Japan
Lesley and Caroline were lucky enough to be invited to attend a conference in Japan by colleagues. They flew from Heathrow to Tokyo Haneda airport, taking a bullet train to Kyoto on September 1st. After a week in Kyoto with colleagues from Japan and business associates from the USA, they travelled back to Tokyo - narrowly avoiding a major typhoon.
As well as sampling an array of food and drink, experiencing culture and learning essential Japanese words and phrases (such as kawaii, konnichiwa, arigato and umeshu), they observed that there were many rules to be followed and that cash is king. Public transport is a joy and a great place to spot traditional dress such as kimono, arm covers and face masks. Kyoto is famous for having over 1000 temples and shrines, but also amazingly good coffee and gin. In hot weather, a lemon or grapefruit sour is hard to beat after a long day, although umeshu (often home made) is also delicious. The heat and humidity in September cannot be imagined or described, therefore carry a fan at all times and have plenty of change for drink vending machines. Most toilets are the electric shower type and have heated seats, which are difficult to turn off if you cannot read kanji. The 'off ' switch turns everything off including the flush and closes the lid, so your rear may get warmer than necessary for the time of year.
Arriving on Sunday evening after a long journey by flight and by train, they arrive at the wrong hotel. There are two hotels with the same name in Kyoto - tired and jet lagged, they cannot find the correct booking details, arranged by a colleague months ago. It's not long before they check in and finally go out for some food. Restaurants close much earlier than in the UK, but Yurika finds a casual place close to the hotel. Most dishes are wrapped in bacon, but other tasty food such as potato salad with sea urchin dressing and tempura prawns are produced.
The next morning, they experience their first Japanese traditional breakfast...