So, we're actually taking the search to Japan since this part of the world is renowned for it's powder. The airlines dictate that we have to fly via Japan in both directions so we are doing a sightseeing jaunt on the way up.
I'm writing this in Sakura Hostel in Asakusa with a dwindling battery as I have found out that my adaptor isn't suitable for the holes in the wall. Stupid.
A run down of what has happened so far then.
Plane ride was okay. The much hyped (well, hyped to me) screens were quite reasonable but i didn't actually find myself watching any movies. I played the games briefly and managed to pull a 4 move checkmate on the medium level of the chess program. Also ended out in a window seat so kept disturbing a poor Japanese guy every time I wanted to get up or go and pee. Jarrod scored a nice seat in the exit area, i'll be after one of those next time!
After surrendering images of our index fingers and mugs at customs we headed for McDonalds for some grub. Thankfully this wasn't going to set a tone for the rest of our culinary experimentation but it allowed us a little airport exploring which was fun.
My initial worries with finding our way with the subway and lack of english speakers has quickly been allayed since we found our way to the Capsule Inn in Akihabara with pretty much no problems. We picked the Kensi Skyliner and then onto the Ginza.
The capsules are actually pretty spacious areas (for me anyway). Plenty of room to shift around in your sleep etc. The TV worked but I didn't try the radio. The pillow was an interesting item, fully of large round beads but reasonably comfortable. The biggest pain about the capsule hotel is the fact that everything is spread all over the place. Lockers (which were miniscule) etc on a different floor and the bathrooms were too. The actual capsule room itself was really hot too, at least initially. It was an interesting experience I suppose and I did get some sleep so mission accomplished.
We made the trek to Sakura Hostel in the morning and dumped our luggage. Then took a wander around the local area.
First order of the day was breakfast. We decided to go local and popped into this place that served rice and stuff. To order you get a ticket from a machine (which thankfully had pictures on it) and then sit at the bar. I got a nice rice thing with some meat (and an egg on it), also Miso soup and green tea. 580 Yen I think.
We then headed to Sensouji Temple and checked stuff there. Bruce and I got a prayer thing from and tided it on the thing. I got Good Fortune and Bruce got Extremely Good Fortune. I wonder if there are actually any bad ones.....
After wandering around the surrounding markets, we checked into our hostel and then headed back out to visit La Qua and Thunder Dolphin and also visit Shinjuku.
Thunder Dolphin did not disappoint. Bruce and I sat in the very front. We were one of three people on it.... The first drop was the best. It was an 80M drop and it was pretty much vertical at one point. I actually had to close my eyes; it was intense! The rest of the ride was also pretty good but the drop made it.
We continued our foray into Japanese cuisine by choosing a place called Ginkingo (or something) over KFC. We also convinced Jarrod that this was a better plan. They served what looked like meatballs but there actually seafood based and mostly empty! It was okay but Jarrod couldn't do it and went back to KFC!
By the time we headed to Shinjuku we were already pretty tired. We did a very quick look around but headed back before really exploring properly. We actually spent most of our time in Bic Camera I think. It had all sorts of cool gadgets and what appears to be extremely cheap digital cameras. I'll have to do some more research and see if this is really true or not (they are about half price) since everything we have been told told us not to expect that.
Anyway, now we are pretty zonked. I'm rocking it in my single room so I shouls sleep well. Tomorrow, the Fish Market, Ginza and Odaiba? We'll see how the legs feel at the end of the day this time!
PS. checked the Mt Baker ski report and it does seem like there might be some more snow coming; good to hear!
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