Big holiday - post 1

Ok, I'm back on here by popular demand (namely my mum and Kate G) in order to bore you ridged with tales from my big holiday. I'm actually writing this from the coolest internet cafe of all time in Tokyo. Is on the 12th floor of some building and I'm sitting here typing this in a very classy little dark wood cubicle, sitting on a black leather reclining chair and listening to some subtle lift music style jazz. Oozes cheesy yuppie class - I love it! Here's the link:

http://www.gcc-bagus.jp/

Think I'll do this chronologically. Oh, and I can't put my pics on here yet so have nicked other peoples (much better) ones from the internet in order to make things a smidgen more interesting.

Day 1 - Heathrow to Tokyo

Had to work very late on Fri night and then had to get up very early on Sat morning in order to pack and ended up having about 5 hours sleep . My plane then left at 1.45pm on the Sat and I managed to sleep for about an hour I reckon on the 11 hour flight as I'm far to big to get comfortable on the piddling little chairs in peasant class. Then had a power nap when I finally got to my hotel here (after an hour on a coach) and literally dragged myself up in order to look around Tokyo since I'm only here for two days. Is 8pm over here now and I feel like it's 8am after staying up all night. My body clock doesn't know whether I'm coming or going.

Day 2 - Milling around Tokyo

Tokyo is clearly a very cool city - what I've seen so far I love. So many people yet so more relaxed than London. People are so nice and polite as well. Went into Starbucks (shame on me) and the girl who served me gave me a coffee with a beaming smile and cupped my outstretched hand in hers when she gave me the change. Wasn't sure if she was just being polite or fancied a bit of a weary looking, unshaven UK bloke with large bags under his eyes. Ok, ok. I know deep down it was probably the former!

People are very polite and respectful over here generally. Speaking to people on mobiles on tubes/trains/buses is frowned upon as it annoys other passengers. I actually went on a tube ride after getting lost wandering around aimlessly for an hour or two. Was sat outside the station for quite a while working out where to go though. Click on the below and you might understand why...

Go on then - try and find Sengakuji on this baby.

Have tried a bit of the local stuff as well as the visit to Starbucks. Sat down in a place called Noodle Workshop (some Japanese fast food chain I reckon) and woolfed down some 'beef cheek with mushroom' noodles. Not sure which of the two obvious places on a cow where you can find cheek that it originated from but was very nice nonetheless.

Something else I came across was the below, the Tokyo Tower. I'd never heard of it before but it's really similar in structure to the Eiffel Tower and not dissimilar proportions. There were also a few French restaurants and cafes dotted around as well. Wonder if this place is somehow linked with France?

Ring a bell mes amis de la France?

One other thing that was weird was the taxis. As well as there being loads of them, the doors open for you by themselves - as if by magic (and I personally think magic is somehow involved). Impressed me anyway. They also look quite cool - see nicked snap below.

One final thing is that I feel like Hulk Hogan. There are not many non-Japanese folk about and relative to most of them, I feel like I'm a full foot taller and twice the weight (that means they must be five and a half stone doesn't it, calculation fans?).

Tomorrow I'm going to some temple in the Japanese countryside near Tokyo. I'm actually treading in the footsteps of the great explorer Eileen 'Chong' Cheng and will compare notes with her when I get back.

Right, I'm going off on another wander. Next update in a few days. Later.