Pocket Ninja

What would Pocket Ninja do?

Fugu me!

As Homer Simpson said in the One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish episode of the Simpsons:

"Come on, pal. Fugu me!"

Fugu is a Japanese dish prepared from the meat of pufferfish (normally species of Takifugu, Lagocephalus, or Sphoeroides) or porcupinefish of the genus Diodon. Because pufferfish is lethally poisonous if prepared incorrectly, fugu has become one of the most celebrated and notorious dishes in Japanese cuisine.

My dinner swimming around in the tank before it hit my plate...raw.

I had my meal prepared by an apprentice chef (Not to worry, he was an able chef as well.). You will find that funny, if you understand the One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish Simpsons episode.

Perhaps the best-known fugu story in America is that of the fictional character Homer Simpson of the TV show The Simpsons, who eats fugu served by an apprentice chef. Because of the chef's lack of knowledge of fugu preparation, Homer is given 24 hours to live (before his "heart would explode"), during which he vows to do all the things he has always meant to do but had never got round to. However, most of the time is spent either asleep, with his senile father, or in jail. He survives the 24 hours in the end, to the joy of his family and friends. See "One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish".

No Smoking Archer Fish

What is an archer fish?

Archer Fish 1

Archer Fish 2

Honey Pot Cafe in Japan

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

If not, here is what I am thinking:

honey pot definition

See definition number 1.

You know you are getting old when...

...toys from your childhood show up in a museum.

Japan Toy Museum

Japan Toy Museum

The sign was a kid level. I passed right by the museum it was so small.

Ultraman!

Suicide Quarter

This way to the Suicide Quarter of Himeji Castle...

No Scribbles

No vandalism at Himeji Castle, please.

Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle is probably the best example of Japanese wooden castle design and original construction.

FREE Rent-a-bike

You can rent a bicycle for free in the town of Himeji.

Abstract Sea Life

Whale Shark at the Osaka Aquarium

A whale shark swimming in the world's largest aquarium tank at the Osaka Aquarium.

As aquariums go, Osaka Aquarium was decent, but not one of the best aquariums that I have seen.

Cherry Blossoms at the To-ji Temple

Koi at the To-ji Temple

What is amazing about this shot is it is a single shot with a point and shoot digital camera on single shot mode. The fish was eating cherry blossoms that had fallen into the water and were floating on the surface (the white particles in the water. Do I still use my expertise in understanding fish behavior that I gained while studying Marine Science at the University of Miami to assist my photography? Hell, yeah! How many people do you know still use what they learned in college in their everyday lives?

The Five Story Pagoda at To-ji

The five story pagoda at the To-ji temple complex is the highest pagoda in Japan at 57 meters high.

Mustafa and Ed at the Todai-ji Temple

While I was in Japan I met up with Mustafa. Mustafa is a friend of mine who I worked with at The George Washington University. Mustafa was a student while I was staff.

Mustafa in front of the Todai-ji Temple. The temple is massive. See the people on the steps of the temple.

Here I am with two wooden statue heads in the Todai-ji Temple. Three mean faces!

Here are Mustafa and I at the Nara train station enjoying some Pocari Sweat, heading back to Kyoto.

Buddha and Money

The great thing about Buddhist temples is that there is always free money lying around...NO, these people were making an offering to the Buddha...there is alot of coins on the ground.

Golden Trees at the Golden Pagoda in Kyoto

Afternoon sun turns the trees at the Golden Pagoda...golden.

60 to 90 % 0ff

How do they make any money?

Dude, where are my shoes?

Before going into the wooden floored Zen temples of Kyoto, you must remove your shoes.
Don't worry no one should steal them.

Water Zen Moment

A stone water container in a zen garden in Kyoto.

Two Buddha Boys

Statue in a Zen garden

Suntory Vending Machine

Beer, Sake, and WHISKEY (the bottom right bottle) in a vending machine...the Japanese are awesome!

Happy Maker

Capsule Sweet Capsule

3300 Yen a night with a bed, sauna, pool...massage...restaurant...I spent every night in Osaka in this capsule hotel.

Cool Club Entrance in Osaka

Eight Stories of Stairs at the Osaka Castle

Don't take the stairs at Osaka Castle (like I did), unless you like walking up eight flights of stairs.

Hurry...it nearly gave me a heart attack!

Visiting Osaka Castle in the Rain

Silver Birds

The Japanese just painted right over the birds on this railing...just kidding... these were bird sculptures on the railings at the Osaka Castle.

Club Duty

Partying in Japan is not just a job, it's a duty.

Christmas Themed Japanese Love Hotel

With the women that frequent this hotel with men, this hotel gives new meaning to Santa saying "HO HO HO."

My favorite theme room is Santa's Workshop with the whips and handcuffs...just kidding.

Kathmandu is all fun and games until someone gets hurt, then it's just fun.

I am fine, a little scratch (picture to post soon, of course I took pictures)...let's just say it was the other motorcycle's fault...I wasn't even driving, I was a passenger...

But I am a big boy and I am not going to go crying home after one little scratch...

More adventures to tell when I get back to Qatar about Japan and Nepal...

Japan to be continued

I will put up more pictures...Kio ponds, zen gardens, Osaka Aquarium, and the Japanese Toy Museum, capsule hotel when I get back to Qatar...to be continued...

Me at the Golden Pagoda

Greenery and gold at the Golden Pagaoda in Kyoto

A Zen moment

A Zen moment from Kyoto.

Taste a Little Samurai Warrior

Samurai warrior costumes at the Osaka Castle...no I didn`t try one on...it was for kids...