I feel so disorganised but I know there is some kind of organisation going on.
In preparation we won't have the grass in as planned (yay bills not) but there will be fencing that should be ready in a week. We've dug out and transplanted the two connifers that were in the back yard to the front of the house as they were in the way of my veggie garden. The rest is small enough that getting it through the gate won't be a problem. The clothes line will be on the veggie garden side which means the dogs won't be able to get to the clothes when they're on there :D
What we will probably do is put a series of tarps down over the sand and peg it in place, its level and there aren't any ditches so it should be all good. We'll be putting a screen in between the end of the patio/spa area and the veggie area too to hide it a bit. The side garden beds probably won't be in place either, its a matter of time and materials which there is little of.
I've managed to do a rather good clean inside, the poor dyson didn't know what hit it. A few more cleans and then I think a bucket of soapy water to get off some of the more ingrained dust and grime. Darn batchelor type living. Thats slowly changing.
Gah there's just so much cleaning to do, so much stuff to sort out and feels like so much more to organise :(
For some reason I had to look at this doozy today: http://mycareer.com.au/consumer/find/jo
I've taken a screen shot and highlit the areas I think are huge warning signs that this is indeed a money laundering scam advertisement on a supposedly legitimate australian job search web site:
In addition to the highlit areas, they have not used the company logo at all.
So, what are your thoughts? Think I'm right/wrong/crazy cat lady?
- I picked up the dyson
- Dropped off pressies
- Forgot to pick up mail
- Played with Gaara
- Stopped by bike shop and picked up cover for bike
- Went to counselling
- Stopped by bunnings and brough pipe and fittings for garden
- Washed motorbike, cleaned and lubed chain
- Had a hose fight with elvis
- Went for spin around the suburbs on said motorbike
- Filled up petrol tank on motorbike (cost me a whole $15 from empty)
- Practiced emergency stops on motorbike (need longer and quieter street)
- Covered bike with cover
- Came inside and did much relaxing
Downside was discovering I'm a little fatter than I was this time last year, the jacket was a bit uncomfortable round the middle :(
http://www.kitchendiscounts.com.au/home
While weather watching to see what the typhoon was doing, it went from wild and wooley to a pristine, clear and very beautiful day.
We were going to get the ferry from Asakusa down to Odaiba but we couldn't tell if they were running or not so we went by train instead. I think I got some nice photos on the way there but the biggest suprise was Venus Fort.
This shopping mall... complex... behemoth... was constructed buildings within one huge building and styled in a venetian look complete with columns, fountains and various other bits and pieces. It seemed like an expensive place to shop and when one looked at a couple of the price tags, it was. We only managed to wander through a quarter of the complex before we were pooped and stopped for coffee. As it was getting late we decided to head to the Onsen for an evening of relaxation.
The Onsen we went to was styled after the Edo period with traditional bathing, garments, games and dining. The water for the Onsen is pumped from about 1400m underneath the complex and is kept at a cool 41 degrees celcius. After a little while this temperature got a bit too much for me so we headed back into the main area and sussed out games and dining.
I didn't feel up to much either food or gaming so we pottered around a bit before heading back to the Ryokan. Luckilly we did as we got back late enough as it was.
Tomorrow we will be up at 6am to get the train to the Airport.
After our stop in at the shrine we headed to Yokohama which was a bit meh. It didn't seem very touristy with the train station being within a department store complex and the taxi driver we asked didn't know where the Ramen Museum was and we had forgotten the address :(
Walking outside of the trainstation complex it was drab, dreary, grey and well, disappointing. The highlight was finding a bundle of hello kitty stuff and a catbus. I brought Kitteh a toy while I was there and she likes it rather a lot ^^.
We headed back to Ueno to meet up with Yasuyo for dinner. I think we were both tired, grumpy and in a bit of pain. Yasuyo ended up being an hour late :P Tsk tsk tsk. We dragged her away to Neko Maru and had a grand time. Not as good as the first as it was about the time most kitties wind down though we did end up being the only people there.
We headed off to a Korean BBQ restaurant for dinner and it was a grand choice. For 10800yen for 3 people we had all you can eat bbq and a few additional extras. OH SO GOOD. Though when a native doesn't know what a food item is in the country they live in and its written in their native tongue... be wary. What Yasuyo was beef belly really was beef stomach. Talk about chewy.
Also, that woman can pack it away and she's tiny! I think I kept up with her and we both out ate Desiree ;)
We headed back to the train station and it was kind of sad to say goodbye. We definitely had a great night and will need to do so again.
Off we toddled to the Ryokan as we had another day ahead: a trip to Odaiba and Venus Fort on the search for one more ellusive catbus and an evening at an Onsen.
I've never had such fun at an amusement park before. Not even the royal show as a kid.
Even though it was raining for most of today there were still large amounts of people who went but Desiree indicated that it was nowhere near as bad as if it was a fine day.
We arrived at 10am and left sometime after 5pm.
We went on many of the more gentle rides to make sure I didn't knock my back about and WHEEEE the pirates of the carribean ride drops about one floor level on a diagonal, luckily no damage there. The monsters inc ride was awesome and could have gone on both of them a couple of times over. We went through the haunted mansion which was set up as the nightmare before christmas. It was AWESOME and I could have ridden it and ridden it and ridden it alllll day. I want a house that looks like that too!
I got myself a few things from the stores and a cheshire cat hat ^.^ There are LOADS of stores.
Desiree was wearing her Stitch hat through Tokyo station and a random Japanese lady asked to take her picture.
Tomorrow is mainly a rest day but we will be going to Yokohama and then Ueno for dinner with Yasuyo. Hopefully we can convince her to come hang out with us at Neko Maru.
On arrival at the train station we grabbed tickets for the Ghibli Museum bus which was decorated with characters from many familiar movies and while waiting were surrounded by a group of children around 4 or 5 years old who were singing the opening song to Totoro.
We hopped off the bus to be greeted by a fenced and rustic looking building, large green gardens, beautiful balconies and a giant, if not to scale Totoro. Waiting to be allowed in we could take photos of the surrounds but not inside. I got a few nice pictures of how they had the gardens close to the building laid out and the front entrance.
Ghibli is big on stained glass. I can't think of any windows (apart from those in the theatre) that were not stained glass wraught in a theme from many of the movies. The entrance hall was stunning, the curved ceiling decorated to the skylight and the light coverings all crafted of stained glass. With entry you get 3 frames of a film positive for your entry to the theatre and you get to keep it. I think I only got landscapes from Princess Mononoke.
I was in awe of the insides, so surreal and quirky, colourful and alive. Wraught iron and earthen tones dominated with splashes of bright colour from the stained glass and the artworks within.
For fans, I highly recommend going there if you get the chance to be in the area. It was WONDERFUL.
Afterwards we headed to Akihabara to look for catbusses. While Ghibli Museum had them in the same brand there was a 1000yen increase in price just to buy it from Ghibli. I managed to get one and will be able to pick up more over the next couple of days.
We stopped off at Asakusa to look for a specific Hello Kitty phone dangle that I had seen there but couldn't find anywhere else. Its a kitty dressed in black and purple with black butterfly wings. Very cute it is.
I also had sweet potato flavoured icecream. The way they do their various flavours is interesting, they use individual icecream pods that get squeezed out by a machine and looks just like what you would get out of a continuous soft serve machine. I think this concept is fantastic from the cleanliness and hygenic point of view.
Tomorrow we will be going to Tokyo Disney WOO.
The most recognised bridge where the goths, cosplayers and alternative persons hang out was smaller than I imagined and when we arrived there were only a couple of persons in one form of costume or another.
We decided to go through the Meiji shrine where photos were taken and charms were purchased. While we were there we were witness to several traditional weddings being held. Aparently today was a lucky day to get married on. I got a couple of nice photos and at one point found myself in the middle of the bridal group taking photos.
There is a lot of fussing that goes into the placement, folds and layers of the traditional wedding kimono. Even position of the bride and groom is determined by the attendees doing the photography. They stand where they're told and they have their body parts moved into the desired position. The kimono is folded and smoothed with each movement, the body parts are moved into better position, the kimono is smoothed and tweaked again. Its almost an artform, some would probably say it is.
We then headed back out of the shrine towards the Harajuku bridge when music was heard. Desiree thought it was a certain dance group so we headed over to have a look. We found japanese rockabilly dancers. Dressed reminicent of the 50's bad boy Fonzy look complete with funky hair do and comb in back pocket.
Back across the bridge where there was maybe a couple more people dressed to the nines but all in all a rather poor turn out. There were masses of people traversing the main streets of Harajuku, loads of fashionable little shops and one that had oodles of hair decorations including halloween themed items. Guess who has new black cat ears with orange tufts ^.^
We stopped in at a little place that Desiree had been to before and I must say it was delicious. For some reason I got the ears out and adorned them on my person. So I was wandering around Harajuku wearing Emmas black tripp pants with chains, a black tshirt and cat ears with orange fluff. I fitted right in ^.^
We wandered the streets more and stopped for a crepe wrapped in a cone of paper before heading off to try find a snow globe and something for Craig. I found the most gorgeous Happi embroidered with a golden tiger... I didn't quite feel like separating with about 10000 yen (about $130aud) for it though.
Off to Ginza we headed in the search for the illusive Swarovski store. We were met with success and a HUGE glittering shop front with crystal fittings hanging from the ceiling in waves and chips of crystal on the floor to mimic a waterfall type effect. Much sadness was had to find out they no longer had Halloween Mo in stock so I brough Innese from the Lovelots cats instead with a little bit of saving. The ladies in the store loved my ears and asked where I got them.
It was then time to go back to the Ryokan and for Yasuyo to head home. We parted at the station, our poor little feet begging us for relief which would be found in another long soak in the tub. We should be meeting up with Yasuyo again for dinner on Wednesday.
Tomorrow we head for Studio Ghibli!
We met at the train station next to the Edo-Tokyo museum which is a behemoth of a structure. Our plan for the day was to go through the museum and then on to a couple of other museums in the area.
The museum detailed the Edo period of Japans history through to more modern era. We watched some of a Kabuki show, took many photos and then went to have lunch at the museum restaurant which was lovely. There was a slight misunderstanding with ordering the meal. While we got what we wanted we thought it was a difference price. Even though, the food was delicious and I learn't better ways to mix the sauces. Yasuyo raced off to pay, not telling me how much it was.
We then went down to view a special exhibition on wood block printing. Lots of pictures made by using different carved blocks for different colours. Such amazing detail and the resulting artwork was fantastic.
5 hours later we were too exhausted to go through any of the other special museums that Sumida is famous for.
With the joy of an oncoming migraine we parted ways for the evening, making our way back to the Ryokan where I promptly fell asleep in the bath.
Tomorrow we will be heading to Harajuku *glee*.
Homeward bound in 6 days time.
It has three locking areas with two that are keylocked. I think the idea is while living out of it you can close it and not keylock it, just in case something catches on the two key lock tabs it can't just pop open and spill the contents everywhere. The two normal handles are spring loaded so the snap back against the case and they can't get in the way. Its got 4 wheels on the base so it stands upright and you can wheel it upright. Perfect for a tall person like myself as I can rest my hand on the top handle and push it along next to me. No more dragging a dead weight behind. You've still got the option to drag the dead weight if you want ;)
Whats the weight of something like this with a hard shell you may ask... a light 6 kilos.
We came back to the Ryokan and dropped it off then headed back to Ueno and Neko Maru.
Kitties everywhere yay! A brief induction, a rinse down with a sanitising hand wash, change into their slippers (cats on them <3) hot drink and a caution to make sure we put the lid on the drink or the kittehs would drink it and we were let loose to terrorise the kittehs.
I was watching how some of the people interacted with the cats and they weren't really doing it right but the cats didn't seem to care and were very docile. There was one cat that you were warned about on entry but it didn't want to get out of bed for the hour that we were there.
That hour went very fast but it was definitely worth the 1000yen. There was a young marmalade who decided it didn't want me to take my hand back (in a very gentle way of holding my hand to him) this was while I was laying on the ground at one point and one of the other marmalades decided that he would come and lay behind me. Was a good thing Desiree warned me.
The place was definitely heaven from a cats point of view. The volumes of attention and adoration that would be heaped on them is amazing.
We then headed across the Panda Bridge to the Ueno Zoo only to find out that their giant panda had passed away the year before. We decided to forgoe the zoo and head over to the museums. We went to the Tokyo National Museum which comprises of four buildings each about the same size as the WA museum.
We went into the first building which contained mostly historical Japanese artifacts and a large section on Bhuddist development as a religion. The photo opportunities were great. While there was no flash allowed the pieces were illumanted properly so that the pictures came out fantastically. Towards the end of the last building I was really starting to fade.. you know the signs... migraine, congestion, exhaustion, a slight cough and general all over stuffiness. I'm not looking forward to this head cold.
We left the museum grounds and watched our bus pull up and then leave. Pity our timing was just off. We waited a while until Desiree made an executive decision that we would catch a taxi back. I was more than happy to follow along.
Once we got back to the Ryokan I started to upload photos and then passed out. Desiree woke me a couple of hours later to find out if I was ok to go out but I wasn't. I woke up a couple of hours later with a bit of a fever so dragged myself to the chemist and a supply gathering mission. I managed to convey that I needed headcold medicine, grabbed it, headed back and asked the ryokan manager if he could tell me how much I should take. Turns out it is this powder that doesn't taste very nice. I think you mix it with water.. Well I did and am definitely feeling a lot better. It seems to work better than good old codral for relieving the same symptoms and it nerfed the migraine. I haven't had anything thats nerfed my migraines since the accident!
Tomorrow we should be meeting up with my fathers friend and heading off to Sumida, one of the largest Sumo regions in Japan.
Today we found out that for 200yen the Ryokan can dispose of the broken suitcase for me. We were planning on going to the zoo in Ueno which is the first and largest zoo in japan but didn't quite make it.
We had a sudden change of plans while on the bus to Ueno and headed to Asakusa and Kappabashi. Our bus stop is right out front of the Ryokan which is perfect for getting back when you've had a long and exhausting day out. Kappabashi is the kitchenware center of Tokyo and the bus stopped out front of a very expensinve looking house which I managed to take a stealth photo of while walking past. We were sure they wouldn't like us standing there and taking a picture. It stood out as the gate was open and the area before the house looked big enough to pop another small house there and was surrounded by multi story apartment blocks and units.
There were sign stores that carried the paper lanterns I want but with no lights in them and about $6aud each, crockery stores with all the traditional ware, chopsticks by the truck load, pots, pans, sinks, stoves, display cases and really awesome plastic food. There were knive stores too which stocked some of the same brands you see going for about $400 a knife in the up market australian stores... these were going for 18000 yen or in other words about $200 aud. I think if I want to get a set of these I will ask my fathers friend to get them for me and send them across.
The plastic food is in a league of its own. It does not compare to what you find in australia. What they have produced is absolutely amazing and perfect in replication. Yes, I am more than happy to state as an absolute that they are perfect replicas. They look so real, so fresh, so lush and so very edible. I brought myself an Onigiri fridge magnet because I have fallen in love with the stuff.
There was the most gorgeous neko iron tea pot that I would have loved to get but it would definitely play havock with my luggage quota and taking it in carry on would not be an option.
We kept wandering and saw some gorgeous glass wear and the most beautiful pumpkin shaped pot. I don't know if it was cast iron covered with enamel but it was over $200aud so a picture would have to suffice.
We headed to Asakusa and stopped in at an italian style restaurant for lunch which seemed to fuse elements of japanese into its dishes. For 500 yen I had seafood chowder, garlic bread and an all you can drink option. Definitely good value.
Wandering down the streets we spotted a small, 2 story wood house maybe 2 rooms to each floor stuck between a couple of huge multi story complexes.. a good 10 floors high. That image reminded me so much of the movie "Batteries Not Included." We completed our wandering at Sensouji Temple.
The temple grounds were very large and there were massive amounts of people everywhere. One of the highrises near by was constructed to look like a beer> The sides of the building were of a golden hue and the top floors were a silver white to represent the head of a beer. Walking through the grounds there was a market like atmosphere with trinkets and chopsticks, kimonos and bags, toys and noise everywhere. I found a Hello Kitty phone charm dressed in purple and black with black butterfly wings. I may have to go back and get it before I go if I can't find it anywhere else.
We hopped on the bus back to the Ryokan and got off a stop early. Here I found a paper store and we wandered through the other convenience store near the Ryokan.
Come midnight we were peckish so decided on a late night run to the convenience store, check out my spoils in the photos. In the morning we go to find a new suitcase before heading off to the Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Zoo.
The star attraction for the day though will be visiting Neko Maru which is a cat cafe. The basic idea behind it is you pay to go to this cafe in time blocks and you get a feline companion to spend time with, cuddle, play with, sit with, pamper etc. I think its a wonderful concept especially for those who love cats but can't have their own. I wonder how it could be pulled off to have in australia with our strict health regulations.
Photos of Two Fat Ladies in Japan 2009
Keep an eye out for more to come as we travel all over the country side. No not in a motorcycle with a side car, though how much fun would that be!
I think I really overdid it yesterday. Today we spent most of it lounging around the Ryokan but then went for curry in Koshigaya which was where Desiree lived while teaching over here. She was stoked when the lady who was working at the 7eleven was the same one that was there when she lived there and that the lady remembered her! We picked up a couple of umbrellas because it was raining a bit heavier and set off.
While stopping to take a picture of a rather pretty red and yellow bell shaped flower the home owner came home and we got into a conversation about australian customs laws on bringing plants back into the country. Strange eh.
Now I was really starting to find it hard to keep walking but we made it to the curry shop where I slathered myself in something like deep heat but a heck of a lot hotter, runnier and comes in a handy applicator bottle. It also contained no diclofenac at all (the wonder drug which caused a few hassles after the accident). No, it wasn't curry. It was something we picked up at the drug store near the Ryokan.
I was feeling grumpy, tired and sore so just went for the basic beef curry which while nice was lacking in beef quantity. After finishing off noms we headed back towards the train station and stopped in at the book shop. I found lots of Naruto stuff for Ian and something that would interested Todd and Sarah.
JACKPOT!!! We went to the 100Yen shop that was across the road from the station and found awesome halloween stuff including little felt bags which will be great for stuffing with candy for the kids who come to the engagement. There were lots of paper decorations but no paper lanterns. I might ask my fathers friend when we meet with her as to where I can find them.
On the way back through a station where we had to change trains I stopped in and picked up a couple of light up pumpkins and a pumpkin bucket. Again it seems to be another night where we stumble home in pain and pass out.
Tomorrow was supposed to be Disney land but I really don't think we would enjoy it so we've changed it to next tuesday. I think we will go look at the zoo in Ueno tomorrow.
We stopped in at a costume museum where they had made scale models of one of the royal residences in the different seasons. The work that went into the models was outstanding.
Just prior to the museum we stopped at a convenience store to get a top up of water and for me to be attacked by mosquitoes. Managed to get some bug spray (the very last bottle) and the girl serving said the mozzie season was over. Hehe not for me love.
From there we rode up to the Nijo Castle. Such a beautiful site, the grounds were well maintained and manicured and inside was well preserved. This castle is the one famous for the nightinggale floor which makes a chirping sound like a nightinggale when you walk on it. This was designed to make it harder for people to sneak in and assasinate the Shogun.
From here we started to head up to the Golden Pavillion but we didn't quite get there due to exhaustion. It was about 2pm and we'd arrived in Kyoto at 10am and had started riding around immediately. We decided to head down to the Kyoto International Manga Museum for a gander. Stopping in for a coffee first Desiree was estatic to find out that the guy who had directed Ponyo, a Studio Ghibli production had been in that coffee shop the day before and had added to the artwork on their walls. She nearly melted with glee to find out she was standing right where he had. Damn otaku ;)
We made it back to the bicycle hire place by 5pm. We were well and truely exhausted. I guess 7 hours of walking and cycling would do that to two fat ladies.
Some how we lucked out and got 3 seats to ourselves on the Shinkansen home. Note, the seats on the Shinkansen are narrower than that of a budget airline. Probably back row Virgin Blue narrow. We got back to the Ryokan sometime after 10pm but before the 11pm curfew where they lock the doors. They have a secure side door that you can enter with a code after hours though.
We managed to have a quick clean and then passed out from pain and exhaustion.
On arrival we received gifts that had been left for us by a friend of my fathers who we will be visiting while here.
Today was scheduled as a Rest, Relaxation and Exploration day and boy was it needed. We slept for a few hours and then the explore bug bit me. We had a look around the area, peeking in convenience stores and looking at what was for sale in the food stalls. It seems Yanaka (where we are staying) is the stray cat capital of Japan. There were loads everywhere and people would stop to pet them and give them food. We wandered about Nippori train station area looking at the sights and smelling the smells before heading back and getting supplies for dinner.
Convenience stores over here sell alcohol. I brought a 500ml can of premix vodka for 200yen. Cheap and so much selection.
Day 2 will see us taking the bullet train to Kyoto for the day which means we need to be up at 5am.
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