== Bernie's brain backup of April 2009 ==
+=== April 19th - Hakone day 2 ===
+
+We took the suggested touristic itinerary around the Hakone mountains which employs all sorts
+of transportation means: bus, cable train, rope way, cruise boat and bus again.
+
+Along the way, we could see the volcanic sulfuric vents and pools, the Ashi lake with its breathtaking
+view of the Fuji-san, the ancient cedar avenue, the old post, the detached palace gardens and the
+beautiful [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinto_shrine|shinto jinja shrine]] of with its
+[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torii|torii]] diving in the lake.
+
+Of course I took plenty of {{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Hakone2|photos}}.
+
+=== April 18th - Hakone ===
+
+We arrived in a small town near [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakone,_Kanagawa|Hakone]]. I'll publish photos later.
+
+**Update**: [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Hakone|photos of the hostel]] are now available.
+
+=== April 17th - Ghibli museum in Mitaka, Ginza ===
+
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/GhibliMuseum/00005.jpg|Robot from the ancient city of Laputa|maxwidth=800}}
+
+The museum was actually a bit of a disappointment, but maybe just because I had my expectations so high.
+Cameras weren't allowed inside, so I only took [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/GhibliMuseum|few photos]].
+
+In the afternoon, we walked around the shiny neighborhood of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginza|Ginza]].
+See the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Ginza|photos]].
+
+=== April 16th - Fish Market, Gardens, Tower of Tokyo, Temple ===
+
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Tsukiji_Fish_Market/00013.jpg | Tsukiji Fish Market |maxwidth=800}}
+
+We had a very intense day where we visited a lot of places all around central Tokyo:
+
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Tsukiji_Fish_Market | Tsukiji Fish Market]] ([[http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3021.html|Japan Guide]])
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Hama_Rikyu_Gardens | Hama Rikyu Gardens]] ([[http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3025.html||Japan Guide]])
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Zojoji | Zojo-ji Temple]] ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zojoji|Wikipedia]])
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Tokyo_Tower | Tokyo Tower]] ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Tower|Wikipedia]])
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Reiyukai_Temple | Reiyukai Temple]] ([[http://www.reiyukai.org/|official web site]])
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Imperial_Palace_Gardens | Imperial Palace Gardens]] ([[http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3017.html|Japan Guide]])
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Edo_Museum | Edo-Tokyo Museum]], which was already closed.
+ We'll try again when we come back to Tokyo ([[http://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/english | official web site]])
+
+NOTE: photos still being uploaded, gomen nasai!
+
+Seeing so many beautiful things at such a high frequency might make one's head spin.
+In fact, this evening I've been dangerously close to faint in an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onsen | Onsen]],
+which was really scary because I had never lost consciousness before. I had walked all day with very little
+food and drink, which might have been part of the problem, but diving in thermal water for a long time has
+certainly triggered it. What a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaijin | gaijin]] who can't even take some
+hot water!
+
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Zojoji/1.00011.jpg | Zojo-ji temple (left), Tokyo Tower (center), Bernie (right) |maxwidth=800}}
+
+=== April 15th - Skyscrapers everywhere ===
+
+Compared to Tokyo, every other city I had visited would seem dirty, old, boring and disorganized.
+I can't find the words to describe my amazement walking around this amazing city full of wonders.
+
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Roppongi/TokyoMidtown/00023.jpg|Tokyo Midtown Gardenside seen from the Galleria building|maxwidth=800}}
+
+Photos for today:
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Shinjuku|Shinju-ku]] -- The district of the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Metropolitan_Government_Building|Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building]].
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Roppongi|Roppongi]] -- A rich district hosting modern art museums (Art Triangle) and night life ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roppongi|Wikipedia]])
+ * [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Pachinko|Pachinko]] -- Popular Japanese slot machines
+
+**Update**: now finished uploading the photos
+
+=== April 14th - Arrival in Tokyo ===
+
+{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Sensoji_Temple/00081.jpg|The way to the Sensoji temple in Asakusa|maxwidth=800}}
+
+I couldn't resist grabbing a super-cheap round trip to japan, a place I've always wanted
+to visit. By "always", I mean: since when I was in kindergarten, watching great series
+like [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_Jeeg|SteelJeeg]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazinger_Z|MazingerZ]] on TV.
+My dad accepted to accompany me in this trip even though he wasn't particularly fond of Japan. Until now, that is!
+
+The first day was simply amazing, but I'm way to tired to tell a lot about it.
+The [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo|many photos and videos]] that I'm still uploading will hopefully serve
+documenting this long day appropriately.
+
+NOTE: if you can't watch the videos embedded in the wiki, get yourself a recent browser featuring HTML5 or
+send me a patch adding support for old-style HTML video embedding.
+
=== Negligent ===
Yes, I've neglected to update this blog for a few months. This isn't because I had nothing
* 2009 Apr: Attended a meeting/miniconf in [[Pictures/conf/Bolzano2009|Bolzano]] with WalterBender
I am currently back in Florence, trying to find a way back in the US.
-
-
-=== Tue, April 14th - Tokyo ===
-
-I couldn't resist grabbing a super-cheap round trip to japan, a place I've always wanted
-to visit. By "always", I mean: since when I was in kindergarten, watching great series
-like [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_Jeeg|SteelJeeg]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazinger_Z|MazingerZ]] on TV.
-My dad accepted to accompany me in this trip even though he wasn't particularly fond of Japan. Until now, that is!
-
-The first day was simply amazing, but I'm way to tired to tell a lot about it.
-The [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Tokyo/Tuesday_April_14|photos and videos]] I'm still uploading hopefully
-document it appropriately.
-
-NOTE: if you can't watch the videos in the wiki, get a recent browser featuring HTML5 or send me a patch
-to add support for old-style HTML video embedding.
projects / wiki.git / blobdiff