Blisters

So got back from Tokyo at 12 this morning, due in work at 4. But to be honest it was a hectic end to a crazy hectic (but fun) week. Daves family were over and we played super tour guides.

First evening I headed into meet them we headed to a sushi resteraunt, where Dave and I with our impecibble Japanese skills managed to order almost 40 plates of sushi. The waiters were pissing themselves laughing with each new plate we tried to squeeze onto the table. But we're troopers and managed to eat about ... 50%.

First day out we headed to Inuyama to see the castle, and the tea gardens. It was damn hot so the fans we'd bought the family came in useful. After that we headed for a slap up best darned chinese meal we'd ever eaten at Dave's friend resteraunt, Osunara. It was happy in your belly food and we could hardly move afterward.

Next on the agenda was Kyoto, so we hopped on the shinkansen, got there in 40 minutes and then stood waiting for a bus for an hour! But first stop was Sanjusangendo, the temple with 1001 buddhas, and then onto Kiyomizu, where we saw a Geisha! After all that, all we were fit for was a shower and an Outback meal.


Next couple of days were rest days, while I went to the festival with Aiko. Filled with shopping and comfort food.

Monday, Dave, Mel, Brian and myself headed to Nara, which was amazing. So much so that it'll get its own post when I get me finger out.

To celebrate their last night in Nagoya, we headed to karaoke. And we were treated to, without a doubt, the best, rendition of YMCA ever. Don't think I've ever laughed so damn hard.


On Tuesday we hopped on the train to big scary wet your pants Tokyo, which in reality is just as managable as any other big poo off city. Dave and I headed to Odaiba, crazy tourist shopping island with statue of liberty replicas and Gap and Next stores. The others didn't miss much bar some interesting sake.


Next day, Mel, Pete and Luann headed on a bus tour while Dave, Brian and I did our best to stalk the bus to all the same places. We did a walking tour of stereotypical japanese shopping district. Big advertising screens, crazy traffic, tons of people, a billion stores. As much of a culture shock as the quiet serene temples. Dave and Brian took a well deserved break (5 minutes into the walk) in an arcade and played a good hour of zombie shooting games. A guy was so impressed/bored/drunk that he gave em 1000 yen for their trouble!


Then headed to the kitchen supply district with tons of pottery shops and all the plastic food you'll even need. Looking at all that plastic food (that and the 5 hours of walking) put a rumble in our stomach that was nicely cured by an amazing Indian lunch meal. Mmmmm my tail is still wagging thinking about it.

Our last evening was spent eating YakiNiku, Korean BBQ where you cook your own food on a grill at the table. A splendid success followed by numerous bottles of wine and photo slide shows. This morning, nursing tenderheads, Dave and I jumped on the Shinkansen home, while the others packed and waited for their flight home.


Crazy hectic but a whole lot of damn fun.