http://www.hawoods.org Trials and tribulations on travel! Sun, 07 Aug 2005 22:35:39 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The old broken down sign is your first warning this may not be a good idea. You’ve heard rumors, but nothing prepares you for what will happen when you enter. It;s nothing you tell yourself. It’s just an old building and you don’t beleive in gjhosts anyway. What’s the worst ... http://www.hawoods.org/2005/08/06/isolation-hospital/ Steve and I stayed at our first ryokan in Matsumoto. It is a Japanese traditional inn loosely similar to a bed and breakfast. It is traditional to be served dinner in your room by a kimono clad woman who is assigned to you for the duration of your stay. ... http://www.hawoods.org/2005/08/04/oh-my-god-its-alive/ Today we visited Sensoji Temple. It is in the heart of the Asakusa area of Tokyo. It has a touristy feel to it, but is in fact a real temple where people come to pray. It is surrounded by food hawkers and souvenir shops. As you enter you see the ... http://www.hawoods.org/2005/08/03/smoke-on-the-water/ Interesting packaging on this treat! Hey Scott-this is one we took just for you–a “shrine” to your favorite bird! http://www.hawoods.org/2005/08/03/hmmmm-thats-odd/ Our first night in Tokyo we went to a tempura bar on the 53rd floor of the Tokyo Opera House. We had a bit of difficulty finding the place–We couldn’t read any of the signs and couldn’t locate an elevator. Finally through trial and error we went from the ... http://www.hawoods.org/2005/08/03/fear-factor-eating-in-japan/ I find all the signage in Japan to be very amusing–especially their penchant for anitooning (my made up word crossing anthro and cartoons). Here are a few examples of what I mean. I have no idea what these little guys are advertising most of the time–although some are readily apparent, ... http://www.hawoods.org/2005/08/01/japans-funny-little-creatures/ Many wild things here in Singapore, land of Chinese, British, and Malaysian influence. I have included pictures of a few of things I have eaten. I will update as necessary! This is dried silver needle fish–you can see their little dried up eyes! It tasted pretty good, once I got past ... http://www.hawoods.org/2005/07/29/food-glorious-food/ Today I went to Sentosa island. I took the cable car over. The island has several things to do, but I chiefly hung out in the butterfly garden. Then I hung out at the insect museum…. Yes, those are real scorpions! Their legs tickled! I took the bus/tram all over the island. I would ... http://www.hawoods.org/2005/07/29/sentosa-island/ Okay, I really only experienced the first two…but it is early in the game, you never know–just a joke, Mom, don’t worry. Oh, and by the way, I have NOT caught the Asian Bird Flu…yet. Steve, Scott and I went to China town the first night so I could go to ... http://www.hawoods.org/2005/07/28/tinker-tailor-soldier-spy/ After having breakfast at the hotel — a typical English breakfast affair ( wet scrambled eggs, baked beans in a tomato sauce, sausages, quick breaks and dried pastries, etc.) but also having fried rice, noodles and dim (gimme) some..er.. sum. it was quite good. After that I took off ... http://www.hawoods.org/2005/07/27/1st-day-in-singapore/