Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Japan Photo Diary: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Osaka Aquarium4Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
(All images shot by me) 

Taking photos in aquariums is the hardest thing in the world. Mainly because I couldn't get the lighting right, I didn't have a tripod and my camera decided to commit suicide half way through.

Apart from that, my visit to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan was pretty epic. It's one of the largest in the world, and the best I've visited. It focuses on The Ring of Fire and The Ring of Life, it has 27 tanks and 16 main exhibits, the largest tank is 90ft deep and holds 5400 cubic metres of water. It hands down shits on Sydney Aquarium. Did I mention they have massive manta rays and a whale shark. Awesome right?

Osaka was the last leg of our Japan trip. I ate awesome ramen for dirt cheap via vending machine type restaurants. I also was able to meet up with my old London work mate, Kazuki. We had dinner and drank at an English pub, which felt like old times.

I was so sad leaving Japan, it really is an amazing place. But New York and New Orleans was ahead of us.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Lomo Love: Angel Canals, London.

Angel Canals
Angel Canals
Angel Canals
(All images shot by me)

I love revisiting my old pics from London. I also believe it's time for a new Lomo Love post too. So here are some images of the canal that begins at Duncan St in my old neighbourhood of Angel. My sister actually found this little gem. Lined with little house boats, this canal subsequently saw us taking strolls to other parts of London, which resulted in either a pub crawl or food fest of sorts. A lot of local folk use it as their jogging route, work route or just a place to sit and read a book or to have a small picnic. It is seriously devine during summer time, and you can also rent tug boats. The canal takes you through to Shoreditch and East London, then ends all the way down Canary Warf, which is hella far.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Japan Photo Diary: Hiroshima

Hiroshima
Hiroshima
Hiroshima
Hiroshima
Hiroshima
Hiroshima
Hiroshima
Hiroshima
Hiroshima
Hiroshima
Lady on the ferry
Eagle
Deers
Mystic
Deers
Miyajima Tori Gate

(All images shot by me)

We only had one day of sunshine in Hiroshima, which sort of sucked. The days that followed saw us running around in the rain and trying to figure out what to do. But every traveller knows, rain will not stop your exploration. Our first stop was an Oyster Bar, the best way to start any trip. Next was the Hiroshima Atomic bomb memorial. It was such a heavy experience, I still can't believe that the town was levelled to the ground. Walking through modern day Hiroshima, it will never cross your mind that the atrocity of the atomic bomb effected the area. The resilience of the Japanese people is very admirable.

We visited the Mazda Museum, which was surprisingly interesting. What I loved was Mazda's vintage cars and watching the production line. It looked like a perfect scene for an action movie; robotic machinery + mechanics/ technicians and half made cars. We also watched a baseball game at the Mazda Stadium. Hiroshima Carps vs Hanshin Tigers. Tim and I bought the Carps blood red ponchos to shelter us from the rain. It was so much fun drinking beers, eating snacks, watching everyone get into it, as well as listening to each team's band chants.

We took a ferry to Miyajima Island to see the massive Tori Gate that eerily stands in the water. Unfortunately we came at low tide, but it enabled us to walk on the sea bed and stand directly under the enormous gate. Deers were abundant and watching them hassle people for food was hilarious. There was a lone eagle hovering around in circles which was a bit disconcerting as I thought it would pick me up and take me to it's lair.

I also probably had the best ramen in hiroshima at a local and very cheap restaurant in the downtown area. You would think I would be done eating at Yakitori Bars, clearly not. We stumbled across a random one that ended up being a Hiroshima Carps Baseball x Sportsbar. Decked out in Carp paraphernalia. Going to the bathroom and watching the team poster watch you go to the toilet was a bit weird. The food and atmosphere made up for it, as well as the big screen showing the live game.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy the pics.

ps This is my 777 post! Yay for me. I like to think triple 7 is a lucky number.  Thanks to all my readers, whoever you may be, you guys are rad.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Rozelle Markets



Hello Friends,

This Sunday my bff, sister and I will be selling some new and old gear at Rozelle Markets from 9am-4pm.
I've been trying to cull my wardrobe but I have issues letting go of things, yes I'm very sentimental. But I will do it.

The items we will be selling are things like clothes, shoes, jewellery. Also vintage clothes that I have a habit of buying and never wearing. So if you're from Sydney and around the area come and bag a bargain.

Details are: Sunday 20th May. 9am-4pm.
Rozelle School
663 Darling St, Rozelle, 2039. 
http://www.rozellemarkets.com.au/

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Japan Photo Diary: Tokyo

Tokyo Bound
Harajuku
Yoyogi Koen
Yoyogi Koen
Tokyo
Tsukiji Fish Market
Tsukiji Fish Market
Tsukiji Fish Market
Tokyo
Tokyo Skyline
Kamakura
Kamakura
Kamakura
Kamakura
Kamakura
Kamakura
Tokyo
Tokyo
(All images shot by me)


 1) Kyoto station. waiting for the bullet train bound for Tokyo. 2) Harajuku station and the sea of people. 3) Little boy with his face mask in Yoyogi Park. 4) Children in awe by street magicians. 5) Man on his bike. 6,7,8,9) Tsukiji Fish Market. 10) Amazing Tokyo skyline. 11,12,13,14,15,16) Day trip to Kamakura. 17,18) The most amazing noodles on our trip to Higashikitazawa.

Tokyo is crazy amazing, at some point during our trip it felt like we were in Blade Runner. I will never forget the sea of lights during night time, encountering the most well behaved children in the world, the abundant cherry blossom trees in Yoyogi Park, walking 8 hours straight, eating a lot of Yakitori, visiting the most amazing book store EVER Tsutaya in the very hip Daikanyama.

If you love Yakitori and you are staying in Asakusabashi, there is a great small Yakitori Bar between the local station and JR Line. Also try Vin Chou it's French inspired with excellent wine and the owner is super nice, its a small quaint rustic Yakitori bar/ restaurant.

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Japan Photo Diary: Kyoto

Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto
(All images shot by me)

We arrived in Japan around midnight in Osaka, backpack clad and all. The next day we were Kyoto bound via bullet train, and yes it was lightning fast.

Kyoto is a pretty cherry blossom filled city, with an amazing train station that was crazy large. Tim and I took a bike tour and we saw beautiful temples, Maiko's and Geiko's (Geisha's) in Higashiyama. We rode around Gion and visited the Kyoto Imperial Palace. We took a train to Fushimi Inari Shrine to see the never ending Tori gates. And also walked down the Philosophers Path and Bamboo Forrest.

If you're a Nintendo fan we saw the head quarters for the original company, they started off by selling playing cards.

I'm kicking myself for not writing in my travel journal for both Japan and USA. I'm trying to remember a lot of what went down but everything seems like a distant memory. So in saying that, I hope my photos speak for my lack of words.

Stay tuned for Photo Diaries for Tokyo, Hiroshima, Osaka, New York and New Orleans.