Category: Around the World in 60 Days

Monday, 31 May 2010 Seoul, South Korea Farewell to Al. Thank you. It’s been a cracking weekend in Tokyo. And a flying visit to Japan. Whetted my appetite for future forays to the land of the rising sun. Constant conurbation for the 90 minute rail journey to Narita airport for the flight to Seoul. At… Read more

Sunday, 30 May 2010 Yokohama, Japan Unsurprisingly, given the amount of whisky and sake last night, it’s a struggle this morning, dear reader. Feeling the pain, dear reader. Should know better. But. You know. Approaching the station, there’s obviously a boy band about to make an appearance as a large group of teenage girls have… Read more

Saturday, 29 May 2010 Yokohama, Japan Best breakfast since leaving home. Twinings English Breakfast Tea. And. Wait for it. Marmite on hot buttered toast. Oh yes. Al and I discovered our mutual love of Marmite whilst working in Jordan. A 500g tub of the stuff was imported on a trip back from the UK once.… Read more

Friday, 28 May 2010 Yokohama, Japan Taxi driver to the station is wearing white gloves and a peaked cap. Taxi is spotless. Not exactly what I’m used to when I get a taxi from Nottingham home late at night. Yet another sleek and slender Shinkansen Nozomi bullet train to Tokyo. Like a white snake speeding… Read more

Thursday, 27 May 2010 Hiroshima, Japan Sleek and slender is the Shinkansen Nozomi bullet train to Hiroshima. People stand in an orderly queue at the points marked on the platform where the doors will be. Not like the bloody pushing and shoving you get in the UK. Such a polite society. Once inside the train,… Read more

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 Fukuoka, Japan Fast hydrofoil ferry across the Sea of Japan to that romantically named Japanese city of Fukuoka. Hydrofoil rises up out of the water as it gathers speed. Once out into open water there’s a bit of a swell and told to fasten seat belts and remain in our seats.… Read more

Tuesday, 25 May 2010 Busan, South Korea Not stopping in Seoul since I have to get to Japan to meet an old mate (as in longevity) this weekend in Yokohoma, on the outskirts of Tokyo. Necessitates zipping down the South Korean peninsula to Busan, crossing the sea to Japan, zipping up Japan to Yokohama. Where… Read more

Monday, 24 May 2010 Seoul, South Korea Farewell Russia. It’s been oblast (that was a joke, dear reader). Flying to Seoul with Korean Airways. The bowing starts. Air stewardesses bow after giving the safety briefing. Bow after presenting my in flight meal. Chief Steward comes over to all of us in Business Class to thank… Read more

Sunday, 23 May 2010 Vladivostok, Russia Despite not going to bed until half past two this morning have slept rather well, dear reader. All that wine, whisky and vodka you see. Mr Ex-Army and I both bleary eyed. Having followed the flooded Amur River since we left Ulan Ude three days ago, wake up to… Read more

Saturday, 22 May 2010 Siberia Transit, Russia Final day on the Trans Siberian Express. Which is now running over two hours late. Train is clinking and clattering all day as we speed along the tracks to make up the time with some real loud shock waves from the couplings. Literally bouncing along the tracks. Timings… Read more