Jaunted

Blogs

How To Go To A Tokyo Rock Show

April 11, 2007 at 3:05 PM | 0 Comments

Japan Live: it's a blog after our own heart. Blogmaster Ken M is a foreigner living in Tokyo, documenting the city's bustling rock 'n' roll scene. The basic Blogger format may make you think there's not much useful information within, but that suspicion couldn't be further from the truth. Japan Live is packed with information on the "music, shows and lifestyles" of Tokyo's best live acts.

There are band interviews and some very nice scene guides, including "How To Go To A Tokyo Rock Show," a primer that is scarily detailed. Says Ken, on ticketing customs:

Of course, if there’s only one band playing that night, you don’t need to tell the ticket seller you’ve come to see that band. If you do, the ticket seller will nod politely, wearing a serene expression, but will be thinking: "yeah, no duh."

You may recognize this custom from American rock shows, but there's a lot more to the Tokyo experience than embarrassment at the door. Read on for more excellent accounts of how to have a good night out.

[Photo: Ken M/Japan Live]

Related Stories:
· How To Go To A Tokyo Rock Show [Japan Live]
· Japan Live [Official Site]
· Tokyo Record Stores: Reader Request Edition [Jaunted]
· Island of Sound: All About Indie Taiwan [Jaunted]

Blogs

Ivan About Town

April 11, 2007 at 10:40 AM | 0 Comments

The 2007 Philippine Blog Awards took place in Manila earlier this month. Categories included "Best Socio-Political Blog," "Best Personal Blog," and of course, "Best Travel Blog." That last prize went to Philippine blogger Ivan About Town, thanks to his detailed log of regional exploits. Indeed, Ivan loves his own country, and the blog is heavy on destinations and tips within the Philippines.

Pictured above is a sacrilegious but reportedly ultra-delicious combo plate from "50's Diner" in Baguio City. Garlic bread, pizza, pasta, chicken, vegetables, fries and a pork chop all on one plate, for around $2. Wow.

You can view a map of Ivan's travels here.

Related Stories:
· Ivan About Town [Official Site via Metroblogging Manila]

YouTube

Eight Minutes of Durian

October 31, 2006 at 11:29 AM | 0 Comments

Looks like durian just got its own Bubba Blue (that's Forrest Gump's shrimp-obsessed buddy). YouTuber issyizzy, who's from Singapore, will teach you to understand, if not love, this famous smelly fruit from Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, eating durian requires you to get real close; never eat them with a fork, she says. Also, if you're looking for a hotel in Singapore that allows durian (many of them don't), try the Goodwood Park, where the durian cake is reportedly fabulous. Here's to hoping space suits pass the dress code there--how else would you avoid the stank?

Related Stories:
· Like eating vanilla custard in a latrine [Phnomenon]
· Goodwood Park Hotel reviews [TripAdvisor]

royalty

The Mother of All Birthdays

August 14, 2006 at 9:10 AM | 0 Comments

Oops. Did anybody else remember to drink a toast to Queen Sirikit of Thailand on Saturday? August 12 was her majesty's 74th birthday and a national holiday in Thailand (although in our experience every day is like a holiday in Thailand: How could you work with all those beautiful beaches?

If you were lucky enough to chance across a birthday ceremony--held simultaneously in all corners of Thailand--you would've seen massive candle-lighting ceremonies and fireworks displays in honor of "the mother of all Thais".

Now we've heard of the mother of all sausage eaters, the mother of all waterfalls, and the mother of all bananas, but the mother of all Thais? That's one spicy babe. Happy birthday, Sirikit.

[Image via jowdi/Flickr]

Related stories:
Thais Celebrate National Mother [ETNA]

Trains

Rainy Season On The Rail Road

January 23, 2006 at 12:01 PM | 0 Comments

The Eastern and Oriental Express, is one of Asia's gems of transportation. Unlike the regular overnight trains with bunks and flimsy curtains, the O&E possesses air-conditioned rooms which include, an en suite shower room, a washbasin and WC. Furthermore, during dinner your steward will transform your compartment from daytime seating to a bedroom.

The train goes from Singapore to Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur.

Starting April 15 and ending September 20th, the E&O is offering 2 free nights accommodation, one night in Bangkok and another in Singapore, for passengers booking a Pullman Compartment.

Those booking a State Compartment receive the same bonus nights, plus the choice of an additional night in either Singapore or Bangkok.

Related Stories:
·   Rail Tickets offers hotel bonus [e-Travel Blackboard]