Land of the Rising Sun

Well finally a travel related blog. When in school you read about the 'land of the rising sun' and imagine that it is where the day starts first! beeeep Wrong. Actually Japan is two hours behind Melbourne and that makes it 3 hrs behind NZ. Anyway now about Japan and its people.

Well the Japanese are known for the extremely courteous culture and efficiency. We found this even in the flight there. We were on JAL flight (code share with Qantas) from Brisbane to Narita. The service even in 'cattle class' was excellent. Always on the look out for our needs, like giving us water bottles as soon the last one finished etc. The special vegie food was quite edible and we reached Narita by about 4:20 PM. This is when the efficiency and helpfulness hit us. We were out of immigration in 5 Mins flat and out of customs in about another 20 (our luck with bags held and ours was one of the last :-()

Then it was to the tourist centre where they gave as all necesasry maps detils we asked for, and infact came out of the office to show us the way to the ATM. Loaded with the Japanese yen , next stop was the Japan Rail office to covert our Japan Rail pass voucher to the tickets. There, the person who did the exchange also helped us get equipped with the SuicaNex card, that gets you into Tokyo in the Narita Express, as well as has a auotmatic debit card with some money for the travels within Tokyo on their Subways etc. All this done we were out on our way in the Narita express, in a flat 1 hr from the moment we landed. How is that for a friendly efficiency, given we had to go to few different areas of the airport, and the signs (while available in english) is not very obvious all the time.

That night we checked in and walked out for dinner. This we found was not going to be easy! Went to a couple of places, to try out local cuisine that is vegetarian, and went through the usual say a couple of things from the phrase book (the people start peering over your shoulders into it) lot of charading and then find out 'sorry no bejetarian food' shtock is fish... ( fish stock) or 'oil is pork' ( use of lard for oil) etc, found a nepalese place and ended up having dhal and subji. Have to find local vegetarian food....

Next day trip was Nikko This is a world heritage city, with many old temples that survivied the world war.

This was nice, but a bit touristy. Good news was being a temple town we managed to get 'Shyojen ryori' the budhist temple cuisine. This meant we had a really lovely ( believe me this bean curd was deliciaous) bowl of noodle soup with tofu in a really delicious melt in mouth form, and some vegie pickles etc.

Also went to one of the 'onsen' attached to a hotel. Onsen is a natural spring bath that Japan is famous for. These are segregated (women/men) for good reason. Typically you go through the door, and enter the area where there are lockers for your valuables. Then you go into the first room, that has racks of luandry baskets. This is for your clothes and towel Take those off and walk thorugh in your b'day suit with the tiny hand towel that you can use to cover your privates to the bath area. Here the 'spring water' pool is in the middle. Around it is this series of shower stations. These stations have a small plastic stool and bowl (where the japanese scoop out water from to rinse themeselves). It also has hand held showers. the idea is you scrub ( Imean a squeky clean scrub) and wash out all traces of dirt and soap/shampoo, before you ehad out to the pool. It was quite an experience especially the outdoor one that was next to the main pool with high fence all around, so that you see the trees and mountains around you while you lounge in the bath.

The friendliness and the 'cant do enough for forigners ' attitude was seen in our train journey back . This guy heard us making plans, and sopke to us. He was in the hospitality industry and asked us for our plans. We were at that stage planning our hakone trip ( the mountain resort area close to Tokyo) and said we wanted to stay in a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan) . He made a couple of phone calls and organised a place for us, and told us to give him a ring if we needed it.

The next day was spent in Tokyo checking out the modern Tokyo, with its 'young throngs' in Shinjuku, with the techno fevered japan, with all the glory of neon lights, big screen TV in every street corner and such things. Vegie food today was a very expensive Quizno sub (regular size was 8cm, that means a tiny two bite sandwich) of about $6.00 each (US dollars) The evening again chickened out of 'local food' and went in to this restaurant that claimed to have southindian food (dreaming of dosas) and had yet another very ordinary indian meal. The good news was we managed to book the 'Fuji Hakone Guest House' all on our own (well with a bit of help from the hotal staff to understand the japanese message we got intially on caling the place, turns town we had thw rong number and the hotel guy looked it up for us and found the correct number). Then it was a 'no thank you' note to the man on the train.

On sunday was our first trip using the Japanese Bullet train 'Shinkansen' This was really great and we covered the 100 + distance to Odawara in 45 mins. Journey was very smooth and comfy. The Hakone free pass was great , and the whole trip was brillaint. 'Fuji San' was very cooperative and the view from the cable car incredible as was the view on the ground in Owakudani. The sulphur smell here reminded me of Rotarua in NZ. We did buy the famed 'Kuro Tamango' (hard boiled in the boiling springs that turns the shell black) and had one each for lunch that day! So we have an additional 7 yrs each to our lives :-)

From here we went on to Togendai. here decide to do the de-tour to visit the Fuji-Hakone Guest house and dump our back pack. (the big ones where left in locker at Odawara, another plus about a safe society you still have these in train sttaions) So after a 45 mins de-tour got back to Tgandia for a cruise on the Ashi Ko (lake ashi) for one of the most crwoded lake cruises. There where mre views of Mt Fuji from the lake side villages. WE had this incredible weather to help us see this majestic view. Apparently it is invarably shrouded by clouds and you ened to be lucky to see it! The venign in the gust house wes great, with a prvate onsen experince (they had a small outdoor onse, for guests attha you could book half hour slots) and a vegetarian japanse dinner at a lcal resturant This time with a stir fried vegies (ginger flavoured) and egg palns and tofu friend and spiced. She did not serve us the soup (part of the set meal) as it had fish shtock!

Next day was another experience of the 'hikar' experss to Kyoto. In Kyoto, went to the tourist office and managed to bok in to the local ryokan at off season price. So for a cost of just 7500 yen per night we got this spacious rom with prvate facilties. the catch was we had to roll out and roll back our own futons that were stacked in the cuboard. The room was very comfy, and as long as you were happy to sleep on futons on teh floor, it was great! This meant, in the mornings we had room to do our stretches etc. so we loved it. I loved Kyoto. Made a visit to the costume museum to check out the japnase costumes and even got dressed like a 'japanese royalty' over there. Its a real mix of tradition and high teck. Food was also easier since it has a great choice of internation cuisine ( like pasta/pizza etc , albeight abit expensive) and vegetarian Japanse, given its a temple town. Loved the 'negi okanamiyaki' where they come to your hot plate laid table and cook the japanse style cabbage/vegie pancake with a choice of fried egg to make it a bit more filling! Again the japanese temple cuisine was bean curd in other forms (all of them with a very different/smoother/fresher texture). The highlight here was Kiramizo Dara temple where there is this pure waterfall, whose water is sacred and poeple drink it. Here to get the water they have these little copper bowls attached to sticks. Abviously for hygiene reasons these need to be washed/disinfected. Here is where technolgy kicks in. Next to the waterfall is a UV disinfecting unit, into which these bowls are pushed in, and 'voila' we have clean cups for the next person!

The other highlight was a trip to Hiroshima. This was very touching and made you really feel the ponitlessness and cold blooded political/economic decisions that should be treated as 'war crimes' I really believe that every army officer who makes major decisions should be forced to see this museum. I have always been for 'destroying' of all nuclear war head in the world. Visiting Hiroshima hightened the need for this. Again the museum also helped appreciate the ruggedness of the Japanese poeple to have survived and recovered from such devastation (everything for a 10 KM was flattened out and everything within about 60KM had major impacts) However after this level of damage they had trams running within a day! Hats off to such a race, that recovered from this and are actively practicing and working towards world peace.

Lets hope and pray for World Peace.

Other highlights

Osaka - the place with KMs of covered street malls thronging with young people

Asakusa - A crowded temple area with hardly enough place to move and all kinds of street food (could not eat many of these...)

Hakata - A so called cosmopolitan city with minimal english exposure in Japan

Narita Airport - Local staff serving Jetstar where efficient and opolegettic and took great care of us when the flight got delayed to next morning. Much better than the way we had to run around in Cairns(Jetstar is Australian!)

Public Toilets - Cleanest ever anywhere in the world, and the most technolgically advanced....
Verdict
Would highly recommend a trip as long as you can afford it. Its worth the money to see Germanic Efficency with a very personal and friendly attitude.

What to blog about...

I started this blog to describe my travels.. It must be a sign, since starting it, I have not travelled much :-( Well that's not going to stop me from blogging...

So I started think of what can I talk about

• My running... Could make up stories of the lovely runs... But it would not be true, I am not even sure why I punish myself with this stuff, But do enjoy the eating and drinking after
• My work... less said the better, It does pay the mortgage
• My Family ... Umm probably not a good idea, would like the outside world to still believe we are sane lot!
• My dentist/doc Not people I like to see very often so, ummm not really
• Economy --- Have too much of it on your face in telly, so lets leave that one out
• oooooohhhhh I really cant think of what to say.

So I will finish with some sayings I heard the other day and my thought against each one

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me,
for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much
leave me the hell alone. --- Me Me me ----
2. Its always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your
neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it. --- well good hint aint it.....
3. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted. ---- Now you know why I always am able to take off.....
4. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else. ----- But am more unique than others------
5. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
6. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of
loan re-payments.
7. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.
That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their
shoes.
8. If at first you don' t succeed, skydiving is probably not for you. -------- again you know why I haven't done that-------
9. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish,
and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
10. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was
probably a wise investment.
11. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything. ----- My philosophy to the tee-----
12. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
13. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put
it back in your pocket. ----- Doesn't work for me, once its out of the pocket its gone ooooshhhh--14. A closed mouth gathers no foot. ----------ahaha No one told me this... Now I have so many feet, one more does not affect it-----
15. Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side,
and it holds the universe together.
16. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works. ----why don't the men know this?-----
17. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

Why do I run...

Well I know I said I won't bore everyone about my running, but what the hell...
Things we do to keep in shape... I even took up running regularly. It started as an accident as many things in my life.

here I was happily eating and having fun and joined an airline of all places. These were the days when I could still hog away any amount of chocos and what not and not have an ounce to show... (I know I know I am one of those Lucky ones who did not have to do anything at all to watch my weight until after the magic age of 35!) However, I am one of those who always wants to 'belong'

So here goes, these guys wanted to set up a corporate team to take part in running around the TAN. For those of you non Melbournians, Tan is a 4 KM track around the Botanical gardens in the fringe of the city. This needs at least 3 girls in the team, and at least 1 running in each team event. So Ms C & I joined up on urging from the one and only woman runner in the team, along with all the other guys bribing us with chocolates and other such things...

Then came a day when I had to be the 1 girl who ran... So here I was all dressed ( Had to get the right kind of shorts and T-shirt for it... Cant go running in daggy traks can I?) and looking the part and started the run. Most guys finish this round in about 17 to 18 mins, I started off with them and thought this is not bad., and then hit the hill! This is a steep 300 mts stretch (felt like 3 Kms) where I came to a screeching halt. Felt like one of those cartoons, I was huffing and puffing but seems to be making ever so slow a progress. Finally finished the run in 25 mins... Then got to work and was embarrassed. BUT the guys were sweet, and told me you did great. Those who know me, will understand when I say, that brought a beeming smile and I was hooked.

Even did the race against the steam-engine ( the engine bet me very easily) . This is a cute little train in outskirts of Melbourne that goes through the hills to a lake. A lovely picnic spot and a great favourite for kids as you can sit with your legs dangling from the window and go chook chook up the hill. That was the one and only time I ran that one, Other times Let Mr P do it while I either drove to pick him up or went Chook Chook... You get the picture.

Then I was a good little indian and gave up all this mad activities, when three years back Mr K decide he wants to do a marathon to check if he was 50 yrs young or 50 yrs old... I became the default trainer. By this time, I found that chocolates do stick to your mid riff... So as trainer I started running with him , and found lo and behold the tyres disappeared...

Mr K did his Mara and proved he was 50 yrs Young. Seeing the crowd cheering and supporting the marathoners was incredible. I got sucked into it... as did a few more friends and ow we have a running group of our own.

Guess I always did enjoy being the odd person out, and am still the only one among the Indian crowd who is into the running 20 Kms plus. BUT I have called it quits there, albeit a loot of persuasion from the blokes who are doing the full...

The good news though is that I am back to the size I was when 25 and am back to eating as much sugar/chocolates and am loving it. Also, I find running 5 Kms or so, is enough to maintain this. Running the TAn or Albert lake circuit (both close to home now0 is also very pleasing to the eyes, as there is a lot of eye candy to be seen for both men and women when you run here.

My verdict...

Running medium distances is worth it to eat all those chocolates and lovely food. I love this method rather than give up. Also I like the runners high and enjoy seeing the shock on peoples faces when I tell them my real age... (most guess it to be at least 10 yrs lower)

So get out there to a nice park and go for it... because I am worth it (definitely better than Lo'real... )

Wilsons Prom Trip

Well after a lot of looking forward to the walk to the Lighthouse happened!

This was a fun trip to plan. Uma and Ramesh where novices as far as walking with back packs is concerned. So we had to decided what to take. The list of things grew and shrunk based on weight. The advantage was we did not have to take any tents/stove or sleeping bags, as we had already requested for the doonas. So the food taken was
Aloo Parathas courtesy Ms U
தச்சி மம்மம் (have to keep the tamil brahman genes going)
Lots of dry fruits/nuts
Crackers and Cheese
Soups for Saturday lunch (dry mulgutwany, and some tomato etc)
Besibelah houli (rice/dry vegies/dhal) with a premixed masala in another bottle
Vermicille பாயசம் (the MTR quick mix variety)
Milk Powder
Coffee/Tea etc
And the most important 4 bottles of Wine
about 7 Lt's water for each day when starting out

With the clothes and what not, the bags weighed in at 14 Kg /12Kg / 12 Kg/ and 7 Kg

All the workouts and core training paid off. The new backpacks were a great fit , and Mr R was not too badly off with his borrowed bag. The start was a very early morning drive through Melbourne suburbs (a 5:30 Am start) to reach tidal River by 9. Finally started walking by about 9:45



Ms U who kept threatening that she was not sure if she could do this... took off in a furious pace. We had covered 5 kms in one hour, That with all the wight I have just described... This was our first stop for the well deserved drinks/scroggin break For the novice Boardwalker's, Scroggin is a mix of dry fruits, chocolate, nuts etc, that gives you instant sugar/energy and has no calories when you are walking :-)
The walk was sensational as the weather was perfect (about 10 C or so, with some breeze) and the scenery great. Reached our lunch spot Roaring Meg by about 12:45 Here had the peanut butter sandwiches and the crackers and cheese. ofcourse the scroggin was a ever present goody you had to have. Also Ms U had brought in some 'மொரு' buttermilk for those of you who do not understand, and this was really welcome!

As you can see we were all really happy and in great spirits with the walking. The final 6Kms of the walk was the hardest (in that it had a lots of up and down stuff ) and took us almost 2 hours. The extreme bit at the very end was funny... in a way. The sign said .8Km to go then we hiot on thsi extermely steep concrete path. At the end , of what we thought is the end, (this one lasted about 0.2 Kms) we saw an even steeper concrete path!
It doesnt look much here, but this was a killer at the end of a 6 hour (18 Kms) walk, and the only thing that kept us going was the fact that we had hot showers awaiting us. It was a great feeling to be the first for that day to reach the lighthouse, and Scot our park ranger showed us the place. The cottages were sensational.
We were very soon settled in the sunroom (with great views) and the heating on! Saturady was supposed to be a day for some short walks. Managed half an hour in the morning as the weather went nasty on us! It was superb views here


These were the type of views we got from the cottage as well. On saturday we realised that we had bought all the soups etc but forgot to pack bread. So had to raid the surplus food cuboard for some rice. This meant we had a lovely meal of ரசம் (முலகதன்னி சூப்) and rice with the dry beans/peas போரியல். Rest of saturday was spent just chatting/eating/playing cards and generally relaxing. Our falt mates had been there before and were cooking things that made our mouths water! They had even carried eggs, and made fresh pancakes for brekky (while we were having cereal with milk mad eout of milk powder) They had brought along a perculator (the type which you put on stove top) and enough coffee to feed an army. Our puppy dog expressions bought us some lovely expresso coffe, which was great! They even baked some fresh bread for lunch.

Now we know what to pack next time around! Sunday was walk back (weather was very condusive and cleared up again) along the coast with constant views of the light house. This time the first 10 Kms were hard and then it was anothe 12 kms of steady walking... Atleast the packs had each reduced by 2 Kgs or so.




The thing is while you eat all the food, you still have to carry out the rubbish. The only access to the Lighthouse is by walking or the choppers that deliver stuff once in three months! Even the gas bottles (used for heating and such) are brought in by shoppers. Guess next time I will contemplate transferring the wine into plastic bottles that weigh less. The final stretch was a bit of a drag as it was on the same path as before. WE did it and were in the car driving by 3:30 pm and in Melbourne by 6 Pm. Great trip and am looing forward to doing it again!