Hello from Japan (Part 2)

November 1st, 2008 by hans

It’s been really a full-action-packed holiday so far. Here’s a summary of the continuation of our Japan trip:
Day 4. Tokyo - Shibuya Harajuku and Shinjuku. It was Sunday and the streets were swarming with people. Nights are blindingly bright with neon lights.
Day 5. Fuji - Started late and got there quite late. The bus to Mt Fuji from Fuji shinkansen station only goes every 2 hours, and we just missed one. So we did not take many pictures. Still we learnt how to get here cheaply, and if there’s a chance in the future, will definitely go back here, preferrably during autumn or spring. The scenery is quite breathtaking, even when not all leaves have turned red yet.
Day 6. Tokyo - Disney Sea. The rides are so-so, but the place is beautiful. Must have taken zillions of yen to build this place.
Day 7. Tokyo - Ginza and Akihabara. Finally got the chance to shop a bit at Akiba.
Day 8. Osaka - Universal Studio. Everything is in japanese here, so we did not understand the shows. The roller coaster is quite cool, especially the first drop. Souvenirs are as usual, over-priced.
Day 9. Kobe and Himeji. Lots of stairs to climb. First to a waterfall near the Kobe station, then at Himeji castle. We lost track of time in the picturesque japanese garden near Himeji castle, and we only had half an hour before Himeji castle closed. So there were some running as well. Kobe beef is so expensive (and so delicious), and we had it during lunch time when the price is half of the dinner price.
Day 10. Kyoto - Arashiyama. Cute monkeys!! And nice bamboo grove. We hired bikes, and it was really fun. We were laughing aloud while riding it.

Osaka Apa Hotel Internet Speed

November 1st, 2008 by hans

Tokyo Internet Speed

October 30th, 2008 by hans


At the ryokan at where I stayed for 4 nights.

Hello from Japan (Part 1)

October 26th, 2008 by hans

Hi from Tokyo. Finally the place where I stay has an internet connection in the room. The Osaka hotel before only has internet connection in the lobby, so it’s not convenient to use for an extended period. Plus I was busy searching for a place to stay in Tokyo.

I got a place to stay in a ryokan, thanks to the Lonely Planet book that I borrow from Jasmine. This ryokan is so nice! The room is larger than the Osaka hotel we stayed at previously. Btw, we met Jasmine and her travelling friend in Osaka on Thursday evening, and had dinner together at Dotombori. This place is packed full with food! (Yosie and I found out on Friday night that the next street is a red light district. And the pimp had a unique way of ushering people in, by clapping their hands. The pimps are mostly young japanese men in suits). We still need to find a place to stay in Tokyo for 1-2 nights, then in Osaka/Kyoto for 2-3 nights.

Ok, here’s what’s happened with my trip so far:
Day 1. Osaka - Shinsaibashi market, Osaka castle, Umeda sky garden (not really a garden, just an observatory), Dotombory food place.
Day 2. Kyoto - Nijo castle, Kinkakuji (Golden Pavillion), Gion
Day 3. Tokyo - Akihabara, Roppongi.

Will post the pictures later.

Amazing mobile apartment

October 3rd, 2008 by hans

Built inside a garbage truck

White Rabbit candy

September 26th, 2008 by hans

China stops sales of White Rabbit candy

Nooooooo. I really liked this candy. But I haven’t had this for a long time now.

Cool ad on youtube

September 25th, 2008 by hans

http://www.youtube.com/experiencewii

Watch until the end.

Programmer comic

September 23rd, 2008 by hans

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/84556/whats-your-favorite-programmer-cartoon

If you can understand the comic in the above link, you are so… programmer :)

Piper on Prosperity Gospel

August 2nd, 2008 by hans


In case you do not yet subscribe to Darwin’s blog.

There’s water on Mars

August 1st, 2008 by hans

http://news.smh.com.au/world/phoenix-lander-finds-water-on-mars-20080801-3o55.html