Day 7: Shopping and Ramen

Fukuoka, aside from being a convenient stepping stone from Shanghai is known for it's Hakata style ramen. We asked around and apparently the easiest thing to do is to go to the mall and dine at Ramen Stadium. Which essentially is an entire floor dedicated to ramen in various styles. I think what we ate was authentic Hakata, but really, I have no way of knowing. It was very tasty though.



At the mall. I believe this was the first flowered pant that we saw. I'm not sure what is the motivation for this popular style in Japan, but I think it's not attractive at all. Pink works on the bike though.




Ah Ha!




It's dark out now.




We walked towards a bright light after exiting the Mall and passed by this car. The "bright lights" ended up being the entertainment district. We were entertained.

Day 7: Japan

We land in Fukuoka and everything is different. Everything is clean. Everything is quiet. I can almost already taste the ramen.



On the shuttle from the terminal to the airport. We're thinking the same thing. Dinner.




It rained in the city earlier, makes the ordinary interesting.




I'm not sure why it was so empty everywhere, that did not last though.




Picture of a picture of a bike.

Day 7: Japan, here we come

It's the train to Shanghai for a night, then a flight to Japan. My only regret is that I never really got to see the other side of the Bund. Also, not enough massages. Also, I miss the pan fried dumplings.



Our hotel was straight up that street.




This reminded me of somebody.




The Shanghai airport. I love airports.

Day 6: We out

Some parting shots of West Lake before we hopped back on the train to Shanghai.



This is me in 50 years.




This was me 10 years ago.




The ramp to the train station

Day 6: Almost done with Hangzou

Hangzou felt rushed. Certainly a day isn't enough, and it's also one of those places where you need good weather in order to enjoy it properly. Kind of like LA. Without the constant sunshine, there's not a whole lot left to see. Only a day away from Japan. Luckily, rain or shine, there's plenty to see there.



Love this type of tiled roof




Business is slow with the muggy weather

Day 6: Last of the garden

The last of the garden pics. It turns out as we hailed a cab for the ride back that we were in the not as pretty part of the lake, had we turned south instead of continually walking north, I think we would have fared better. Oh well, gives me a reason to go back.



Another bicycle/cart guy!




Yes, there was colour here, just a lot of bad light.




More of that great grass.

Day 6: more garden

Still wandering around the garden. Can't quite remember if this was one day or the next. Things are already becoming fuzzy for me.


One of the many small ponds around the lake




I liked how this looked like a mini forest.




The amazing part of this area was that there were no mosquitoes, even in this calm water.



Had to fit a bike in there somehow :)

Day 6: The lake and the garden

Slightly tired of walking we decided to take a scooter/rickshaw/taxi thing to westlake to cut our time. Or maybe I'm remembering wrong, and this is the time we took the taxi.

Either way, it was a lazy day.



Still overcast




Being overcast though lets you shoot during the day and not have everything blow completely out. This one with the EP2




This one the D700

Day 6: EP2 vs Hangzou

Didn't take a lot of pics in Hangzou despite it supposedly being one of the most picturesque places in China to photograph. I ended up more interested in getting my laundry done and getting to Japan. Here's what my EP2 saw



They have bikes that you can rent for the day and ride around. Such a great idea, but we unfortunately never ended up doing this.



The lake. Rather foggy due to the weather.




Not sure what this cart was for, just like the way the detail turned out.




I tried many times to get her perfectly in the middle of the metal doors without any camera tilt, but this was the closest I came to what I envisioned. Next time I'm just going to be creepy and stop and snap it, instead of taking it like a spy.




They keep this square nice and clean, even after it rains.



So close to making a book about bikes. Just need a few more pictures :P




My search for pulled noodles ends. They were good, but not the best. If I could have them right now of course they'd be spectacular.

*sigh*

Day 5: Last meal

Travelling is as much about food as it is about the sites and photography for me. So what was the best meal in Shanghai? The breakfasts were cheap and delicious, and so were the other delectable stalls serving food so cheap and good it should be illegal. But the winner has to be this pan fried dumpling place. The inside was filled with a pork soup like mixture that had some sort of curry like spice to them.



I believe this was our second helping of it. Or was it the third?




I grab other breakfast items to feed my sleeping co-traveler.




Train station at Hangzou.




Rain + overcast light makes me think of Vietnam

Day 5: Last morning in Shanghai

I trotted out early this morning to try and get a sense of the city before it became filled with people.



Empty! This was right across from our hotel.




Under the freeway.




I'm guessing that the wire boxes are for hanging your laundry. Still the cheapest way to dry your clothes



Last bike pic in Shanghai




My favourite of the morning. Couldn't have taken this during the day for sure. Seems like in Shanghai, pedestrians hit the streets before cars do.

Day 4: Bread and Dinner

The day was really overcast which made it bearable to walk across town to get a sandwich.


I love this one because it looks like I took it at a museum of national history. The lighting is so flat and even, and the people seem so posed, as if they were mannequins. They are really working on the grounds of the library. Looks like they have a long way to go.




Shot this in near darkness in a back alley of some night market in Shanghai. I can't remember for the life of me what it was called though. We were supposed to eat here, but didn't find anything appetizing.



Wait for it....




...And my love for noodles continues.