Wow… had read about how fast the average broadband speed in Japan is the highest in the world… check this out:
As a comparison, in NY my download is around 5 megabits and upload is 800 kilobits.
Here at Max’s place, 25 megabits download and a VERY impressive 18 megabits upload speeds!
Tomorrow I will post some videos on the very interesting toilet and shower systems 🙂
Tokyo!
So finally in Tokyo – this was the place the one that motivated me to go on this entire trip to tell you the truth… well, this and going to Portugal and Barcelona to visit my friends and cousin.
Woke up at 6am and went to the airport – the city was already completely covered in smog. The security at the airport was CRAZY! If you think in the US it was bad, here it is worth. Fill out 4 different forms. Go through customs, immigration THEN you do the check-in. Then you have to open all of your bags, answer a bunch of questions, show the ticket that you are leaving Japan, then put your checked bags through scanners… then at the gate more scanners, more questions, open all your carry on items and go through yet another passport check.
The flight was then delayed for 2 hours because the air corridor over Korea was crowded so we had to wait on the ground for our turn to fly over Korea.
Then you arrive in Tokyo… gentle service… the buses come every 5 minutes… even the bus driver speaks English… it’s a long ride though – about 50km – but a very comfortable bus – no cell phones allowed. Got off at Shinjuku Station and walked over to Max’s apartment.
Updated blog, replied to emails, and now chatting with Anais waiting for Max to come back from work.
Tomorrow more pictures! Happy to be here 🙂
Beijing Summary
Wow… lots to say here since my last entry…
First of all here are some pictures of the Forbidden City. Just getting there was tough – I had to know the name of it in Chinese so that people would know what I was talking about – had to call John to tell the taxi driver where to go.
Here’s a quick video:
Then I took a Rickshaw since I was at the exit of the city – the guy offered to take me for 10 RMB – about USD 1. I said OK… then he said that we could take a quick tour around the old Beijing City – I said sure… after 40 minutes peddling around he stops at an empty ally and says that I have to pay him for the tour – 260 RMB – about USD 30!!! I got so pissed off that walked away leaving 50 RMB with him. He screamed and yelled but I yelled louder attracting some attention saying that it was no good – he did not give the price before and that the “official” tour price was bullshit.
In any case… tourist traps…
At night John took me to eat the famous Peking Duck – amazing – really. Went with his wife, kid, nanny, driver, father and mother. We ate until we could not any more – and all for about USD 85!! Of course John did not let me pay for a single thing during my entire stay… “My city, my treat!”
The following day I went to the Great Wall with and organized tour… some tourist traps along the way but very interesting. We saw the Ming Tombs, a jade factory, a silk factory, and a traditional tea house where they explained some kinds of teas and their benefits to your body. Very interesting.
Here are some pictures and videos:
Ming Tombs and Great Wall Pics:
Ming Tombs Video:
The Great Wall:
Jade Factory:
Silk Factory: