X-Git-Url: https://codewiz.org/gitweb?p=wiki.git;a=blobdiff_plain;f=blog%2F2009%2FApril;h=a5a2f7913d0a061cb6479416326bd7107778f9f5;hp=21d00b5244f76d9f21fc4b414104e93498ea954d;hb=b5fab1af8b4f2d7773c205bd5263ef20638aed97;hpb=d8d85df303a861de3efe31a818e58a3b85ece9e9 diff --git a/blog/2009/April b/blog/2009/April index 21d00b5..a5a2f79 100644 --- a/blog/2009/April +++ b/blog/2009/April @@ -1,6 +1,69 @@ == Bernie's brain backup of April 2009 == -=== April 21th ==== +=== Arpril 24th -- 1 megameter by train ==== + +We left our comfortable hostel in Kyoto early in the morning for a second Shinkansen +ride of 360Km, this time on the faster [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nozomi_%28train%29|Nozomi]]. +The one-way ticket was "just" 10,250円, equivalent to $105 or €80. + +Unlike Kyoto, there aren't many sites of historic interest in Hiroshima because, quite +unsurprisingly, every building in the city center is at most 64 years old. +With [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_Peace_Memorial|one notable exception]]. +Coming such a long way only to see a broken dome and a the surrounding +[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_Peace_Memorial_Park|park]] might seem crazy, +but it was definitely worth it. One of the most dramatic moments of human history +happened right here not long ago, and survivors of about my father's age can tell +their personal stories with the help of black and white photographs and melted items +from the museum. + +As usual, I couldn't refrain from taking [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Hiroshima|a load of photos]] here too. +These probably can't deliver the pain in the chest one gets by visiting the museum, +but might still be a little disturbing. + +In the afternoon, we returned to the Hiroshima station just in time to catch the 16:01 +Shinkansen for another 690Km ride to another location which will be revealed +in due time. Don't miss the next amazing episode of Bernie's Adventures! + +{{http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Gambaku_Dome_of_Hiroshima.jpg}} + +=== April 23rd -- Kyoto last day === + +We visited a few more places: + + * Hmmm... + +=== April 22nd === + +==== Food ==== + +Eating in japan can a challenge for a vegetarian who also happens to dislike fish and crustaceans. +The average menu has about 5% of veggie dishes, but many restaurants in tourist areas specialize +in traditional food such as [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sushi|sushi]] and +[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempura|tempura]]. Imitations of Italian kitchen are close to +perfection, of course: in Tokyo, we had perfectly reasonable spaghetti with eggplants. + +Even with my options severely limited, I could still find several exquisite dishes. +I quite like soups, including [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miso_soup|miso shiru]], +[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramen|ramen]] and others I ordered by pointing at the +fake dish in the restaurant window without ever knowing their name. + +My favorite food so far is [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omurice|Omurice]]. Yeah, perhaps +it's not as sophisticated as the average Japanese recipe. Hmm... I guess learning to +appreciate complex and delicate flavors takes some more time. + +{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Ryoanji/00016.jpg|Omurice = omelet + rice|maxwidth=640}} + +As for beer, I still couldn't find one I like. The most popular ones, Asahi and Kirin, +are just tasteless dry lagers. All the drafts I could find taste like Asahi too. The +only good beers I had were at the [[http://www.deliriumcafe.jp/|Delirium Cafe]] in Tokyo, +where I had a delicious [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauwel_Kwak|Kwak]] followed by a +cherry flavored [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kriek|Kriek]]. Too bad we had to stop at +just two to make sure we could find the way back to the hostel :-) + +Now I'm looking for a place where I could taste vegetarian [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukiyaki|sukiyaki]], +the favorite food of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ataru_Moroboshi#Ataru_Moroboshi|Ataru Moroboshi]]. + +=== April 21st ==== ==== Great temples everywhere ==== @@ -10,7 +73,7 @@ Yesterday was rainy, but it didn't stop us from biking around and visiting quite * the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Ryoanji|Ryoanji temple]], with its puzzling rock zen garden; * the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Kinkakuji|Kinkakuji temple]] (aka golden temple); * the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/NijojoCastle|Nijojo castle]], which is actually two castles for the price of one; - * a quick tour of the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/KyotoDowntown|Kyoto downtown]] + * a quick tour of the [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/KyotoDowntown|Kyoto downtown]]; * the [[http://www.kyotomm.com/international/english/|International Manga Museum]] was closed already. Grrr.... {{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/Kinkakuji/00012.jpg|the golden temple of Kinkakuji|maxwidth=800}} @@ -28,10 +91,15 @@ Firefox 3.1/3.5 still doesn't grok it with the ##video## tag, but I didn't have The [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/UtanoHostel|Utano hostel]] in Kyoto would rival many five star hotels I've seen. Sorry I couldn't take any photos in the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onsen | Onsen]]. -Also have a look at the impressive [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/ShinKyoto|Kyoto station]]. - {{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/UtanoHostel/00005.jpg|the hostel provides a traditional goan too|maxwidth=800}} +==== Impressive station ==== + +The [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/ShinKyoto|Kyoto station]] is an impressive modern building, +worth a visit by itself. + +{{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Kyoto/ShinKyoto/00015.jpg|Anime characters by Osamu Tezuka|maxwidth=640}} + ==== Shinkansen tour ==== In a jounery report, the details of transportation are usually left out as uninteresting. @@ -50,6 +118,7 @@ See [[Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Shinkansen|the the photos]] and don't miss th {{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Shinkansen/00006.jpg|Shinkansen|maxwidth=800}} + === April 19th - Hakone day 2 === {{Pictures/vacation/japan_2009/Hakone/FujiSanBernieSan.jpg|The Fuji-san (left) with Bernie-san (right)|maxwidth=1024}} @@ -72,6 +141,7 @@ We arrived in a small town near [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakone,_Kanagawa| **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}}