Sick but "Hea" times....

As posted previously, being sick as my vacation started really dampened my spirits. But seeing Fun and AM having so much fun, I really didn't want to be a party-pooper.

So I did try to join them on some of their outings.

As I said, my moving radius for the first few days was confined to a 1km distance. What's within 1km? Quite a bit. The last time I actually toured Osaka was actually.... geeez, about 25 years ago, when I was quite small. I remember it was my first trip abroad. My brother and I flew ALONE to Tokyo through Taipei. My mother must have been crazy (hahaha) to let two primary school students (I think I was in P1?) to fly alone?! But anyhow, I just remember being "interrogated" when we were transiting through TPE (probably asking what on earth could two kids be traveling alone, hahaha). Anyhow, I have no recollection of that trip, except that we went to the Expo Park in Osaka, where they held the World Expo in 1970. I vaguely remember that structure with the face of a Sun with an arched body and two "wings" extended.

So, this is practically a new City for me to explore. Osaka always seemed to be an ugly sister of Tokyo. My impression was that it's mainly industrial and business, without the exciting neighbourhoods and destinations in Tokyo. Most of that, is still true, I think; but Osaka holds its own with cool shopping streets and areas to spend a good 3 days. And the scale of the City seems to be less overwhelming that Tokyo.

Didn't do any "homework" before heading there, so when it comes to things to do, I left it to Fun. But it turns out, I'm the Map King, so it was up to me to tell them where to go and what to see with our 3 guidebooks. But due to my condition, we did walk down the wrong direction a few times (sorry guys).

I think the reason I love Japan, is because I love their cuisine. Love fish, love tofu, love soba, love their presentation, love specialized restaurants, love local eats, love dessert... just love them. But in order to really have a good time, I think you also need to be willing to splurge a little. It's difficult to be thrifty in Japan, at least no in dining. I'm not saying we can't have cheap local food, but for a few times on the trip, you really need to just forget about your wallet and just splurge... (just like Fun at HG) But, oh well, I was sick anyway, so didn't get to try anything spectacular on this trip. Though I really would have loved to.

Let's go to some pictures...

A local landmark: Namba Hips, an entertainment building (with pachinko, games arcade and restaurants) with a Free Fall ride on the outside. Not the sort of gaming place that excites us, but our dear Fun did, somehow, won a Darth Vader mask from one of those "doll picking" machines. But Fun refused to bring it back to HK with him wor.....

According to our 日本通, the Fat Lady who's performing at the Shin Kabukiza is somebody well-known. I just know that alot of elderly and retired were lining up to get in for the 11am "matinee" show....

I could only watch in amusement... See those shopping queens...

The main drag in Namba: Dotonbori

Our favourite pastime: dessert, dessert, and more dessert

This place is located at the basement of the Daimaru on Midosuji in Shinsaibashi. Nothing special, but I first visited one of their shops on a road trip from Paris to Normandy last Summer. (I think it's in one of my older posts) Oh how time flies...