So after all the Japan-flight stress (seems like a distant dream now) we arrived very happy in Auckland. All the more happy as we stepped into the 30 degree heat. We had to wait 5 hours for a bus to Rotorua, but were very happy sunbathing on the grass. Coach was pretty fun too; I got very excited about seeing countryside out of the window (and how much it did and didn't resemble home). Chatted to a nice New Zealander (Ryan) all the way - he informed me that New Zealand sits below a whole in the o-zone layer - never knew that - and we would def burn if we weren't careful.
Rotorua was really nice (it only smelled slightlty from all the sulphur). There was a park right in front of the hostel with geothermal ponds with loads of steam coming off the water. After a big fat (non Japanese) breakfast we went and scouted out Rotorua Museum - an old bath house that stood over a massive lawn - very nice. We spent the afternoon in an awesome geothermal spa, with 9 pools, all with 42 degree water. It sat right on the edge of Lake Rotorua - a huge sulpherous lake that looked like milk. We went to Te-po museum in the evening and learnt a little bit about Maouri culture (we are so ignorant lol). A big jolly guide showed us round; he spontaneously burst into song in Maouri, and kept insisting that we take photos. We got welcomed in a ceremony, watched a singing-dancing show, and saw a haka (what the All-Blacks do - though your def not supposed to say that in Rotorua). Later on they took us out to a huge geyser that was spurting out loads of steam (unfortunately we just missed its 100ft eruption). We made friends with a bizarre American family and walked round with them.
On the way home the weirdest thing happened. The bus driver asked where we were from, we replied with our standard answer: "just south of Birmingham". "Redditch way?" - "YES". Then he asked me "Plymouth Rd?" (the road I walk on to work)... and I was spooked... "yeessss". And he exclaimed: "I KNEW IT WAS YOU". Apparently his best friend lives in Redditch and the bus driver saw me walking to work when he visited. Honestly, I'd normally find it weird that anyone would even notice me walking to work, nevermind the fact that I was literally on the other side of the world. (Wow, it took me long to tell that little story- sorry).
ANYWAY, we met some nice people in the bar afterwards. And in the morning we moved on to Wellington. We spent all day on the coach, which, again, was actually really nice. I couldn't believe how much it looked like The Shire. Seriously. It didn't really look like home anymore - more like Tele-tubby land. The land wasn't flat at all, just loads of steep little hills, covered with grass and sheep. It was really lovely. We drove around around Lake Taupo ("the biggest lake in New Zealand" so a man the night before informed me). Then the landscape totally changed; all of a sudden it was flat, more brown, and rugged, (even desert-like) and the horizon was filled with huge snow-capped mountains. And then, just as suddenly as before, it was totally hilly and bumpy again. With my ipod on shuffle I was perfectly happy all day (except for the fact that dairy milks taste WEIRD here - apaz there's been some kind of outcry).
We explored Wellington today. It really doesn't seem like a capital. As we approached yesterday we noticed that it hadn't got built up at all before we came into the city (New Zealand altogther is much more sparse than home). Anyway its very laidback here, and suprisingly old-fashioned. Very nice though. This morning we got the landmark cable cars up to the Botanic Gardens, enjoying lovely views, and walked back down through the gardens into the city. In the afternoon we went in search of the weta-workshop (the place they made all the props, make-up etc for Lord of the Rings). There are adverts for LOTR tours and stuff everywhere in New Zealand, but we've been pretty sceptical about them (and being here feels like your in Middle Earth anyway). But this was free, so we thought it might feel more authentic. We weren't wrong. It was a tiny little museum (out in the sticks) but we were massively impressed by the props, and very starstruck and silly when the man (who was quite fond of us because we were clearly so excited) told us that Elijah Wood had visited yesterday. He also tipped us that the only souveneirs that used to be real props on the films were the chainmail keyrings. Yessssss. I'm imagining it was Aragorn's chainmail.
Back in Wellington we enjoyed the last of the day's sunshine on the waterfront, eating icecream, and watching the rowers. Nice. We're off to have a little drink now. Tomorrow we get an early ferry over to the South Island.
No doubt this post wasn't as fun for you as the last one. Thank you for reading.
Much Love
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Wednesday 24 February 2010
Friday 19 February 2010
BAD BAD TIMES
ABSOLUTE DISASTER: WE MISSED OUR FLIGHT TO NEW ZEALAND.
The day started off beautifully, we did some last minute Tokyo shopping, then headed back to the hostel to pick our rucksacks in (what we thought) was plenty of time. We got on the tube, happy as larry, and followed the exact directions the hostel AND tourist information had given us: we changed when we were supposed to, crossed the platform like we were supposed to, and got on the train we thought we were supposed to. The train definitly started off on the right track, but it took 20 minutes (which we spent laughing at sleeping school girl who was falling on the woman next to her) before we realised that we had managed to get on the only train that changes line and heads out into RURAL JAPAN. My heart sank as I noticed the little black line that moved away from the airport.
We got off as soon as we could, and got straight on a train back the way we came. I was still pretty sure we were going to make it. We finally arrived at the airport half an hour before the plane was supposed to leave. We ran up 3 escalators with our rucksacks (I thought I was going to collapse or have an asthma attack), the desk had already closed, so we grabbed the first people we could find. "I'm sorry, the gate is closed, you can't get on the plane". We must have looked so upset lol. Absolutely fucked.
We asked what we were supposed to do and they vaguely replied "phone your travel agents?". Extremely disheartened we wandered over to some payphones and dumped our stuff. I went to the information desk thinking they would sort us out, only to find that Air New Zealand do not have a desk in this airport; there is a number we can ring, but the office will close in about an hour. We spent the next hour trying our hardest to fathom the payphones (all the instructions were in Japanese). Literally no one in the airport would help us with the phones (I asked alot), and they wouldn't even give us any change). Eventually worked it out and Air New Zealand were not answering no matter how many times I tried. Abi got through to STA, and spoke to our very good friend Ben, who intitally said we'd have to wait until Wednesday. The thought of spending 5 more days in the most expensive city ever was too horrible. I rang back and asked how much it would cost to get us on an earlier flight: 319 pounds each [sigh]. We reluctantly decided we'd have to do it.
It cheered us up that STA said our insurance would cover the flight... we rang the insurance company straight away who said that they only covered "missed departures from the UK" BRILLIANT. We were very very glum, and decided it was time to ring the parents. As soon as Henry picked up the phone I burst in to tears (obviously). And of course he was very nice, and said not to worry. All in all we'd spent 10,000 yen (70 POUNDS) on phone cards - so annoying that Japan is one of the only places where our global sim cards won't work.
So we'd decided that we wanted to stay in the airport overnight - I think we were too scared to leave the airport in case we somehow missed the next flight. But then we found out that the airport was going to close completely within an hour. Suddenly I thought we were going to end up sleeping on the streets. Instead we ended up in a horrible, and expensive hotel: Narita Airport Rest House. So depressing.
We've spent today in the airport, watching Japanse TV with no sound, and reliving yesterday's trauma, and are slowly coming to terms with our stupid mistake. This reminds me of the Mum in the airport in Home Alone.
I feel like such an idiot. It was some comfort that a group of Australians had done exactly the same thing: turned up half an hour before, missed it, and been given a phone number for phones that would not work. We lolled over our shared experience.
Now can't wait to get on the bloody plane and ge to New Zealand. I spoke to Mum this morning who was as wise and comforting as ever. Things are looking up though: a man just paid Abi and Rachel 1000 yen (7 quid) to do a survey on the rail system - they told him it needed clearer labels :-)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
P.S. Stacey killed Archie?!?!?! And Bradley's dead?!?! This is worse than the time they killed Dennis off. WTF? No more bad news please.
The day started off beautifully, we did some last minute Tokyo shopping, then headed back to the hostel to pick our rucksacks in (what we thought) was plenty of time. We got on the tube, happy as larry, and followed the exact directions the hostel AND tourist information had given us: we changed when we were supposed to, crossed the platform like we were supposed to, and got on the train we thought we were supposed to. The train definitly started off on the right track, but it took 20 minutes (which we spent laughing at sleeping school girl who was falling on the woman next to her) before we realised that we had managed to get on the only train that changes line and heads out into RURAL JAPAN. My heart sank as I noticed the little black line that moved away from the airport.
We got off as soon as we could, and got straight on a train back the way we came. I was still pretty sure we were going to make it. We finally arrived at the airport half an hour before the plane was supposed to leave. We ran up 3 escalators with our rucksacks (I thought I was going to collapse or have an asthma attack), the desk had already closed, so we grabbed the first people we could find. "I'm sorry, the gate is closed, you can't get on the plane". We must have looked so upset lol. Absolutely fucked.
We asked what we were supposed to do and they vaguely replied "phone your travel agents?". Extremely disheartened we wandered over to some payphones and dumped our stuff. I went to the information desk thinking they would sort us out, only to find that Air New Zealand do not have a desk in this airport; there is a number we can ring, but the office will close in about an hour. We spent the next hour trying our hardest to fathom the payphones (all the instructions were in Japanese). Literally no one in the airport would help us with the phones (I asked alot), and they wouldn't even give us any change). Eventually worked it out and Air New Zealand were not answering no matter how many times I tried. Abi got through to STA, and spoke to our very good friend Ben, who intitally said we'd have to wait until Wednesday. The thought of spending 5 more days in the most expensive city ever was too horrible. I rang back and asked how much it would cost to get us on an earlier flight: 319 pounds each [sigh]. We reluctantly decided we'd have to do it.
It cheered us up that STA said our insurance would cover the flight... we rang the insurance company straight away who said that they only covered "missed departures from the UK" BRILLIANT. We were very very glum, and decided it was time to ring the parents. As soon as Henry picked up the phone I burst in to tears (obviously). And of course he was very nice, and said not to worry. All in all we'd spent 10,000 yen (70 POUNDS) on phone cards - so annoying that Japan is one of the only places where our global sim cards won't work.
So we'd decided that we wanted to stay in the airport overnight - I think we were too scared to leave the airport in case we somehow missed the next flight. But then we found out that the airport was going to close completely within an hour. Suddenly I thought we were going to end up sleeping on the streets. Instead we ended up in a horrible, and expensive hotel: Narita Airport Rest House. So depressing.
We've spent today in the airport, watching Japanse TV with no sound, and reliving yesterday's trauma, and are slowly coming to terms with our stupid mistake. This reminds me of the Mum in the airport in Home Alone.
I feel like such an idiot. It was some comfort that a group of Australians had done exactly the same thing: turned up half an hour before, missed it, and been given a phone number for phones that would not work. We lolled over our shared experience.
Now can't wait to get on the bloody plane and ge to New Zealand. I spoke to Mum this morning who was as wise and comforting as ever. Things are looking up though: a man just paid Abi and Rachel 1000 yen (7 quid) to do a survey on the rail system - they told him it needed clearer labels :-)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
P.S. Stacey killed Archie?!?!?! And Bradley's dead?!?! This is worse than the time they killed Dennis off. WTF? No more bad news please.
Wednesday 17 February 2010
JAPAN
It's 10pm and Abi and I are sitting in the reception of our Kyoto hotel trying to navigate the Japanese keyboard, and trying to make the internet appear in English. Poor Rachel has done something weird to her stomach (more on that later) and Japan is pretty quiet in the evening, so I thought I'd fill you in on our adventures so far, and exploit the free internet in our hotel.
We arrived in Tokyo, after about 20 hours of traveling - 03.45 British time, 12.45 Japanese time - and just about managed - relying heavily on the kindness of strangers (one middle-aged man in particular) to navigate the inscrutable Japanese train system to Asakusa where our hostel was. Our confusion must be absolutely obvious because people are always offering to help, or, failing that, literally pointing and laughing. Our rucksacks made things pretty difficult (I cannot get back up if I bend down - Rachel and Abi LOVE it). When we emerged from the subway station it was pouring down with rain - we hit a pretty low point as we wandered around getting more and more wet trying to find anyone who spoke English who could direct us to our hostel. Thank God for the 3 girls at the "Hello Kitty" stand who definitely couldn't speak English, but gave us a map.
After a quick nap in our hostel we headed out to explore Tokyo. As we were due to leave from "Tokyo Station" the next day, we thought it a good idea to head for Tokyo station, expecting to find bright lights and huge shops. Instead we ended up in a financial district, closed for the evening, and full of commuters rushing around. The station was cool though, we found a very tasty curry served with sesame rice, and marveled at the people.
THE NEXT DAY (I CAN'T TURN CAPS LOCK OFF LOL) WE GOT A BULLET TRAIN TO KYOTO. I WAS PRETTY NERVOUS ABOUT THIS, I THOUGHT IT WOULD STOP FOR LITERALLY A COUPLE OF SECONDS, AND I WAS PRETTY SURE WE'D MISS IT. BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A BREEZE! IT TOOK US ABOUT 2 AND A HALF HOURS TO TRAVEL 288 MILES。WE LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDOW THE ENTIRE TIME WATCHING THE LANDSCAPE BECOME MORE AND MORE MOUNTAINOUS... BESIDES WATCHING JAPAN GO BY WE ALSO WATCHED OUR FELLOW TRAVELLERS... LOADS OF THEM GOT OUT LITTLE WOODEN TRAYS FILLED WITH SUSHI - JUST LIKE WE'D EAT SANDWICHES - I WAS STARING. WE ALSO FOUND IT FUNNY THAT ALL OF THE TRAIN STAFF TURNED AROUND AND BOWED TO THE CARRIAGE BEFORE THEY LEFT. EVERYONE SEEMS TO BOW HERE - I EVEN FIND MYSELF BOWING AT PEOPLE; AT LEAST ITS EASIER THAN TRYING TO SAY THANK YOU.
Once (caps lock off yesssss) we'd found our hotel in Kyoto we went off in search of food. We found an amazing all you can eat Japanese buffet, only spoilt by the fact that all three of use were spinning loads after the speed of the shinkansen. We didn't drink alcohol, but found it really funny that the all-you-can-drink menu had different prices for men and women (about 7 pounds for women and 10 for men - would never ever last at home). We spent the evening exploring Gion, an area renowned for geishas, and think we actually saw one.
Next day we went to the Imperial Park and applied for permission to enter the palace. It was really strange; only foreigners are allowed in, and you have to apply first. Luckily they let us straight on the next tour. The architecture and the gardens were amazing - not that I could understand the tour guide through her swine-flu mask. What I gathered of the history was really interesting though, and I definitly took far too many photos.
Afterwards we got a bus to the Golden Pavillion - an absolutely stunning, and TOTALLY golden, villa on a lake. The real drama took place on the way home though. It was really crowded, and Rachel suddenly started to wretch, thank god she had a plastic bag to throw up in... which she then had to hold until the next stop. I felt so sorry for her. No one even flinched lol.
This morning we explored an awesome food market - laughing and pointing at the weird and wonderful fish. At lunchtime we got the shinkansen back to Tokyo (I'm spinning again lol), and this time I tried to copy the natives and bought sushi for the journey. I failed though, because I was only brave enough to touch the stuff that resembled Tesco sushi snacks; it was exciting nevertheless.
This afternoon we found the main shopping district in Tokyo. Just as big and bright as expected. The Sony store was incredible - I watched football on an 3d TV (Jamie, it was incredible, you:re going to want one).
We're flying to New Zealand and I've managed to draw the folling conclusions (sweeping generalisations) on the Japanese:
- They're extremely polite, and they LOVE ettiquette.
- There seem to be no poor people, immigrants, or poor people (this is slightly sinister)
- Everyone is petite, smart and stylish
Our bright clothes, loud voices, unladylike laughs, and vulgar habits made us extremely conspicuos. We saw hardly any other tourits. I mainly felt like a big milky giant lol.
If you've got this far you've done very well. I know I've written too much. And I know travel blogs are about as boring as when people recount a dream they just had as if your interested (although I did enjoy hearing about Abi's dream that was entirely in the style of Silent Witness).
ANYWAY, thanks for reading. I miss you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
P.S. Kate, travelling is just like you said; on our first morning a FIT aussie wandered over - my mouth was full of toast - and asked if we were going to Kyoto and where we were staying. Couldn't believe it. O and I know that you and Rodge are laughing at this in the lib.
We arrived in Tokyo, after about 20 hours of traveling - 03.45 British time, 12.45 Japanese time - and just about managed - relying heavily on the kindness of strangers (one middle-aged man in particular) to navigate the inscrutable Japanese train system to Asakusa where our hostel was. Our confusion must be absolutely obvious because people are always offering to help, or, failing that, literally pointing and laughing. Our rucksacks made things pretty difficult (I cannot get back up if I bend down - Rachel and Abi LOVE it). When we emerged from the subway station it was pouring down with rain - we hit a pretty low point as we wandered around getting more and more wet trying to find anyone who spoke English who could direct us to our hostel. Thank God for the 3 girls at the "Hello Kitty" stand who definitely couldn't speak English, but gave us a map.
After a quick nap in our hostel we headed out to explore Tokyo. As we were due to leave from "Tokyo Station" the next day, we thought it a good idea to head for Tokyo station, expecting to find bright lights and huge shops. Instead we ended up in a financial district, closed for the evening, and full of commuters rushing around. The station was cool though, we found a very tasty curry served with sesame rice, and marveled at the people.
THE NEXT DAY (I CAN'T TURN CAPS LOCK OFF LOL) WE GOT A BULLET TRAIN TO KYOTO. I WAS PRETTY NERVOUS ABOUT THIS, I THOUGHT IT WOULD STOP FOR LITERALLY A COUPLE OF SECONDS, AND I WAS PRETTY SURE WE'D MISS IT. BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A BREEZE! IT TOOK US ABOUT 2 AND A HALF HOURS TO TRAVEL 288 MILES。WE LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDOW THE ENTIRE TIME WATCHING THE LANDSCAPE BECOME MORE AND MORE MOUNTAINOUS... BESIDES WATCHING JAPAN GO BY WE ALSO WATCHED OUR FELLOW TRAVELLERS... LOADS OF THEM GOT OUT LITTLE WOODEN TRAYS FILLED WITH SUSHI - JUST LIKE WE'D EAT SANDWICHES - I WAS STARING. WE ALSO FOUND IT FUNNY THAT ALL OF THE TRAIN STAFF TURNED AROUND AND BOWED TO THE CARRIAGE BEFORE THEY LEFT. EVERYONE SEEMS TO BOW HERE - I EVEN FIND MYSELF BOWING AT PEOPLE; AT LEAST ITS EASIER THAN TRYING TO SAY THANK YOU.
Once (caps lock off yesssss) we'd found our hotel in Kyoto we went off in search of food. We found an amazing all you can eat Japanese buffet, only spoilt by the fact that all three of use were spinning loads after the speed of the shinkansen. We didn't drink alcohol, but found it really funny that the all-you-can-drink menu had different prices for men and women (about 7 pounds for women and 10 for men - would never ever last at home). We spent the evening exploring Gion, an area renowned for geishas, and think we actually saw one.
Next day we went to the Imperial Park and applied for permission to enter the palace. It was really strange; only foreigners are allowed in, and you have to apply first. Luckily they let us straight on the next tour. The architecture and the gardens were amazing - not that I could understand the tour guide through her swine-flu mask. What I gathered of the history was really interesting though, and I definitly took far too many photos.
Afterwards we got a bus to the Golden Pavillion - an absolutely stunning, and TOTALLY golden, villa on a lake. The real drama took place on the way home though. It was really crowded, and Rachel suddenly started to wretch, thank god she had a plastic bag to throw up in... which she then had to hold until the next stop. I felt so sorry for her. No one even flinched lol.
This morning we explored an awesome food market - laughing and pointing at the weird and wonderful fish. At lunchtime we got the shinkansen back to Tokyo (I'm spinning again lol), and this time I tried to copy the natives and bought sushi for the journey. I failed though, because I was only brave enough to touch the stuff that resembled Tesco sushi snacks; it was exciting nevertheless.
This afternoon we found the main shopping district in Tokyo. Just as big and bright as expected. The Sony store was incredible - I watched football on an 3d TV (Jamie, it was incredible, you:re going to want one).
We're flying to New Zealand and I've managed to draw the folling conclusions (sweeping generalisations) on the Japanese:
- They're extremely polite, and they LOVE ettiquette.
- There seem to be no poor people, immigrants, or poor people (this is slightly sinister)
- Everyone is petite, smart and stylish
Our bright clothes, loud voices, unladylike laughs, and vulgar habits made us extremely conspicuos. We saw hardly any other tourits. I mainly felt like a big milky giant lol.
If you've got this far you've done very well. I know I've written too much. And I know travel blogs are about as boring as when people recount a dream they just had as if your interested (although I did enjoy hearing about Abi's dream that was entirely in the style of Silent Witness).
ANYWAY, thanks for reading. I miss you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
P.S. Kate, travelling is just like you said; on our first morning a FIT aussie wandered over - my mouth was full of toast - and asked if we were going to Kyoto and where we were staying. Couldn't believe it. O and I know that you and Rodge are laughing at this in the lib.
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