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Tokyo | Motegi | Nikko | Rental819 | Yamaha MT09 850 & Takashi Murakami
Have you ever noticed how we have one hard emotion eye, and one soft? Sometime what split you can see in these pools of soul is incredible. Passion, desire, pain, deceit; each eye is different and how they mix together in our gaze totally fascinates me; is it left/ right brain; good and bad.. I am not sure; but it is totally intriguing! Eyes don't lie- and what you can recognise and see in them is the true essence of a person's spirit. I am constantly fascinated by our species and how we grow and interact; these clues and subtle awarenesses shape our lives and relationships. I love eyes, and I love smiles- do. what. you. love. because it shows.
You are me, I am you- the person in front of you is on a path you could have decided to walk or is to come in your future. Dare to create your desires.
I decided to completely trust my brain, instincts and skills and leave Tokyo on a three day adventure riding the brand new Yamaha MT09 with no GPS, two destinations and a belief, that between my knowledge, navigation, memory, decisions, and the tendency field of the universe (faith in self, trust, instincts; it's all the same thing)- it would all work out. Everything came together perfectly.
Fate is another name for Karma, which is another name for Time, which is another name for Love.
I dont belive in Luck- we make decisions that define our place and progress in this world, and I don't hippy-dippy completely hands-off-wheel rely 'on the Universe to provide' because we live in the modern world, with modern consumerist needs- we impact resources and opportunities by our actions within this. I believe in hard work, kindness and energy- and have learnt over time, that we have everything + more than we expect and that worry is completely counterproductive, and just another sneaky form of fear. It's there because it is love and doubt- we want to make the best decisions, to keep our loved ones and ourselves safe; it creates hesitation and reflection, but I've learnt over time, how to work with this emotion; not trying to change, suppress or ignore it. Often that big 'worry' we've been building like Jenga is an ash pile once we really get down the road up close. I DO believe however that we can do the best with that Monkey brain- but really, all you need to do is just open your heart, eyes and ears and just BE. The universe works- you are part of it; we ARE it- there is a bigger force than my thought and brain which is so immensely limited in comparison, and chained by ego and interpretation.
I can be a lavish squirrel with my resources- gather, stockpile, accumulate; building the pile bigger and bigger and then I'll use them up with generous and excited abandon- right before winter dawns- propelling myself into having to re-create the pile again in order to preempt the situations I see in the future. Yes- this has given me more stripes than a zebra in a line up in how to make things work- but took a few years to learn how to get the oil and water mix right without complete worry combustion. My creativity works best with a little fire behind but not with the whole damn tree on fire!
Our brains left to their own devices can become wired in loop- and negative worry bubbles go round with much more velocity than positive ones, but we can learn to change these patterns. The brain is a magnificent engine, we can teach it wonderful new tricks and indulge in thought that diminishes limitations. I call my moving passions (motorcycling and snowboarding are two biggies) 'moving mediation' because it allows me to quickly access the boundless capacity of blank thought which is to the right of this rutted racetrack. My monkey brain is focusing on the obstacles and situations infront of me, while my conscious can float free.
After locking on the the concept that 'yes- I am totally going to hunt down that incredible new Yamaha MT09 I have been dreaming about', I started amassing my nut pile and got in contact with the wonderful gentlemen at Rental819. I met with these souls last time I was in Tokyo and did a road trip with the new Ducati Monster. I cannot urge you enough to contact them if you are keen to make your own motorbike adventure memories- they are phenomenal to deal with. With brand new bikes, comprehensive insurance, English speaking staff, Dianese gear and Shoei helmets- you are set to go on the right foot feeling comfortable and looked after. Rental819 have locations all around Japan and a huge selection of perfectly maintained Triumph, Ducati, KTM, BMW, Honda, Yamaha, Harley- Davison, Suzuki, Kawasaki and other brands bikes for you to ride- ya can't beat them! Special mention going out to Adrian, Kosuke Eguchi, Yosuke and Tsutomu Tanaka at Ikebukuro- どうもありがとうございました!
Tokyo in the middle of Shibuya Hatchiko crossing on Halloween- W.O.W
T.O.K.Y.O.- it's the most incredible place on earth and filled with other motorbike enthusiasts- I met an Indonesian motorbike racer called Mak and had the pleasure to share his passion for the Motegi race circuit and surrounding facilities. It was great to have company on day one- riding with others brings another dynamic to the motorcycling experience.
Motegi ツインリンクもてぎ
Motegi Circuit and a full moon rising 🌝
Ducking and diving through traffic and making our way out of Tokyo was superb complex fun and we aimed in the direction of Motegi. Famous for the Motegi GP motorbike race, Twin Ring Motegi is a motorsport venue with facilities bursting with goodies. While there I was spoilt rotten to meet with the team and riders putting the unreleased Yamaha M1 through it's paces around the circuit (vid below)- a fantastic highlight, but there are racing simulators, goKarting, mini-bikes, shops, onsen, restaurants and other things to keep you busy also.
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The Yamaha MT09 just puuuuuurrrs. Combing the best of the Triumph and the MV Agusta Brutalle, plus extras I had soO much pleasure playing with this machine! The high torque 3-cylinder engine clicks in with the most beautiful purr- literally- and between 5 and 9,000 rpm the MT09 sings. With three settings A, B, and Standard you can start your day moving up and down through the settings to match how you are feeling, the conditions and how you want to ride. With 115hp - 87,5 Nm it's got ooph in all the best ways- equipped with ABS it stops on the head of pin and shoots with adrenaline on the take off. Immensely nimble and very responsive to peg weighting the MT performed more like the III than the lighter Agusta. Perfect for touring, was fantastic for whipping around Tokyo central and handled amazingly on the gravel. I. HAD. SO. MUCH. FUN! Repeating Houston!- I. HAD. SoooOO. MUCH. Fun- yeah, you know you want to go try for yourself now!
Keeping with tradition: This bike is a mercurial triple agent. Tapping into what is needed with etherial and logical adeptness- she has already figured out what you need before you have. Sugar, spice and all things nice- you'll be playing a uphill game to oneup this intellectual mega babe. This minx has all the cards and she'll be playing them without fanfare but class so sleek you'll be begging for more.
^ GoKarting yyeeehaaww~! < Motorcyclist's run on our stomachs! Japanese food + onsen + motorbikes = bliss
The Honda Collection Hall Museum is a must see. With level one dedicated to the developments of artificial intelligence, two motorbikes through the decades and three cars. I ❤ Honda museum! My first proper motorbike was a Honda VTR 250 while my Dad loved the VFR800's: superb engineering- easy to work on and 110% reliable: Japan you winner ;)
My #1 riding buddy- my Da and our old beloved Honda bikes :)
The history of Soichro Honda in manga- ♥ learning!
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Nikko 日光
Day two brought Mak and I splitting ways after a competitive race around the goKarts (the decider not influencing our travel plans!) and back into the game of mental highway bingo for me to make my way to Nikko. Known for it's stunning scenery with the change of seasons and beautiful temples I totally recommend it as a day trip from Tokyo. There are regular trains and lots to do and see- so making a long weekend of it is highly recommended.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
This time of the year (late October onwards) is perfect to see the changing colours of the flora and fauna and be wrapped in the pastel hues of autumn light.
The detail of the woodwork and panelling in these temples is phenominal.
There are many different activities, onsen, sites and museums in Nikko- and although it can be a bit heavy in tourist population, if you hit the sites late evening and early morning it's rather chill. The countryside is stunning up in Tochigi prefecture- I'm already looking forwards to the next time I can visit.
That's the face of an incredibly happy motorbike furrball post 450km round trip! ;) Japan roads are left hand drive, can be quite variable in conditions and the IEC toll highways pack a $ sucker punch. I took the local highways, which meant more changes and turns, but less cost and didn't get lost by riding on my memory and instincts. The highways system is logical, I can read & decipher Hiragana and Katakana, but even without this skill there is English pointers here and there (& tbh- deciphering can be a stressful skill than being blissfully ignorant to all the additional information coming at you!)- trust your gut and the process and have some serious FUN!
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Tokyo 東京
Tokyo Where to start?! This city is friggin amazeballs. There is something for everyone and it's a dream to travel around. Safe, logical, something interesting (and tasty!) at every turn- this megalopolis holds a very special place in my heart. I was thrilled to be back for meetings, catch ups with old friends and new, and to check out events. While back for the week I was delighted to go to the just opened '500 Arhats' exhibit by Takashi Murakami at the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi.
Taken at sunset from Mori Art Museum looking over to Tokyo Tower
One of my favourite artists and a creative who I have much admiration for his ethos and direction; Murakami is a Japanese art powerhouse. He exploded onto the Western art scene with a collaboration with Louis Vuitton and the worldwide visual combustion of his 'Superflat' cartoon pop characters. At the time, I was in New York, and every it girl, poster advertisement and fakie merchant was wearing and pushing his and LV's goodies. What I love about Murakami is that he embraces high and low consumerism; viewers and the ordinary consumer are encouraged by him to continue to engage with the work on whatever platform they have- highlighted in this exhibition by being allowed and encouraged to take photos of the art and share on social media. He is fascinated with exploring hopelessness- yet his work often evokes feelings in viewers quite the opposite; he is the quintessential Japanese mix of colour and darkness, good and bad, traditional and modern.
The epic The 500 Arhats (2012), a 3-meterhigh, 100-meter-long painting of the 500 enlightened followers (Arhats) of Buddha, created in response to the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Some large sculptural pieces and abstract paintings are also included. This work explores the power of prayer and how this transcends religious differences through the exploration of finite life and the infinite nature of the universe. It allows us to understand Murakami's new artistic interests and directions.
Real, forthright; an ardent supporter of young artists and consistently true to his vision, his work is enthralling, energising, modern, technologically embracing and brilliant.
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Kamakura 鎌倉市
Kamakura is a really nifty and relaxed seaside city an hour and a bit out of Tokyo. Surrounded by small mountains on three sides and the Pacific Ocean to the south, you can enjoy swimming, hiking and surfing in the clean ocean air. Famous for the great Daibutsu Buddha located at the Kotokuin Temple in Hase, and the location of the first Buddhist Zen Temple in Japan, the area is steeped in history, yet maintains a funky, relaxed and easygoing feeling.
^ You can jump on the train at Shinjuku and for ¥1470 get to Fujisawa where you change onto a local train. You can jump on and off this one as many times as you like on your day pass and enjoy the attractions along the way. The local train is gorgeous and was a juxtaposition from the city connect where people were engrossed in their cellphones. The local winds gently thorough the residencies to Kamakura with people chatting and interacting along the way.
At 11.312m in height the Great Buddha is a sight to see and fascinated me as it is cast and joined from bronze. The interior is hollow and you can walk around inside. It really is a wonder to behold in person and it's majesty is surrounded by stunning gardens.
Along with the Buddha I was keen to see the largest sculpture of Kannon (Guanyin Bodhisattva) at the Hasedera Temple (above pictured with Buddha's feet). Golden, carved from wood and standing at 9.18m it is breathtaking and exudes reverence. However it was the cave and winding catacombe below that really fasicnated me. Filled with hundreds of small sculptures and statues of worship it is a powerful and spiritual experience as you wind through bent double as the ceiling is so low. Outside the Ojizō-sama statues (pictured below) allow us to remember and pray to the Guardian of Children for the protection of those living and past 🙏🏻
Ojizō-sama statues
In hindsight, potentially a night here would have been lovely, but that may be for another trip. The ease of transport in Japan encourages and allows for access to spectacular opportunities. Wherever you go there is something fascinating to entice the senses- if you are like me, your curiosity can only be rewarded. Being curious means you are engaged- and being engaged means you are learning, to me this is the key to happiness, appreciation and being content.
すばらしい!😜
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TOKYO ROADTRIP! Rental819, Amagiso Ryokan and the Izu Skyline- KaapOOW!
An adventure of a lifetime... (ok, until next week)! Two days, one hot ass Ducati Monster 698, gung-ho attitude & experience and a road (and some off road lol). Ohh yeeeeeeaaaahh baby! Riding a motorbike around Japan was a driving force of me getting onto bikes in the first place, so this achievement has left me grinning like a little fluffy furball.
Starting off with the best motorbike rental outlet in JAPAN- with over 100 shops, and English speaking staff, I rated them the best equipped and well suited to me as an English speaking foreigner wanting a two wheeled adventure. With super slick, new, high performance machines, competitive pricing and comprehensive insurance, lets have a big drum roll for the superstars at RENTAL819!!
My route- Day one: straight out west to Fuji and then down to the Amagiso Onsen nestled right under a corkscrew highway
Day two: down along the coast to Shimoda, up- to Mount Omuro, along the famous Izu & Hakone Skyline roads and then North and back to Tokyo + amazing stops along the way
HANDS DOWN SUPERB TO DEAL WITH. Special mention going out to Adrian, Yosuke & Kohsuke at Ikebukuro and the mechanic from Hatogaya who setup the GPS and Ducati :) They helped me put together a route on Garmin navigation, sort out the highway toll charges, get kitted out in spunky Dianese moto-gear, book a Ryokan and Onsen AND get a brand new 2015 Ducati Monster 698.
I tossed up between the new Yamaha MT-09 and the new Ducati's, but settled on the Duke for a few reasons. Experience had taught me about getting into all sorts of little situations can be more cooly navigated when you are not having to fight your machine. On motorbike trips there are always adventures inside the adventure!! Gravelly side roads, multiple short notice u-turns, possible inclement weather, steep inclines and the fact that I was doing this solo, were all thoughts that helped me on my decision. Plus I was keen to try out the new Ducati's engineering.
Best place in the world to stop on a moto-afternoon tea
Weather in April in Tokyo is a mixed bag. One day sunny and 23 deg, the next, 3 and snowing! I checked to see when the full moon was (I bet $$ on this trick and always book my snow or fishing adventures around this date as it brings clear skys and reliably settled weather) but alas it was a new moon. SO I stuck my finger in the air, waved it around a bit, missed the weekend and landed on the 23rd/ 24th.... and ca-boOOM- I was blessed with THE BEST you could get. Warm, sunny and ab-so-lutely-bloody-purrrrfect.
Triumph v Ducati
Miss Piggy, as I affectionately nicknamed her was one fun ride- as long as you kept moving! The Monster is nimble, light, grunty, LOUD (Oh this was SOOO FUN in quiet Japan), looks super sexy and had a never ending petrol tank. Interesting notes: down changing (esp 1st) was like slamming a hammer, no matter how sleekly you attempt and the HEAT from the engine was UNBELIEVABLE. I swear to God, I had to check multiple times my jeans hadn't burnt right off- to the point on the return trip, where I had entered this crazy 16km long, winding underground tunnel beneath Tokyo at 40 deg air temp, that I couldn't bear idling in the traffic jam so resorted to tearing up the left (never a good option) side emergency lane (under a meter wide) to get out of the damn thing. I found out later the Pannigale is even hotter?!- their slogan should be "Ducati- just keep 'em moving"...
If the bikes were girls on a night out- the Triumph would be a sleek, well groomed, sassy lady oozing sex appeal on just the right notes, where as the Ducati would be leopard print naughty fun, with a skirt just a little too short, a husky smokers voice, whisky on the rocks and the lady with the tricks at 4am. Both a bit of awesome; dynamo team- but for me TRIUMPH all the way.
Arriving in the dark after a couple of hours of night switchback corners- which was ridiculously good, boot scraping fun to the most beautiful traditional Japanese hotel; Amagiso Ryokan. Three levels high, it snuggly wound it's way down the valley to a spectacular waterfall and hot springs.
Riding in Japan is magnificent. The road charges are expensive, and I advise you carry lots of change in a handy to access pocket- because your going to need it at the toll routes. Most windy runs have mirrors on the corners, which is pretty neat. The highways are superb, well policed and there are speed cameras (that shoot from the front... ^=^ ......)... but with your wits about you and good decision making, you can have a blast!
I pulled on all my skills and resources, absolutely can't even put in words how much fun I had, and HIGHLY recommend you come and play RIGHT HERE. ^=^
Funny Bumps and Travel Tips for Tokyo (+ a little domesticity)
I am a little in LOVE with Tokyo- it's kinda sneaked up on me, very quietly like, and then all of a sudden, I fully recognised how much I very much adore where I am. Cheeeeeeky!!
This blog post is about hitting travel in Tokyo and shares some of my tips for ironing out little road bumps to make things easy like ;)
First a funny wee story about crossing the road... No-one j-walks here- you do it once or twice, and then the feeling of a million eyes on you makes you tap into line pretty quick- although, sometimes it's nice to do it, just to remind yourself you can step out of line hehe. SO: Each time I would come to a crossing I would be waiting patiently for the red man to change to green. As it would flick over I, with my fellow crossing camaraderie, would take a step to move forwards. DOOF! I would nearly walk over the person in front of me! "Gomenasai!! Sorry, Sorry" I would say, thinking- what the hell?! I left plenty of space?! Finally it dawned on me, I was taking a good 5'9" sized step, but my fellow crossers were only 1/2 my height, so weren't travelling as far!
It's the funniest stuff that hit's you sideways here :))
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GETTIN' MOVIN! The tips you need in ONE place to get around Tokyo & Japan
Suica- your best friend for travel in and around Tokyo!
This is a re-chargable (most convenience stores and at all rail/ subway stations), pay as you go card for JR trains, Metro subway, buses and even buying stuff where the pass is displayed. BOOM easy!
Psst- between these, 100Yen shops and Lawson's, you are set for life... seriously.
Cash Passport- it means you can load multiple currencies and not have to carry wads of cash on you. You can get cash out (without charges at ATM's located at 7/11 convenience stores (logo left)- which are located everywhere in Japan. (They are the only ATM's I have found though that lets you do this). You can pay for goods where credit cards are accepted and it works as a debit card by doing this. Reloading takes three days as you do a bill payment from your NZ account. Super convenient and stress-free, and they even provide you with two cards incase something happens to one of them! Heads up though- Japan runs on cash, so you need cachinga on you- especially for paying for accommodation.
The best app ever developed in my opinion for budget travellers! It GPS tracks you without having WIFI and allows you to download detailed maps of where you are, when you do have a connection. Without WIFI, you can search for all sorts of things like museums, post offices, atm's, resteraunts and clubs etc. This wee puppy has been A LIFE SAVER!
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HULA-JAMMIES and BADMINTON BAGS
So THE COOLEST thang a 7 & 11 year old can have in Japan right now is custom bags for your gear. There's this chick that likes makin stuff- so she's thinking- what better way to put those skills to use right?- cos little girls (just like grown up ones) need pretty things to make life cool ;)
Plus, who can resist sewing a cover for a hula hoop that is called a 'Hula-Jammie' ?! HEHEHE
Feel free to holla if you'd like patterns or pointers ;D
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"KUCHIKASEYA MOIRA" is Japanese Photographer. Fetish & Nard...
I went to an eye poppingly cool presentation by this Babette. Check out her photos HERE
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I love making things for others which remind me of home (click to enlarge) ^=^
CITRUS FUDGE
STRAWBERRY SHORT-KOOK
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Particle Fever is a 2013 documentary film tracking the first round of experiments at the Large Hadron Collider near Geneva, Switzerland. Geneva, Switzerland. The film follows the experimental physicists at CERN who run the experiments, as well as the theoretical physicists who attempt to provide a conceptual framework for the LHC's results. The film begins in 2008 with the first firing of the LHC and concludes in 2012 with the successful identification of the Higgs boson. I see strong parallels in Art, creativity and dynamic thought. I enjoy the way this movie illustrates Human curiosity about our world and why it is made the way it is. Science is fascinating, thought provoking and super cool. I love this stuff ^^
The art in using chopsticks... (check out the hand position and the finger placement) I thought I had it down, until a kind Otoosan (Pop's) gave me a few pointers to look a little more Eastern ^=^
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Life, F.U.N & The 42nd Tokyo Motorcycle Show- Start Your Engines!
Kawaiii!!!! 極度のかわいい!
I was a bit squished out of shape in Tokyo. But I couldn’t put my finger exactly on why I was so anxious and feeling seriously flighty. Japan (through my eyes) has a strong sense of conformity and regiment. Alongside my love for order and method, I crave interaction and playfulness- but am a walking, talking contradiction and combination of juxtapositions- just like my current surroundings. I suppose I am finding things about my identity reflected more so here than at home and this includes the good bad and in-between.
Big city life is about fitting in, becoming part of a chain, going with the flow and being part of an ever moving, heaving layering. The well oiled machine doesn’t work so well if one kog pops a spot, or wants to be bigger, more slippery or fit in the opposite way. Japan’s structure and rules seem to condense in feeling with the parallel in architecture; Tokyo is very different to Hokkaido.
I love being switched on, plugged in and stimulated. A trait you might think would suit an environment like Tokyo- but it's counterpoint is I take everything a little too personally, invert situations and am not particularly slick at the opposite: turning off. Tokyo has an interesting balance of tuning out. People's schedules make sense here when you see how the power naps, rest times and abilities to 'clock out' in crowded situations are facilitated.
Here, you are not secular- you are the group. It's not personal, it's just business time. This sounds really clean cut and logical, but when your travelling by yourself, with lots of balls in the air, without a consistent companion to bat some humour and steam off, subtle changes can get big effects.
I have an opportunity of a lifetime and I had my head in the wrong cloud for a day there. Looking after children is a role I adore, although I underestimated the challenge of this with an added bonus parcel of a little language barrier. (Although I studied Japanese, I can read and understand more than I can speak; It's a damn fast way to get your conversational language skills lubricated) So, my time, behaviour and interaction had very much come down to actions dominating words. In the big scheme, so little from me but meaning SOOO much to them. Made me think of the extreme, uncompromising love and commitment and generosity my Mum & Dad and Grandparents gave to me; the childhood I had where I was encouraged to try ANYTHING, play with EVERYTHING and have opportunity of diverse thought, actions and emotion. Where expression and being heard were qualities that were actively encouraged. What a rich upbringing. The realisation and reality of how very much it is a selfless act to properly look after a child. And how selfish I was being with my world, my needs, my curiosity for opportunities, my endeavours; snip snapping; searching and pushing upstream. Major game changer: Chill OUT and learn the new groove...
Because it had nothing to do with Tokyo and everything to do with me being a complicated dick.
SO! The 42 Tokyo Motorcycle Show was shiny, well oiled and so spick and span, it was like a sales pitch on steroids. Held at the Tokyo Big Sight it contained many interesting stalls, including a fantastic setup by my favourite: Triumph ^=^
A lot of my enjoyment came from watching the other attendees and the bikes come to and from the event + the monorail trip to get from downtown to the Tokyo Wharf area of Koto is a yummy sightseeing tour too as it emerges from underground to curl around over the bridge and onto the island.
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After all the bogans and bikes, it was culture time with a PHENOMENAL exhibition current running at The Ueno Royal Museum of up and coming contemporary Japanese artists (sorry no photos on this one guys as it was on lockdown ^.^ but check out the following artists who have seriously inspired me!)
Mariane Maiko Matsuo's work (click below for enlargements) was sublime. She is a Brazilian Artist of Japanese decent who works in Osaka. I am in love of her large scale, feminine and extremely intricate artworks. Murata Mineki's artwork called 'Breakthrough Drawing Ball Point on Plywood' was incredible. Mineki is a performance and predominantly 3D based Artist- so his selection for the exhibition was interesting as it was plywood that had literally been hacked and scraped through to make a bark like texture through the ball point pen markings. It was incredibly powerful- maybe more so to my eyes as I felt the time, pressure of application and intensity that had gone into the work through my own experience.
Screwing on a new pair of legs it was a bee-line to The National Museum of Western Art for the Guercino exhibition which blew my socks off, followed by their Matsukata Permanent Collection.
Guercino (1591-1666) was one of the major painters of the Italian Baroque period who further developed the Baroque aesthetics begun by painters Caravaggio and Carracci. Conversely, he was also a painter whose style helped form later academic painting methods, and in the past has numbered amongst the most famous painters in the history of Italian art. Around the mid 19th century, when the art world began to express new values and views, Guercino was dismissed and forgotten, only to be the subject of rediscovery from the mid 20th century onwards.
David Teniers, the Younger's "Temptation of St Anthony" completely captured me- see the detail in the flying monsters below- pictures 6 & 7.
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Seibuen Yuenchi: the play-land of Hello Kitty (no question I was a fizzing furball, if not more excited than the kiddies as we screamed off to the Viking boat for first ride). It's located a wee way out of Tokyo- but has a genuine air of actual fun. Proving that the expensive is not the best and that time and experience is best thing there is- and yen can't buy quality time!
One of my favorite artists (above), Camille Rose Garcia referrs to Disneyland as being the 'saddest place on earth’- as is often the way; the fun, laughter and real joys are not in the places where they are advertised. Do I still need to visit Tokyo Disney? Nope- can't replicate today- plus I went up the best 'Tokyo Tower’ ever on the Ferris wheel with 4 adorable monkeys ^=^
A bit of NZ baking- 'lolly cake Japan style'
"Tokyo Tower"
Lolly Cake: A New Zealand favourite with a Japanese twist. No 'Eskimo' Lollies so we had marshmallows with blueberry jelly centers instead- and damn! they did the trick!
Today SNOW, Tomorrow cherry blossom...
Down to one Freitag for 2 & 1/2 months travel. Thank you motorbiking for teaching me the art of ruck-sacking!
I am learning fast the Art of backpacking and really finding the craft in living off next to nothing, but having maximum fun! Actually so much fun, I can't figure out why the hell I haven't been doing this the whole time.. The house in which I stayed after the yogies- in a room I affectionately nicknamed "The Chopstick", plonked me within a diverse group of travellers who were mega cool. Named Australia House- ironically there wasn't an Aussie in sight, but one of every other jelly bean.
Hirafu, Kutchan, The three snow resorts: An'nupuri, Grand Hirafu and Hanazono, and snow life :)
I had a blast learning from other travellers; watching anime, snowboarding, finding the hidden gem foodies and bars and getting the ins and outs of 'how to's with $0 output' + nifty life hacks... oh and doing design work for one of Niseko's biggest entrepreneurs- check out the designs in DIGITAL
Working and relaxing with others, some who speak English, some who don't; some who speak Japanese, some who don't, really makes you up your game of interesting techniques for communication ;P You are all there because you want to be which brings an infectious energy to the environment- I feel like I have slipped out of orbit into a track that runs at whole different organic interesting flow. My new friends have similar backgrounds, interesting stories and are all curious, adventurous intriguing souls.
"The Chopstick"
An interesting conversation developed the other night about how you reach a point where you have grown up within yourself to travel with no fixed plan and no tight bookings. You realise you have collected the skills and tools to work with, and have got to a point where the anxiety about using them to effect has toned back a notch to just trust in your instincts and decisions. It followed on to thoughts about positivity and why the opposite is more prevalent in society today. Here's me delivering a bit of tongue in cheek logic lol..
Lance, Rebecca and Nigel and Barbara were cave-men and ladies back a few hundred thousand years. They decided to go out on a group date one night as ya do. Take-outs were closed, the nectar bars run dry and they had missed the boat a bit with dinner so got their hunt on. They had wandered into unfamiliar territory but Lance and Rebecca being the 'cow hide up' kinda peps went charging into a cave looking for a tiger to hunt. It was all good- they had their tiger catching skills down pat from hunting back in their neck of the woods. Nigel and Barbara weren’t so sure, they hid outside the cave- there were too many obstacles, it was dark, there was a hike to get in there, there were all sorts of other creepies and crawlies!
Unfortunately for Lance and Rebecca, they hadn’t expected the Brown Bear that had made the cave his home, and who unfortunately wasn’t too keen on being woken up. He didn’t mean to eat them, mornings and surprises weren’t his forte. Nigel and Barbara freaked, flipped and ran. “Of CORSE the others were going to get eaten they said!”. The story became a fable to the next generations- passed down from Nigel and Barabara’s children, an on to the children who followed.
Who was that dude who ate the poisonous berry so we know not to? -Lance’s Grandpa eh?! Makes you think of all the different components that make each individual experience so different and varied too... thoughts?
Yesterday I decided it was time to get on the road again and make my way down the island. Robert and Dan from Aussie House were road tripping around Hokkaido, and it worked out that I joined them with a friend to hit some amazing spots before hitch-hiking on further around the coast of Hokkaido. Starting off in Kutchan at the ¥100 Shop ($1 for ya'll in Kiwi) to dress up the car: "The Dominator- Delica" we then travelled on Route 66 (yeehhaaaa!) to Lake Toya- an incredibly idillic spot with an active volcano and an island in the middle of the lake. We visited a mental institution that collapsed in an eruption and stopped for a pic-nic/ snooze in the sun with homemade quiche (GO SAM!!) on the lakefront.
Phenominal stone sculpture at Toyakochoakebono Park- each stone was individually numbered
I parted ways at Date and hitchhiked around the coast to Tomakomai, where I was shown exceptional kindness & Japanese hospitality and taken for sushi train express for dinner. Domo Arigato Gozaimasu! Today was a travelling adventure to the Ferry Terminal to catch an overnight MOL Sunflower Ferry from Tomakomai to Oarai outside Tokyo.
Today Hokkaido, tomorrow Honshu! Looking forwards to sea legs for 12 hours and to what I come across next!
My hitchhiking companions ^=^
Lake Toya, Tomakomai...
𝒞𝓊𝓇𝓇𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓁𝓎 𝓁𝑜𝒸𝒶𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓃:
𝓙𝓪𝓹𝓪𝓷 | 2014
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