firth1974

Edited your title for you.

Back in January, I had to take the sky train from Nana to Morchit, with luggage, as after stopping 9 taxis, I couldn't get a single one to take me to the bus station. This was at 09.30am, and the train was fairly empty, so no issues regarding the luggage. With regards to the OP, I use the bus for just about every journey I take in Thailand. Used them many times to get to Kanchanaburi, Korat, Pattaya, hell even all the way up to Sukhothai, and that's no mean journey on a bus!!! I find them fast, cheap and efficient. Plus I love to observe life and what's happening in the stations, gives you a good idea abou the life of an ordinary Thai. No Hi-So's here!!! Lol

Just walked past Heathrow and the Eva flight has just taken off at 23.27. Only a 2 hour delay tonight for some reason.

Someone was shooting what looks like a TV commercial whilst I was there, but no idea what for. Anyway, they are a little bit on the old side for my liking, but no doubt someone loved them at some point!!............................

The old Imperial city of Kyoto is truly beautiful. I think anyone who visits Japan has to come here and see this place. I was told by a couple of our BM's that live in Japan that this is the place to come to, and I thank Greg (Dungheap/Dunghie) for his help with the information. He did tell me to come here during the evening time and see the place lit up, but I headed back to Osaka in the afternoon and experienced the "one that got away" on the train, but that's quite another story!!!! Kyoto has one really impressive and futuristic train station, it is a totally state of the art facility, and I would guess the envy of any train station anywhere in the world............................. Please bear with me here, as I have posted quite a lot of photos onto this thread, as there is just so much to show of this beautiful place. This is still the place where proper Geisha still go around and do their chore's for their masters. These are not girls playing and dressing up as Geisha, these are real Geisha!!............................. Japanese tourists are everywhere in this part of Kyoto............................ Haven't worked out the meaning of this yet, so if anyone can throw some light on what its about.....................................

For anyone that has an interest in all things Naval or military, then you would love this little costal town in the south of Japan. Kure is located just up the coast from Hiroshima, roughly a 30 min train ride up the coast. Kure, was the home port and constructing site of the "biggest" battleship ever constructed for use during WW2, although it did lead a very sheltered life during the war and hardly ever saw any combat at all, until its death and destruction at the end of the war. This is the wharf where the Yamato was constructed.....................................

Its interesting to see these weddings, and to see how close to what we call a traditional wedding here in the west. There just seem to be a bit more pomp and procedure in Japan in regards to weddings. Seem that there were at 4 weddings or photo shoots going on at the same time as I was here at the Meji shrine in Tokyo, and they had a great day for it too, weather wise.

Educating Rita

Oh yeah, it works. Just hoping it still works on Friday when i book my flight. I posted the same thread over on Secrets too, and someone added a code on there for travel on a Tuesday, that code works as well. Should just say though, that the travel dates only seem to be valid up until end of October, beginning of November. Tried it for December, cam up code not valid!!

I loved it. Such a good way to travel. Im well up for touring Japan next year on nothing but Shinkansen.

These Japanese Shinkansen trains, what a feat of engineering. These are fantastic trains, so very fast and quiet, you wouldn't even know you were moving if you didn't look out of the windows. They have their own platforms and train lines. Nothing will stop the trains from leaving, and they very much run on time, unlike the trains in the UK. Even the Shinkansen gets roadkill!!!!............................. Plenty of leg space on these trains............................

Demolition man. (May just have spelt that wrong)

The view towards Himeji...................................

Now you may recognise some of these buildings, as these were the main ones that were used for the shooting of the movie, "The Last Samurai" This is where Algren meets and finally talks with Katsumoto for the 1st time............................. This is the room where the 2 of them sit down for their "cosy" chats...............................

People may recognise some of these buildings as the building used in the movie "The Last Samurai", starring Tom Cruise. The name of this temple complex is called Engyo-ji on Mt. Shosha, which is located in the Northern part of the city of Himeji, which is quite close to Osaka. Very easy to get here. Just pop into the ticket office at the bus station, and they will sell you a combi ticket, consisting of return bus journeys there and back, and tickets to get up and down on the cable car. I believe, if i can remember correctly, that the cost of the thee tickets was 1000 Yen, roughly £6. Who says that Japan is expensive!!!

Ive got £290 worth of points on PointsPay that i can convert if i feel like it, but im holding out to upgrade my flights at some point.

Dont say i never do anything for you guys, but i've just come across a promotional code for Etihad that equates to about 20% off your fare. The only (small) thing is that you have to fly out on a Wednesday. I've just done a dummy booking from LHR, and it gave me a discount of £78 on their cheapest priced fare. Discount seems to work on their other economy fare's as well as on Business class too. No idea how much longer this promo code is valid for, but use it whilst you can!! WE4SD31

Dont say i never do anything for you guys, but i've just come across a promotional code for Etihad that equates to about 20% off your fare. The only (small) thing is that you have to fly out on a Wednesday. I've just done a dummy booking from LHR, and it gave me a discount of £78 on their cheapest priced fare. Discount seems to work on their other economy fare's as well as on Business class too. No idea how much longer this promo code is valid for, but use it whilst you can!! WE4SD31

Cheers Butch, i have loads more stuff to post, but ive been away in sunny Solihull for the past 6-7 days and have no chances at all. I know i need to be quick, as i'll be back out in Thailand or somewhere close by in 6 weeks time.

Not really sure, but I would guess a political thing.

Lethal Weapon 2