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Nara is one of the most amazing places in Japan. Its gigantic Buddhas and impressive wooden temples create a wonderful feeling of zen and tranquility.
In this peaceful park, antiquity meets fauna as young deer prance about the UNESCO listed site.
But not all is perfect in paradise. Every day in Nara – old ladies and young girls are suffering cruel and horrible fates.
On the day I visited, I witnessed and captured one of these horrific attacks. Please use your own discretion, the image below is unsettling.
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“Thank you.” said the polite Japanese lady.
Japanese ‘cup’ cakes
Had a hair in my dinner last night.
At last, a sushi chef who takes the saying “use every part of the animal” seriously.
“Ah, waiter there’s a hair in my sushi. It is long, coarse and stinks of saddles.”
In the race for most popular sushi, this horse finished last.
I don’t know if it was the promise of animal hair, or the unappetising lack of spacing in ‘rawhorsemeat,’ but the Japanese locals were definitely not backing this horse.
Soon after this photo was taken, the old horse made one final lap then was taken off the track and put down. (Literally.)
…and while you’re at it,
Dug can be very dangerous. Don’t be fooled by his cute floppy ears or charming posture.
Photo by contributing retorter Amanda Maddock
Some hotels provide slippers, robes or maybe a little chocolate on the pillow to make guests feel welcome and comfortable. On a recent stay in China, I opened my cupboard to discover this…
Please follow the ‘diretons’ carefully.
The Holocaust Helmet… when a fire exit just isn’t enough.
Singapore is an advanced city leading the world in sustainability, technology and design. According to the picture below, it really is ahead of its time…
Christmas comes earlier and earlier every year doesn’t it?
Note: at the time of writing this, it is December 2010.
Some get on their soap box, others just use one of these.
Thailand. Also known for its raves.
Photograph by contributing retorter Amanda Maddock
Singapore. It’s clean, ordered and very, very strict. A city where being gay, chewing gum or not flushing the toilet can lead to fines, imprisonment, caning or even worse. William Gibson’s famous article on the subject was entitled “Disneyland with the death penalty.”
This official video from the Singapore LTA (Land Transport Authority) and Public Transport Council outlines in simple terms how to behave on public transport. With their severe and unforgiving laws, it would be well worth watching before your next trip. But be warned, the following video is shocking.
Click the image below.
Singapore really is a ‘fine’ city.
Video via Graeme Haddon.
Apparently ‘Masterbato’ was on the shortlist, but ‘Wanko’ is easier to get a handle on so they went with that.
Some shop keepers can be such wankos.
Usually 12 step programs are meant to outline a course of action for recovery from addiction or compulsion.
However, here is a 12 step program designed to do the opposite. If you follow these steps, you will develop obsessive compulsive disorder.
Step 12: Turn off water by touching dirty tap with clean hands. Return to step 1 and clean hands thoroughly as instructed.
Step 2: Dispense soap with elbow. Well, they say that step 2 is always the hardest.
The Frost Retort 