Kraut_in_HongKong

hydrogen-powered and fuel cell are still rather experimental. Hybrid is booming (thanks Toyota!), even in the US. One state has a law that Diesel must contain a certain %age of biodiesel (usually made from canola AKA rape seed). But progress is pretty slow. I think within 5 years WMD will be suspected in Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Nigeria. Once those contries are 'liberated' the oil supply will be secure for a few decades.

I agree with Fattwins. There are probably a few angles missing in the article. Maybe somebody should follow up on the court procedings.

T H A N K S !!! OK, I get it! 8 grams (2 small Japanese spoonfuls) for about 1.2 L water.... Means it used in moderation, like salt. I will try that out one of these days! ...maybe tonight...

Can a kind japanese reader help me out here with Dashi/water mixing ratio for the Dashi pack that I bought? It comes in a 150g bag. But I presume it's used by the teaspoon or so. Any hint is appreciated! My first test will be Gyu-Don....

If you have such an emergency you can take out the batteries and put them in a warm place for 15 Minutes or so. That should bring them up to 70% capacity. You can do that probably a few times before they are really exhausted.

If you plan to bring your camcorder or digital camera and do many pictures I advise STRONGLY on getting a 2nd battery. Don't expect more then a few images or 20 Minutes of video. The normal rechargeable batteries will lose power in the cold very fast. So it would be a good idea to have a 2nd battery in a warm place under your ski gear. The due to cold empty ones will also come back to life if warmed up again.

BTW, the normal 1-day ticket is 4600 http://www.hakuba-happo.or.jp/06-ticket.htm That page translates quite nicely with Babelfish! http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish...2F06-ticket.htm

I saw a sign in the Mominoki Hotel. They were selling the same day 1-day ticket for 4100. I think it must be same day, and only that ticket. Means no discount in Children or other tickets. Other hotels may have discounts too, just ask.

I had only one problem with my Hong Kong HSBC issued visa card, and that was with JR Rail. So be prepared that you may can't buy train tickets with your non-Japan visa card. There were no problems in a range of department stores, restaurants. Usage in Hakuba was also no problem. I could Spicy Rentals and used it several times to buy Happo-One lift tickets. Interesting side point: For Happo-One lift tickets you can pay the chip deposit also by card - but get cash back when you return the cards.

Little Kraut (L) and little Fjef ® get billiard instructions at the SJF party in the Tracks Bar.

Quote: Originally posted by sunrise: That's good it worked out albiet standing. another side note - on my shink up on Saturday from Omiya... Which one you took? We had the 07:18 - but reserving was a bit of a waste as the train was pretty empty. Shinjuku-Omiya was only 26 Minutes anyway.

To answer my own question: Keisei Line runs trains from Keisei Ueno Station (next to JR Ueno) to Narita City till after midnight. A taxi ride to a near airport Hotel (I was in Narita Nikko) should be below ¥3000 Fare Ueno Narita City was 810 or so. Takes about 90 Minutes.

Just to follow up on my experience: I tried to buy a ticket on Friday 27th Jan for the early Sat. Shinkansen - no reserved seat available anymore. That did mean standing 61 Minutes from Omiya to Nagano. Standing between the reserved cars was quite comforable, but the non-reserved area was packet with standers. For my return late Monday we back non-reserved and did found seat in the (anyway quite full) non-reserved area. Interesting side note: The 09:10 Alpico Bus from Nagano to Hakuba was of course full - but they had lined up several busses and we got there in time anyway.

I was there! Just back in Hong Kong. I will sort my images later.

misorano You got mail! I hope we can hook up Sat afternoon. Please speak to fjef too!

Any more kids around? We'll be in the Happo Saka area Sat. afternoon, Sunday and Monday.

ATM usually have a 2-3% currency loss, plus sometimes a fixed handling charge. I will leave this afternoon for Tokyo. I bought some Yen cash. I also bring some leftover US$ and EURO for emergency. And of course we have credit cards too....

You know you are getting older when.... ..you carefully check the expiry date on your condom 3-pack.

Quote: Originally posted by MaxundKarl: In the last thread Davo was writing about a backpacker above Tracks. Has anybody the name/page/e-mail? Maybe this one: http://www.snowbedsjapan.com 2937-304 Hokujo Hakuba mura Kita-Azumi-Gun Nagano Prefecture Japan 399-9301 Tel/Fax: +81 (0)261-72-5242 Mobile Eng : +81 (0)90-7310-4032 Mobile Jap :+81 (0)90-7307-2939

For German speakers that's quite a challenge: Blaukraut bleibt Blaukraut und Brautkleid bleibt Brautkleid It has the same effect as "Truly rural".

I bought a pair of football socks (that is soccer to some). They are up to the knee and one-size-fits-all. No problem on my size 13 foot! Interestingly they are japanese made.

Maybe a silly question: Does that place serves "Mulled Wine"?

fjef Great! Perfect fit for my 8 year old boy! See you at the party! Any others?

That show seriously passed its expiry date. Certainly another no-see for me. I wonder if their flat is even wheelchair friendly?

I worry about my US 13 size..... And anyway, I had no ski socks before and had no big problems.