Disneyland!

There was even this beautiful cherry blossom in the park!

Tokyo Disneyland Feb 2007- The Disney Express

Disney Resort's own monorail service. With Mickey shaped windows!

TOKYO - PART ONE - DISNEYSEA

So myself and Shiori visited Tokyo for 4 days last week. So much happened that I've decided to break up my exciting adventures into different blog entries.

First up DisneySea!!!

DISNEYSEA

Waking up early has never been a favourite pastime of mine and getting up a 6 to catch a flight wasnt a barrel of laughs, and even harder for Shiori. Anyway we made it up to the matchbox sized Takamatsu airport and boarded our brief flight to Hamada airport in Tokyo.

1 hour later we were in the Japanese capital! Catching a bus from Hamada to Disney eliminated a loss of hassel we would encounter over the next few days. As we rolled into the Disney Resort I was shocked at how big the place is. It's like a small town, with it's own monorail system, shopping mall and several hotels. Already hundreds of people were making their ways up to the gates, which filled me with disappointment (but I was in Disney, so what did I expect!).

Our hotel, as you can see from the pictures was amazing. Right in the park with a European style elegance it was a little bit of luxury and provided direct access to the park without the queuing. The room was excellent, the bed comfortable and the service top class.

DisneySea itself was 100 times better than I expected. It's much more adult themed than it's twin, with faux Venician streets, a Titanic style ship, a Futuristic area and a massive Volcano and lake. It's beautifully designed and despite the people there always seemed to be space.

Lunch was amazing too. 10 quid for an all you can eat buffet, with enough sweets to fill a small sweet shop! Breaded shrimp, potatoes, fruit, salads you name it, it was there....

As for the rides...

TOWER OF TERROR

Shiori has a fear of rollercoasters and thrilling rides, so sat this one out. The newest attraction in the park, the Tower is basically a vertical drop ride, disguised as a haunted Hotel. And the haunting effects were creepily effect. The ride itself is shit inducing. It gives a beautiful view of the park before plummetting you down....AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH

Based on the Jules Verne book, you basically take a ride into the giant Volcano that dominates DisneySea. Some impressive animatronics add to the sense of unease and claustrophobic atmosphere, before the cart you are riding speeds up and takes you into the dark...

Apologies to Shiori here. I poked her in the eye as she clung to me out of fear...

STORMRIDER

A effect simulation that takes you into the eye of a massive storm. The effects are cool too...



Thank goodness for the Fastpass system, otherwise I would have missed out on Tower of Terror....

One of the other things that impressed me at Disneysea were the live shows, Legend of Mythica and the night show Braviseamo... I hope to post some video of those in the future...

DisneySea was a great experience and is a really beautiful place, with a more romantic atmosphere than Disneyland...Me and Shiori even wrote on heart shaped paper to add to these small atriums covered in messages of love...

Disney Sea

The Brown Pants inducing Tower of Terror!

The Hotel Miracosta, Disney Sea

http://www.hotelmiracosta.com/index_e.html

Wacky Races!

The first Disney Sea Novelty vehicle race...

Tottori, Tottori

So its been a hectic week or so for me and Shiori.

Last Sunday we made a Japanese style pilgrimage to Tottori to eat crab. The Japanese love food. They have this meticulous love of the detail of taste, and in many ways remind me of Hobbits. A Crab Trip is always one of those journeys here that has a coach load of older people, and a daytripper atmosphere.

Anyway the crab was delicious, we even bought one home each...too much crab! We picked strawberries at a farm in Okayama and Shiori , her mum and Sister laughed at my mediocre selection.

Tottori is famous for its huge sand dunes. Its not just a beach, but a mini style desert, with local Japanese hiring out camels for rides!

Gomenasai! So here is an extra long post especially for you!

I know.

It`s been a little while since my last post, and this has been largely due to technical difficulties (namely lack of access to my blog!!!). I have felt strangely disconnected, not being able to peruse the net for news, update my blog, or check out the latest movies and music. In fact I am posting this from the regular internet cafe in Takamatsu on my day off. Apparently I can send my laptop home to get fixed but I don`t know how long that will take...

Firstly, Happy Valentines to all you loved up puppies. Shiori made me a "special" Bento (lunchbox) for work that day. I was surprised to find inside heart shaped carrots and a heart shaped hamburger! She`s such a lovely girl and despite the obvious niggles and arguments that couples have when they live together, I do love her....(pass the sick bags I hear all cynical single people say).

We have a busy month. This Sunday we are off to Tottori which is on the Japan Sea side of mainland Japan for a crab dinner, then on Wednesday we fly off for 4 days of fun in Tokyo. 2 days in Disney and 2 days in the sprawl of Tokyo and Yokohama. On the 3rd of March we are off to Kobe to meet Shiori`s aunt and then I am hoping to meet up with Evan for another musical extravaganza in Osaka, later that week.

PHEW!

I`ll let you know how that all goes if I ever get access to a PC!

Work wise, I have an informal interview (if there is any such thing) with my AAM on Saturday regarding the AT position at the Marugame branch. I know I haven`t been there that long so I was surprised when my current AT, Matt, asked me if I was interested. It would be a lot of extra responsibility and I hope if I get the position I would be able to handle it....

On Sunday, I was called in early due to the absence of 3 teachers with sickness. Not feeling well myself last week meant it was difficult, but not as painful as I`d imagined when I found out that only 2 teachers were working!!!!

I have also made a concerted effort to learn more Japanese and am trying to learn something everyday no matter how small. I am not fluent but at least now I can say "What is the book about" - Kore wa nan no hon desu ka?.