Originally Posted By Anatole69 I've heard that the Tokyo Zoo is depressing, unfortunately. HK has a nice zoological and botanical gardens, but that is still no great shakes. Taipei, however, has an excellent zoo... perhaps the best in Asia outside of the Singapore Zoo, since none others come immediately to mind as far as China and Japan go.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***I guess your friends would only offer Johnnie Walker 'blue' label and not subject you to Ireland's Jameson Whiskey as well, right?*** Not in a million years. They would serve this... <a href="http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-2923.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.thewhiskyexchange.c...923.aspx</a> "Suntory Hibiki / 17 years old Japanese Blended Whisky A fantastic Japanese blend, made with aged malt and grain whiskies from Suntory's three distilleries. Spicy and sophisticated, this is great for catching people out at blind tastings. Recently awarded a Gold 'Editor's Choice' award from Whisky Magazine." For relaxing times... <a href="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sR4m5rcqXcM&feature=related" target="_blank">http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=...=related</a>
Originally Posted By barboy ///They would serve this(Suntory Hibiki)/// Right you are......I bought Brother, who appreciates whiskey, a jug of Jonnie Blue(I was told "Blue" is considered good stuff and I know next to nothing about whiskey) last week when I drove down to meet him in Anaheim. Brother and I were talking and he told me that there is a whiskey product out of Japan that recently won a prestigious taste test.....he must have been referring to Suntory.
Originally Posted By barboy BTW that was a very good movie--- Lost in Translation--- and I'd forgotten about Suntory having a part in the movie. I believe Murray was up for an Academy for his role, no?
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< So which part is "spicy and sophisticated", the gas or the dust? >>> I haven't figured that one out yet! I know that's supposed to be good stuff, so I guess I'm just not the whiskey type.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney Well, for zoos in Tokyo, yes Tama zoo is GREAT!!! I use to live 20 mins from there and took the ex for her birthday once. Yes, not as good as Singapore in terms of size, but still nice and NOT depressing .
Originally Posted By MagicalNezumi Speaking of depressing zoos...Ueno Zoo anyone? Yuck. -- MagicalNezumi
Originally Posted By barboy The finest zoo on earth is the San Diego Zoo--- a well financed, beautifully maintained, fully stocked with an impressive array of species and animal exhibits. I haven't been to any in Asia(or any outside of the US)......yet. Ya I know, that's a pretty reckless claim when I've seen maybe 5(including Animal Kingdom LOL!) but hey I'm going by odds here; I just can't imagine any out there better than the SD Zoo.
Originally Posted By barboy ///Well, for zoos in Tokyo, yes Tama zoo is GREAT!!! /// OK then, Tama it will be---no more Ueno for me.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Victoria Peak has to be, arguably, the most impressive and awe inspiring main stream/tourist vista in the world>> I'm thinking the view from Cristo Redentor overlooking Rio de Janeiro could give Victoria Peak a run for its money. Not seen either one personally; just sayin'. Anyway, I'd pick Tokyo over HK, if we're talking about Disney being a part of the mix. Otherwise, I would choose HK, because I haven't been there; I have been to Tokyo a few times.
Originally Posted By barboy ///Speaking of depressing zoos...Ueno Zoo anyone? Yuck./// Oh I believe you since the tour books give the Ueno Zoo and the Tokyo National Museum thumbs up while neglecting TDR and the Tokyo War museum('Yasukuni')---- both the finest in their respective interests, I say I'm sort of at the point where if the Tokyo guide books suggest one place to see over another that I will go for the 'dissed' spot. I couldn't believe just how boring the Tokyo National Museum was--- I want my money back and compensation for time lost LOL. There was nothing there that interested me except for one or two Samurai outfits remotely locked in display cases in a darker room. One big YAWN! But the Yasukuni had me begging for more. What a treat that was. I found it even more captivating than DC Smithsonions, the Paris Louvre, LA's Getty Center, San Fran's California Academy of Sciences and Holland's Van gogh, all very worthy spots indeed.
Originally Posted By barboy ///I'm thinking the view from Cristo Redentor overlooking Rio de Janeiro could give Victoria Peak a run for its money./// Yes, that is very possible, I guess. I haven't seen 'Redentor' yet in person but I've seen it countless times in books/mags, movies and TV and it looks most impressive, impressive indeed!. I'm trying to keep an open mind on that one but I just don't think will surpass Victoria peak's view based on odds since I have already declared Victoria's to be 'perfect'.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Ya I know, that's a pretty reckless claim when I've seen maybe 5(including Animal Kingdom LOL!) but hey I'm going by odds here; I just can't imagine any out there better than the SD Zoo. >>> You really need to check out the Singapore Zoo, especially the night safari. You go in well after it's completely dark and it stays open until midnight or so, so you see nocturnal animals on their naturally-active schedule.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "I'm thinking the view from Cristo Redentor overlooking Rio de Janeiro could give Victoria Peak a run for its money." When I was in Rio, we ended up going to "see Jesus" (as the tour guide called it) on a day with low clouds. It turned out that we were actually just going up into the clouds, and we couldn't see a thing, including the statue that was so close. So my vote still goes to Victoria Peak. Here are some pictures from the top in the clouds. The clearest picture I got: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=38166065&l=12b1b&id=3432828" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/photo....=3432828</a> What the statue looked like most of the time (but the color showed up funny on the camera because of the fog and where the sun was): <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=38616411&l=e6b9f&id=3432828" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/photo....=3432828</a> What we were supposed to see, and what we really did see: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=38616408&l=30ddb&id=3432828" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/photo....=3432828</a>
Originally Posted By barboy OK Superdry and Anatole when I get to Hangapore I will definitely head to the zoo. It's on!!! I'll get some when Universal opens. And this is really great news to learn that that city state has more to offer someone like me other than smelly durian, the gallows and 'Singlish'. Having two compelling pull factors(a stellar zoo and Universal 2.0) instead of just one will get me there much sooner.
Originally Posted By SuperDry Although I highly recommend the zoo, I don't have much good to say about Singapore in general. When I went there, I was expecting something akin to Hong Kong. But after having been to Hong Kong, Seoul, and Tokyo, visiting Singapore was a severe letdown. They try too hard to be a western city IMHO. It's tropical, so you have palm trees and such in the landscape, which makes it different from those other cities (that's just an observation, not a critique). But the real difference was that it was at times very hard to tell that you weren't in some random big city in the United States. That's totally different from those other cities, where you immediately and continuously realize that you're not in Kansas any more. In fact, before I went, I had a friend describe Singapore to me as "It's kind of like San Francisco, but with fewer Asian people." That just about sums it up. Maybe Universal and the other (badly-needed) projects they're doing will change things. Until then, Singapore is not on SuperDry's recommended list of travel destinations. It's currently worth a 2-night visit if you're otherwise making a flight connection to and from elsewhere and therefore will be passing through anyway, but not much more than that. In any event, if you do end up visiting Singapore, the zoo is a "must see" attraction, especially the night safari.
Originally Posted By Anatole69 As a resident of San Francisco, I kind of find it hard to believe that Singapore has the old painted ladies, the golden gate bridge, or that old world feel that makes this city different from LA or San Diego. I think SIngapore has the Chinese influence and the modern cityscape by the bay, but I would be shocked to find anything like Haight Ashbury or the Mission District in Singapore. The San Diego Zoo is pretty damn good. As a San Diego native I might be biased on this, but every tour guide or travel report says it is one of the best in the world. I thought the Taipei zoo was pretty damn good, a cut or two below San Diego, especially in regards to the amount and variety of animals, but they definitely have them in more natural environments like San Diego, a good selection, a nice and lush tropical environment, and a section of Taiwanese animals. - Anatole
Originally Posted By MagicalNezumi Growing up in Southern California, here's another vote for the San Diego Zoo. The Wild Animal Park was also great. I haven't been to either in years however. -- MagicalNezumi
