Travel Tips & Reflection
Trip Start
Jan 30, 2010
1
25
Trip End
Feb 22, 2010
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
- Everything is open late, happens on time and frequently - and therefore there is no need to worry!
- Learn the character for Post Office. Post Offices are open until 9pm! And they also have International ATMs with English guidance. Use Citibank or HSBC.... don't bother with any other the Japanese banks - except look out for JP Network (at Post Offices).
- Baggage storage at Airports and Train Stations are called "coin lockers" and usually take 100Y coins only. Some areas have change machines but we didn't see many.
- Keep travel documents on you - not locked up in a coin locker at the station. This might save you from a panic attack.
- If you can't figure out which train ticket to buy (it is actually quite easy), just buy the cheapest ticket and use a "Fare Adjustment Machine" at the station you get off at.
- The electric train system in Hiroshima is 150Y anywhere you go (one way). Just get on at the entrance and get off at the exit where the train guard is and and give your money to the train guard.
- The convenience shops are EVERYWHERE and most are open 24hrs. 7/11, Family-Mart, Heart-In, Daily-In and the Lawson were very handy and on every second corner.
- Cheap Food - Sandwiches only 147Y at Lawson. You can get egg, tuna or peanut butter and are sealed fresh and kept for days. They were like jaffles with the filling in the middle (except not toasted) and were delicious. They were perfect to have on hand for lunch on the run (or for breakfast for me on most days!). Most other convenience stores sell fresh sandwiches but they are double the cost and not sealed properly so wouldn't keep as long.
- Japanese tampons suck and buying naprogesic is a real task - so be prepared and bring your own from home.
- There are Western style toilets just about everywhere (although often only 1). Look out for the word "Lavatory". In some places they don't supply toilet paper, but you have to purchase it on entry to keep an eye out for the signs that show no toilet paper. Keep some tissues on hand just in case you get stuck in a BYO one!
- There are three companies that run trains in Tokyo and the tickets are not interchangeable.
- If you are going to use the trains a lot a JR pass is definately the way to go. So much cheaper and so much more convenient than having to buy tickets. Be careful about the point above.... JR tickets cannot be used on the other Tokyo subways (except Yamanote Line) or on the Nazomi fast trains.
- Tickets for the Narita Express Train are reserved and you have to get a ticket (although you can get it days in advance or even 5 minutes before) or there are other services to the airport not needing a ticket, but nowhere near as fast or comfortable.
- International phone cards are cheap (1000Y) and work ok most of the time. I averaged 1 call getting through every 3 times I tried, so keep trying and it will work (some companies are better than others though).
I'm sure there will be other things I think of to add to this list later : )
THANK YOU'S
A trip as big as mine (for me it was big) would not be complete without thanking some very important people:
- To my Mum - the greatest support person in my life. Mum allowed me the chance to go off into the big bad world and leave my precious daughter to "holiday" with her.
- To my daughter - thank you chicken for letting mummy have some time to forget about normal life for a little while. I missed you terribly and was so happy when you surprised me at the airport! I am proud of you and how well you behaved while I was away - especially looking after Nanna and the money!
- Natalie & Chris from Brisbane - you guys were an incredible support for me. Nat, if it weren't for you, I am sure my week in Niseko would have turned out quite differently. I really appreciate your support, friendship and the fact that there is another person in the whole world who is also happy enough to spend their whole time on the baby slopes : ) I still can't believe the coincidence of you guys being in Nara at the same time as me, especially when I needed you. Thanks again for letting me hang around with you.
- Kate - my awesome skiing instructor. Nat & I were extremely lucky to have scored such a kind and loving person to help us get over our fears of skiing. Kate took us to places we never dreamed of having the confidence to go to. Kate was supportive, understanding and most of all, a friend.
- Mr Nakamura and our JSK Kyoto friends. The day we spent with you in Kyoto was one of the best days of our trip. Your hospitality, kindness and passion for your city was just fantastic!
- To my friends and family who emailed and left comments about my blog, I thank you. It was great to know I had you all there with me in spirit, watching me grow (and throw the occasional hissy-fit) and experience the world.
- And finally to my travel buddy Andrew. Andrew has been the motivating force behind getting me out of my comfort zone.... gently pushing me half way across the world. I will be forever grateful for this, and your zany attitude which helped to make this one of the most fun things I have ever done. With your help I did forget about normal life for a while, stopped to live a little and see things from outside of my small world in Narrabeen. I know we had some testing moments, and for that I apologise, but on the whole I think we work pretty good as a travel team. To use your words.. I had a blast!
Comments
welcome back, I have loved reading your blog. well done
Great to hear you are back safely. Thank you so much for the informative travelogue - I really enjoyed reading about your adventures. Looking forward to catching up.