My first meal in Reykjavik was an icelandic hotdog..... does it look appetising enough?
Reykjavík
Friday, 12 June 2015
Iceland in the middle of winter is incredible. Mind blowingly (literally) cold, extremely deep snow and sunlight hours restricted to around 7 hours. We hadn't contemplated how cold it would be until it actually hit us. 4 layers was the minimum, especially on the tours. I recommend layers, hoods and if possible face masks!
The little town of Reykjavik. This side of the town was filled with restaurants and bars, perfect for me and Christy!
Did I tell you to wear layers until you look like a snowman like me?
My first meal in Reykjavik was an icelandic hotdog..... does it look appetising enough?
The most exciting part of Iceland was the Blue Lagoon, I mean I hate to admit it but it isn't one of the most exciting places I've been. Maybe because it's the dead of winter, and there are blizzards everywhere, but it takes so long to drive anywhere, and navigating the place yourself is almost impossible in this season.
My first meal in Reykjavik was an icelandic hotdog..... does it look appetising enough?
Tokyo Continued
The second sunset I encountered on my trip was in Tokyo, we'd already spent a couple of hours searching for a place to visit and this gave us a moment to again enjoy the moment. It was an incredible view in Asakusa, there are some moments that are worthy of a photo; that is always a sunset.
It's hard to tell from this photo but this escalator was incredibly long and steep, one that makes your heart drop a little as you are going down. Ah, I miss all this walking around, people watching and escalator riding. Sounds so mundane... but it's the little things you miss.
Tsukji Market, this was just a whole other experience. It was so busy, full of locals and tourists alike. The prices though, through the roof, I mean I know it's fresh, but c'mon.....
Tokyo
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
I will try and hide my love for Tokyo, because it will be overwhelming. Let's start with HOLY SMOKES. Again, I still believe the people in a city and/or country will either make or break a place for me. Tokyo was a little bit of everything. If I left my heart anywhere this trip, it is most definitely Tokyo. My words will not do this place any justice. Although, I do have to confess on the first day I was having difficulty feeling the amazement I felt whilst walking around New York, it just took a little longer to realise.
Tokyo Tower, in every city in Asia there is a place to see the sights. This is one of those, needless to say I avoided this due to the queues, the price and having the opportunity to see Tokyo from a height.
When walking around Tokyo, you will always stumble across something. This evening I stumbled across a radio station just in the middle of a shopping centre. I mean I probably stayed for around 20 mins just attempting to figure out what was so funny, needless to say I probably looked like I understood with my supposedly ambiguous asian look, but I HAD NO IDEA.
Likewise, I just stumbled across this again. I did a lot of walking in Tokyo, just endless, sometimes mindless walking. Tokyo weather is the perfect weather.
Shibuya a place where I finally found myself in awe. Just endless people, shops and sideboards. This was a little intense but it was refreshing to be in a sea of people and just feel so small again (that same feeling I had in New York). This area has everything, coffee shops, restaurants and the notorious love hotel street.
Shinjuku another place full of memories. So many mini streets full of food, bars and lots and lots of business men. Interesting to walk by during the evening, luckily I was surrounded by male friends every time I was in this area. I mean after all, it is the red light district area, area for gays and again bars.
Sushi, what people go to Japan for. What I expected to go to Japan for. Actually I wasn't all that amazed, it was mediocre. I only had one EXTREMELY enjoyable evening of sushi, but that wasn't until Osaka.
Harajuku, the hipster area of Tokyo. Totally filled with tourists and young girls. It was interesting...
One of my favourite spots in Tokyo! Meji shrine. This stole the show for me. I enjoy having long walks in nature like this, especially since I'd spent the last week completely engulfed in tall buildings and people everywhere. It was refreshing with the decorations of the past located on the journey to the shrine.
I mean, this is probably a tourist trap and/or a place for the romantics of Japan, but this tree full of placards of people's wishes and thanks made Meji Shrine all the more special for me. Call me sentimental, a sap, soppy but I love reading other people's wishes, dreams and thanks. It puts you in the moment and allows you to think of your own, it was refreshing.
One of my favourite quotes from the tree. Sorry David, whoever you are, wherever you may be haha. "Life is short, make every day worth it. Not for yourself, but for others. Don't be afraid to love, it's the only force of attraction which can be felt anywhere in the universe. Make the world a better place." I most definitely wrote my own, and I even may have taken a photo, but that will all be kept a deep dark secret.
Asakusa, a place filled with memories with different people too. These temples were all in one location, again filled with tourists and stalls full of trinkets and food. It's a nice little area, with more of a historical feel.
Akihibara, the place of games and electronics. I did not expect to be confronted by so many stores, so many arcades and so much noise. I have a feeling it is the most popular spot for maid cafes too...... I mean every corner there was a GIRL, I repeat GIRL, not woman, in a costume. I still did go, I just had to try it. Interesting. I think it wasn't surprising to know I was the only female there, but I was with a male, so I guess it either looked like I was a lesbian, or I had to accompany the guy, either way, awkward.
Wagyu beef, can I just suggest this to EVERYBODY. Whether you like beef or not, this is so good. I had very little expectation for this, despite this being one of the most expensive meals I had. (Expensive being only around 1,500 JPY equalling around £10 or so.) Even now, I cannot get over it...
Japan is full of little cafes, I probably just about tried ALL of them.
On this day, we took a little ride along Sumida River towards Asakusa and other spots. Japan is filled with bicycles and there are seemingly no rules, which I guess it makes it all the more fun and easier. One surprise is the height of the bikes, I mean asian people aren't the tallest of people, except why are the bikes still so tall?!
Directions was one thing I failed at, I mentioned how I aimlessly wondered, because I had no GPS. So whenever I had somebody to hang with, they ALWAYS used theirs, cheeky I know, I know. Tokyo is one of those places where you can find absolutely anything, and yet nothing at all, because when you are attempting to find something it's all buried in the sky scrapper buildings.
One of the things I managed to tick off my list. Cat cafe, we expected a lot more than just cats lazing around the cafe. I mean, they were pretty mean cats, they sat and ate and only paid attention when food was on the agenda.
Attempting to post pictures of Tokyo in one picture was unrealistic... I've most definitely left my heart behind here, just waiting for the day I return...
Tokyo Tower, in every city in Asia there is a place to see the sights. This is one of those, needless to say I avoided this due to the queues, the price and having the opportunity to see Tokyo from a height.
When walking around Tokyo, you will always stumble across something. This evening I stumbled across a radio station just in the middle of a shopping centre. I mean I probably stayed for around 20 mins just attempting to figure out what was so funny, needless to say I probably looked like I understood with my supposedly ambiguous asian look, but I HAD NO IDEA.
Likewise, I just stumbled across this again. I did a lot of walking in Tokyo, just endless, sometimes mindless walking. Tokyo weather is the perfect weather.
Shibuya a place where I finally found myself in awe. Just endless people, shops and sideboards. This was a little intense but it was refreshing to be in a sea of people and just feel so small again (that same feeling I had in New York). This area has everything, coffee shops, restaurants and the notorious love hotel street.
Shinjuku another place full of memories. So many mini streets full of food, bars and lots and lots of business men. Interesting to walk by during the evening, luckily I was surrounded by male friends every time I was in this area. I mean after all, it is the red light district area, area for gays and again bars.
Sushi, what people go to Japan for. What I expected to go to Japan for. Actually I wasn't all that amazed, it was mediocre. I only had one EXTREMELY enjoyable evening of sushi, but that wasn't until Osaka.
Harajuku, the hipster area of Tokyo. Totally filled with tourists and young girls. It was interesting...
One of my favourite spots in Tokyo! Meji shrine. This stole the show for me. I enjoy having long walks in nature like this, especially since I'd spent the last week completely engulfed in tall buildings and people everywhere. It was refreshing with the decorations of the past located on the journey to the shrine.
I mean, this is probably a tourist trap and/or a place for the romantics of Japan, but this tree full of placards of people's wishes and thanks made Meji Shrine all the more special for me. Call me sentimental, a sap, soppy but I love reading other people's wishes, dreams and thanks. It puts you in the moment and allows you to think of your own, it was refreshing.
One of my favourite quotes from the tree. Sorry David, whoever you are, wherever you may be haha. "Life is short, make every day worth it. Not for yourself, but for others. Don't be afraid to love, it's the only force of attraction which can be felt anywhere in the universe. Make the world a better place." I most definitely wrote my own, and I even may have taken a photo, but that will all be kept a deep dark secret.
Asakusa, a place filled with memories with different people too. These temples were all in one location, again filled with tourists and stalls full of trinkets and food. It's a nice little area, with more of a historical feel.
Akihibara, the place of games and electronics. I did not expect to be confronted by so many stores, so many arcades and so much noise. I have a feeling it is the most popular spot for maid cafes too...... I mean every corner there was a GIRL, I repeat GIRL, not woman, in a costume. I still did go, I just had to try it. Interesting. I think it wasn't surprising to know I was the only female there, but I was with a male, so I guess it either looked like I was a lesbian, or I had to accompany the guy, either way, awkward.
Wagyu beef, can I just suggest this to EVERYBODY. Whether you like beef or not, this is so good. I had very little expectation for this, despite this being one of the most expensive meals I had. (Expensive being only around 1,500 JPY equalling around £10 or so.) Even now, I cannot get over it...
Japan is full of little cafes, I probably just about tried ALL of them.
On this day, we took a little ride along Sumida River towards Asakusa and other spots. Japan is filled with bicycles and there are seemingly no rules, which I guess it makes it all the more fun and easier. One surprise is the height of the bikes, I mean asian people aren't the tallest of people, except why are the bikes still so tall?!
Directions was one thing I failed at, I mentioned how I aimlessly wondered, because I had no GPS. So whenever I had somebody to hang with, they ALWAYS used theirs, cheeky I know, I know. Tokyo is one of those places where you can find absolutely anything, and yet nothing at all, because when you are attempting to find something it's all buried in the sky scrapper buildings.
One of the things I managed to tick off my list. Cat cafe, we expected a lot more than just cats lazing around the cafe. I mean, they were pretty mean cats, they sat and ate and only paid attention when food was on the agenda.
Attempting to post pictures of Tokyo in one picture was unrealistic... I've most definitely left my heart behind here, just waiting for the day I return...
Asia Trip: Shanghai
72 Hour Visa: Shanghai trip was a pit stop along my Asia. As much as I hate to say it, China doesn't fascinate me as much as it should. Shenzhen is home to me, and yet it isn't somewhere I enjoy visiting. Shanghai was a place I probably expected more of, except it is pretty much the same, except with a larger population of expats.
In 72 hours, I managed to eat Chinese food until I explode, go to a couple of 'speak easies', bars which are under the radar for the expat population, see the Shanghai skyline, watch a Chinese circus show and a dinner party. To be fair, I didn't manage to do much, I spent way too long catching up with my friend who I hadn't spoken to properly in over 4 months due to the restrictions from the internet in China. This also mean't 72 hours worth of Facebook/Instagram/Twitter free time for me.
Reunited with my soul sister and discussing our past adventures within the last 6 months. You don't realise you've been missing somebody in your life until you see them again! We spent 3 hours in this exact spot just catching up on life.. All because Facebook and Whatsapp is banned in China....
It's much harder to navigate Shanghai than I expected. Maybe it was because it was the beginning of my trip and I was worried, I mean, Asia is Asia after all.. and Chinese people aren't the most helpful of specimens. But thanks to my tour guide!
Street food galore. It's safe to say they knew we were tourists and gave us an extorted us with the price. But £6 for two bags of kebabs... I guess we can't complain.
Haha......... I mean, it's my only memory of a speak easy. The drinks are.. expensive to say the least. We spent around 10mins in this bar and spent over 200yen each. I suggest 7/11.
Letters to yourself, or a friend, or anybody. This cafe is filled full of post cards and these mini post-boxes which customers can write and send a post card to their future selves and future partners/friends. Too cute!
I set off aiming to see as many sunsets in the countries as possible, it's one of those little pleasures in life that give you a moment to just be. This was the first, and most definitely one of the best.
The circus was a nice little surprise from my friend. I am glad I managed to catch this, the whole time I just thought about how much my Dad would appreciate this, most probably asking me, "Aren't you proud to be Chinese?". I just know it. This act was amazing though.
The picturesque version of Shanghai. It looks wonderfully calm in pictures, I tell you now it is one of the noisiest places in Shanghai. Chinese and foreign tourists alike, all screaming, all fighting for a picture at the front. But nonetheless a wonderful sight.
Shanghai was a blast, I think what I learnt is that sometimes it's the people or the person in that city that makes it for you. Shanghai was one of those moments, but this was just the beginning....
In 72 hours, I managed to eat Chinese food until I explode, go to a couple of 'speak easies', bars which are under the radar for the expat population, see the Shanghai skyline, watch a Chinese circus show and a dinner party. To be fair, I didn't manage to do much, I spent way too long catching up with my friend who I hadn't spoken to properly in over 4 months due to the restrictions from the internet in China. This also mean't 72 hours worth of Facebook/Instagram/Twitter free time for me.
Reunited with my soul sister and discussing our past adventures within the last 6 months. You don't realise you've been missing somebody in your life until you see them again! We spent 3 hours in this exact spot just catching up on life.. All because Facebook and Whatsapp is banned in China....
It's much harder to navigate Shanghai than I expected. Maybe it was because it was the beginning of my trip and I was worried, I mean, Asia is Asia after all.. and Chinese people aren't the most helpful of specimens. But thanks to my tour guide!
Street food galore. It's safe to say they knew we were tourists and gave us an extorted us with the price. But £6 for two bags of kebabs... I guess we can't complain.
Haha......... I mean, it's my only memory of a speak easy. The drinks are.. expensive to say the least. We spent around 10mins in this bar and spent over 200yen each. I suggest 7/11.
Letters to yourself, or a friend, or anybody. This cafe is filled full of post cards and these mini post-boxes which customers can write and send a post card to their future selves and future partners/friends. Too cute!
When you just have to Starbucks.....
I set off aiming to see as many sunsets in the countries as possible, it's one of those little pleasures in life that give you a moment to just be. This was the first, and most definitely one of the best.
The circus was a nice little surprise from my friend. I am glad I managed to catch this, the whole time I just thought about how much my Dad would appreciate this, most probably asking me, "Aren't you proud to be Chinese?". I just know it. This act was amazing though.
The picturesque version of Shanghai. It looks wonderfully calm in pictures, I tell you now it is one of the noisiest places in Shanghai. Chinese and foreign tourists alike, all screaming, all fighting for a picture at the front. But nonetheless a wonderful sight.
Shanghai was a blast, I think what I learnt is that sometimes it's the people or the person in that city that makes it for you. Shanghai was one of those moments, but this was just the beginning....
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