Had a "pre-coordination" meeting (welcome to the world of diplomatic speak) on Wednesday that lasted half a day, prior to the "bi-laterals" on Thursday which will be a full day. The Japanese are hosting us in one of their major Government conference rooms (next to the Australian embassy in fact), I believe the "G7" met here...who knows I could've been sitting in the same seat as someone say like GWB (aaargh erase thought from mind). Anyway this is the room - note the very imppressive lighting feature....even a head of state has got to be impressed, looks like some form of nuclear probe.

croom.jpg


After all that talking time for drinks and dinner. Our out-posted departmental officer in Tokyo took us to Roppongi - this is an area in Tokyo similar to Kings Cross/Darlinghurst in Sydney...namely legitimate bars, restaurants, nightlife (some of it illegitmate) with a bit of seediness thrown in.....many many spruikers soliciting their bar (they all seemed to be Nigerian!). It's also an area where a lot of expats hang out.

Again we went to place that had a good buzz to it, a lot of our embassy staff supposedly go here. Looked like a youngish and hip crowd. We ordered something different here: soup with tongue (very good); daikon (excellent); prawns (very good); and something not so different: sashimi......as well several rounds of beer and sake.

rappongi.jpg


Then for a night cap. After avoiding the Nigerians we found a bar called the Motown House for a few more cleansing ales. Full of mainly expats....nice walls though.

raponggi2.jpg


Then a small 10 minute walk back to the hotel, admiring the sight of Tokyo Tower as we trundled (staggered?) back.

ttower.jpg

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comments

I’m really enjoying your photos, Detlef. Don’t go home! smile

Posted by andrea on 03.12.05 at 04.42am

Think you might have to stay awhile to rid that extra weight you’re gaining ... aha??? Double on the seafood intake but replace those suspicious sounding copious amounts of liquid. Don’t say seafood makes you thirsty ... all seafood knew about water! (That should keep the photos rolling in a while longer)

Posted by Anonymous on 03.12.05 at 11.13pm

What’s a spruiker? Is it like a pitch-man?
Sashimi .... mmmmm .... hamachi sashimi ...MMMMMMMM
I like that bottom picture a lot - what a striking watercolor it would make.

Posted by Karen Winters on 07.12.05 at 05.07am

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