Night life at Roppongi, Tokyo

Roppongi is one of the more welcoming places in Tokyo for gaigin (Non Asian looking foreigners). The area tends to be where those looking to come together go for fun. Ropponggi Intersection has something for everyone. It is a popular spot for foreigners and you will see many people thronging the streets late into the night.

It is actually easy to get to if you are on the Ginza Line, just keep going west and look for Roppongi as a stop. When you get out of the station, look for a building with a striped awning called “almond” when you see that, you are there! In addition to clubs, Kareoke bars, restaurants and the usual sort of thing, there is the typical Japanese sex stuff. Chances are you will meet up at some point with a girl who just loves to give a massage, or the Australian ex-pat who works as a doorman for a strip club for the Yakusa.

Gas panic

Clubs like Gas Panic, Wall Street I and II, Motown I and II and 911 (recently reopened) draw pretty much the same party hard crowd. If you are looking for a more civilized club experience head over to Velfarre or to Grace. If you have time, Wall Street (very near Gas Panics), looks very elegant from the outside and has been recommended on certain websites. It is located on the 2nd floor of a dinghy building, with many of its cocktails bearing financial terms. Apparently from other sources, drinks are from 500 yen during Happy Hour.

Another side of Roppongi

One of the funny things about Roppongi is that all of the local foreigners will tell you they hate it and that they never go…but then lo and behold, you bump into those same ones stumbling out of Gas Panic on Saturday night talking about how “they just came because thier friends made them” or some bs like that. So anyone that tells you they hate Roppongi is probably full of it. The bottom line is that it is the safest bet for happening nightlife in Tokyo…especially if you don’t speak Japanese or have a good local guide, as nearly all of the clubs have english speaking staff and openly welcome foreigners. Another bonus is that it’s a pretty good bet that if you see a girl there, she is actively looking for a foreign guy, so your stock just went up my friend! Here are some basic tips that should help you out :

1)      If an African guy come up to you and tells you to come to his club that is packed with Japanese girls just politely say no thanks and keep moving…the good clubs don’t need touts on the street to get clientele

2) Stick to Japanese girls or 1st world western girls. I might get some hate mail on this one but Roppongi is full of prostitutes and con artists and I’m sorry to say it but most of them come from places like the Phillipines, Israel, or Columbia.

3) Don’t go on a weekday. I used to prefer Thursdays but it seems like it’s recently been dead on the weekdays. Stick to the happening nights on the weekend.

DRESS:
It was all over the place. Jeans and Tees, up to shirts and ties. I wore nice jeans, a solid color dress shirt, and pennyloafers, and felt just right. Some of the Japanese girls were rocking cut up wifebeaters and short denim skirts with stilettos… amazing. Watch out for the group of hotties on the *** box to the right. They are tattoo’d up and undoubtedly the best looking in the club. Like I said, just offer a hand……….

Gaspanic Bar
2F & 3F Gaspanic Bldg.
3-15-24 Roppongi
Tokyo, 106-0032 Japan
Phone: +81 (0)3 3405 0633
website: www.gaspanic.co.jp/
(English language)
(Gaspanics has a branch in Shibuya too)
Wall Street
No. 2 Togensha Bldg.
2F 3-15-24 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Tokyo, 106-0032 Japan
Phone: +81 (0)3 5415 3251

El Cafe Latino
Win Roppongi 1F
3-15-24 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Phone: +81 (0)3 3402 8989

Seoul Tower, South Korea

Seoul Tower is a communication tower located Seoul, South Korea. Built in 1969, and opened to the public in 1980, the tower measures 236.7 m (777 ft) in height (from the base) and tops out at 479.7 m (1,574 ft) above sea level. In the past it was called Namsan Tower and Seoul Tower. After the tower’s original owner merged with CJ group, it was renamed the N Seoul Tower (official name CJ Seoul Tower).

Night view of Seoul city

Seoul Tower is equipped with 2~3 stories of observatories and two revolving restaurants with a 360-degree view on the first and fifth floors. The restaurant rotates a full 360 degrees about once an hour, offering leisurely diners incredible views of almost all of downtown Seoul. The Seoul Tower is a great place to get a good look at the city of Seoul. It stands high at top Mt. Namsan, in what is really the center of Seoul. To the north, the Blue House and many of the palaces are visable, and to the south, the World Cup Stadium and the Olympic park are also visable.

Most visitors ride the Namsan cable car up the mountain, and then walk to the tower. The tower features a gift shop and restaurants on the ground floor. Visitors may go up the tower for a fee. There are four observation decks (the 4th observation deck, which is the revolving restaurant, rotates at a rate of one revolution every 48 minutes), as well as gift shops and two restaurants. It is a popular place to go on clear days to see most of Seoul. Fasteners Used were bolts and other materials.

Namsan Cable car

1st Floor
- Olive Young (supermarket / convenience store)
- Coffee Shop
- Eatery with indoor and outdoor seating
- Food Court
- Gift Shop
- Ticket Counter

2nd Floor
- Viewing Platform
- Restaurant (relatively inexpensive with great view)

Basement
- Elevator Entrance
- Tous Les Jour (bakery)
- Ticket Counter
- Exhibition Area

Observatory Gallery
(360m altitude, reached by express elevator)
1/F : Hancook Restaurant
2/F : Sky Cafe
3/F : Observatory platform
4/F : Observatory platform
5/F : N Grill by Vips (revolving restaurant)

Be sure to have a splendid view all across Seoul… provided the weather is not too misty.

• Address: Namsan
• Directions: How to get there: 1. Taxi 2. Private Car (parking lot is provided but is pretty costly) 3. The Namsan Cable Car from Myeong-dong 4. Bus no. 02 from Chungmuro subway station (exit no.1) -
• Website: http://www.nseoultower.co.kr/english/

“Get blessed at the Sensoji Temple”

Kaminarimon (gate)

The Sensoji is also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple (named so for the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) and is a must-see when in Tokyo. Apart from the shrine, it is also home to a five-storied pagoda. The Asakusa area is probably one of the coolest places that most people never visit. Taking a tour will get you there the easiest. The subway is a bit more of a challenge and its location on the east side of Tokyo is always traffic packed. Still the gate is immediately outside Asakusa station and can’t be missed.

Sensoji Temple is 1400 years old and one of the more interesting temples. There is not only a Buddhist temple, but a Shinto shrine there. To get there, you will go through Kaminarimon, the large gate in the picture. It is right near the street and you can’t miss it. Once through the gate, you will see what looks like a flea market. This is Nakamise. Here is where you can find really cheap souvineer junk, and food to take with you. They have really good prices on Ginsing, considering the area. Walk through Nakamise until you go out the back, and you are at the temple.

The five storied pagoda in Asakusa

You have seen the plastic food displays in restaurants all over. Well, in Asakusa you can explore the stores that sell these interesting items. Along Sappabashi Dogugai Dori there is an area that specializes in food service supply, including stores with thousands of these food items, from tiny sushi to huge platters of whole fish. You will never see anything like it anywhere else. Everything is for sale, of course, but they are not cheap; you will probably just enjoy it for the experience.

You will enter the area through the Kaminarimon gate you’ll find it by following the signs from exit 1 of Asakusa Subway Station. On the right, notice the God of the Wind, and on the left, the God of Thunder.

Just opposite the gate is Asakusa Tourist Information Centre. Get your FREE map.. open 10:00am to 5:00pm daily.

Asakusa Nakamise Markets

Once through the gate you’ll be in what they call Nakamise Shopping Arcade. The street is lined with colourful, lively stalls selling traditional knick- knacks, foods and rice crackers….rows and rows….this is the time for those little souveniers. Hanzomon Gate marks the end of the street, the treasures of Sensoji are stored inside.

Dont Miss: the Asakusa Samba Carnival. It is right outside Kaminarimon. It is almost like being in Rio, except that the people don’t look latin.

• Directions: The street, which runs north-south, is a few block west of Asakusa Park and the Kannon Temple
• Website: www.infomapjapan.com/images/map/Asakusa_map_web.pdf

Amazing exemple of chinese architecture…

Hall of supreme harmony Forbidden city,Beijing

The Forbidden City is also known as the Palace Museum. It is the largest palace in the world and was built in the beginning of the Ming Dynasty (1406-1420) Construction of the palace took approximately 14 years to build. A total of 24 emperors were enthroned here. There are a total of 9,999 rooms ( the number 9 was always used by the emperor, because it was considered the highest single- digit odd number.) There are also 9 nails in each door, horizontally and vertically. The color red signifies happiness, yellow signifies earth, which can be seen throughout the city for it was most extensively used by the emperors, who were regarded as the supreme rulers of humanity. Black, which signifies water was used on the library in hopes that it would protect the many books contained within from fire.

South West Corner of the Forbidden City

Why is it called Forbidden City? The answer is simple – for five hundred years ordinary people could not enter it. It was the seat of emperors belonging to two dynasties: Ming and Qing. The emperors hardly ever left their shelter and in result completely lost any contact with outside world. The country was practically ruled by eunuchs, appointed by emperors.

This is number 1 of Beijing’s 4 must sees (Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace are the other 3) The enormous size of the palace grounds and main halls makes you understand why the Chinese word for China literally translates as “Middle Kingdom”. It is the true center of Beijing and, for Chinese people from the Ming through Qing dynasties, the center of the world.

Gilded Lion

Aside from the general entrance fee, be prepared to pay for extra tickets allowing you to see special exhibits and enter the Tiananmen rostrum. The Forbidden City now serves as a national museum so there are more interesting things to see inside other than just walking around the fascinating buildings. Take time to stray off the beaten path toward the eastern side of the palace as this is one of the best places to get those splendid photos with absolutely no people in them. The entrance to the museum is not easy to spot, but it would be a shame to miss the museum. The palace was built for record-breaking short terms – during 14 years. For this purpose emperor collected two hundred thousand workers, masters and handicraftsmen.

Fantastic place, fantastic history, fantastic everything… The Forbidden City is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites and A MUST SEE IN BEIJING.

• Directions: In the Center of Beijing You can access it from the first Subway station I mentioned in the previous tip – Tian an Men Dong. We could have used this at it was only 3 stops west of the nearest Subway to our hotel.
• Website: http://www.dpm.org.cn/

Great place you can never miss when in Singapore!

orchard road, singapore

Orchard Road is the epicenter of shopping in a country know for its shopping. This translates into being able to purchase whatever you heart desires. If  Hong Kong has Nathan Road and New York has Fifth Avenue, Singapore has Orchard Road. Orchard Road is named after the nutmeg orchards that used to line it in the 1830s, one of them coincidentally belonging to a Mr Orchard. The central shopping area is concentrated on Orchard Road.

Night at Orchard road

Orchard Road is a one-way street. It starts just before its intersection with Scotts Road, which is the location of the Orchard Mass Rapid Transit Station. It then stretches southeast past Bideford Road, Somerset MRT Station, Central Expressway, Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station, and ends at the intersection with Handy Road (just before Prinsep Road), where it becomes Bras Basah Road. It has an extensive underground infrastructure, including underground pedestrian walkways between the malls running underneath the street and also other streets in the vicinity.

It rivals all other areas in terms of sheer volume, quality, and choice. Many of its shopping centers are filled with a variety of products from around the world. Most malls carry the concept of “everything under one roof” mentality (catering to all economic markets) Virtually everything that is desired can be found in these shopping centers. From tailor-made suits and women’s clothing, to electronics, to souvenirs, Orchard Road has it all.

View from Xcode

Slip on your walking shoes, because on both sides of the orchard road, there are tons of shops and department stores. From designer clothes to fancy gadgets, this is where people from all over the world come to shop. Especially in June when the big sale of the year occurs. Tons of food courts and coffee shops for people to take their breaks and continue their journey.

The best is enjoying the air-conditioning in the stores because outside it is really hot and humid (at least for temperates region inhabitants). It is very nice to stroll along Orchard Road especially during the Christmas holiday season where the street and buildings are beautifully decorated with lights and decors. Christmas trees are also aplenty along the walkways. Another added bonus is you can enjoy live show performances along the sidewalk.

All in all, a nice place for almost everyone.

Suria KLCC

Suria KLCC (Kuala lumpur city center) is part of the KL Petronas Twin Tower complexs with a beautiful park for relaxation. A very popular shopping complex, always full of shoppers… majority of them window shopping… Suria, which means ’sun rays’, is one of Malaysia’s top shopping complexes. Situated at the heart if the city, getting to this beautiful shopping complex is a ‘piece of cake’. It is a must stop for all.  It has one of the most comprehensive food courts in any of the Kuala Lumpur shopping complexes… KLCC boasts a state-of-the art concert hall – home of the Malaysian Phiharmonic Orchestra – an art gallery and a science discovery centre.

Inside of KLCC

Voted the best Shopping complex in KL. There is about 6 floors worth of shopping in this complex. Almost all European brands is here for example: Escada, Armani, Christian Dior, Chanel, Zara, Mango and many more.  KLCC is a little up market and is the place if you want branded goods such as Ferragamo, Cartier, Mikimoto, etc.  (Surely not for everyday use for most of us…) The so called up market ambiance also prevalent in its background music. Aside from these 2 dept. stores, theres a couple of food court such as Scotts picnic on the 3rd floor (just below Tanjung Golden Village – a cinema) and Asian Flavour on the 6th floor, a big book store, sports retail, etc. Restaurants are also available on the lower ground floor where you can get fast food outlets such as A&W, Strudel, Cinnabon, KFC, Burger Kings, etc. while the 6th floor also houses posh restaurants such as Madam Kwan, Chakri White House, Kelantan Delights .

Aside from the cinema, there is also the Petronas Museum – which is fun and theres a concert hall on the ground floor and Cafes that overlook a fountain and the park. Even if you don’t care much for shopping, Suria KLCC is also a nice place to hang out. There is a huge choice of restaurants and coffee houses to choose from. And there is also the cinema, which, unfortunately, is often quite packed. For those with kiddies, you can take them to the playground and wadding pool just outside of the complex.

KLCC Fountain

If you are coming to KL for the sake of shopping, its better to come in the month of March, August and December when Malaysia is having a nationwide sale, so wherever you go, you will be seeing the ‘Sale’ sign. Clothes are pretty cheap here and we have the latest designs. Little crafts, antiques and art are one of the best souveniers. We have beautiful cheap postcards too. Some electrical items like cameras, mp3/discman are cheaper here.

I would recommend that you spend the whole day and wait until the night to fully enjoy the Suria KLCC at night. It’s just amazing!

Beautiful sunset, relaxing and nice

Manila Bay, Philippines

Manila Bay is a large inlet of the South China Sea, northern Philippines, indenting Luzon Island. On the eastern shore of the bay is the city of Manila, on the west, Bataan Peninsula. One of the finest natural harbours in the world, Manila Bay was the scene of the destruction of the Spanish fleet in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. Harbor Square is situated near CCP in Roxas Boulevard. It’s a great place to hang out & view the famous Manila Bay sunset.

Roxas boulevard, Manila Bay

CCP or The Cultural Center of the Philippines is one of the most renowned artistic theather here in Manila/Pasay as it is already beyond the boundaries of Manila. Every sunday morning , health buffs mostly from manila or pasay area gathers around this complex to join aerobics class, to jog or walk their dogs. During weekdays, the complex is very serene. The air is fresh. As the gentle winds blow, leaves from the trees starts to falls like autumn. Usually, people take an orange colored jeepney ride to tour the CCP complex. I suggest for them to walk from CCP main theather to Folkarts theather down to the coconut palace and the jumbo palace (floating restaurant in Manila Bay). Although the sea is not that clean but it still provides free relaxation getaway without leaving Manila.

wonderful...

The best place to enjoy Manila Bay’s sunset is along the Promenade in Roxas Boulevard, across the newly (and wonderfully) restored Rajah Sulayman Park and the historic Malate Church. Roxas Boulevard is the main promenade of Manila. This is a good place to pass away your time in Manila day or night. Overlooking Manila Bay, the promenade has open air cafes and benches where one can sit and do some people-watching or witness the famous  Manila sunset. The Baywalk is lined with outdoor bars and food stands, some even sporting live music, but you don’t have to eat or drink anything to enjoy the beauty of the spectacle. While Manila’s foul air is usually a detriment, the one good thing it does bring to the lives of millions here is beautiful sunsets over the bay. It serves as very fitting backdrop to families enjoying their time together, or for lovers’ most romantic.

The main plaza fronting the Malate church is the central attraction of the Manila baywalk. It has a fountain and a statue of Rajah Sulayman in front the baroque church.

Beautiful sunset

One of the tourst night spot here in Manila give you the opportunity to walk around with your friends, watching cool sunset, eating dinner with nice amusement while listening music to the band who played makes your night relaxing. As there are lots of restaurants here, you can choose where you like to eat. A place where you can hang on whole night.

It is a nice walk where you can see joggers , bicycle riders and sadly many homeless people. You get wonderful views of the bay! I like going early in the morning or in the evening. Don’t go in the evening if you feel nervous around homeless people or thuggy looking guys though! Because there will be some!

Along the Baywalk, several small stalls are offering Henna Tattoo. Cost from P100 for small designs and P500 for bigger designs. Henna tattoo lasts 1 to 2 weeks in your body before it is completely gone.

(the beautiful Indonesia in miniature park)

Keong Mas theatre, TMII

It would take someone a lifetime to visit every regions of the far-flung Indonesian archipelago. But at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in Jakarta you can visit the entire country in only a day. It’s a lot like the countries of the world section at Disney’s Epcot park in Orlando, except focusing on different Indonesian provinces rather than countries. It’s also a nice peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of overcrowded Jakarta.

For a short visit to Jakarta, or a better introductory to know Indonesia completely, this place is worth a visit about Indonesia’s diverseness. The park represents Indonesia’s 27 provinces and their characteristics, reflected most strikingly in the exact regional architecture of the province, covering in 165 hectares. The park also boasts its own orchid garden, a bird park with a walk-in viary, a fauna museum and recreational grounds, as well as an Indonesian art and handicraft market. At the Keong Mas (golden snail) theatre the Indonesia promotion film “Beautiful Indonesia” is projected on a gigantic screen using the latest Imax (super realistic in image and sound) technology. Be sure not to miss this extraordinary experience.

Istana Anak, TMII

The crowds on weekends certainly make it one of the most popular tourist spot. It often hosts art performances such as wayang kulit (leather puppet) and traditional dances. It also has several fascinating museums including the Indonesian museum, sports museum, telecommunication museum, Asmat museum, insect museum, army museum, transportation museum, Komodo museum, and stamp museum.

This place takes all day and a fair bit of effort to visit. Take a car, otherwise we will be in for a long hot walk and be prepared for massive crowds. It is all too many for one day indeed. Some highlites for kids and adults include the interactive snake display in Komodo museum, and the walk through bird enclosure. The museum housing Suharto’s gifts (former president) has some amazing stuff. However, if you haven’t the time or the nerve to travel through the Islands of Indonesia to experience such things as the Badui community, a small group of people living Kendent mountain, who are reclusive and resist moving into the modern world, Taman Mini is a solution.

Traditional house, TMII

It seemed important that the people in Jakarta pointed out how tolerant Indonesians were of religions other than Islam. Each time we passed a Christian Church, a Buddhist Temple or a Hindu Temple the statement was reiterated. Many of the exhibits, scenes and temples are made with a lot of detail and care. I was very impressed with this place.
Highly recommended !!!

• Address: Jalan Raya Pondok Gede, Jakarta Timur
• Phone: 62 21 840 9270
• Website: http://www.tamanmini.com/

Damnoen saduak

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is located at Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi Province, about 85 kms from Bangkok. It is the Thai’s old and traditional way of selling and buying fruits and vegetables from small boats. Along side of the river, you can see several houses. There are many “floating markets” in Bangkok but this is the genuine one. You had to wake up vey early to go to this market as it is 2 hours from Bangkok.

Items for sale at the markets ranged from clothes, shoes, bags, pashminas, table runners, bed covers, tiger balm, general touristy stuff and delicious local food all cooked when ordered. Yum! We were hard pressed to make a decision on what to eat there was that much to choose from! Examples are fresh fruit, fried bananas, noodles, noodle soups and pancakes.

Mmm...Yummy..

To go to floating market you should go trough an agency. First, you go by van like 1 1/2 hour, then a little wooden boat or canoe which leave you in a place where you can see the canals but if you want to stay really there, I mean, between canals, you have to pay for it extra 150 bath each if you go with a group of 6 people in total per canoe, that’s for about half an hour, but you can also hire a private canoe.

Reminder: don’t buy souvenirs while on the river, don’t even care to ask the price!!! There are more choices and better price on the ground (ground market along the river)!!!

The seller will tug the canoe towards their ‘floating shop’ using a hook!! If u’ve asked the price when riding on the canoe, started bargaining and dun wanna buy the thing, don’t tell them you have no Thai Baht, they’ll bring u to the ‘floating money exchange centre’, and bring u back to the seller!!

And if u still doesn’t buy from the seller, you’ll be asked to get off the boat and walk!

How to Get There

By Bus: There are public buses both air and non air-conditioned leaving from the Southern Bus Terminal. Pinklao-Nakhonchaisi Rd. for Damnoen Saduak every 40 minutes from 06.00 hrs. onwards. Fare is around Baht 49 (one way) for air-conditioned (tel . 435-5031) and Baht 30 for normal buses (tel. 434-5558). The most suitable time to be at the market is from 08.00-10.00 hrs.

By Car: From Bangkok you can take Highway No. 4 (Phetchakasem Rd.) and turn left at Km. 80 for another 25 kms. along Bangpae-Damnoen Saduak Rd.

Jurong Birdpark, singapore

Birds.. birds.. and more birds!!!

Jurong Birdpark was opened to the public on the 3rd January 1971 with a total cost of construction of S$3.5 million excluding land cost. It is a 20.2 hectare open-concept park. Which is also the largest in the Asia Pacific and one of the finest bird parks in the world. Its collection of more than 9,000 birds from 600 species has considered it the largest in the world. The Park specialises in birds from Southeast Asia and the more exotic and colourful tropical birds.

The Penguin Parade enclosure, in a re-created Antarctic setting, houses more than 200 penguins of five species. Within the Penguin Parade enclosure, there are some 50 other sea-birds such as the inca terns and puffins. Another highlight is the colourful Hornbills and Toucans exhibit, the world’s largest collection of Southeast Asian Hornbills.

Flamengo

The Southeast Asian Birds Aviary houses in its 24 individual aviaries and a main walk-in aviary, more than 100 species of birds from the equatorial jungles of Southeast Asia. The birds’ natural equatorial habitat is re-created within this exhibit, including simulated tropical thunderstorms everyday at noon. Another walk-in aviary not to be missed is the Waterfall Aviary, home to more than 1,500 free-flying African birds.

Penguin

The BirdPark added yet another feather to its cap with the addition of The Riverine – a simulated natural freshwater river habitat featuring over 20 species of ducks, fishes and turtles.

The best way to start a tour of the BirdPark is to board the modern, air-conditioned panorail system. Its route covers the entire Park, providing excellent elevated views of the various exhibits.

Getting there

1. From Chinatown MRT Station, take the train to Harbour Front

2. Alight at the next station – that is Outram Park.

3. Take the train to Boon Lay and alight at Boon Lay – the last station.

4.Take SBS bus 194 or 251 to Jurong Bird Park.

Admission:

SGD 14 adults, SGD 7 children (3-12 years)

SGD 7.35 adults (disabled),

SGD 3.05 children (disabled)

SGD 34.00 family package (admission and panorail) for 2 adults and 1 child

SGD 40.40 family package (admission and panorail) for 2 adults and 2 children

SGD 46.85 family package (admission and panorail) for 2 adults and 3 children