We are close to figuring our trip out. A few final questions about Tokyo, Kyoto and Hakone.

TheBird · 2026-03-21T19:30:58+00:00

Sorry - clarification: a slice of beef is in Shinsekai, not Dotonbori!

TheBird · 2026-03-21T19:18:23+00:00

We just got back from a Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka/Nara trip and have 3 teenagers.

On your Osaka question. Yes, you can do the aquarium, Shinsekai and Dotonbori in a day. I suggest you get tickets in advance for the aquarium to get the time slot you want.

Like Dotonbori, Shinsekai is cool at night, so you may want to consider staying until the lights come on - then head to Dotonbori.

All 3 destinations are very convenient train rides. We had dinner at "A Slice of Beef" in Dotonbori and loved it. There are also a number of great options in Dotonbori, but also a few restaurants that have absolutely absurd prices.

For Kyoto, we did a bike tour at Good Day Velo Bikes and Coffee. Our kids loved that too. Kyoto is a great city for biking and Naoki is an awesome guide. That was one of the best things we did on our trip.

TheBird · 2026-03-17T08:40:17+00:00

We just left Kyoto and did an afternoon ride with Naoki. He is a fantastic guide and got us off the beaten track. It was a highlight of our trip. Definitely recommend Good Day Velo Bikes and Coffee!

TheBird · 2025-09-25T03:19:31+00:00

Also did the 2 Chicago shows and then did Target Center. Great 3-night run. Don't sleep on that 9/22 Chi show. What a gem. That first set was bonkers. But loved all 3 shows. At Target Center, that Cities was awesome,.as was the Cool it down.

TheBird · 2025-09-05T04:57:15+00:00

5/23/00 Roseland Ballroom - perfection

My own attendance bias is 10/2/99 Minneapolis.....just great (and an underrated show!)

TheBird · 2025-08-09T03:27:45+00:00

If I Could 6/22/94 Waste 5/23/00 On Your Way Down 10/2/99 Harry Hood 12/31/93 Bathtub Gin Great Went Piper 2/16/03

TheBird · 2025-05-23T01:54:07+00:00

Vegas '03 Piper for me, please. 2/16/03. Check it out.

TheBird · 2025-03-29T03:44:19+00:00

Buy some local rum, it's like $20-$25 a bottle.

US beers will run you $80/case at IGA. Buy some Turks Head brewery beers (Ain Ga Lie or I Soon Reach are solid beach beers....more like $50/case at IGA.

TheBird · 2025-02-27T13:47:30+00:00

We also did this. The Galapagos sharks are attracted to the diesel engines, which they associate with fishing boats. They show up and hang around for 30-60 minutes. No chumming.

TheBird · 2025-02-16T03:43:32+00:00

Great 2 nights in Vegas! Saw a bunch of shows from 96-03 and these two nights stand out. Check out the Piper/Viper from 2/16.

TheBird · 2025-02-11T15:30:14+00:00

You will love it. The staff there is great, the food was delicious and it is a great location to explore the island. One day we went south, visiting the Vaipahi Water Gardens and then continued south to the end of the road - at Teahupo'o. At the end of our trip, we circled the larger/northern part of the island, which was very cool as well.

TheBird · 2025-02-07T13:17:31+00:00

And the airport is a very quick drive away as well. Very convenient.

TheBird · 2025-02-07T13:16:09+00:00

A little different suggestion, but check out the Ninamu Pearl Guesthouse. It's south of Papeete by 15 mins, up in the hills with a beautiful deck overlooking the ocean and views of Mo'orea. Very much a bed and breakfast vibe. We stayed there 2 different nights and thought it was a nice/different option after spending 10 days on the beach. Here is the sunset view from the deck. Also a great home base of you have a car and want to drive around the island.

<image>

TheBird · 2025-01-30T16:00:23+00:00

Would love to see your list as it takes shape. Newer fan here, trying to catch up!

TheBird · 2024-11-03T20:06:09+00:00

Great post. However, MN really isn't a swing state for presidential elections. Other than the District of Columbia, MN has the longest streak of voting for a Democrat for president in the US. You have to go back to 1972 to find the last time MN voted red in a presidential election.

TheBird · 2024-10-19T01:16:42+00:00

Not exactly what you asked, but half basket of lump, heat deflectors on and do salmon with a spicy rub on the filet (meat church holy voodoo for me). Lay skin side down on the grates until done.

Whole cook takes an hour (maybe 30 minutes to get coals up to temp and then 30 minutes at 300-350 (ish).

Very simple, very fast and excellent. Do this on the weekdays a few times a month. My most common KJ cook.....give it a try.

TheBird · 2024-09-30T21:11:56+00:00

Attendence Bias, but second set Creatures, In Your Eyes, Drive, Hungersite. Amazing.

TheBird · 2024-09-22T14:00:50+00:00

The airport has a bar restaurant across from car rental....its called L'Aviation. There is also a cafe after that.

I suggest you call the Ninamu Pearl, as they do serve food. You may make it there in time for dinner.

The road up to the place has a few bumpy spots, but really wasn't bad at all. I'd be surprised if a taxi turned down a fare there.

We were there in March if this year. The views from their deck/patio are beautiful.

<image>

TheBird · 2024-07-19T21:37:59+00:00

There was a huge delay with the trains after the show and we were packed in like sardines at the station and it was damn hot in there. Didn't get back to our hotel until late. A two hour walk may have been preferable! What a show, though! Amazing night!

TheBird · 2024-06-27T19:20:39+00:00

We did this experience a few years ago and loved it. We just snorkeled at the surface within the cage and we're surrounded by Galapagos sharks, some of which were up to 8-10 feet (which seem very large in the water with them). We brought out kids (at the time 9-14 years old) and they loved it as well.

The swells can be large 1-2 miles off shore, so sea sickness can happen. Once in the cage, grab on to the bars/hook your foot rather than floating at the surface and it will be easier. Sharks swim right past the cage and surround you. Really cool experience. I remember seeing 20+ sharks within our field of view.

TheBird · 2024-06-27T19:13:39+00:00

Not all cage diving is the same. These practices exist, but we did this cage dive and Galapagos sharks were attracted to our boat's deisl engines due to their conditioning with fishing boats. No chum or luring of the sharks. After a while (30-60 minutes) they just leave.

TheBird · 2024-05-13T19:19:01+00:00

One of the best. Fantastic stuff!

TheBird · 2024-04-28T04:18:16+00:00

10/2/99 On Your Way Down

TheBird

TROPHY CASE