Slowing down

Following our mammoth day with Shiro we took it a bit easier today. Although the jet lag really kicked in meaning we woke up close to 7, we didn't really get going until 10ish. After breakfast we decided to take another stroll around Asakusa (pronounced Asksa and said very quickly) where we had been recommended a cute little shopping street leading to a very impressive temple called Senso-ji. Returning back up the little arcade, after paying our respects and getting the obvious spiritual snaps, we decided to take the plunge and try a couple of the local snacks. Cath was quite pleased with the soy soaked rice crakcers but neither of us really took to the sweet bean paste filled pastry goodies that everyone seemed to be yumming up!



A quick hop on the metro and we next found ourselves in Akihabara - the home of the electronics stores. One store we found had everything from a batterry for Cath's ailing watch to camera lenses, computers, mobile phones, toys and even sit on horse riding simulators that we couldn't resist...apparently great exercise for the rump!!



We have really enjoted Tokyo and are really looking forward to returning for a couple of days after our trek round the rest of Japan. Kyoto tomorrow on the Shinkassen (bullet train) but nor before an early morning trip to watch the tuna being auctioned at the fish market and some sushi brunch.

Jetlag or jetset?

Well it has been an adventure already. We arrived in Tokyo two very tired travellers and our every sense was immediately assaulted. Everything is SO efficient here - the streets are clean, the people helpful and all so compact. Arriving at our hotel we thought a quick nap was in order (an hour should do it!) but a cool 6 hours later we woke again - first mistake for jet lag.

Dinner was also an challenge as we knew only the words for 'hello', 'goodbye' and 'this please' (used in conjunction with pointing at a menu) we found a bustling market street and hundreds upon hundreds of restaurants. All are small and simple, but they welcome you with lots of bowing and 'ko-ni-ch-wa' you can only feel like you are royalty! We had a lovely dinner - staring at each other bleary-eyed from too much sleep. Lots of free cups of green tea and an instruction that they closed at 9pm (so hurry-up and eat! in other words) The area is called Asakusa and at night it is like everything I expected from Tokyo - bustling, bright, friendly and full of strange new sounds and smells. We walked and walked and wandered and strolled through the evening streets and found our way back to our hotel. At one street crossing Simon was a little cold so started jumping (up and down twice) to warm up. A group of locals stared at him for about a minute, giggled and then all started jumping themselves. Stopped, waited for Simon to do it again and giggled. Too funny - we all just laughed together.

Sunday was totally different. Met at the hotel by Shiro Shiguchi (a 63 year old volunteer guide) who took us on a tour of the city in exchange for lunch and a box of Fortnum & Masons biscuits (they don't take money, but the guide book said to tip them with gifts from your country and the biscuits were all I could find in our final packing) His English was broken at best, but we soon found out much about each other within the limits. He has two sons, one granddaughter, retired 3 years ago, was born and lived in Tokyo all his life and once visited London (stayed in the Paddington hotel and didn't like it!!) He took us all over, Ginza street (famous shopping) Imperial Palace, Parliament, Meiji Shrine (where we bought talisman for safe travels), Harijuku (famous for dressing up in crazy gear and amazing shopping) to the top of the Tokyo Government Tower (amazing views) and then off to the fish market via the Kabuki theatre.







It was such fun to see Tokyo through his eyes and he was so determined we saw it all in one day! - he set quite a pace. The goodbyes were full of more bowing and an exchange of gifts. Another evening nap (2 hours this time) saw us through to dinner which was foraged from the local station food stall.

We're off!!

Here is our route, we will be updating it as we go and there is much more to come, Asia is first...Tokyo to be precise!