During a visit to China last year I had lunch at the Xiheyaju Restaurant in Beijing. This was without a doubt the best Chinese food I have ever had. A group of us dined in a private room and I enjoyed some of the finest food I think Beijing has on offer. If you ever make it to Beijing this is a must – it is also in walking distance from the NZ ambassadors house where enjoyed a cocktail party the night before.
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Today I got up early and went for a walk in the Tararuas, I intended on doing the Powell – Jumbo Circuit again. I had a great time but I’m positively buggered and only managed to get to Jumbo Hut and Back again – 50k winds, only one orange left, and not enough warm clothes made sure of it.
So that you can all share in my pain I found a map online (not great quality but will serve the turn) showing the walk. I started at the Holdsworth Lodge and walked to the Jumbo Hut and back – I still not sure how many kilometres that is, if somebody knows please do tell.
Brilliant! The new stuff website gets even better – I just found this story that I wrote in 2006 on Garmin GPS systems. I have since used a Garmin Street Pilot while traveling in Europe… also brilliant!
The restaurant in Kill Bill is based on “Gonpachi” in Nishi-Azabu. Although 99% of the fight scene was filmed on a set apprently one or two scences were really filmed there.
You’ve got to love Tarantino!!!
It is not too far from Roppongi subway station to walk. Take Roppongi-dori street toward Shibuya direction. The restaurant is at the foot of the down slope on your right at the corner of Nishi-Azabu intersection. I’d say it might be a 10 minutes walk or so.
Venice was thriving like any other tourist hot spot in the middle of summer, and apart from the sleazy Italian men selling canal rides for a ludicrous 90 Euros, the imported Indian men selling roses on the bridge, and the Tanzanians selling fake imported Prada on the Rialto… you had the distinct feeling of being somewhere old and brilliant.
I still wonder what the old founders of Venice must have been thinking when they decided to build a city on the sea though- obviously they had no concept of polar ice caps melting or the green house effect. I’m glad I got to see Venice and it was sad to see parts of it under water sinking. The main square San Marco was huge and it was surrounded by amazing old buildings from some century long past, on our second visit just three or four weeks later it was actually under water. I think it had been raining the night before which apprently will do it…
ahh I see you’re back, where were we…
After Zurich we missioned down to the Cinque Terre, the five fishing villages in La Spetzia we stayed at a Camping Village called Acquadolce and aside from, ultra rock hard ground, the noisy Italians next door smashing plates over their heads, and the early bird Dutch vacuming their tent at 5am it was perfect. Now seriously what type of person vacumes at 5am, what kind of person vacumes a tent full stop. Even if they are Dutch!!
We’ve done it. We’re back. We’re okay.
Here’s what happened. We drove to Dijon from Paris, but it was the wrong Dijon – the GPS got it confused with a little Djon in the middle of nowhere so we ended up staying in this little town called St Dioz in France – it was just lovely. At this point I should probably explain that because a certain somebody freaked out driving around Paris (trying to leave the city in the correct direction is harder then you think!) I convinced Amber to that we should buy a new Garmin GPS. Anyway St Diaz was goregous, we stayed in a wicked campingsite where we met some dudes and got chatting to them, it turned out that we had similar taste in music and given we had no sounds they let us burn some of their music to CD (yes the car did have a CD player).
So from St Diaz we drove to Baden in Sweden where met Dylan and stayed at his sisters apartment. On the first day we chilled out and had raclette – the nicest yummiest cheesiest meal known to man. God it was good! On our second day we checked out the capital, Zurich which was fun. It was hot though and I had a grump because I was hungry and we couldnt decide on a place to eat. Apart from that all I can say about Zurich is how pretty it is, and how expensive it is. If you have a credit card you should be very afraid of Zurich. On the third day we went to see Joe and Trudy – they were two of the most amazing family friends I’ve met I cant wait to meet with them again! Trudy put on an amazing three course meal for us that consisted of well just about all food known to man. On the way home from their place we visited a huge waterfall and went smimming in the Rhine.
The river rhine is 1320 kilimoters long, runs through Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands. The Rhine and the Danube formed most of the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, and since those days the Rhine has been a vital navigable waterway, carrying trade and goods deep inland. It has also served as a defensive feature, and been the basis for regional and international borders. The many castles and prehistoric fortifications along the Rhine testify to its importance as a waterway – river traffic could be stopped at these locations, usually for the purpose of collecting tolls, by the state controlling that portion of the river. And as for us, we were hot and figured it was a good idea to go for a dip.
Then onto the Cinque Terre. Now this place was quite amazing, the five fishing villages built into costal hills…
I’m home! Currently staying in West Hampstead with Chris and Sharron.
What is this crazy talk you’re thinking. Well Amber and I are in England for a short stint, a wee mixture of business and pleasure you might say. Today though was all pleasure (plus a few texts to NZ). We managed to see piccadilly, leicster square, the big ben, and well all sorts really. The tube system is easy, the weather is hot (haha! suckers back home) and well we’re just generally having a blast!
I think I might be staying at the Novotel Century in Honk Kong, this is where we stayed last time. Oh yeah in case you’re wondering, I’m off to Asia again for another Trade Mission. Wish me luck!
Amber and I had an amazing time in the US of A. Snorkling at Capt’n Cooks monument had to be the highlight for me, first of all because the man fascinates me and secondly because the snorkling was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life – it was like swimming in a tropical fish tank. I got to touch a turtle, it was awesome. Next time I’ll be buying an under water camera for sure.
The NA convention was a blast. So many cool stories. So much good stuff. I cant wait for the Spain convention, I’ll be there! (I think I’ll flag the Texas convention, Texas just sounds so crass). I met lots of cool people, hung out with cool people, and well lets just say I’m so glad Amber convinced me that it was a good idea :)
Update: View picture below, click the damn link man!
