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COUNTRY CODE
+81 (6)
CURRENCY
JPY100 = PHP52.33/US$1.23
TOUCHDOWN
Take the Nankai Express Rapit
from Kansai International Airport to Osaka (38
minutes to Namba station) and the JR Haruka
limited express (33 minutes to Tenno-ji, 51 minutes
to Shin-Osaka).
www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/access
BY DAY
You may have missed the
hanami
or cherry
blossom season last month, but Osaka’s parks are
still great places to relax in. Visit the Osaka Aquarium
in the Tempozan Harbor Village; it features aquatic
life that thrives in the Pacific Rim.
BY NIGHT
Dotonbori is one of the city’s most
popular tourist destinations for shopping, food and
entertainment. Marvel at the many neon lights
and mechanized signs that illuminate the streets at
night, including the iconic Glico Running Man.
SLEEP
Kaneyoshi Ryokan in Dotonbori has comfy
Japanese-style rooms. It’s very close to shopping
areas and 30 minutes from Universal Studios.
front@kaneyosi.jp, www.kaneyosi.jp/english.htm
JAPAN
OSAKA
Daisuke
Hiraishi
graduate
CAMBODIA
SIEMREAP
COUNTRY CODE
+84
CURRENCY
KHR100 = PHP1.05/US$.02
TOUCHDOWN
From the Siem Reap-Angkor
International Airport, hire a
tuk-tuk
for about US$5
(PHP213); it will take you 20 minutes to reach the
town proper. But most hotels offer a free pickup
service, so make sure to book in advance.
BY DAY
Angkor’s temples are an obvious choice, so
escape the crowds and walk or mountain-bike along
the top of the Angkor Thom wall. It’s 12km around,
nicely green and quiet. You come upon gates every
3km so you can shorten the journey if you like.
BY NIGHT
Mebon Restaurant is a truly Khmer
experience. It’s not fancy, and you’re likely to be the
only foreigner in this large beer hall/restaurant with
live singers, dancing, and exotic cuisine like monitor
lizard and deer.
Off Route 6, Airport Rd.
SLEEP
Quiet, stylish and well-run, Heritage Suites
is a Relais & Chateaux property close to town,
located next to a school/temple. Good value for
money.
Near Wat Po Lanka, tel: +855 63 969 100
Scott Coates
owner,
www.
smilingalbino.com
TREVOR MOGG
LESTER LEDESMA
BESTBREAKFAST
Freshly baked
croissants, sausages, Khmer coffee and free
Wi-Fi at Bougeviller
(St. 7, Old Market Area).
BESTSOUVENIRS
Visit 1961
(River
Rd., Upper West Side)
— a small hotel,
gallery, café and quirky gift center in one.
BEST DINNER
Head to the Angkor
Hospital for Children
(Acha Mean Rd.,
angkorhospital.org)
to learn about the
social struggles of Cambodia.
LOCAL SPEAK
Try Makete, an
Osaka dialect. “
Okini”
is an informal way
of saying “thank you.”
BESTFESTIVAL
The Kishiwada
Danjiri Festival in September has people
pushing shrines on wheels.
MUST-TRY
Taste Osaka street food
such as
okonomiyaki
(pancake with the
filling of your choice) and
takoyaki
(grilled
or fried octopus).