Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
Friday, December 30, 2016

*LOUISE*
This morning we had a makeshift brekky of noodles from the local family mart followed by a yoga sesh conducted by Dyl on the roof of our accommodation, while we waited to move our bags into our 6 bedroom dorm which we will be sharing for the next 3 nights.
We made our way to the Ueno District. A pretty and serene place and the cultural heart of Tokyo. We walked around Yanaka known for surviving the great Kanto earthquake and the allied firebombing of WW11. We wandered the streets taking in views of ponds, temples (Yanaka has more than 100) and housing finishing at the grand fountain. Dyl and Cal departed to check out the Kagurazaka district before making their way to the airport to pick up Ash and Maya. Blake and I wandered around Ginza and window shopped for a while before heading back to Shinokubu to greet the weary travellers.

Maya and Ash arrived well rested after a comfortable flight unlike squishy airasia they had 3 seats each and were able to spread out and get some sleep. After grabbing some dinner we met Steph and Jono, Beck and Pagey and Chelsea and Mike with their baby Levi for drinks at the only pub we could all fit in comfortably. A British pub called 'The Hub'. After a few drinks Mike and Chelsea headed off and we hopped on the train to Shibuya. The streets were crawling with people. After wandering around and drinking some 'Strong' fruit flavoured vodka cans (9%) we found a karaoke bar - 1hour, unlimited drinks for 2000¥ pp. The drinks flowed and the singing got worse. Starting with a bit of Johnny Cash we moved onto the Killers, Miley Cyrus, Disney classics and finishing with some Sum41. At 11.58 we darted out to the street for the New Year. There was no count down. Just hoards of people jumping around screaming Happy New Year. 2017 had begun. People were on shoulders without shirts, Beck and Steph were shaking their stolen maracas and lots of photos were taken with the local Japanese. No idea how long after the New Year we decided to make our way back to Shinjuku and continue our evening. This is when we all got separated. Blake and I got caught up at Shibuya station as I didn't have enough credit on my card so we had to wait in line to upload more ¥. After attempting and failing to get in contact with anyone we made our way back and stopped in at a local Karage Chicken restaurant. Delicious way to end the night. We got back to our accommodation to find the other 4 had already returned. Cal was in fine form being the first one to have a big vom in the New Year.