got here about 6.30 this morning and into the city (I’m staying in Nihonbashi for those that know Tokyo). The hotel was good, letting me check in early so I could dump my bags in my room, and have a shower before going off to do some touristy stuff. I　then proceeded to get hopelessly lost - ending up at Tokyo Station when actually trying to get down near the river at Hakozaki. Finally gave up　and caught the subway out to the Imperial Palace gardens and had a look around there, then went to Ginza to check out the shops - Gucci, Cartier, Mont Blanc etc etc. Then walked down to the waterfront and then back to the hotel. I’m　now stuffed … walked fricken miles today, plus the overnight on the plane - which while business class is heaps better than economy, a plane is still a plane is still a plane. Early night tonight …　Ｉ expect there might be a couple of late ones this week. Work tomorrow first though!



A few observations on my first day in Japan:

1. the free internet at my hotel is heaps faster than at home (and thats a 1.5 mpbs connection) - when is Australia going to join the modern world on broadband speeds (and prices?)
2. the toilet in my room has a few extra buttons compared to ours at home - the jet of warm water to clean my bum is quite nice actually (note to self …. bidet time at home?
3. its damn hard typing on the Japanese keyboard in my room … if i accidently touch the wrong key I suddenly get a rush of Japanese characters. Not to mention that some keys are in different places.
4. subway trains and stations are very clean - in common with other Asian cities I’ve been to. Why do Sydney trains then have to look like they’re used to transport mobs of cattle rather than civilised people?
5. saw a few troops of boy scouts (more like cubs) out today - they are so cute in their uniforms (and I　say that not in the sense that I’ve developed a thing for small boys)　

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