Monday, February 6, 2012
It was one Friday night last year and I was checking internet to find what to do in London over the weekend, when I came across thing called ‘Tweed Run’. People dressed in vintage clothes, strolling across London on their push-bikes… that sounds interesting. I’ve been an admirer of all things retro and a over-the-top fan of Bioshock (hello, fifties), so that sounded like the thing to do and the place to be.
Keep reading »
I am not going to be the first to tell you that consumerism is BIG in Japan. And here we are, in Ginza, a well-known shopping district in Tokyo. It’s like Oxford Street in London, but with more designer labels. Also the streets are not as crowded, possibly because pavements in Japan are much wider. They live in small apartments, but streets are wide (like in Paris). We are here not for shopping though, just browsing and window shopping. After all, this is not why we are here. Plus the pound is weak ;)
Keep reading »
There isn’t much to say here. You need to see it. Another highlight from our second day in Tokyo – the views from the Tokyo Tower (one of the few megapolis’ observation points). And they are spectacular! I hope these pictures will do some justice. The tower itself is 332 meter high, located in Roppongi District and actually draws design inspiration from Eiffel Tower. And it’s red. Kind of orange red.
Keep reading »
After a rather filling breakfast we went for a walk in Kachidoki. We did not have a certain plan at the point, just wanted to wander around for a bit. Also, there we could see Tokyo bay and the Rainbow bridge. Interesting thing about Tokyo (and well, Japan) is that you see all those skyscrapers and modern steel and glass buildings and then you will find standing next to them some old and obscure, barely on it’s last leg, hut, just like in ‘Up’ animation. Or a restaurant. And that’s quite picturesque. And cute :)
It’s 5 in the morning and I am lying fully awake. Good morning jet lag! Right, we gotta do something. And I’ve just got brilliant idea – it’s a perfect time to go and visit world famous Tsukiji, Tokyo Central Wholesale Market. It might not sound so, but Tsukiji market is the place to see when if are in Tokyo.
We arrived in about an hour or so and yes, it is exactly what I thought it would be. What you read in those tourist guides is true. Massive selection of all kind of fish and sea creatures (no blue whales or dolphins were spotted though). Very lively, very busy, and absolutely buzzing! Again – clean and tidy. And, just like was promised – no fishy smell! At all. Overall – quite overwhelming :)
Keep reading »
So here we are, after 10 hour flight and 2890 km covered, finally landed. That was definitely the shortest day in my life :) But we made it!
Narita Airport does not seem that busy at all – must be the slow time of the year. Got through the customs and hopped on the express train to Tokyo. Comfy reclining seats and wifi. It’s not free though. Oh, never mind…
Ah hour ride and are arriving in the capital of the far-away land. What we see through the window is a lot of tall apartment blocks built very densely and rather close to the train tracks. That’s a sign of a megapolis. And this is a Central Station, as busy as Victoria in the rush hour, but more complicated architecturally.
Buying the first metro tickets from the machine is not overly complicated, but rather intimidating, especially when English instructions are not that obvious. And knowing there are other people queuing behind you is also not helping. But we got through that.
Keep reading »
Japan was never on the list of my most imminent destinations. Probably because it felt so far-far away. And it is pretty far anyway. Plus the cultural barrier made it even more distant place. But I always knew I would go there some day. And then something clicked and I thought, We should just go.
Finnair sale made it easier to make the decision – £500 for a return ticket. I though that qualified for ‘not bad at all’. But that was in February and we opted for the foliage season in November. Again, that felt so far away… but you know how times flies ;)
Keep reading »
Ok, this must be the creepiest addition to my the Bioshock collection, and the lady-splicer does not look that healthy or wholesome, but then… it’s all part of the Rapture’s story and its tragedy, so I thought ‘Why not?’. Now they have got their rightful place on the herself among the others. And I now have more chances to be misunderstood by other people :)
P.S. A Big Daddy toy in the hand of Eleanor Lamb, you should agree, is a really nice touch.
Keep reading »