Category Archives: _Asia_

Transportation Day – on to Nagoya

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I had another early morning (thanks to – once more –  jetlag) and another lengthy breakfast (to kill some time and wait out the rain). Eventually I headed out for Tokyo main station to catch the Shinkansen Nozomi Super-Express to Nagoya and got there around midday.

After leaving my stuff in the hotel, I had a walk through town, heading for Noritake Gardens … the place of a former porcelain factory – now a nice park with shops and an attached mall. From here it was on to my main destination in Nagoya – the impressive Toyota Commerative Museum of Industry and Technology. This museum tells the story of the  Toyata company – from the early days building looms and other related machinery and the innovation going into it (all with working machines available and constant demonstrations) … to the air-driven looms of today (and – yes, you can still buy Toyota looms). From here it was over to the car business – how Toyoda was motivated to invest  into this new line of business and then the development from the early days in the 1930s until today, from initial struggles to becoming a world brand. Advances in both production methods and product  development  were showcased – again with plenty of working machinery and demonstrations. There was also an introductory  showcase on the Toyota Production System – essentially the basis of the global kaizen movement.  In short this was easily the best industrial museum I have ever been to.

I made  the walk back into town for a bit of dinner and an introduction into the Nagoya craft beer scene – before it was time to head back to the hotel for some deserved rest.

Big in Japan – back to Tokyo

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From San Francisco it was on to Asia – a ten-hour flight got me into Narita on Thursday, from here I made it to Akihabara for the first true Japanese experience: two nights in a capsule hotel. I had decided for a more traditional place with an artificial onsen (public hot spring bath). I was impressed, this place was very well organized, everything is provided (from house-wear, toiletries to towels) – and considering the other ~35 beds on my level, it was fairly relaxed and quiet. I’d definetely do this again  –  it made a great experience and was much better than any hostel, I have been at so far.

I had an early start on Friday … jetlag got me up around 05:00 – I kind of dozed on for another 45 minutes, before heading for the capsule hotel’s sento (public bath) and got ready for the day. After a long breakfast I made my way up to Ueno Park … with cherry blossoms  everywhere and a cherry blossom festival going on as well (not at 09:00 in the morning though). I spent some time  in Japan’s National Museum, before having an early lunch at the festival. The afternoon I spent in the area around the Imperial Palace, closing with a visit at the National Museum of Modern Art. In the evening I met with a former colleague from Tokyo – we ended up in a traditional izakaya restaurant for some great food, beer and sake – before continuing to a downstairs karaoke bar for more drinks and proof that I cannot sing 😉

Back to Kolkata ..

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We made it back to Kolkata half an hour before the planned arrival time; immigration and customs were quick (well – for most) and we were soon picked up for the transfer to the hotel and the rest of the day was in our hands.

Together with two fellow travelers I was now on a quest for a traditional High Tea. Unfortunately the go-to-place for that – the Oberoi Grand – was closed for renovation, so our destination was another high-end luxury hotel with an attached tea lounge. It took as more than an hour to walk the 3.5km, first following Park Street (passing by the seat of the archbishop) and then through the market along Chowringee Road – what a culture shock after our quiet time in Bhutan. When we arrived at the hotel, we were quick to realize that the tea lounge had survived only in name – and not as a place for a traditional cuppa with cucumber sandwiches and scones. A bit disappointed we gave the hotel’s restaurant a go – had a cup of tea along with some sandwiches – followed by cake in the hotel’s bakery … essentially a DIY High Tea. This was all washed down with a nice local orangy Gin & Tonic, before we hit a taxi, to get back to our hotel.

We left Kolkata in the early morning of the next day for our flight back home.
This has been another great trip, a great itinerary, an superb group and outstanding tour leaders – combined with the best weather, natural beauty all along and fabulous views. A clear recommendation!

Bye-bye Bhutan – Flying the Dragon

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Today we were leaving Bhutan, flying out on Druk Air’s ATR42-600 back to Kolkata and back to the hustle and bustle of India. As we took off (half an hour before schedule) and gained altitude there were great views of Paro Valley and – later on in the flight – of some of the giants of the Himalaya.

Bonus temple: Kyichu Lhakhang

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We made it back to town in the early afternoon – and in time for a late lunch. From the restaurant it was on to a bonus temple: Kyichu Lhakhang.

This temple is truly ancient, the first one in Bhutan, originally built in the 7th century. This was probably one of the more atmospheric temples on the trip – and it certainly helped that this one was fairly busy with locals going by their religious rituals. While we had the usual guided tour, the real enjoyable piece here was to just soak in and enjoy the atmosphere.

From Zhong to Town

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After our visit to Rinpung Zhong we had a short walk, following the stairs downhill towards the river. A short side trip got us to Hungrel Gyem Lhakhang, another (smaller) temple next to the river. From here we continued to and across the Nyamai Zam Footbridge – with great views of Paro Zhong from the other side.

After a quick visit to Kaja Throm Market and checking out the festivities at Druk Choeding Lhakhang (the Buddhist temple close to Paro’s city center), we finally made our way to the hotel North of the city center.