tripitaka

Originally Posted By: thursday Exactly. I wouldn't. Where would you go? A tachinomiya?

Originally Posted By: thursday why would they be pining for Japanese food? Visit Japan, eat Thai food, sounds most logical. They'd probably go to Bangkok and have Japanese food. True. I just think it's the best value for money down that way. You're not going to do too well in that area finding good Japanese food for under 1000 yen. Likewise, why would you come to Japan and go to a gaijin bar?

Originally Posted By: thursday Fugu, at the restaurants next to the canal is pretty bland. Don't recommend those. What are you talking about? There's some great Japanese restaurants down there. Kinryu ramen, Kani Doraku, Cui-adore. It's the center of Osaka soul food.

I like Bar Zerro for some reason. It has a good balance of trashiness and general good vibes to make it interesting. Club Pure down the block is a bit too much for me, but if you're into alcohol destruction, it works. Anyway, for izakayas/restaurants, you're spoilt for choice. Maybe look at what's available on the Dotonbori river. If you want lunch, try the Thai lunch buffet on Dontonbori for 980 yen.

Might be a good idea. Would think that they put extra buses on but who knows.

Any idea how tight bus reservations are from Osaka to Hakuba after Dec 25? Might have to get up to JR in Umeda and check it out.

That's more or less what my friend says. My friend is about Nat's age so it's not as if he's some young aggro guy. Would like to read his book 'Surf Rage.' I remember almost whacking a snowboarder in Vail who almost took out 3 of us sitting on a bank. I know it's different but I was within a foot of having my head impailed by the edge of a snowboard. 13 years ago, boards were pretty heavy and lethal as well.

The pops and cracks that you hear are likely to come from vinyl. Naturally, it will be a sample from a record. In the manner you describe, I doubt you will get a more authentic sound that is audible to human ear.

I heard the same thing. I have an older mate from Byron Bay who says NY is not well liked. Even then, you don't like to see legends like this getting involved. The only thing I know about SA surfing is that the shark count is as high as you'll get anywhere.

Pretty hard to disagree with that viewpoint. Localism should not be confused with thuggery. Unfortunately, surfing attracts its fair share of wankers. I remember one prick who used beat up on high school surfers for dropping in. Then he used to hang around 1st XV games hoping something would kick off between kids from our school and the school that he had already graduated from. Over in Japan, I hear that some of the Wakayama locals are protective. I know a Maori surfer who lived down there who had his motor scooter thrown into the sea while he was surfing. I don't understand it because

Chile would be pretty cold. The water temperature in Dunedin isn't actually that cold in winter because of warm currents (I don't know where from). However, it's the air temperatures that will break you. The southerlies blow straight in from Antartica. So it's definitely 5 mm suites, booties, hoodies and gloves (depending on your prefs). Surprisingly, there's a strong surf community down there and it's not like they all pack up and go snowboarding for the winter (though a fair number do or head off to Indo or the Pac isalands).

Raglan can be pretty intense from what I hear. They don't tolerate kooks there. BOP is also pretty heavy with the locals. Gisbourne would be the worst and there's been a few court trials over violence. It can get pretty crowded in Mount Maunganui but you would think the artifical reef would provide waves for all. I remember one dickhead at Piha who had a heavy reputation. Much mellower in the SI but Dunedin had a surfer gang mentality when I studied down there. The locals would go to the student pubs for a fight. Actually, I knew a rugbyhead/surfer student who whacked a few of them. Aussi

Whangamata I guess is the home place of NZ's surfing royal family--the Kennings. Mt Maunganui now has an artifical reef. Piha is the best option close to Auckland and works under various conditions. The whole west coast is pretty rugged, except for the gems of Raglan and Shippies. However, it must be said that SI surfing is amazing. The Kaikoura coast, Otago and the Catlins are legendary. The east coast southerly swells are much more consistent than in the NI. Don't know too much about the west, but think it's usually too wild and messy. More ofen than not, you'll be surfing it alone. Du

Not the bar in Sigatoka by any chance? Was travelling through Fiji a few years back and came across people who raved about it (plus easy access).

Anyone surfed NZ? Grew up surfing the East/West coast of Northland, NZ (including the epic Shipwrecks Bay). Was amped to move to the SI for university and surf the Otago peninsula but pussied out pretty quickly because of the cold. Seems like a solid surfing fraternity in Aichi and Kochii. Anyone know the Mitchell bros who were living there? Good surfers and I hear they competed in the local competitions here.

Back in the day, we were in Sorels with the inner ripped out of a ski boot. I think your advice is good though, decent boots and bindings is the ticket. My work is near Himaraya so I went over this lunch time. The longest board they have is 161. There seems to be an issue with getting anything over this height, unless you can afford to spend. I know a Kiwi who's leaving at the end of the year and he rides a longer board again.

I really wonder though. These boards might be the same as those made by Burton, Salomon, K2, etc without the brand and stylee design. Anyone out there with industry experience know the real score?

You sound as thrifty as me. You're welcome to send a message to me. I haven't looked on the Japan web auctions for a board. I might have a look and see what's going.

I was wondering about the 20,000 yen snowboards that you see on sale at Himaraya. What is the verdict on these boards in terms of their quality, durability and safety? Anybody have any idea how they stand up to any of the recongnized brands and manufacturers? The Salomon boots for 20,000 look pretty flash (for a hobo like me anyway). Funnily enough, I was in a snowboard shop in Kobe and I saw a Gnu board that has the identical design to my first board back in 1994. As I haven't been in the snow for 10 years, I was bit surprised to see things go full circle in design.

Is that some kind of racing board that has relatively little flex? It might be a little slick for a punter like me.

I'm looking for an all-mountain board and bindings in particular, preferably 165. Will consider used gear if it's not too beaten up. Don't plan to to be doing any back country after not snowboarding for 9 years, but want something that will handle deeper snow well. If anyone can help, please let me know. I'm based in Osaka.