Having visited Christchurch, South Island New Zealand many times; and Japan at least 4 times — I can clearly state they are some of the greatest places in the world to visit. The people are friendly; the sights and experiences are extraordinary. The places are relatively safe.

One would think.

In both instances, they live on the edge of the “Pacific Rim of Fire”, the edge of the Pacific tectonic plate that rings Western America around to New Zealand: the ‘shaky isles’

It is with much inner turmoil and sadness to see both places crumble and sucumb to devestation.

This only makes me want to revisit when the time is right, to show support. That their choice to live in a shaky place is not a ghetto nor a place to be shunned.

Dear Japan

I think I really like you as a friend, but I am no longer in love.

It’s not you, it’s me. The love of the new, the unknown, the forbidden is gone.

It is not the great public transport, the very friendly and courteous people. The wall-to-wall shopping.

I am sure we can still be friends.

My third trip to Japan, even with the earthquake and typhoon, was pleasant enough. I think however that to know you better, I would have to move in with you and learn your language. At this stage in my life, it’s a commitment I cannot make. I am just too tired and grumpy for that.

My genes are calling me to follow my DNA back in time. Germany and Scotland call.

This begs the question of why I travelled to Japan in the first place. Good question. I think I should have had a holiday while I was not working.

You have shown me the future: it’s vertical and it’s mobile. Even the geek (otaku) side of Japan was interesting — but not engaging enough unless you like manga, gundam universe and other slices of culture I cannot explain.

Yours

Nick

Picture: Distant view of Typhoon clouds from Hotel Room

Typhoon number 4 (official name) hit Okinawa, and skimmed the eastern shores of Japan. Completely missing Tokyo, but stopping many services for a few minutes on Sunday. We were out in the worst of it in Harajuku on Saturday. Wind+Rain = Shopping in Japan. Everyone was out and about.

Then on Monday morning at around 10:19am, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit to the north of Tokyo. We were in the hotel room at the time, and Avril thought I was being funny rocking the bed. I thought she was muddling around packing bags. Nope, it was an earthquake. My greatest fear was that I was only in my jocks. Avril and Liam were concerned about our greater welfare. Within a minute or two, it was over, and we watched the aftermath on TV.

Note: my mum reminded me that this was my second earthquake. When I was 5, Nowra NSW had an earthquake. I must admit I don’t remember the earthquake, but I do remember our cat.

It seemed that Tokyo went onto its main business: shopping. So we joined in the crowds at Akihabara

Ahh, Japan. How I look forward to thee.

After the success of our holiday to Japan in 2005, and after the accumulation of lots of Qantas Frequent Flyer points, its time to return to Japan. Work holiday, flights, hotels, Shinkansen, JR, Cat sitters, Passports. It’s all happening in July.

This time around, we are adding Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka into our Japan experience.

I hope to film at least 2 “The Geek Stories” and be a little more online this trip to get the experience “out there”. First step: Local Live Map