 years when they cleaned out the antenna. And? I guess it's kind of like cleaning out the dishwasher after a while and finding random bits of gunk inside of it and thinking 'holy crap I better post this on facebook for all to see'.

I then went onto the National Art Centre Tokyo, an amazing building which reminded me a lot of the MCEC. Google it. Anyways, I went to see American Pop Art. As I was looking at it, I realised there were some pieces of art I've seen before, so I was impressed that some stuff I had seen, especially at the Ludwig museum in Germany were also moved to Tokyo.I even saw Andy Warhols famous Campbells Tomato Soup. I didn't think it would take that long, after all it was 1500 Yen, which is about $17 to see the collections and I was under the impression there would be more to see maybe. But no. I mean I paid 10 Euro's to see the Louve in Paris for a whole day. Regardless, this was a special art collection. I left, magically found my way on the metro back to Shibuya, because I refuse to go alone to Shinjuku. Get this, two metro stops cost me 180 Yen, but on the normal trains run by Keio, it cost me 100 Yen to go 7 stops.

I got back, went to open the door and Nik still had his student there at 6.50, he said to be back around 6.45. The door was locked and I was like 'woo I'm home' and I could hear Nik saying 'WOAH wait another 15min please'. So I went outside his apartment and used the wifi by the window, like the creep I am! But we got dressed, I went in one of the new shirts I got, borrowed a belt and hit Shinjuku for dinner. Below is a picture of the horse I ate. YES. Horse. We went to a bar later on and the guy was telling us how you can find beef penis, he actually said chin chin which means penis and that got my attention because all us Italians say is chin chin, and also bugs. I'm not so keen on either of them, but the penis has a lot of collagen so they believe it's good for the skin. Still not interested in it. I was only joking about eating horse dick. But then there are things like whale I still have to try and other messed up shit like raw chicken. Anyways as we were having dinner with Niks friends Kazumi and Ryan, the power went out. So they came around later on giving us some rice which had the pubs name in Japanese and a love heart shape. I couldn't understand what the girl was saying so she said to me 'present' I thought she said it was for me...everyone at the table said sure it's for you... so I'm going along with that. Also when we ate there we got to sit at those traditional Japanese tables, the ones without chairs, aka the coffee table.

2/10/13 - taste of solo

Nik had a job interview to go to and had his own plans for the evening so it was a day going solo and trust me it's exactly what I needed. I haven't been by myself traveling since last year. Even if I try to spend a day alone I'll always somehow manage to bump into someone I know and that's always the way. Just like how I saw that guy yesterday at the shrine and Starbucks the day before. In a city with more people than Australia.

So I set off at noon and went straight to Shinjuku, the station where I originally met up with Nik. Then I headed off and into a department store. Only because there was a guy in front if me who got off the train and then looked lost and so I figured he was a tourist and I'll see where he goes. Good choice. I saw a department store which had an Italy trip as a prize which they then had photos of Italy, and Milan in particular caught my attention because it was literally a year ago I got back from there. I went around and saw melons but this time for $250 a melon. Yes. $250 for a small malon. I couldn't get a photo ashtray were banned but it was grossly over priced. Like the $10 apples. Not per kilo, per apple.

I then saw forever 21 and got pants and a tshirt, which is of grumpy cat. Trust me I saw that tshirt and just got it without thinking. I thought it'd be expensive. $30 for the both. Insanely cheap. I kept walking around and saw h&m and they had some stuff from last years season in Europe. So I went and found the jacket I so badly wanted. It was yuck. Great choice not to head hunt that down. Then I got pants and realised they only go up to size 34-36. The over average Australians would die here, small meals, no commodores or falcons and small clothes. The customer service was amazing too with bowing and them holding everything for you. In Australia we'd just call them faggots and move along. Everyone here is so polite and has so much respect.

Then I found myself in the dirty red light area of Shinjuku. A guy said something and then said it in English to me "sweet girls, lap dance, you want?". I'm glad I walked in an out of a restaurant before that because I instantly got a dirty vibe and couldn't eat there, especially since I saw one guy throwing up into a paper bag next to a tree and two old Chinese men just coughing out the worst flem ever. I found a Burger King and just had an avacado whopper. Then I made my way to a shrine and saw a few lost people and Asians taking photos. Like a bus load. Guess they do it even at home. I carried on and found my way over to the Shinjuku Goyer gardens which had a French garden, English garden and Japanese garden but it was going to close in 35min. So I power walked it and yes the French gardens looked legit. As it was time to go it started to rain ever so slightly and out came a rainbow. It was like there we're want to be crying dragons jumping from the skies and stuff because it was so Japanese and in the Japanese garden I saw it all.

I went over to Meiji Shrine and sure enough that was closed. So I tried to make my way back. That was a challenge. It took me from 6.10pm, from when I left the metropolitan government building until 7.30pm when I got home to find my way. 

I got back and explained to Nik how I got to the metropolitan government building because it has free views of Tokyo city and I got there just after 5pm, but by the time the sin started to go down I realised if I wasted 10-15 min I can get photos with lights. I needed to sit down but the only seats there were reserved for the restaurant. Fireworks went off in my head as it clicked to me, a toilet is a seat and they're not reserved. I got to the toilets, did my thing and sat there to do my blogging. You're reading this thinking that's sick, well so what.

Once I left the building I got to Shinjuku station. Well part of it. As Nik said there are about 5 rail companies who operate there so it's not easy to negotiate. He too got lost. I mean I got to a section where I thought how the hell did I get in here? It said ok the gate to go back how I came. I went up the three sets of stairs, they all took me to weird areas I hadn't been from. It was like a bad Pokemon game! I couldn't get out. Finally one guy felt bad for me and let me out and gave me a ticket to get to the next gate because I had somehow paid for a ticket. Not too sure what happened.

I got back after all that time and had never even happier to just chill and do nothing all night. I later got this at midnight for ¥1042, which is about $11.50

1/10/13 - First full day

The morning started off with Nik waking me up opening the door after messaging me saying the cats coming home. I haven't even fully recovered from the lack of sleep since the plane ride over. And I call it a ride because the second flight was just constant turbulence. That plane should be at the Gold Coast and we can name it the super happy fun plane ride and see how that works out as an attraction.

The other thing too is that I am sleeping on the floor. Not because Nik is an incompetent host, that's anything but the case, but because it's how it is. Traditionally there are mattresses you use to sleep on the floor so it's not a bad sleep at all. I got used to sleeping on the floor from Paris last year when I stayed with Liz and Nicola because we didn't want me being raped in the seedy and dangerous neighbourhood.

I asked to make sure I knew how the toilet worked with the bidet. Poor Nik just heard my screams. I swear it must have been funny for him but I couldn't handle it. Having water shot up in your shitter isn't my idea of a toilet experience. It's like the toilet is rebelling after you've just crapped in it.

He took me around town, as explained, Tokyo is a mega city so really anywhere is the city. It's something like Paris mixed with Melbourne. I saw a porn shop selling used panties which was interesting. We then saw some other messed up shit in the shop, massive dildos, weird vagina things, heaps and heaps of weird sex toys. 

Then we saw these shops which was all under the railway and they're exactly what you think about with Japan. Just flashing lights loud music and strange shit very where. So we carried on and found a shoe shop, got high top vans shoes for $65. Insane.

30/9/13 - And it begins

So I got off my flight. Tired. Next to nothing sleep again. I walked up to customs. Declared I had nothing.... But the girl in front of me with a Malaysian passport got taken away by customs for a "chat". I got through no issues so I wonder what strings I pulled or what box she didn't tick on the customs form.

Then getting my bag, there were signs saying make sure you get the right bag because we see are the same. Lucky because there was one exactly the same as mine which this has to be a first.

I decided to try the toilets at the airport so I got there, saw some options. Normal, squatters and Japanese electric happy fun times toilet. I picked the later. But only to freshen up and put deoderant on. Then I got my bag walked out turned my phone on, no connection no internet. Nothing. Tried to call Nik, nothing. At all. So I started to panic. I went to the info desk thinking if I start crying I can borrow their phone and call Nik. They said use the public pay phone... and I did. Reluctantly. Hearing Niks voice on the other line was a releaf. So I got my train ticket, $30 later, called Nik because I got the 9.19, not the 8.53 because that was leaving in 5min and I knew I wouldn't make it. And I didn't.

Standing at the airport station it felt like I was in Pokemon. That show and game was never over exaggerated. Now I understand. The music, the way things repeated, the graphics in screens, the overuse of octopuses, all like in the movies.

So sitting on the train I was smiling because finally I arrived in Japan, I could see it, I could see bamboo, the architecture, the trains, the people, everything. Then I arrived at the station, saw Nik and hugged him and said I'm tired and I know my eyes are black.

We went to his place, and I realised yes it is small but it's not that bad. It's livable for one person, even two. But I realised there's no tv. Not sure why I realised that first but I did.

Then we walked around the area, went for lunch. By the way, 7/11 here is amazing. It's like nothing we have at home. Full of amazing foods. So I got sushi. Arrive in Japan, eat sushi. Then at lunch we went to a sushi train place, I had raw prawn which felt like eating flem, mushed up fish and all these things I normally wouldn't eat. I asked Nik where I can get whale because why the hell not, he suggested a pub but also raw horse. Thank god. I was going to ask where I could eat horse dick because I'm sure it's a thing here.

We saw shops selling cheap Vans and electronics. The area is nice but reminded me of Paris. Yes Paris. It's small. Got shops everywhere. People everywhere. It's got buildings which wouldn't meet the ANZSTD and so on.

We bumped into a lady called Fujita who is an 84 retired maths teacher. She was talking to Nik whilst I was falling asleep standing and leaning on the light post. She took up through her rented rooms, showed us through and how she can care  $800 a room per month but only asks for $300. She explained how rooms are measured by mats and I finally saw a toilet with toilet shoes. She was lovely and gave us each green tea ice cream. Nik just looked at me and knew I didn't like green tea. But it's fine.

Nik had to then go to the town hall and organize his tax so I was by myself at his place and I had to figure out why my phone wasn't dialing and also had to poop. Yep. Look at the picture attached. I had no idea, there was a picture of balls and a vagina. I was so lost. I didn't know whether to poop, flush, then use the bidet then flush again. I surely didn't want to wash my balls using a toilet, something about pressure and pain was running through my mind. I had to think but just used the toilet like normal. 

I finally also had a wonderful shower. After not going for almost 2 days it makes you appreciate it. However Niks got an amazing shower head but that's another story in itself. I got ready to go out with him and meet up in Shibuya. I went to leave the appartmeant but the door wouldn't open. I kept pushing and pushing thinking I did something wrong. Pulling. Pushing. Touching the round disks. Nothing helped at all. Txt Nik. Facebook message him and tried calling but it wouldn't connect. I had to meet him at 8pm. I was stressed and the situation only got worse when I was thinking if I was in a fire I'd die. But I thought maybe I'll jump out the window. All I had to do was turn the disk which is a lock. 

Finally I met up with Nik in Shibuya and he took me around there. I saw the famous crossing, the shops and lights and TVs and people everywhere. It was impressive I must admit. We had dinner and it was at a restaurant which you order on iPads, like at home. So I know that it isn't a tacky thing we do in Australia but it's actually what they do here. We got chicken skewers which had chicken skin, chicken mince, chicken breast, chicken hearts and something else. We got pickled blue eggplant which was so salty for me. It was all a good experience though.

We then saw the love hotels. They're available for rent for a shirt period or overnight. You know what I mean by that. Then we went to "Piss St" which has a whole lot of little bars which can usually just sit 5 people at most. Aaron from work told me about them and they were amazing. We sat in one, had a beer and left. Pretty expensive beers for Japan but pretty nice environment. The guy sitting in the bar noticed how tired I was and I said yes I haven't slept in 2 days, that's when we realised it might be time to tuck me into bed. 

29/9/13 - on the way to japan

I had $12 from Singapore mum and dad hadn't used up when they went a month ago so it was upon me to burn up the left over few dollars, once converted to Australian money it's about $9 What better way to burn it up than to buy a bottle of alcohol.

About two hours into my first flight I realised that maybe it's time now to start drinking because I can't bring the bottle into KL. Sure enough I had to constantly get up a piss the whole time so lucky I booked myself a seat next to the aisle. Oh and on that note, there was a family sitting next to me which I find rude because I specifically booked that seat were it was 4 seats in a row in the middle of the plane set up and it was aisle on either side so I booked the right aisle seat and no one was next to me then the seat next to the left aisle seat was take. Empty, random, empty, me. No. Apparently not. It went FAAAAMMMMILLLLY Angelo.

So I drank myself to sleep during red riding hood. That shit of a movie deserved that. Also Malaysia airlines needs more movies and tv shows to pick from. 1/4 flights and I'm done with everything almost. They better hope to God more people faint on the plane to entertain me. Because never have I been so bored at the lack of choice of entertainment onboard a flight that I had to faint. Some Indian lady did that. She got all the attention and doctors rushing to her. I thought she died of boredom. But no.

Then we got a lovely dinner. And then a snack towards the end. Like some sort of wrap sausage role thing. The trolley dolly asked if anyone wanted seconds and me in my drunk state was like "ehh hereee". Getting my monies worth. I haven't seen movies in ages for this particular reason. So I can make sure that for each movie I see, valued at $15 each, CDs at $20 each, I can almost make these series of flights virtually self profitable. Include food, entertainment and pooping (face it everyone loves pooping at work and getting paid for it) and you're basically flying free.

It did feel weird flying without Alicia, my sister, because last year we went together to Europe and this time it's just me onboard. Admittedly it didn't feel like the same flight because the food was that substandard compared to Eemerates. I mean no stainless steel cutlery? Eh.

Anyways once I got to KL airport I had to get my fix, abc news. Nothing was on there so I feel like nothing has been missed. Also it's such a massive airport, they have a train connecting the terminals. There was a small Harrods there, designal the clothing shop and even an outdoor jungle type boardwalk. It was hotter in the boardwalk than inside, trust me. Even though it was 9pm, I was boiling.

Then I just had to wait for my next flight. And wait. And wait. Finally we got onto the plane an BAM. Family sitting next to me with a baby. I can never win. At least the baby only cried once we landed but I couldn't sleep nor was the entertainment that great. Small screens, next to nothing movies on demand, until later when I found the button for it and it was too late, and for breakfast I was offered sea food or omlet. Um...omlet thanks...no brainer. It was the worst omlet too, like Mexican spiced potatoes with super cheesy omlet and an overly processed sausage. Yummmmmm.

14 hours until take off!!!!

I finally got everything organised. As much as I can. See you soon Japan!!!

24/09/13 - Haven't even left yet

It's true, I haven't even left yet, and haven't even organised anything.

Today I've actually had a chance to sit down, work out a few things. This after of course getting my flights booked and mu JR Rail ticket organised.

Getting the train ticket was a nightmare from the travel agent so I really should have organised that a little sooner. Never mind though, I've ordered the ticket now and I'll have to pick it up in a few days time before I go.

So the same deal applies for this trip as when I went to Europe, making a plan and sticking to it, but also organizing nothing else. So all I'll take with me is a small bag, passport, some cash, Swiss Army knife (they come in so handy), and a whole lot of hope. I have my excel spreadsheet template from Europe I can still use and also I converted left over Euro's and Pounds to Yen and also have my Roaming Sim as well. Also I'll book hostels and just go with that, but at least they're only a 10% deposit so if I change my mind, it's only a few dollars I'll lose out on. Sounds like a sweet deal to me.

I'll just have more to organise tonight!!!

Now things are starting to get exciting.