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Pandas, spies and capsule hotels – 7 posts from the archives

Written by James Clark on July 13, 2011 · 3 Comments

My 7 Links is a project started by Katie at Tripbase, offering a chance for travel bloggers to highlight posts from the archives. It has been great way to get to know many travel bloggers I follow, and some of their older material which I missed.

The project also involves nominating other travel bloggers to participate. I was nominated by my housemate in Playa del Carmen, Wandering Earl, and my friend Jodi from Legal Nomads. With nominations from two awesome people, I am happy to join in as well. I present to you My 7 Links.

My Most Popular Post
Capsules
[Capsule Hotel - Tokyo]

On my first stop-over in Tokyo I knew I had to try out a Capsule Hotel. I booked in for 2 nights, not knowing that one was more than enough. It was an interesting experience at least, and it turned out to be my most viewed post. Maybe it was my fetching capsule pajamas [click through to see].
Staying in a Japanese Capsule Hotel

My Most Controversial Post
Giant Panda on its back
[Aww, look at the Panda]

I wouldn’t say I’m a controversymonger, but not everyone agreed with my light hearted plan on how to save the Giant Pandas. When I was in China I discovered that Pandas were once domesticated. Who knew? All domesticated animals were once wild, so why not pandas, right?
My plan for saving the endangered Giant Panda

My Most Helpful Post

[Train passing through market - Maeklong Thailand]

Maeklong Market Railway in Thailand has always been on my to visit list. Problem was it is almost always referred to as being in Bangkok, which it is not, and I could never find how to get there. It is about 80km south of Bangkok, but quite fiddly to get to. I recorded how I got there, and it has become one of my most linked to posts so far.
Maeklong Market Railway, Thailand – The Train That Goes Through a Market

Surprisingly Successful Post

I love long urban walks, so it was only a matter of time until I walked the length of Broadway from the top to bottom of Manhattan. I thought it was a slightly eccentric idea, but I floated the idea with another eccentric friend, and he wanted to go as well. What I also found out was when you publish seemingly eccentric ideas the internet you will find plenty of other people who think the same way as you.
Walking the length of Broadway, New York

My Most Beautiful Post

[Buddhist quote in Chiang Mai, Thailand]

I don’t know if this is my most beautiful, but I have gotten some beautiful emails from people who read my picture post featuring Buddhist quotes and sayings on life, which I found in a temple garden in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
52 inspiring Buddhist quotes and sayings on life

Didn’t Get the Attention it Deserved

As a long term traveller with no fixed address, I have often been accused of being a spy. This is an accusation that I neither confirm nor deny – afterall it is a pretty cool job title. Did you know you can apply to be a spy online in some countries? I compiled a list of countries and their espionage agencies, and how you can become a spy in your home country.
Travel the world as a spy

I’m Most Proud Of…

[Dusun wedding party - Sabah]

My preferred method of travel is solo and with changeable travel dates. When I was in Sabah (Malaysian Borneo) I was invited to a wedding which I promptly changed my travel plans to attend. This turned out to be a remarkable weekend where I stayed with a family in a small village, and I was even supplied with formal wedding attire.
Attending a Dusun Wedding in Sabah

Blogs I nominate for 7 links

Next, I nominate the following bloggers to share their 7 Links:
Kevin from The Mad Traveler
Jo from ActionJoJo
Lillie from Around the World “L”!
Melanie from Travels With Two

Categories: Travel Blog - Tags: china, japan, malaysia, thailand, usa

Meaty T-shirts spotted around Harajuku, Tokyo

Written by James Clark on January 6, 2010 · 2 Comments

I did a 5 day stop-over in Tokyo in 2007 en route to London from Australia. One thing I really wanted to see was the Harajuku girls and associated sub-culture. What I didn’t know until I got there was that all the cool stuff at Harajuku happens on the weekend. I was in Tokyo from Monday to Friday, so I missed out. This just gives me another excuse to return to Tokyo (not that I need one).

Even if you are there during the week Harajuku is worth checking out for the shopping. Lot’s of unique stuff you can get so when people ask where you got that special something, you can give your coolest look and say “I got this in Tokyo”.

I saw this T-shirt which made me laugh. I’m not laughing at Big Bird copping it in the neck, it’s the maniacal faces of Ernie and Bert that does it for me.

The Last Supper

For my vegetarian friends here is a more sombre collection of meat on the table T-shirts.

Dinner Table Animals

Categories: Travel Blog - Tags: blogsherpa, funny photos, harajuku, japan, tokyo

Cartoon fire hydrant, Tokyo – Japan

Written by James Clark on June 15, 2007 · Leave a Comment

This below ground hydrant seen on the streets of Tokyo is so cool. Todays society has lost the art of making ordinary things interesting.

[Tokyo Fire Hydrant]

Categories: Travel Photos - Tags: form and function, japan, tokyo

Capsule vending machines, Tokyo – Japan

Written by James Clark on May 18, 2007 · Leave a Comment

Capsule vending machines, Tokyo – Japan.

Categories: Travel Photos - Tags: japan, tokyo, vending machine

Eat the whale, Tokyo – Japan

Written by James Clark on April 29, 2007 · Leave a Comment

A restaurant in Tokyo serving whale. The picture depicts all the bits of the whale that are on the menu. Japan still insists that its whale hunting is “scientific“.

[I love whales, but I couldn't eat a whole one]

Categories: Travel Blog - Tags: food, japan, signs, tokyo

A homage to two great subway systems in Tokyo

Written by James Clark on April 28, 2007 · Leave a Comment

Seen on the streets of Tokyo…

A nod to New York…

…and a nod to London.

Categories: Travel Blog - Tags: japan, metro, tokyo

Packing the crowd into the Tokyo Subway

Written by James Clark on April 27, 2007 · Leave a Comment

Tokyo is well known for its crowded subway system. If you are arriving to Tokyo around peak hour and are thinking of using the subway system, then it might be better to wait it out until the crowds subside. I got into town at about 10 at night so there was plenty of room to carry my two bags.

I thought I would try the peak hour at least once though. Sure enough the trains are packed. The first time a packed train passed I let it go through, thinking that the next one only 2 minutes away won’t be as bad. It was just as packed, so just got on.

Once you are near the doors though you don’t really have a choice. A crowd of commuters builds up behind you and before you know it you are being herded into the compartment by the crush of people and a station attendant who is there packaging the crowd in his white gloves.

It is a true sardine express, but I have to say that everyone behaves in an orderly manner and shows courtesy to their fellow travellers.

[Ueno Subway Station - Tokyo]

Categories: Travel Blog - Tags: japan, metro, tokyo

Fugu me: Puffer fish in Tokyo

Written by James Clark on April 26, 2007 · Leave a Comment

If prepared incorrectly, the fugu (puffer fish) is lethal.

[Puffer Fish Restaurant - Tokyo]

Categories: Travel Blog - Tags: food, japan, tokyo

Staying in a Japanese Capsule Hotel

Written by James Clark on April 25, 2007 · 26 Comments

Tokyo offers a wide range of accommodation options, but nothing is as quirky as a capsule hotel. The first capsule hotel opened in Osaka in 1979 and they can now be found in major cities across Japan. The capsule hotel idea has not taken off anywhere else though which makes for a unique Japanese accommodation experience.

I stayed at the Capsule Inn Akihabara, in Akihabara, Tokyo. This area seemed like the appropriate place to stay in a futuristic capsule as Akihabara is the big electronics and manga shops area of Tokyo.

Upon arrival you take your shoes off, as you would in a Japanese home, and place them into a shoe locker at the front entrance. Hand the locker key to reception and once you are done with check in formalities you are given another locker key attached to a wristband. The number on your wristband is your locker number and capsule number.

[Capsule Inn - Locker room]

The hotel’s slogan is “making the best of a small space”, and they really mean it. The lockers aren’t built for long haul travel. The locker is “L” shaped with room for hanging suits and jackets, and a shelf big enough for an overnight bag.

Capsule hotels are mainly frequented by business people staying in town overnight and people who have missed the last train home, so accommodating for bulging backpacks and unwieldy wheelie bags is not usually required.

If you have larger bags you can leave them on a luggage rack in the foyer. A security wire and padlock is provided.

When you are ready for bed you go to the locker room and change into your usual nightwear. If you go to bed ala naturale, you are supplied with a yukata (Japanese bathing robe). You are also supplied with a bath towel which is about the size of a tea towel.

[Capsules]

Now it is off to capsule. The capsules are located on multiple levels, separated into male and female floors. Climb in and draw the bamboo blind at the entrance hole and you are in your little Tokyo bolthole for the night.

[Capsule Interior]

The capsules are the width of a single bed and are high enough for you to sit up in. A TV is built in to the roof and everything is designed as to not get in your way should you awaken suddenly in the night. A control panel with clock radio, alarm, TV controls and light switch is built into the side with a small ledge for personal items.

[Capsule TV]

There are toilets on each level and the bathroom can be found next to the locker room. The bathroom is in the style of Japanese bath houses. There are showers and a large public hot bath. You are required to shower first before using the hot bath (of course).

[Bathroom]

Down in the foyer there is a common area with vending machines and newspapers. You won’t find copies of The Japan Times or International Herald Tribune here though, it’s all Japanese language papers. Like everywhere else in Tokyo there is wireless internet available.

[Capsule Inn Foyer]

Capsule hotels encapsulates (pun intended) the hi-tech, limited space image of Tokyo. So if you are looking to do something a bit different, then a stay in a capsule hotel could be for you.

[Bedtime in my Yukata]

Categories: Travel Blog - Tags: accommodation, japan, tokyo

Hi-tech toilets of Japan

Written by James Clark on April 24, 2007 · 2 Comments

Ahh, the fabled hi-tech toilets of Japan. I had heard much of these WC’s, so I was delighted to finally see one.

To start off with the seat was heated. I’m not sure if this was a built in feature or due to the fact that I was hot seating after a portlier than normal Japanese man.

On the right hand side is a control panel with instructions in Japanese and Braille, but no English. With a possible risk of a hot jet of water splashing me before I was ready, I pressed some of the buttons. Nothing happened, so I pressed all the buttons in different combinations, and still nothing happened. It appears that you need to be a commercial pilot or a Rhodes Scholar to operate these things. Either that or the toilet was broken.

It did flush though, saving myself and the queue of Japanese guys lots of blushes all round as I finally emerged from the cubicle.

[Hi-Tech Toilet - Tokyo]