where are we headed? - !

A-a-a-and we have a winner! Tony Hart for 4 points guessed the correct answer: Hokkaido! As your valued price you will receive the honour and a shout-out for your website. Peeps! Tony is a wedding photographer (and an excellent one at that) so if you're getting married in the UK, look no further: http://www.tony-hart.com/ Well done, Tony!

Indeed, indeed! In 2 weeks, during Golden Week (national holiday week), myself and my two gangsters (who you might know from the Kansai adventure over Christmas) are heading north and then a bit more north to Hokkaido and Sapporo. Planning is in full progress but it will involve nature and special Hokkaido ice cream among else.

Prepare for plenty of photos and crazed times!

Jo x

ps. To Anonymous (you coward!) - second place isn't shabby. Maldives - so close, and yet so so SO far off...

where are we headed? - IV

4 points: Given its geographical proximity to the massive European-Asian nation, it's hardly surprising - though noteworthy - that if you stand at the very most northern tip of this Japanese regional island, you may catch a glance of Russian mainland.

It has coastline to no less than three oceans and holds only 5% of Japan's total population.

Where are we headed?

where are we headed? - ladypretentious style

Tony: Kuril Islands is quite wrong I'm afraid but you're not far off. 


Good guess!


Jo x

where are we headed? - ladypretentious style II

8 points: Just like Kyoto has green tea-flavoured Kit Kat, Pocky and other sweets, so has the milk from this region given taste to the world famous chocolate. KitKat White, a product limited to this area, can be enjoyed either in the city area, or in one of the numerous ski resorts.

Any guesses in comments, please.

where are we headed? - ladypretentious style

10 points: Although not quite on the geographical level of the Scandinavian aurora borealis, this place offers great natural scenery all around in a country which is otherwise known for its bustling cities.

borneo last leg: the mighty jungle

As the last part of the Borneo trip we ventured out in the wilderness and spent 5 days in the jungle. From Kuching we drove hours and hours with the van and then went in a longboat for 2 hours to the place, so it was a wee off from civilisation. Not to worry, we did stay in an actual house and not tents made from palm leaves or something like that. But there was only electricity between 6-11pm and we were surrounded by rainforest, rendering any excursions on your own impossible. However, we did trekking. Fricking hard trekking. Stung by bees, constant fear of leeches and snakes, and had to focus on every step so as not to slip and fall on your behind - but it was all forgiven and forgotten once you reach the top (photo).

We were going to go on a night safari but as snakes may attack the torch, we didn't. "When the light stops, the snake attacks," someone said. That made the rest of my post-10pm trips to the bathroom a whole lot more 'exciting' or whatever than they would have been otherwise. Yikes!

Did some weaving with the tribe. This masterpiece (note: not finished in the photo) and a basket. Christmas presents x2 sorted.

Dogs and cats everywhere - behind every tree! - because no one takes care of them. The owner was out of town. I don't think my fellow travellers appreciated them as much as I did. There was a lot of shoo-ing and cursing going around. Look at that face. How can you be mad at that? Me, I embraced the fleas etc that they brought and cuddled with the beautiful cat (dogs were a bit too much and risk of leeches - yuck!).

Planted a tree each and got to place our own little sign next to it. Permanent mark of the JoJo in the jungle!

8 families live in this longhouse and we visited them to play games, drink tea, and do the weaving. Such a quiet life. Although they do have some modernities - at one point Rihanna was playing in the background. Sort of broke the mood. All in all, however, really peaceful. I would probably go mad within a month here though. There's only so many rounds of 'Pass the Ring' you can play...

When we finally reached the city again it was time to say our farewells. One last shopping spree & lunch with teams Denmark, UK, and Switzerland in Kuching marked our parting. Here in a final tribute to Japan.

I hope to see you again sometime :) Thanks for an incredible trip!

Jo x

bako national park

Our next destination was Bako National Park. A short boat ride in crocodile waters (!) took us to the island where we were promised to see monkeys and wild boar behind every tree. There would be trekking (in pouring rain it turned out) and even a burglary...

 Wild pigs roaming around everywhere. Our guide called the big ones 'Osama' because of their beards. One of these little ones came up to our veranda one day and tried to chew up some shoes. Luckily I caught him out and sent him on his way. But cute as a button they are!

 Oh right, the burglary. On the door to the kitchen there was a sign: Please close the door. Beware of the monkeys. Before we arrived we had been warned by the guides that the long-tailed macaques were infamous for stealing food and drinks and other shiny objects from tourists (a group of students once got mugged of all cell phones. Hilarious of course for everyone except the victims).

But as it always is, people are stupid. I peered out through the window to the veranda and saw a whole bunch of macaques sitting on the table, munching on bottles and cans and threatening to take our clothes. We went out to shoo them away but they did not budge. After a while they left and that's when we noticed the open door. To the kitchen. Inside we found the fridge door open as well - and the inside completely empty. KitKat, Toblerone and coke had been stolen by the little cheeky monkeys, and later on we saw them in the trees holding on to a piece of chocolate or playing with red cans. The monkey above came as we prepared to leave and hijacked our last bananas, munching away on the veranda despite our presence. Gotta love it.

Caught in the act, this one. They also broke into one of the rooms but didn't take anything.

We went on a night trail and saw sleeping birds, frogs, and fireflies. Fireflies are beautiful - blinking like Christmas lights in the trees and flying around in complete voiceless serenity. Then we trekked for 1½ hours to go to a beach and got caught in pouring proper rainforest rain for an hour. 'Wet' is not enough. The reward was definitely worth it though, and had we known what awaited in the jungle we might not have complained as much.

For all photos: CLICK HERE

Jo x

back in the hood

After 3 incredible weeks I'm back in a rainy Tokyo and already longing to go back to Borneo. I'll put up some photos here within the next few days (a lot of monkey ones) so if interested, watch this space.

Borneo was nothing less than amazing. We did a couple of days at Matang Wildlife Centre where we worked with orangutans and sunbears. We learnt so much about orangutans and the illegal trade which happens far too frequently, and I do admire the work these people do in Malaysia. It may only be a drop in a vast ocean but the difference it makes for the individual animals who live at Matang is invaluable. Confiscated pets or circus attractions come here to rehabilitate and 'learn to be orangs' again, and hopefully eventually to be released into the wild. Some of the apes we met had been in small cages for 10-20 years (!) before being rescued. Ridiculous. Humans are evil.

Anyway, at Matang they get a second chance and we did cleaning of cages, put out food in their enclosures, and gave them treats. Not only orangs but gibbons (so cute!), macaques and other ones too. Some crazy, some more friendly.

Then we headed off to different places, including the mighty jungle! More about that later. Below some photos from Matang.

Binturong, or bear cat.

Gibbon. Love.

Just two man-eating crocodiles chilling

More to come. Next up: Bako National Park where the long-tailed macaques cheekily robbed us!

Jo x

bye bye birdy

What a way to finish Nha Trang! From morning to sunset I have:

...had monkeys take crackers out of my hand

...gone boating on the sea

...visited rice fields
...mini-trekked in the mountains and climbed to see/swim in the Ba Ho (right), or three lakes
...had fried rice and green tea overlooking the mountains and a shrimp farm
...been completely gawked at by the locals at the fishing dock (fair enough I was the only non-Vietnamese there)
...soaked in mud
...gymmed.

Tomorrow I say a rather sad farewell to Nha Trang and Vietnam, and continue on to Borneo. Another three flights - puh! - and the orangutan adventure can begin.

A thought that just struck me now (a tad late) - maybe I should have relaxed after the working holiday? This has been like eating dessert first - but hey, rules aren't for rulers, right? Ta!

Jo x

nha trang

Quick update on current events as I've managed to hijack a computer here in Vietnamlands. Nha Trang is good, hot, and friendly. The food is gorgeous and I've stood eye to eye with a sea urchin (see right) today while scuba diving. One more day awaits here before taking another 3 flights to Malaysia and Borneo and the orangs. As much as I do enjoy a lazy few days and a never-ending beach, I do look forward to some activity.

If you've never been to Vietnam I highly recommend it. And see more than just this one place, even though it is stunning.

Jo x

off, off, and away!

Rightey-oh dear fellows - the time has come. 3 weeks without mascara await (still bringing blush)! There have been countdowns, and longings, and bookings, and checking, and double-checking, and so on - finally February 24 is here. In a mere half hour I'm starting the epic trip which will eventually take me to Nha Trang, Vietnam, and later on Borneo, Malaysia and the orangs.

I will try to keep this space updated along the way but apparently Borneo's rainforest hasn't quite reached the Wi-Fi hype as the more civilized parts of the world. However, photos will be taken and uploaded afterwards!

Take care, and wish me luck! Your monkey has to sort the last few details and then fly off, off - and away :) !

Jo x

flying without wings

Finally home in Sweden after 18 hours of travelling, and boy what a trip it was! You'd think that a long-haul flight journey would be boring, and tedious, and, and boring - but it was wonderful.

The first leg was made brilliant by emergency exit placement (hello leg space!) and an empty middle seat in the 3-seat row (I do appreciate the small things). Add to that watching 4 films (I mean, come on - what other legitimate reasons for watching 10 straight hours of film without feeling like  a lazy slob can you come up with?) and the nice man in my row being chatty and polite, but not too annoying and clingy. All in all - win.

Then Istanbul happened. Spent an hour and a half walking around the tiny terminal without any money as the currency exchange office opened at 8pm (what?!) - a.k.a the time I would be boarding my flight. Try having long blonde hair in Turkey, see how people treat you. The terminal became a goddamn runway!

But then it happened.

After a couple of laps around the terminal I ventured to the board to find out my gate and in the corner of my eye I perceived something shiny; something pretty; something smokingly hot. I sneakily looked and I was right - he was drop dead gorgeous. It took me a couple of seconds before I realised who it was - Andreas Wilson (the little fellah to the right)! He's a Swedish actor (eg from Ondskan, or 'Evil' which was nominated for an Academy Award back in the day - youtube the trailer!) and he is one of those few quality ones out there. He was looking smashing in loose jeans, boots, a white beanie, and that kind of medium stubble only certain guys can pull off.

So Andreas, if you're one of those celebrities who google themselves - hello, I'm the blonde girl who caught your eye by the departure board and who may or may not have drooled a little. You're fantastic. Sincerely, Jo.

Turkish Airlines didn't plan it very well, however, and Andreas and his girlfriend were placed in the far back of the plane while I was stuck with the returning Swedish Thailand tourists in the front. Not my kind of fun.

Regardless, here I am, safe and sound, despite some train troubles today (involving me going on the wrong train north instead of south) and I'm loving the snowy landscape. As the majority of the readers here are from Japan (or at least from Japanese IP-addresses) I'll probably update if anything exciting's going on. Chances are not, but anyway.

Off to eat everything I can't eat in Japan, and enjoy some seriously mental relaxation. Ta!

Jo x

my kingdom awaits

I can share the great news already! Ready? You sure? Now, this is a lot more exciting for me than any of you, but let's pretend nonetheless. Ok, here we go. Hrm-rm - drumroll please...

I'm going HOME!

Home as in Sweden, as in Scandinavia, as in homehome, as in boring old Norrköping with the same shops only in different places, as in freezing cold northern Europe, as in the one place I never want to move back to, and as in the only fixed place I'll always have to call just that - home.

Leaving Sunday already and staying for roughly 3 weeks :) Ah, it will be so good to see family and friends (not to mention my smoking hot physiotherapist! Gosh, I haven't seen him in a good while...).

Yesterday in the gym I spent my cardio session watching a Japanese documentary on Sweden (was a little happy to see Japanese people watching it too) and they showed images/videos of Stockholm in the summer. It's the prettiest thing in the world, let me tell you that. If you ever have a chance to go, do it. Of course February is going to be cold, miserable, icy, and dark (and considering I'm nigh on freezing to death here in +7 degrees, the -8 in Sweden will probably be the end of me), but it is Sweden.

Nothing like going abroad to rekindle that nationalist love.

So see you Sunday, my love. I can't wait.

Jo x

travels part 3: Osaka

Shoutengai

 Osaka, Osaka, Osaka. This previous Olympic city proved to be something very different from Kyoto and Nara. Having been in such idyllic surroundings for 3 days, this bustling city with lively streets and traffic came as somewhat a surprise. If you've ever been to Tokyo, Osaka is much like it - only dirtier, rougher and generally more gangsta. The people are not as polished and it has an atmosphere of a freer - less structuralised if you will - Japanese culture. I'm not entirely sure what I mean by that, but maybe it makes sense. Nevertheless, it had its charm I suppose and we spent a nice day there. 

Our main two events were Shinsaibashi shoutengai (shopping street) and Osaka-jo (Osaka Castle). As follows.

More panorama! The famous ad of the running man (who looked a little chubby I must admit - I'm not the only one putting it on it seems!) was at the end of the shopping street. Lots of lights á la typical big city and lots of people despite it being a Sunday evening. Work on Monday morning, people!

The moving crab was not moving. Famous restaurant serving only, yep that's right, crab.

Takoyaki (squid balls). Osaka is famous for food, and especially this one - basically a big piece of squid inside a pastry (?) ball with flour, or something. Served with mayo, fish flakes and some sauce. Obviously nor for me, but Viv and Serr's excitement was entertainment enough.  

"Can you see how BIG the squid is? You can HEAR me chew it!"

Osaka Castle. It was built in the 16th century and has played a major part in Japanese history. We went inside to the museum, read a lot about battles, emperors and so on, but I can't seem to remember a thing. Lots of battles though. Lots and lots.

Pretty impressive! Although we agreed it looked more like a wedding cake than castle. Maybe we were just hungry.

Osaka sadly did not offer any tofu ice cream but we were not defeated by that, and instead got green tea and chocolate soft ice creams to continue our tradition. Cheers, Osaka!

After having been lied to by the train station personal about a certain location we ended up in Tennoji and walked around. Soon we realised we were close to the gangster area where our hostel was. After a while we found ourselves on a sort of dodgy shopping street with loads of restaurants. Hungry, we found one...

...and had this! Not sure what it's called, but there's rice, veggies, egg and seaweed base soup. Rice in soup, you ask? Good question, but it was lovely despite the rather strange (at least for me) combination.

Osaka was mostly walking around after that, and we did some shopping while waiting for the bus back to Tokyo. I definitely prefer Kyoto and Nara to Osaka, probably because they're so different from Tokyo. For once it was nice to be able to see the open sky in the city, meet animals (and I'm not talking just tiny dogs), and have a breather from the stress that is the capital. Will be going back in spring for sure. 

All photos here.

Jo x

travels part 2: Nara

 Day 3 and it was time to head off to Nara. It's about 40 minutes from Kyoto by train and is most famous for its deer (see below!). If you know me you know I simply couldn't pass on an opportunity to see some Bambis in the wild (as opposed to the traumatic experience that was Ueno Zoo). This sort of 'Mowgli of the Nara' is something of a symbol for the town (even though he looks creepy - I would not like to wake up to that face!) and he was e-ve-ry-where: pins, keychains, towels, note pads, pens etc etc. Creepy!

 Of course we had to go see temples too. 

 But then it was time for the deer! Oh, right, I forgot - we figured we might try and 'fit in' and so bought a pair of horns each on our way. Then simply walked around the huge Nara Park wearing those. I think we confused both humans and deer.

Nevertheless - they were so cute! About a thousand deer live in the park, and they literally walk around wherever they like! If you're carrying food they'll be all over you, biting, nudging etc, and you can buy senbei (rice crackers) to feed them. Although if you do, prepare to be hunted for the rest of the day by a herd of deer biting your bum (true story)! Me, I was satisfied with petting them a little. So soft and cuddly (well...)!

 Scared human. Confused deer.

 I also learnt how to take panorama photos with my camera (so expect a lot of them in the future). Pretty, eh?

 Bambi!

Some more food: yaki-udon. Like Kyoto, Nara was vegetarian friendly and we even found a vegetarian restaurant! I tried a tofu croquette thing which was so, so good. This here is udon noodles and veggies and some sauce put on a hot stove literally in the middle of your table. Then you eat while it's still cooking! Yummyness.

Next stop: Osaka.

All photos here.

Jo x