Hanging out with two new friends (From Japan) at the Ayers Rock tourist bar area.

Ayers Rock food menu. I opted for the cheaper food stand around the corner and some groceries from a nearby market. Backpacker budgeting.

Uluru photo

Bed

from inside kakadu

Shortly after this we each had a handful of live ants.

The other Western guide. Did we catch a snake?

Getting ready to go turtle hunting. It seems quite natural out here.
The pole is for...

One of the two Western guides.

Oh yes, we are in the outback indeed. Northern Territory

Making fire. The old fashioned way.

geese

snake photo

sunset

Shinkansen bullet train

Nozomi  trains attain the highest speeds as they only stops a few times

Inside a Shinkansen. Comfy.

Riding the train across the country is more fun than playing pachinko!

More of a thrill than the slower city trains

Even this frog is in awe at the speed of the train!
Actually, it's just a recycling bin found in many subway stations.

My chicken katsu and rice meal for one my train rides.
 

Buying a box lunch is still a "human affair" unlike at some restaurants.
 

Here you buy a ticket for the meal you want,
then go in and give it to the cook/server.

They aren't everywhere, but common enough I found.
Vending machines seem to sell just about everything.

 This was a cool nightlight area of Osaka. The Kirin building in particular is dramatic looking.

It's crowded. Popular place.

Sights and sounds from the Dotombori area

 Another view of the Kirin building.