Asia
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By wattsy | June 13, 2008
Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world and being so big it has a pretty decent transport system. At times like the morning and afternoon rush hours the trains can become overcrowded, sometimes reaching over 200% capacity. Because of this station employees formally known as “passenger arrangement staff” but nick named “Oshiya” (Pusher in English) are stationed on the platform to direct passengers to empty carriages and to help them into crowded carriages. Watch the video above and you will see what we mean. If you also think there may be a chance of getting felt up while in the packed train well the Japanese have a plan for that as well with special carriages for woman only known as Josei Senyo Sharyo. These carriages will have a image of a woman on the door and often feature a pink stripe along side of them and were put in place as many woman felt uncomfortable in the packed carriages due to the amount of groping incidents (known as chikan).
Topics: Asia, Trains | No Comments »
Where Osaka comes to play
By rocky | June 3, 2008
The Doton Bori Canal is the centerpiece of Osaka’s entertainment and nightlife district. The district offers an amazing atmosphere with colour, neon, music, people and aromic smells you can only find in Japan. Many of the city’s night spots, bars, gaming lounges including pachinko, restaurants and shopping can be found in the streets around the Doton Bori. The main meeting place and where Osaka celebrates is the Doton Bori bridge, here huge video and neon walls light up the night sky advertising everything from Pokey Chocolate to the latest Sports drink or beer. For those adventurous, Doton Bori is the place to try the infamous Fugu blow fish, this poisonous fish is deadly if not prepared properly and is not for the faint hearted, other tasty treats in the area include the Takoyaki Octopus Balls and Okinomyaki which is a tasty vegetable and sometime seafood pancake.
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Ha Long Bay -
By rocky | May 26, 2008
Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay is one of the most spectacular bay’s in the world. The bay a UNESCO World Heritage Site features thousands of limestone islands and outcrops covered in thick vegetation. Being only 185 km north of the Vietnamese capital Hanoi it is only a 4-5 hour journey to see this amazing place. The best way to see the islands is on the water, there are plenty of tour operators ranging from traditional junks to luxurious cruisers. Some of the cruise companies will stop at different islands so you can see the grottos and caves up close. Make sure you do your home work as prices and quality of tours can vary. Your hotel should be able to put you on the right track. Local folk laws say that the islands are a result of dragons descending from the heavens and spitting jewels of jade into the sea, its not hard to see why the place is spectacular. Once back on dry land visit the Halong Bay night markets, this is the best place for a cheap meal and some souvenirs, like laquerware, chopsticks and other trinkets - make sure you bargain- start at about 50% of the starting price- it’s all part of the fun. Read the rest of this entry »
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On the rails in Honkers
By rocky | May 25, 2008
The Hong Kong tramways has been operating for over 100 years and has the world’s largest fleet of double decker trams. There are only six tram routs and the total lenght of tracks only totals 30 km but the tramways carry and amazing 240,000 people per day accross there 161 trams. Stops are around 250 metres on average and there are 123 stops on the network. The trams offer a quick and cheap way to see some of Hong Kong island, One great trip is out to Happy Valley the city’s racecourse you can visit the racing museum or if its a race day have a flutter. The Central Admiralty & Wan Chai line offers easy access to many of the Hong Kong sights including Central District skyscrapers, Statue Square, the Ocean Terminal and the Zoo and Botanical gardens which are a great place to enjoy a relaxing stroll and a picnic- and best of all its’s free. The trams operate from 6am to midnight and at only $2 HK for any stop you like you won’t find a better bargain in Hong Kong other than the Star Ferry. Read the rest of this entry »
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Snoopy’s World Hong Kong
By rocky | May 10, 2008
Hong Kong is fast becoming one of the best places to holiday with kids, there’s Hong Kong Dinseyland, Ocean World and now Snoopy’s World. Located on top of the New Town Plaza shopping city at Sha Tin in the new territories Snoopy’s World features heaps of fun for the young. There are six themed zones including a huge playground, canoe ride, mini golf. Over 60 huge figure of Snoopy and all the characters like Charlie Brown, Lucy and Linus are there and you never know who might show up for that special hug and photograph. The park is specially suited for toddlers and preschool kids but the larger ones should enjoy it too. Don’t forget to pack a few Hong Kong dollars for the gift shop at the end of your visit- there’s some pretty cute things to buy.
Topics: Asia, fun parks | No Comments »
The legendary Rex Hotel
By rocky | May 8, 2008
Starting out as a two story garage complex for the French in the late 1950’s and later being renovated into a trading centre with cinemas, cafeterias and dance halls what is now Ho Chi Minh City’s Rex hotel has seen a lot of changes in this vibrant city. During the Vietnam War the building located in District 1 the hotel’s rooftop bar was a favorite place for the American troops to relax within a magnificent view of the city. It is also beloved the hotel was used by the CIA during the 60’s. Today the hotel is pretty interesting and fairly kitschy although it has had a serious makeover, bamboo detailing and huge crown shape lampshades and plenty of bud lighting to make it feel like Christmas. The location, atmosphere and history its of this hotel makes it worth cent. Even if you are not planning to stay there make sure you visit the upstairs bar, its open around the clock and serves great food and refreshing drinks. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Asia, Hotels, Kitsch Stuff, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tokyo’s oldest temple
By rocky | May 6, 2008
The Senso Ji Temple in Asakusa Tokyo is the city’s oldest temple and is one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist attractions. The Buddhist temple which is also associated with the Tendai sect is a Shinto Shrine and the focus of a huge festival held each spring which sees the surrounding street closed off for the festivities. Huge crowds flock to the temple every day, to burn incense and pay respect or to shop and eat at the dozens of traditional shops which sell just about anything especially catering for the tourist. The legend of the temple dates back to 628 when two fishermen brothers found a statue in the Sumida River, this statue was then enshrined with a temple. The temple was bombed during World War II and rebuilt today the temple stands as a monument symbolizing rebirth and peace. To make a day out of your visit a five minute walk to the west of the temple will get you to Kappabashi, Tokyo’s kitchen town where you can buy just about anything to do with cooking from plates to plastic food models. Read the rest of this entry »
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The Meguro Parasite Museum
By rocky | April 27, 2008
Japan has some of the world’s more interesting museums, there the noodle museums, sewerage museums, salt museum…you get the drift but now we have found one which is even weirder…The Kiseichuu Hakubutsukan or Meguro Parasite Museum. Here you can see jars and jars of interesting parasites in all shapes and sizes. The star attraction of the museum in their 45000 item collection is a 8.8 meter long tape worm which once happily lived in a woman. There are all sorts of worms and wriggly things enough to turn you off your lunch and probably tomorrows as well. The museum like all museums features a gift shop at the end of the tour, and yes you can buy your very own parasites one of the best sellers is a parasite key chain- beats that Hello Kitty one they are selling down the street and for only Y210 its a real bargain. The Meguro Parasite Museum is located Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, and only a few minutes walk from Meguro Station. - Just a word of warning no eating is allowed whilst veiwing the parasite collection. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Animals, Asia, Museums | No Comments »
Fire rocket launches at cows
By rocky | April 26, 2008
Here at Tripandom we really hate animal cruelty but this story was so bizarre we have decided to tell it. There is a tourist attraction just outside the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh where visitors can fire all sorts of military weapons including machine guns, grenades, rocket launches and anti aircraft guns and for a few more dollars you can shoot at different types of targets. For about $200 US which is huge dollars in Cambodia you can fire your weapons of choice at a coco-nut or for a few dollars more even take out a poor chicken. For those blood thirsty people who have another spare $200 you can take out a cow with a rocket launcher. If you miss the cow you get the $200 back and need to spend another $200 +$200 for your second shot. We can’t seem to find out what happens to the cow, that’s if there’s anything left, maybe hamburgers for dinner? Who knows? If you have any other weird attractions or even distasteful ones like this we would love to hear from you.. Drop us a line.
Topics: Animals, Asia | No Comments »
A few fine feathered friends
By rocky | April 22, 2008
Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park is one of the island city’s most popular attractions. The park has recently completed a multi million dollar make over and offers so much for the visitor. Some highlights include The Waterfall aviary would have to be the parks most spectacular home to 60 species and over 1500 birds all living in a huge enclosure which includes a 30 metre high man made waterfall. The aviary is that huge it even has own monorail. Labelled the Panorail which travels through it. The Bird’s and buddies show is also a crowd favourite with parrot and cockatoo performances and an exciting birds of prey show. And there is nothing as cute as the penguin exhibit more than 200 of these artic black and white feathery friends call the exhibit home, the exhibit includes Humboldt, the Rockhopper, the Macaroni, the Fairy and the majestic King Penguin. The Darkness exhibit is also a great chance to see nocturnal birds including fish owls, snowy owls and herons all living happily in reverse light conditions.
Topics: Animals, Asia | No Comments »