Kyoto, Japan

• Kyoto is the cultural heart of Japan's past.... Full of beautiful women in kimonos, ancient bamboo forests, temples and palaces haunted by mythical pasts.
• The biggest must-do in Japan is staying in one of the tradition home/hotels - We stayed at Hiiragiya Ryokan. It was a bit pricy, but worth it... particularly because of the food.

Our Itinerary

• Heian Shinto Shrine - With beautiful gardens
• Lunch at Owariya Buckwheat Noodle Restaurant - This restaurant is older than America... really really good noodles...
• Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) - Most popular temple because of pure gold leaf exterior
• Formal Tea Ceremony at Fukujuen green tea shop - Who knew there were so many formalities to drinking one cup of frothy green tea.... Note: You are silent the whole time and slurp the last sip to compliment the tea maker
• Nishiki Market (Kyoto's kitchen) - Market place full of Kobe Beef
• Shinkyogoku Down Town

• Philosopher's Walk - quiet path along a small river bed. Nice but nothing particularly special about it
• Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) - Unlike the Golden Pavilion... that was made of gold. The silver pavilion is a wooden structure with a rock garden and beautiful views of the city from the hillside
• Nijo Castle - Beautiful artwork and architecture... I particularly liked the "singing floors"... which were constructed to make beautiful tailored squeaking sounds as people walked on them - to act as a warning/heads-up to those in the house
• Zen Vegetarian Lunch at Tenryuji Temple
• Bamboo woods at Sagano - SOOO beautiful!
• Kenninji Temple - First Zen Temple in Japan.... it was a beautiful... lots of rocks and moss
• Associating with a Maiko (a Geisha in training) at Maruume Tea House - A costly experience but completely worth it if you have a translator. She chatted with us, served us tea, and danced. Very beautiful and impressive
• Walk around Gion district - It's amazing... modern architecture reminds me so much of old japanese architecture

Our room in Hiiragiya Ryokan

Tokyo, Japan

• Tokyo is known for it's over populated streets, neon lights, and unique (often bizarre) subcultures.

Our Itinerary

• Tsukiji Fish Market - The whole fam woke up at 4:30am to go to the famous fish market to watch an auction where thousands of pounds of tuna were sold. It was the first HUGE fish market I have ever seen that didn't smell of fish. Everything was very fresh... and very cold.
• Asakusa Temple - Huge temple near where we had lunch
• Japanese Shabu Shabu Lunch (even better than Japanese Sushi)
• Maiji Shrine - In a lush forest in the middle of Tokyo... this is the most serene temple I have ever been too. (it was my favorite)
• Hachikō Square - Busiest intersection in the world. This was the only place in Toyko where I really felt the crowds. We had a bad dinner over looking the intersection (don't be a sucker for a good view here - it's not worth it). Then Sarah, Chris, and I went out to bars. Beware of the "Japanese only" clubs. We stumbled into one and were immediately kicked back out onto the street. Strange place.
• Harajuku fashion - this eccentrically dressed subculture where heaps of eyeliner and all-year-round Halloween costumes are the norm... is quite the sight to see. Most of these teenage trendsetters are found around Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line.
• Sumo Wrestling Museum - We didn't make it to a match because one of the big tournaments was just a few weeks before we got there... but we did get to see the museum - full of pictures, posters, and videos that teach you the classic moves and rules of Sumo.
• Maid Cafe in Akihabara - This area is full of Japanamation, Anime, tiny toys, and crazy (slightly fetishized yet often completely innocent) costumes... We went to a Maid Cafe for drinks, dress-up, and a pirate game with the waitresses - really weird. Only in Tokyo.

Itinerary

• For the next two weeks I will not be posting updates... not because my trip is over, but because I will be traveling to: Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima), Thailand (Bangkok, Krabi Beach), Cambodia (Angkor Wat), and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City)
• The pictures are going to be great! So check back around Aug 16th-17th

Goodbye Saatchi & Saatchi

• I will miss this place...

goodbye breakfast

goodbye lunch... where I tried chicken feet - gross

goodbye presents... very nice presents :)

This is the image that we used on our "thank you" cards to everyone at work.

Last Nights in Hong Kong

• Savva Bar & Restaurant has gorgeous views from its 180 degree balcony... but is very expensive - that's why we went with our CEO ;)

(we are the group of people on the right)

Anthony, the CEO, making fun of me for not knowing who Laurel and Hardy are/were...

(Everyone in the office loves to remind me of how young I am.)

Macau

• If Hong Kong is "The Big Apple of Asia" then Macau is "The Sin City of Asia"
• We gambled at The Venetian (the largest single structure in Asia and the 4th-largest building in the world)
• Went to see Cirque Du Soleil - Zaia
• And wandered through the old Portuguese city's churches, fortress, and cemetery.
• Overall - I enjoyed seeing the old city much more than the casinos... it's impressive but nothing can compare to the lights on the Las Vegas Strip

the largest casino floor in the world - 550,000 sq ft... 3400 slots & 800 tables

Chris won a little cash... I lost a little...

the mall looks EXACTLY the same as the Venetian in Vegas

the old city...

...well, mostly old.

the Ruins of St. Paul's

um... gross. Dried gooey slabs of meat

Nothing was worse than our hotel. NEVER go to the patched up, sheet stained, overpriced Hotel Central...

it may have a good location but it is not worth it.

2 Nights, 7 Bars

• THURSDAY:
• Fellow creative, Andrew June, took us out for a night with the boys (I was the only girl... and Chris was the only guy interested in girls ;) )
• We went for all-you-can-eat Japanese buffet at Izakay Daikichi with friends

• BAR #1: Dejavu - small lounge with fru-fru drinks. yum.

• FRIDAY:
• BAR #2: Red - This bar is attached our friends Pure Gym... having a friend with a "membership" is key. Membership = discounts & vouchers :)
• BAR #3: Tivo - cool design and good champagne

• BAR #4: Finds - silly decor... white boas and crystal everywhere, nice porch though
• BAR #5: Lei Dou - cool relaxed lounge with many comfy couches

• BAR #6: Balalaika (Vodka Shot Room) - This picture explains it all

• BAR #7: Azure - Steak with a view by day, Party with a DJ by night...

Rooftop Dinning

• Best lunch break ever... WoolooMooloo
• Who new there was a steak place with a view 1 block from work in Wan Chi... But I would not recommend the food (our Medium fillets were bloody) but a great place for drinks. I want to go back at night.

my apartment is smack in the middle of this view