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Published: March 29th 2007
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Hi everyone,
As you are aware we have now embarked and safely arrived in Japan for the first leg of our epic round the world honeymoon. Having landed in Tokyo (Narita) on Tuesday we have had a couple of days getting over the jet lag and seeing and experiencing metropolitan Japan.
We have always been excited about Japan and, having read up on the country and Tokyo, we were looking forward to the land of the rising sun, the meeting of east and west and the place where traditional meets modern! We were not to be disapointed and have in many aspects started this trip with a country i know will always have a special place in our hearts (and we are only 3 days in!).
Anyway, taking a couple of steps back, the first night of our world tour took us through trecherous terrain and possibly some of the toughest travelling where we travelled the 1/4 mile journey all the way from our house to Simons and arrived at our first hotel Chez Murray, in Sale, Manchester. Following an evening performing at the Bridgewater Hall we went home via the curry house to bed ready for our flight
Tea and tears...
At the airport before the big departure... the following day!
We set off for the airport and after shedding a few tears with friends and family - found ourselves alone at Mancester airport with only our backpacks and each other, so to lighten the mood and lift our spirits after saying goodbye we tried on some special glases for the trip - unfortunately our budget didnt stretch to designer glasses as we looked quite special (see pic attached).
Our first leg was a short hop to Heathrow - which before we knew it (after a surprise sandwhich) we had landed again with an hour or so to wait before our flight onto Tokyo. Since we were celebrating our honeymoon we thought it only fitting that we take a visit to the airport bar for a small bottle of Champers and two straws. A very classy start to the trip and our last extravagance.
Once on the flight, after a long and very hot queue in heathrow, we settled down with some pre dinner drinks both choosing Bloody Marys just for Mike (Dad) and as the flight number was BA 007 we thought it only fitting that we enjoy a bit of Daniel Craig (for
Chrissie) and Casino Royale to pass the time on our 11 hour marathon of a flight.
Day 2 ... and things started much the same - we were still on the plane and we were still watching movies, oh and we did get a couple of hours sleep. We arrived at Narita at around 12pm (4am UK time) and caught the cheapest train we could find into Tokyo. On arrival at Akihabara metro station we encountered our first real problem - we were lost, not only that but none of the streets had names and if they did we couldnt read them! Oh dear! chrissie remarked. We later found out that buildings in Tokyo are not always numbered in order down the street - this also was a bit of an issue! Although on a budget we thought this was the right time to treat ourselves to a taxi which cost us more in the standing charge than the journey itself! But was well worth it.
Showered and ready to explore we hit the electronic district for a full on in your face (sensory explosion) introduction to Tokyo! It was amazing and possibly the only thing at that
Electric district
It‘s so beautiful! point that would have kept us awake. We finished the evening at a noodle bar where we bought tickets for our dinner from a machine. Weird but yummy!
Day 3 ... this began early, very early, 3am to be precise! the time difference had taken its effect and 6am hit with no more sleep for either of us.
We then went to the Asakusa area of Tokyo where we visited the Senso-ji Temple and met Hideo a really nice Japanese man who showed us around the Temple, and taught us all of the customs at both temples and shrines - where we took part in covering our heads in incense smoke and washing our hands in the fountain.
En route to Ueno park we took a detour to the bustling market streets in search of lunch. After some rather odd snacks including chicken cartilage and chicken skin on a stick (not something we will be running back for) we found a delicious dumpling type thing filled with all sorts of veg meat etc being cooked on the street - Mmmmmmm this really turned things around for lunch and we are already planning our next lunch dumpling experience!
Ueno park is famous for its abundance of cherry blossom (which is flowering at the moment - lucky for us). The park itself is bustling with lots of stalls and hundreds and hundreds of people who have come to celebrate the coming of the blossom so it was not quite the tranquil viewing we were hoping for! however stunning none the less.
After a great morning we picked up our bags and took to the hike back to the train station to our new hostel - where we had birthday beer and cake (that strangely tasted a bit like seaweed). After a shower and a dip in the shared bath - we headed out for dinner. Taking a stroll and feeling a little adventurous we left the safety of the main street (where there was some english on the menus) for the surprises that lay in the side streets. After a few mins of worrying that we would pay a fortune as we couldnt read the prices we stumbled upon a great looking very traditional Japanese restaurant only armed with a smile and little to no Japanese. Piping up we (Mark) got a couple of phrases mixed up
and coolly said something like - umbongo banana milkshake - or translated - I dont speak English! they seemed to get the gist and let us in, took our shoes and showed us to a private room where we were served a fabulous 9 course meal by traditionally dressed Japanese women - not sure what we ate - including something that resembled fish guts but it all tasted amazing.
As you can see we have got a little excited about the blog cramming 3 days on one entry - sorry, but we hope you are still awake.
Love to you all,
M and C
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Mum & Dad
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Intrepid explorers
Glad you survived the first treacherous 1/4 mile - must have been hell out there!!! - What a fantastic start. I have to admit that some of the food sounds as though it comes from the song by Clinton Ford - the Old Bazzar in Cairo. (I'm sure Chrissie remembers it!!!!). Beebee is puurrrfectly at home and regularly goes on Garden Patrol seeing off all the local cats - bit of a bully really. Have fun and take care. Mum and Dad