Travel

Japan 2017: Tokyo, Day Two

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First of all, just want to let everyone know I put the live album up in the Photos section at Japan 2017. This will have many more photos than just what I’m posting in the blog!

We started the day at the original Tokyo Train Station to redeem our Japan Rail passes for the next 7 days. We’ll use them to travel Kyoto at 10:30am tomorrow morning.

Tokyo Train Station

Tokyo Train Station

After that, we took the train over to the Meiji Shrine. It was a beautiful property, with a coy pond and bonsai garden.

Look at the orange coy!

Coy Pond

Pond

Meiji Shrine

#bonsailife

I wish I could keep a Bonsai alive this long

 

Then we headed over to Shibuya district to find a small travel pack I could carry for our trip. We took a cab, and searched and searched but couldn’t quite found what I was looking for.

+ Jetlag

Cab Ride!

Shopping!

Shibuya District

 

Finally, after searching Ginzu and then heading back to the hotel, we trekked back to the area under out hotel and I found a bag I loved! There was a Studio Ghibli store right across from it, and I found a bunch of merchandise from some of my favorite anime movies of all time (Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, and My Neighbor Totoro, to name a few). We finally decided to head to Robot Restaurant for dinner. If you haven’t checked out the Photos page, there are videos on the Japan 2017 page of this incredible experience!

So much Jetlag

On the way into Robot Restaurant

Hay girl hay!

Robots Everywhere!

On a moving float!

Taiko Drummers

The best show on earth!

Rainbow Robot Restaurant

 

After the show and fighting jetlag all night, we headed back to the train and ordered room service. All in all, this was one of the best days we’ve spent in Tokyo!

That’s all for the night… hopefully tomorrow we’ll be more adjusted to the timezone and I won’t have to fight so hard to finish the blog! That’s all for the night… see you on Monday!

-Chris

Japan 2017: Tokyo, Day One

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We had a really great flight! I was able to sleep the first half of it with the help of some delicious buffalo trace and a small sleep aid, and woke up at 10:30am Tokyo time towards the end of the flight. We’re about an hour delayed, so when we land around 4pm we’ll check into our hotel, find a fun place to get dinner in the city, and probably just wander around until then!

Tim took a few naps throughout the flight so I’ll be interested to see how he handles the jet lag this afternoon. I do have to say, this has been the best international flight we’ve been on. The seats were private, EXTREMELY comfortable (I was the only one to request the Saks fifth avenue mattress pad and I don’t care it was complementary and I slept AMAZING) with plenty of room to spread out in. So for now, I will allow the affair with United to continue.

Later

Waiting for the Train

The Narita Express to Tokyo Station

On the airport train, the Narita Express, on our way into Tokyo! Our JR pass is only for 7 days, so we had to purchase a one way ticket to get to the hotel this evening. I am feeling GREAT! No jet lag, ready for dinner, and excited to get to our hotel and check in!

#spoiled

Tim had a bottle of Sake waiting for me in the room!

Later

 

We had an incredibly adventurous dinner in a sushi place located in this crazy maze of shops underneath our hotel. We just ate whatever they gave us, and Tim did AMAZING. I was doing well until we had a roll which I THINK may have been Uni. My cheeks puffed out, I choked a bit, and then forced my gag reflex back down with all the shame I’ve ever summoned in my entire life. It was a VERY close call. Despite that, I was able to finish dinner, and we headed up to the hotel lounge for a nightcap!

and raisins?

The weirdest Manhattan Ever

I ordered a Manhattan (it was on the menu so I thought it was a safe bet). What I got was a glass stuffed with dried fruit and raisins, two massive pieces of ice, and an orange slice. It wasn’t bad, but it definitely wasn’t a Manhattan. I don’t even know what to compare it to, I’ve never seen a cocktail like it anywhere. But, when in Tokyo!

Zoom Zoom

So many trains!

 

Later

We are up and had breakfast in the hotel in front of Tokyo Central Station. What a great view of the old station! We cheated and had French toast, hash browns, and sausage (not exactly traditional Japanese far), but we’re staying in a western hotel and I felt I earned it after my uni experience.

#fancy

English Breakfast Tea Service for One!

And now we’re off to go on our first day adventure! Will try and post tonight or tomorrow morning – just before we leave for Kyoto!

P.S. Apparently my blogging software disabled my spelling and grammar check, and had I known that I would have proofread the last post a little more carefully. As such, I have corrected all of the shameful mistakes in the last post, and beg you to pretend they never existed in the first place. Scouts Honor, it won’t happen again.

Bon Voyage Denver, Bon Appétit Sonic, et Bienvenue Philadelphia

/ ceckman / 1 Comment

I know what you’re all thinking – getting this blog update on a Wednesday afternoon. Chris is on NOT on vacation… and yet he blogs. What can this mean? How is this possible? DO I UNDERSTAND ANY PART OF THE WORLD I AM LIVING IN?
Fear not, readers. For it is true, I am not on vacation and yet I still blog. At least until I find a decent therapist in Philly anyway….
Sunday morning against a heavy swamp of nostalgia and chronophobia I piled in the car with my two best pals and my best friend and we set off on our three day road trip.

The events of which were pretty, well, uneventful. We suffered through Rob Lowes audiobook “Stories I only tell my friends”, which I THOUGHT was going to be amazing but… well…. the person that recommended it to me reads entertainment magazine on a regular basis so I should have known… YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. The dogs were quiet and obediently left souvenirs scattered across the midwestern united states. We stayed in Residence Inn’s, and gut bombed our way through Colorado, Kansas, Missouri,

Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and finally, Pennsylvania.
We arrived here Tuesday afternoon, mustered up what strength and mental power we had left (which was like, almost none. Seriously, we couldn’t even pent speakances at pat thoint) and made our inaugural mega trip to Target. Our temporary corporate housing is clean and modern, albeit a little dark and cold (perfect for playing Star Wars). The dogs are quickly adjusting, there is a dog park just for our building less than 20 feet from our front door, and all in all we’re all doing pretty well. Tim is already fully engaged in his new role, and I’m taking a few days to recover before I start going out to meetups to meet some new friends and find some things to do in the city. While we wait for our home in Denver to sell, we’re heading out Saturday and Sunday to look at potential new homes (vacation getaways for the rest of you!), just taking it one day at a time.
I’ll keep a running log of any goings on through this blog, and look forward to your witty comments (and text messages), while I embark on my new adventure and you all continue your own. Thanks for such an amazing last 10 years Colorado, and Philly – I hope you’re ready for me – God knows you all weren’t!!

Chris