Incredibly, I managed to drag myself out of bed before 0700 today, the last few days have taken their toll and the thought of leaving this hotel... boohoo.
Anyway, met up with the adorable Junko Arakawa; the "bike sightseeing concierge" for a Bianchi bike ride around the Imperial Palace Gardens. On Sunday, they close off areas of the city to cars and let people and bikes go crazy! So we freewheeled around & about until we arrived at the park where Jonathan & James were waiting with a picnic. No ordinary picnic though; apart from the Dom Perignon 1999 (Alex's favourite!) there were yummy Danish and the wonderful fruit juices they do.
The Palace was built 100s of years ago (800 I think) as Edo Castle (Edo was pre-Tokyo) and was used as a proper castle until after WW2 when it became the residence for the Emperor. The public are allowed in for 2 days every year (Dec 22 and Jan 2 I think) otherwise, it's guarded from anyone & everyone. The current Emperor has a daughter but as his brother has a son, the boy will currently become the next Emperor! Equality? I think not!
The bike trip is an EXCELLENT way of mooching about town and getting a history lesson as well - but somehow without Junko, I can imagine it would be rather unfulfilling!
1400 - My "Japanese Brother", Lloyd picks us up and checks us into The Seiyo Ginza. He's the longest serving GM of a luxury hotel in Tokyo and his reputation stretches far & wide.
Over the next few days, Lloyd is going through the "rituals": Tea Ceremony, Golf, Onsen and finally Karaoke!
Today it was the tea ceremony! Ours took three hours and its LOOOOOOOONG. All for a cup of tea! BUT there's a reason for it; to calm your mind and chill you out generally. First we dressed up in the kimono and then went through the ritual. Lloyd had never done this before so now he is TOTALLY Japanese!
It was fun BUT strangely tiring. BTW, the green tea has twice the caffeine of the normal cup of PG Tips, phew!
Bed - up early!
Song of the Day: Modern Love (Bowie - live off the Glass Spider Tour)
Weather: Looking dicey
Weight: More svelte than toro!
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