My second half marathon

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Why do I run?
Because it feels soooo good when I stop!
To say I do not enjoy running is an understatement.

Last weekend, I ran my second ever half marathon. Much easier the second time round. (You can read about the first time here).
Managed to even convince a few friends to sign up.

Truthfully, I was supposed to run a half marathon a month ago. It rained on the day so I didn’t even bother turning up. A half marathon is not fun on a nice day, let alone being wet, cold and miserable.
So I signed up for another one this month instead.

The run was at Odaiba bay (a man-made artificial island somewhere off Tokyo Bay). It was the most unorganised running event ever. If I had of rocked up on my own, I actually would have left and just gone home. But there was a bunch of us, which motivated me to stay.
They were severely disorganised and understaffed. It took over an hour to register upon arrival and they had to postpone all the races by about nearly an hour.
I do not recommend partaking in this half marathon event (The International (Embassy) Friendly Run).

The ridiculously long line to register, least of all no race/event t-shirt.

From Half marathon 2013

Ready to run:

From Half marathon 2013

It was a 7km course, which we had to complete 3 laps of. The course was absolutely flat as a pancake. As far as half marathon courses go, it was an easy course.

I didn’t train a lot for this. On average 2-3 runs a week between 6-10km. And in the last 4 months I only did a 15km run 2 or 3 times.
Was pretty proud of my time though.
2 hours 12 minutes. A huge improvement on last year’s first half marathon event which I did in 2 hours and 45minutes. A 30min shaving off of previous time.
Maybe a sub-2 hour half marathon next year if I decide to actually proper train.

A well-deserved beer and bowl of ramen. Any calories burnt after running 21km were just all put back on.

From Half marathon 2013

Post-race festivities was a trip to the Oedo Onsen Land in Odaiba. 4 hours of onsen, massage and exfoliation (think Turkish hamam Japanese-style called “akasuri”) is just what the doctor ordered. The absolute bomb. The next day I felt as though I didn’t even run a half marathon. Felt like a new woman apart from my flat feet giving me grief. I think I have something like plantar fascititis or something. Ouch. It’s been a week and still hurting.

Might have to hang up the running shoes for a while and SUIT up. Swim SUIT up, that is. I am planning on doing a marathon swim next year (in the swimming world, (only) 10km is considered a marathon).

Tanigawadake Hike and Takaragawa Mixed Onsen

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One of the things I told myself I would do more of last year was do more hiking. Autumn is the best season for hiking in Japan because the weather is a lot cooler and the colours of the leaves are pretty at that time of year.

I don’t hike a lot, so this one was quite a tough one for me. It was a long, steep, rocky hike, but the view and landscape was pretty spectacular. Didn’t start off that way though.

From Tanigawadake hike

This was the Tanigawadake hike that I did last October (yes, a little overdue, I know).
It first required taking the cable car:

From Tanigawadake hike

The leaves were just starting to change colour:

From Tanigawadake hike

Conditions at the hiking start point did not look good. Not good at all. How is this for visibility:

From Tanigawadake hike

Trail was a bit muddy and wet too:

From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike

The fog cleared a bit and we were on our way:

From Tanigawadake hike

Once we got closer to the top it was very picturesque. When I wasn’t sweating and panting away, I managed to get in a few photos. Ok, so more than a few photos.

From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike

It got steeper and steeper. Not entirely sure if this was meant to be a hike or a rock climb!

From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike

In amongst the clouds:

From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike

You would have thought we were climbing Fuji!

From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike

We were up pretty high:

From Tanigawadake hike

There were even some small patches of snow. And this was October!

From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike

More climbing. Still not yet at the summit:

From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike

Stunning scenery:

From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike

I finally reached one of the lower peaks (there was still the upper peak as well):

From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike

I think I’m in heaven:

From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike

The trail of people:

From Tanigawadake hike

What goes up, must come down. Coming back down is worse than going up. And going up was no picnic.

From Tanigawadake hike

A beast of a mountain:

From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike

After a hardcore hike, we totally deserved an onsen. And we went to a really awesome. I can’t believe I didn’t know about this onsen. It’s a mixed outdoor onsen. There’s about 4 outdoor baths and all are mixed (there is one female-only onsen). This is one of the very rare mixed public onsens in Japan (no cossies allowed). You are allowed to rent a towel to wear into the hot springs though. Most of the ladies covered up with a towel (as I did), but be warned, that a lot of the men there won’t be so modest. The hot spring is a secluded location built across a river and there’s also a really nice ryokan you can stay at there.

From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike

A very cool onsen:

From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike
From Tanigawadake hike

This is Takaragawa onsen for the record. Definitely want to come back to this place. Lots of different rotemburos to enjoy so long as you don’t mind being surrounded by naked people (towels are optional. Although I am glad I am not too much fatter than what I am because they towels on offer wouldn’t have covered all of me! Just something to keep in mind, if you’re on the bigger side).

I’m Back!

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

I’m back. And so are the Backstreet Boys! I went along to their concert, like all the cool kids do.

In all seriousness, if you’ve missed my blog ramblings, it’s because I haven’t had Internet connection at home. I have moved apartments so was without Internet for the last couple of weeks. Got lots of stuff to catch up on here, so feel free to clear your calendar.

I fulfilled a life-long childhood dream to go see the Backstreet Boys. Yep, they’re back and they’ve still got all the moves!
Please no judgement on my music preferences. Remember you are friends with me for my awesome personality and not my taste in music.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ssgrBvuamu_9rvbkhXf4g3VPuYTzod4QOXZenJG8k3M?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9z1_1MhZezQ/UmsgM9HpRAI/AAAAAAACZRo/12TTaDOUysA/s640/IMG_5478.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/BBoys?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCLHJ5YrhtOD9fQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>B-Boys</a></td></tr></table&gt;
And it was a sell-out crowd:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vh2IqXyfeVKXg77Ghr1dAXVPuYTzod4QOXZenJG8k3M?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N51XTVh4pvk/UmsgM-lwjNI/AAAAAAACZRo/Jz1yaOZZlyw/s640/IMG_5480.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/BBoys?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>B-Boys</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HkEcU19X3dh6SuwpIS0fd3VPuYTzod4QOXZenJG8k3M?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SoXSZPdtAVc/UmsgOPPjT4I/AAAAAAACZRo/YqKN8uxxSoA/s640/IMG_5481.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/BBoys?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>B-Boys</a></td></tr></table&gt;

I was suffering from glow-stick envy! Seriously, where did everyone get these glow sticks from?

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IcqjyRlOndQjADT3-NAkuXVPuYTzod4QOXZenJG8k3M?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hvhnE4cfBWA/UmsgP-M5cHI/AAAAAAACZRo/Cg_RacLJgu0/s640/IMG_5487.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/BBoys?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>B-Boys</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DBDWlCHA3ZWbkeGQOmecTnVPuYTzod4QOXZenJG8k3M?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GfmRHM73F0E/UmsgRpONPOI/AAAAAAACZRo/G9hZtKSKrBs/s640/IMG_5491.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/BBoys?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>B-Boys</a></td></tr></table&gt;
The concert started really early. At 4pm. And it was over by about 6-6:30pm. All the young teeny boppers. Bless.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/s-1RNti0daskE3nW2bT5N3VPuYTzod4QOXZenJG8k3M?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XO79UXNHA2o/UmsgYBmqtjI/AAAAAAACZRo/4RUuk1fubFY/s640/IMG_5496.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/BBoys?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCLHJ5YrhtOD9fQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>B-Boys</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FPivKc4cKO2du5MN4aOei3VPuYTzod4QOXZenJG8k3M?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-678OM5P6Nq8/UmsgYBR4MPI/AAAAAAACZRo/U1Q0mn5scoU/s640/IMG_5499.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/BBoys?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCLHJ5YrhtOD9fQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>B-Boys</a></td></tr></table&gt;

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kjhFXp4VsMBW1AVDfR6Y13VPuYTzod4QOXZenJG8k3M?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WmTh0QDA4vQ/UmsgZvSwW9I/AAAAAAACZRo/WrYPpWgQR9c/s640/IMG_5505.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/BBoys?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCLHJ5YrhtOD9fQ&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>B-Boys</a></td></tr></table&gt;

SUPING SYDNEY

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

I had been wanting to try out SUPing for ages, so when I was back home for Christmas last year, my dad gave me an IOU voucher as part of my Christmas present, thinking I’d get a chance to try out whilst back home for the summer last year. I never got around to using that voucher and lo and behold I actually tried out SUPing this summer in Japan and got hooked.

During my most recent trip home, I redeemed my voucher. Check out my dad’s mad computer skills (Word and google image search).

From SUP Balmoral

My dad took me to Balmoral where I SUPed and he kayaked. I got to have my own photographer for the day. He took heaps of photos of me in action. It was crazy windy on that particular day which made SUPing really difficult, and had to weave through all the moored boats. Was not so fun paddling with the wind.

When it’s not windy, Balmoral is incredibly flat. It’s more like a bay. It’s not a surf beach. It’s actually home to a sailing club.

From SUP Balmoral
From SUP Balmoral

Sydney water is so clean and clear. So beautiful and refreshing.

From SUP Balmoral
From SUP Balmoral
From SUP Balmoral
From SUP Balmoral

Lots of action SUP shots:

From SUP Balmoral
From SUP Balmoral
From SUP Balmoral
From SUP Balmoral

All that paddling is hard work. Taking a break:

From SUP Balmoral
From SUP Balmoral

Sydney, Sunshine and Smiles:

From SUP Balmoral
From SUP Balmoral

On the other side, is the leisure swimming area. Just so happened to be school holidays back home so the place was pretty crowded for a Thursday daytime.

From SUP Balmoral
From SUP Balmoral
From SUP Balmoral

White sand. Blue water. Sunshine. Seriously, get yo arse to Down Under.

From SUP Balmoral
From SUP Balmoral
From SUP Balmoral

Aussies: we’re a hardworking bunch:

From SUP Balmoral
From SUP Balmoral

SUPing in Sydney is pretty SUPer.

Art n About

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

I love me some giant things. And by giant, I mean just oversized stuff in general.
Whilst out and about in Sydney last week, I was able to catch some <a href=”http://www.artandabout.com.au/”>Art n About</a>.
I love installation art. This kind of stuff is totally my thing.
Saw me some giant snails around the CBD.
Snails are cool.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UiFxQ4Nr0ZjyMiv13WdG6HaHJIxaMCaqwp6yCCjJIfU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AH7Mu6vzIWw/Ukym9ce0K5I/AAAAAAACZCo/qmE6IBDEjL4/s640/IMG_5385.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/ArtNAbout?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Art n About</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PN5FDUR2zQPtPzCx3v1RpnaHJIxaMCaqwp6yCCjJIfU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wLRBH5X33a0/Ukym9a74aOI/AAAAAAACZCg/EpY8Fyad6dY/s640/IMG_5386.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/ArtNAbout?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Art n About</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8SHZgGyElwEPpIjOBIlrSXaHJIxaMCaqwp6yCCjJIfU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OkgUF11LM_o/Ukym-SpbQrI/AAAAAAACZC4/qCoD_1ra6xs/s640/IMG_5388.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/ArtNAbout?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Art n About</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FmUeFcScAllwLxBZHv6GIXaHJIxaMCaqwp6yCCjJIfU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DZVqn-4ybwo/UkynApYi7yI/AAAAAAACZDc/aN-qrMS5PvQ/s640/IMG_5396.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/ArtNAbout?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Art n About</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/e0VE5aXSwkXdrnVHTY7JUXaHJIxaMCaqwp6yCCjJIfU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-J8XtdyaZmVs/Ukym_o1ub-I/AAAAAAACZDY/OO4YVpxhVy0/s640/IMG_5392.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/ArtNAbout?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Art n About</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NhfC8HKJqLFukCTT9PrEZHaHJIxaMCaqwp6yCCjJIfU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kQbTwDiDRGE/UkynAmo_FJI/AAAAAAACZDU/sBFU5KrF0rk/s640/IMG_5393.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/ArtNAbout?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Art n About</a></td></tr></table>

QVB:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DAHGDT6U8olRXZj-CkhpJHaHJIxaMCaqwp6yCCjJIfU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8c_NU64RLI4/Ukym-OyJnyI/AAAAAAACZCw/iGkIRy2ODNg/s640/IMG_5387.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/ArtNAbout?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Art n About</a></td></tr></table>

The Strand Arcade:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/s3xQ4D_2ZAlYFLAJiI-oOXaHJIxaMCaqwp6yCCjJIfU?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sg3qDaeD9M0/Ukym-0hmW9I/AAAAAAACZDE/7kUT4sbUu4s/s640/IMG_5390.jpg&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/ArtNAbout?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Art n About</a></td></tr></table>

Life’s short: You OTTO eat good food

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

A tradition whenever I visit home is to catch up with my foodie friend, Jess.
We always eat somewhere fancy. And she loves her food as much as I do. And talk about dedication, she flew up from Melbourne for 24 hours to meet me. (I have awesome friends).
We narrowed down our options and settled on lunch at Otto down at Woolloomooloo (such a fun word to spell even though I know I’ve just spelled it incorrectly. Autocorrect goes nuts).

From Otto

The weather was perfect. Welcome to spring in Sydney. Can’t beat Aussie weather.

From Otto
From Otto
From Otto
From Otto

Truer words have never been spoken: inscribed inside Otto’s menu:

From Otto

They take their olive bread seriously here. Chunks of olive in bread:

From Otto

A little shared entree to start –

From Otto
From Otto
From Otto

For entree, we both ordered the scallops. Kinda hard to resist:

From Otto
From Otto

I opted lamb for the main. Can’t get good lamb like this Japan. Gotta get my fix when I’m in Oz.

From Otto
From Otto

Alfresco dining:

From Otto

The piece de resistance of the day was the tiramisu dessert. It was practically bigger than the main meal and absolutely divine. Absolutely hands down best tiramisu EVER.

From Otto
From Otto
From Otto

A caloric orgy of cream, cake, coffee, and chocolate:

From Otto
From Otto

Restaurant review in a nutshell: decent food, busy atmosphere, service mediocre, slow service between dishes, pricey for what it is was (not the best value). It’s redeeming quality – the tiramisu.

Power Ranger Litter Patrol

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

So I was on my way to work this morning, because you know, some of us have to work for a living.
And lo and behold, I saw this:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DqzJPTFFtG8klFE0rKrzEyerwD5wZOY1-jhDSqtRB7s?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/–E8yEBXXcBs/Uk1KI65wb1I/AAAAAAACZKw/zhx9ZT-bHEw/s640/photo%25282%2529.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/PowerRanger?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Power Ranger</a></td></tr></table>

Yes, a Power Ranger picking up rubbish off the streets.
I couldn’t resist taking a photo.

But I couldn’t help shake the feeling that people thought <em>I </em> was the weird one for taking a photo of the Power Ranger picking up rubbish at 9am on a Thursday morning!

He then went on his merry way with his bag full of rubbish:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OAy9FKSTrisDBpoIVMppsSerwD5wZOY1-jhDSqtRB7s?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Kgjv7KDmPTg/Uk1KJOoKlVI/AAAAAAACZK4/JMpl3EUbzVY/s640/photo%25283%2529.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/PowerRanger?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Power Ranger</a></td></tr></table>

Wow. Superheroes do exist. And they care about the environment.

You know it’s gonna be a good day ahead when you see a Power Ranger on your way to work.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XtVLu166Km7vGCISxhdXsCerwD5wZOY1-jhDSqtRB7s?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Dg5iCVZGXa8/Uk1KI2K1s7I/AAAAAAACZKo/6Cn33JeJ0JI/s400/photo%25281%2529.JPG&#8221; height=”400″ width=”400″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/PowerRanger?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Power Ranger</a></td></tr></table>

Go Go Power Rangers!

Wifi Romance

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Gone are the days of a ring in a champagne glass to pop the big question.

There are many novel and interesting ways to propose, but wowzers, I saw one that took me by surprise the other day.
Welcome to the 21st century! Digital proposal – via a wifi network!

From Wifi proposal

I think that takes the cake for romance killer.

People always talk about looking for a “connection” when it comes to relationships, but a “wifi” connection is not the kind of connection that came to mind.

So yes, I saw this for real on my iPhone! Whilst in Sydney. I took a screenshot on my iPhone.
I captured this at Sydney airport, of all places, as I was boarding my flight back to Japan.

I wonder if the password for the wifi access was “Yes”??!!
Sadly, I didn’t try entering that in.
But most likely “Access Denied” — which sums up my lovelife (or lack thereof) in general.
Well, at least I got broadband!

SUPer Manly

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

I’ve just come back from a week in Sydney. Was great to feast on good food, sunshine and hang out with family and friends. It was a jam-packed holiday.
Was able to get in a couple of days of SUPing in Sydney.

One of my favourite things to do in Sydney, is taking the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly. Blessed withe awesome weather, my good friend Nell and I had a nice chillaxin day with a couple of hours of SUP thrown in.

Prepare to Get Jealous. Enjoy the photo tour.

Harbourside:

From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP

Relaxing on the ferry ride:

From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP

Cruising through Sydney Harbour:

From Manly SUP

Approaching Manly:

From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP

Check out this stingray!!!

From Manly SUP

Silhouette v Stingray:

From Manly SUP

Gotta love the clean, clear water of Sydney.

From Manly SUP

Wharfside:

From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP

Out on the water, SUPing:

From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP

Out in the sunshine, in and on the water – I’m in my element:

From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP

Nell SUPs for the first time:

From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP

I’ll tell ya what, it was a bit windy and the current was against us. We tried to paddle in to another couple of beaches, but we just couldn’t get in against the current. Had to stick closer to the shores.

From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP

Sydney water taxi:

From Manly SUP

Manly even have a SUPball club – a game played on SUP boards. Definitely something I’m going to check in when I move to Sydney. But man, it looks tough!

From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP

Right by Manly wharf is where you can hire SUP boards and kayaks:

From Manly SUP

Don’t these people have jobs???

From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP

I heart Sydney:

From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP

After SUPing, it was time for some swimming. Water was a little fresh. Not yet summer in Oz. But water was super clear.

From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP

Spot the fish:

From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP

Spot the mermaid:

From Manly SUP

Worked up an appetite after all that time in the water.
Seafood and wine by the water. It’s a hard life, but someone’s gotta do it!

From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP
From Manly SUP

Ferry ride back after a great day out at Manly:

From Manly SUP

Da Opera Haus:

From Manly SUP

R*-rated night out: Robot Restaurant

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Before I get your blood racing, let me preface this by saying this is a PG-blog, so please, curb your enthusiasm.
R* is for “Robot”, “Ridiculous” and “Random”.
The talk of the town in Tokyo has been the “Robot Restaurant” in Shinjuku which opened about a year ago.

The Robot Restaurant is a one-hour show featuring dinosaurs, robots, scantily-clad girls and glowsticks. It had to be done. So yep, a bunch of us went to check what all the fuss was about.
The word “Restaurant” is rather misleading, because it is the worst food on earth. A restaurant it is not. It’s technically a performance show, but they serve you a tuckshop box.

Reservations are pretty much essential and tickets should be booked in adance. There are generally three performances most nights. You get there half an hour early to pick up the tickets. Seats are not allocated.

The venue itself is the seedy redlight district of Kabukicho (Shinjuku). And whoever designed the place was clearly on some hard drugs. It’s bright and gaudy. I cannot fathom how many lightbulbs were used to deck out the place.

During the pre-show half hour wait, most people grab a beet in the bar/waiting area.

From Robot

We went on a Thursday night and I would say the audience was 50% Japanese and 50% tourists. There was clearly a lot of foreigners there. It’s quite the tourist attraction.

The performance is in the basement, down about 3-4 short flights of stairs. The floor, the walls, the lighting is insane.

From Robot

The venue was heaps smaller than I imagined it would be.
It’s basically rows of school-type seats lined opposite each other against the wall. It felt like we were on the set of a game show.

From Robot
From Robot
From Robot

On your little “desk” you eat your bento box and Japanese tea. Ticket entry includes a bento meal box and Japanese tea. Beer and other beverages are available to purchase.

From Robot

And the most bizarre extravaganze begins. There’s loud music, there’s flashing lights, there’s girls in bikinis, there’s taiko drumming and so much more. It’s not just robots. In fact, there are dinosaurs and animals.

From Robot
From Robot
From Robot

They even give out awesome glow sticks to the audience. I am embarrassed to admit that I think I was more excited than I should have been about the glowsticks (sadly they have to be returned at the end of the show).

From Robot
From Robot
From Robot
From Robot
From Robot

During intermission you can go down and get your photos taken with all the robots.

From Robot

Argh, I’m being attacked by a robot:

From Robot
From Robot

Back to the show:

From Robot
From Robot
From Robot
From Robot
From Robot

The panda riding the cow was unexpected to say the least:

From Robot
From Robot

The giant female robots:

From Robot
From Robot
From Robot
From Robot
From Robot

It was certainly unique and entertaining. And definitely unlike anything you’ll ever see. It was good, clean fun. Children are allowed (there are no age restrictions). Photos are welcome and they even give you floor time to take additional photos with the robots etc. However, extreme close ups are not permitted, and they will kick you out for any unwelcome behaviour.

At 5000yen a ticket (with meal box included), they are certainly making a fortune). I’ve heard it’s not as good as used to be when it first opened. You used to be able to sit and ride on the robots!!! But there was none of that when we went). Expect tacky, bizarre, fun and you’ll certainly enjoy it. Cirque du Soleil it is not, nor is it a strip joint. It’s more like every nerd boys dream fantasy – dinosaurs, robots, music, lights and girls in bikinis.

And just when you thought your regular Thursday night couldn’t get any more weirder….

From Robot

That’s me, feeling somewhat inadequate. That was my “Quite frankly, I am not amused” facial expression. Could you tell? 😉

Ok. I’ll confess that the woman in the red dress above is a wax mannequin. (Yes, only one of us is real in that photo). For the record, I should make it clear that I do NOT make a habit of standing next to bra-less quadruple D-sized women (humans or dummies).