Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Nara...

No matter how many times I've visited Kansai, or how long I've stayed in Japan, I still had never been to Nara! So after many friends telling me to go, I made the long awaited trip via Kyoto! To be honest, I didn't know what to expect from Nara, but it definetly exceeded all of my expectations! Hopefully I can return to explore it more soon!
So I'll let the photos do the talking for now...Todaiji Temple!
Beautiful scenery, unspoiled, I really like it here...Relaxing!
Nice relaxed countryside atmosphere, where Deer run wild!
...and a nice atmospheric view over Nara at dusk time!
Kofukuji Temple...

Typhoons Suck...

But being used to rain and storms, It didn't stop me...

Friday, October 30, 2009

Kyoto...

Staying in Yokohama is always great, and close to Tokyo, and Fuji, but in reality, thats about it! Staying in Osaka opens up much more options to explore all of Kansai. Easy and close access to Kobe, Nagoya, Mie, Nara, Okayama, on to Hiroshima etc, and of course Kyoto! So next on my list was Kyoto... abusing the great JR Pass while I still can, Kyoto is only 15mins away on the Shinkansen!
Just a short train ride from Kyoto to Inari Station you will find this!
Fushimi Inari Shrine! VERY famous and I can see why...Beautiful
I have always wanted to go here for years and photograph the many Torii Gates that make up this shrine 'walkway' built on Inari-San! Unfortunatly it was raining alot with the typhoon closing in, so I had to make the most of it! Here's the view along the walking trail, inside the 'tunnel' still dry even if raining! Hopefully next time is sunshine!
Definetly somewhere I would recommend, and return to again!
After all that it was back to Osaka for some Kansai dinner and beer!

Osaka Castle...

Making plenty of free time, so thought I'd check out some more of Osaka, especially some of the cool places I hadn't been to before. So off with some friends to visit the recommended Osaka Castle!
Out of all, this has to be one best presented Castles I've seen!
Floors of history, take your time to study it all on the way up...
Then you get to see this great view of downtown Osaka, and towards the Port! Awsome! Of course I was standing at the top chattin' to lil Moko on the phone haha, this was the view I was explaining!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

On the move...

After killin' a few days with friends in Yokohama, it was time to be on the move again. Catch the Shinkansen from Shin-Yokohama...
Next stop was Kansai . . . Osaka to be precise!
Then rolled into the new crib, just off the Midosuji Line...
10 mins from downtown Osaka, but still quiet enough to relax!

Random Snap...

After all the dramas, made it back to Tokyo...More updates soon!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009



Just a quick message to explain the lack of updates coming over the next few weeks...the simple reason being..I'm in Japan! More soon...

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Need For Speed: SHIFT

Been playing the new NFS for a few days now, and im quite surprised how good it is. Of course it's not REAL, and all the haters will complain about every little inaccuracy or glitch in the game, but overall its good arcade style fun gaming, thats what matters to me!

Starting to really get into it. The game opens up alot more as you progress, and get into higher levels of tuning. The fine setup and tuning is VERY good, and has a very realistic affect on the car, just the same as real life settings. For now I built the '86 replica, my old 180sx, and currently racing Career mode with my Nur R34 GTR!
Naturally I had to build an AE86 replica..Trueno though :(
From this angle it's perfect..full drift setup (Silverstone above)
For some turbo drift fun, I built a replica of my old 180sx...
Now for Career, Race, Grip and Time Attack mode...R34 GTR

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Random Pic...

Random pic time, hmmm now which looks best...can't choose? BOTH

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Truck Time...

Just another quick update from the weekend. The show in Belfast wasn't just for cars, it was also host to a Truck Show. Interesting... To be honest I didn't think I would enjoy seeing them so much, but how wrong was I?! The work, presentation and attention to detail in these Trucks is simply amazing, and that's why I enjoyed them so much. It's something I can relate to (not just in cars) in everything I do in life...Just a few photos, now I'm wishing I took some more!

I especially liked this tribute to legend 'George Best': R.I.P
One of my favourites, the R.S Carmichael Truck...
The attention to detail was amazing on the 'Joey Dunlop' tribute. Stunning airbrushing and paintwork, custom parts and chrome trim, and even Carbon fibre wheel guards! Really have to appreciate this!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Belfast Show...

Some more photos from this weekend's car show in Belfast..
The AE86 was invited, representing TRIAL...looking good!
Nicely done ER34, URAS kitted, and plenty of Carbon!
One of my favourite cars from the weekend's show...CRX
Running a H22A Conversion..oh yes, with a Turbo! Very tidy!
Definetly had to mention this Mk5 VW Golf...Beautiful build
Cars to appeal to everyone were invited along...Rotary RX7
Turbo'd MX5, great build, this would be so much fun to drive!
My friend's 600 bhp 'Clover Auto' tuned Soarer was also there!
Overall winner was this stunning 600bhp Lancer Evo...Awsome!

Taste of America...

Just a quick update of whats been going on...Local Car show!
For a change, it was great to see some American talent!
Stunning Mustang and TransAm, but my favourite, this 'GT500'..
Of course it wouldn't be right if there was no General Lee..

Friday, September 04, 2009

Kickin' it in Kansai...

Just check out this video from Kansai All Stars event at Meihan Circuit. I think its one of the best things I've seen in the drift scene for a while now...I can't wait to hitup MSC @ Meihan next month!

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

A.I-700 Evo...

Some quick snaps of the A.I Autosport latest built A.I-700 Evo!
Simple, understated, but pure quality and Performance!

Mean looking car, and Street legal at 700+ BHP...
Car started as a Standard Evo IX FQ 340 now she is an Ai-700...

Arrow 2.2 Crank
Arrow Rods
CP Pistons
Head Port and flow
Ai Custom Grind Piper Cams
Vi-Pec Ecu
Walbro Fuel Pump
Bosch 044 Fuel Pump
Rc 1000cc Injectors
ARP Head Bolts
Tein Monofelx with EDFC
Ap Big Brake Kit
Shearer 950R Turbo Kit
Purple Tial Dump Valve
HKS Kansai Air Box
HKS Kansai Inlet Manifold
HKS EVC VI
HKS Twin Plate Clutch
HKS Rad Cap
HKS Oil Cap
HKS Exhaust
HKS Fuel Rail
HKS Head Gasket
Boomba Racing Throttle Body
Forge PS and Coolant Tanks
Ingals Torque Damper
Koyo Radiator
Samco Hoses
PW JDM Purple washers and Bolts
Powerflex Engine Mounts
Rota GTR wheels
Damd Skirts Side and Rear
Ralliart Splitter