Subway experience at Shinjuku, Japan

Shinjuku, Tokyo

Tokyo is constantly ranked among the top most expensive cities to live in the world. I never thought I would go to Tokyo until I booked Japan Airlines going to Kuala Lumpur. The airline offered a one night stay for free at Holiday Inn Airport, and I took the opportunity to visit the city. Unfortunately, I had only a few hours to enjoy Tokyo, one of the biggest cities and top destinations in the world. I chose to visit Shinjuku, a fascinating district in Tokyo, and it is the location of the world's busiest train station, Shinjuku Station. It cost $15 for a one way ticket from Narita International Airport to downtown Tokyo.

This is not the place you want to be during rush hour. As I exited from the train at Shinjuku at 7 pm, there were still a huge crowd (majority were in black, and in their long coats). Crowds of people rushed toward their trains in a timely manner intersecting one another as they hurried to their designated trains. Not knowing where I should go, I just followed the crowd, and looked for the bright neon lights. Shortly after, I came to Omoide Yokocho, a place known for its alleyways that are fill with small eateries serving ramen, soba, yakitori and kushiyaki. An interesting observation at some these small restaurants, menus were displayed out, and there was a button on each order for the customer to push in. Once ordered, you put the money in, and picked up the food at the counter. There were only a few seatings in many of these places.

Make sure you have cash as many these establishments do not accept credit card. 

After dinner, I walked around the area, where I saw hundreds of neon lights at stores' front: some were displaying animate Japanese's characters while others were showing the newest gadgets in the market. Store employees trying to entice shoppers with offers and discounts, and video games arcades were wildly popular among young adults here. 

Before I knew it was time to head back. At the train station, I realized I did not have anymore Japanese yen for my ride back to my hotel. But I was surprised that the courteous agent who was working at the station gave me a piece of note. He told me I could pay at the office in the airport train station the next day. I could not believed that. 

This is a pleasant incident you will not find in America.

 I paid the fare next day at the station in the airport. I saw the same agent (I was surprised to see him there although he said he would the previous night), and I thanked him. Spending that few hours in Tokyo will do not justice to this fascinating city. Therefore, I am planning to visit Tokyo again, and next time it will not be just a stopover.

Delicious Eisbein

Eisbein is the German name for a culinary dish involving the ham hock, which is usually braised for a long period of time. It is covered with a think layer of fat, and the meat is so tender and aromatic that it just melts in your mouth. It is commonly served with boiled or mashed potatoes and sauerkraut. I had the chance to taste this wonderful dish while in Berlin.

2011 Destinations and Beyond: Dubrovnik

2011 Destinations and Beyond: Dubrovnik: "I arrived in Dubrovnik at around 8.30 pm. Luckily the hostel sent someone to pick me up at the Main Bus Station. I met a girl from Malaysia,..."

Dubrovnik

I arrived in Dubrovnik at around 8.30 pm. Luckily the hostel sent someone to pick me up at the Main Bus Station. I met a girl from Malaysia, who is living in Melbourne. She was staying at the same hostel. We talked for hours sharing our travel experiences with one another.

It was a very hot day in Dubrovnik. As I head to Old Town, I met a nice couple from Italy. We were talking about the signs in the city. Directions to hotels are everywhere, but there is no direction to the Old Town. Walking is not an easy task as the city is pretty hilly. Traffic is pretty bad too.

Dubrovnik joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979. A feature of Dubrovnik is its city walls that run more than 3 km around the city. The Dubrovnik Castle is a fine example of architecture, with a systems of turrets and towers built to protect the city. There's a busy market square area as well as side streets and alleys to explore. Pile Gate is one of the three entrances to Old Town. Stadun or Placa is the main street by Pile Gate. The limestone-paved pedestrian street runs about 300 meters through Old Town, with souvenir shops, banks, cafes on both sides. 

Lokrum is one of the favorite excursion destinations in Dubrovnik. It takes only 10 minutes to get there from the city harbor. Lokrum special attraction is a small lake, Mrtvo More (Dead Sea), a unique lake linked to the sea, with crystal clear water. And, peacocks roam freely here as well.

I took a walk round the city wall before sunset. I would recommend that cause in the daytime it could get pretty hot here. It took me about two and a half hours. Some of the star attractions walking on the city walls that you will probably see around Old Town are: Bell Tower, Sponza Palace, Placa Stradun, Big Onofrio's Fountain, Old Port and Fort Lovrijenac. Views are spectacular on either side of the wall. 

Croatia was internationally recognized on January 15 1992 by the European Union. Its economy turned the corner in 2000 as tourism rebounded. Tourism is a notable source of income during the summer months, with over 11 million tourists in 2008. "We are busy here in the summer, but winter it's pretty much dead here. So we do other things", said a hostel owner in Spilt. I left Croatia the following day thinking maybe sometime in the near future it might be interesting to come back in the winter. 

Bing Su

"Bing Su" literally means ice cold water in Korean. It is a popular dessert in South Korea, and it comes in a big tall glass. It has slice bananas, strawberries, rice cakes, red beans, corn flakes top with ice cream on a bed of shaved ice in condensed milk. A delicious dessert after meal, and fun to share with friends. It reminds me of the ice kacang in Malaysia, although looks more sumptuous.

Mostar

Mostar was named after "the bridge keepers" who guarded the Stari Most (Old Bridge) over Neretva River. I came here for one reason: to see the Stari Most. The iconic bridge was heavily damaged in 1993, and fully reconstructed in 2004. When I arrived at the bus station, I was approached by a few middle-aged ladies asking if I needed a place to stay. I checked out a place which was just near the station. The lady, Maida rented her rooms out in her 3-bedroom apartment. The place turned out really nice and clean, and it cost €15 a night. 

Time was 5 pm., and the sun was still shining brightly. I decided to take a walk. As I was walking on Bulevar Revolucije (Revolution Boulevard) toward the Old Town, I came across empty buildings which were bombarded with firepower during the Bosnian War. It was quite an eerie feeling looking at the thousands of marks still left on the walls. They are a reminder to us all the effects and consequences coming from war. After the war, most were either rebuilt or restored with contribution from an international committee established by UNESCO. Mostar has long been known for its old Turkish houses and Stari Most. And, I could see a coexistence of diverse culture, ethnic and religious communities living together here. There is even a China shop here as well. 

The next day I went to Old Town once again. I came across a smaller version of the Old Bridge. It is said that it was a test before the major construction of Stari Most began. On Stari Most, I could see divers getting ready to dive. But wait! They are teasing the onlookers! They'll jump only when there's a huge crowd and don't forget to tip them cause it's customary. There's an Old Bazaar, Kujundziluk, which is named after the goldsmiths who traditionally created and sold their wares on the street, and today, you can still see them selling authentic paintings and copper or bronze carvings of the Stari Most. But unfortunately, the local artisans take so much pride on the bridge that most souvenirs have images of the bridge on them. 

I went to the Old Bridge Museum, and took a panoramic view from the top. I enjoyed myself with a cup of tea, and then I headed to the Main Bus Station for my last destination in Croatia, Dubrovnik. It cost 28 kuna ($6) for a 3 hour ride.