Ulloo - Japan
Ulloos have returned from visiting this fascinating country long on their must visit list. A lot was experienced in a very short period of time, visiting Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima. Much more to be shared but for now one message that touched us all.
'foster peace one friend at a time'
'foster peace one friend at a time'
The people the Ulloos meet during their travels are always a special highlight but Japan uniquely stands out for the chance to stay at the World Friendship Centre where they met and were hosted by Barb and Dannie, a truly inspirational couple. The spark shines brightly from them. Although, we initially wanted to lynch Samji, aka tree-hugger and closet Buddhist when we found out where we were staying in Hiroshima, after staying in luxury hotels in Tokyo and Kyoto, he was proven to be so right on this one. More on Hiroshima later but early on ulloos say thank you Barb and Dannie, we will never forget you. .
Well we got here, Heathrow airport T2 .starting with a nice cup of coffee ! Getting older or wiser you ulloos?
Japan was always going to need more time but we had to take the opportunity to visit. With a 1.5 hour flight to Copenhagen followed by an 11 hour flight to Tokyo and a 10 hour time difference jet lag featured.
Tokyo
View over stunning Tokyo from our hotel, The hundred Stay, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Our first proper meal in Japan.
Surprisingly despite being the city with most Michelin star restaurants in the world and being recognised as the culinary capital of the world, ulloos had a more tasking time than usual deciding on where to eat on this trip. With non beef eaters, non pork eaters, non adventurous eaters and a vegetarian and many restaurants with Japanese only menus if was a challenge.
Shinjuku was buzzing that evening with the streets and restaurants full of young smiling and laughing people. Many of the places had waiting lists, 'hey ulloos where are the older people !' but no one seem to notice us or bother us. The Japanese are supremely polite, self confident and disciplined. We finally found this place and they were happy to fit the 5 of us in. We enjoyed the meal and atmosphere. We ask a young couple on a neighbouring table what is the small clear liquid they were drinking by pointing at it and using body language. They did not speak English. They show us the small bottle the liquid came in, we pass it around and all shrug our shoulders as the writing was in Japanese. They try several times to explain and then reach for their mobile and we suddenly hear 'delicious' ' peach'. Thank heavens for Google translate.. We ask for a bottle and pore out the liquid, clink glasses with the smiling couple and sip this delicious drink. The girl then indicates that it needs to be taken as a shot. By this time we have a small audience looking over to the antics around our tables.. Well how could the ulloos disappoint, so we obliged to much merriment. The peach drink was a regular throughout our journey. We regretted not getting their names or a picture, but this was a very warm welcome from the young people of Japan. This we experienced every where on our trip to Japan and .those delicious Japanese are one of our fondest memories.
Surprisingly despite being the city with most Michelin star restaurants in the world and being recognised as the culinary capital of the world, ulloos had a more tasking time than usual deciding on where to eat on this trip. With non beef eaters, non pork eaters, non adventurous eaters and a vegetarian and many restaurants with Japanese only menus if was a challenge.
Shinjuku was buzzing that evening with the streets and restaurants full of young smiling and laughing people. Many of the places had waiting lists, 'hey ulloos where are the older people !' but no one seem to notice us or bother us. The Japanese are supremely polite, self confident and disciplined. We finally found this place and they were happy to fit the 5 of us in. We enjoyed the meal and atmosphere. We ask a young couple on a neighbouring table what is the small clear liquid they were drinking by pointing at it and using body language. They did not speak English. They show us the small bottle the liquid came in, we pass it around and all shrug our shoulders as the writing was in Japanese. They try several times to explain and then reach for their mobile and we suddenly hear 'delicious' ' peach'. Thank heavens for Google translate.. We ask for a bottle and pore out the liquid, clink glasses with the smiling couple and sip this delicious drink. The girl then indicates that it needs to be taken as a shot. By this time we have a small audience looking over to the antics around our tables.. Well how could the ulloos disappoint, so we obliged to much merriment. The peach drink was a regular throughout our journey. We regretted not getting their names or a picture, but this was a very warm welcome from the young people of Japan. This we experienced every where on our trip to Japan and .those delicious Japanese are one of our fondest memories.