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An unexpected extra  night in Incheon, South Korea, as Bleungberg didn’t fancy going ‘cattle-class’ with Chinese petty-traders on the boat to Yantai, China today, and instead opted to stay an extra night to sail ‘business-class’ to Qingdao tomorrow. It’s just as well as it gave us an brief insight into the business of love motels here in the port.

It’s not technically a love motel but it once was, and the tacky and sleazy decor have certainly remained, as have the subscription to the porn channels. Mind you, for GBP15.oo a night, this represents excellent value - underfloor heating, double-bed, 12 noon check-out, a 28″ HD TV with over 100 channels, free internet in-room (high-speed, of course), free ginseng drinks in the fridge, a convenient location - this is simply unbeatable value.

In fact, accommodation has been truly outstanding here in South Korea - from the supreme Toyoko Inn in Busan (GBP 30 and it feels like 5*) to the GBP35-a-night Kaya Hotel with a room as big as you could imagine, South Korea is fast becoming one of Bleungberg’s all-time favourite destinations. Everything is so cheap as well, which helps, and made all the more memorable by the biting Siberian blast and flakes of sleet which somehow makes the freeze in New York seem warm by comparison.

The food has been great, too, but one would naturally get a little tired of the spicy dishes which accompany every meal after a few days. Fortunately, there are enough choices to keep us going. Interestingly, Bleungberg reckons we’ve had the best bread ever here in South Korea.

So, Bleungberg will be back - one day - as we would like to see a bit of the countryside. The cities can be skipped as they all look as grey and concrete-like as each other, and frankly, none of them is particularly attractive anyway.  

All in all, a fantastic country, with an earthy and gritty feel to it which was lacking in Japan though one should only ever consider visiting this place at any time other than the summer which would probably be too much to bear with not just the oppressive heat, rain and possible typhoons, but also intense pollution and horrible grime. We can’t imagine how many rats would be roaming the dirty streets then.

Christmas greetings from Busan, South Korea at the end of a week of inter-railing through Japan and the roughest boat-journey ever across to this Korean port. Bleungberg actually spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day morning in Hiroshima, which was a humbling experience, for obvious reasons. Not that we cared - the Atomic Bomb memorial and its fascinating museum were jam-packed with locals and foreigners alike. Other like-minded individuals had obviously given up on Christmas, too.
 
Anyway, eight days of hopping on and off the bulletin trains from Tokyo downwards and we have no hesitation in naming this the best country that we’d ever visited. The reason is simple: it’s the most wonderful place in the world. We at Bleungberg often judge a place by three things: transport, food and its cities, and Japan wins handsomely on every level. Its transport systems are not only superb, but breath-takingly well-organised though a little expensive but we’ll let that one pass. For example, Tokyo’s subway system looked like a mindfield on paper, yet works supremely well in spite of numerous competing franchises. The same could be said for other cities which we’d visited this time, but as a veteran (or geek) of the world’s numerous other transport systems, only Hong Kong can rival that of Japan. Of course, don’t even let us get started on those beautiful bullet trains….
 
In addition, there’s plenty of history - both modern (Hiroshima) and ancient (Kyoto) - culture, fashion, nature (Miyajima) to enjoy in relative ease and safety. (If Hong Kong is sheer madness, then Tokyo is utterly crazy on a different scale) Also, we cannot begin to tell you how hassle-free the past week has been. Maybe it’s because we’d spent too many weeks in the ‘Third World’ lately and all that makes Japan the perfect remedy to restore one’s faith in travelling in that not everyone’s out to mug you or  to con you, and that you don’t have to watch over your shoulder all the time. Sure, there are language barriers (though you’d be surprised at how much easier it is to know Chinese words…until it comes to the speaking part, of course) but ‘talking’ to the Japanese is another reason to like this place. We can’t think of a more unfathomable bunch of people in the world - are they introverted or not? Are they genuinely this polite? (Can anyone?) Does the wife who barbeques the skewers really hate her husband behind all that smile and make-up? Does the ever-cheerful lift-attendant in Daimaru (a much-lamented Japanese department store in Hong Kong but continues to thrive here in Japan) hate her job just pressing nine buttons all day? Do the people at 7-Eleven get sick of saying ‘Welcome’ every five seconds? How do the young people afford to look so flashy and trendy? Why do the men insist on looking like Cher? How do they stay so slim????
 
Yes, how do they stay so slim when they are surrounded by so much good food?? If the term ‘gastroporn’ had been created for a place, then this is it. Japan is the mecca of food, the epitome of fantastic cuisine, and the greatest place to have an eating holiday. We had a bet that upon our return to Hong Kong in the new year that we’d be fatter. In eight days, we’ve been binge-eating non-stop; it’s virtually impossible not to do so - there’s food everywhere, and people clearly enjoy it at all hours. Whether it’s at a road-side tent for a late-night skewer, or a mid-morning redbean paste sweet snack, it’s like being in a 24-hour food paradise. What’s great for us is that we don’t have to worry about what we order, so we don’t even need to care what’s on the menu and just drag the waiter outside into the cold and point at the picture/look at other people’s plates to order. There’s no lamb or goat’s cheese anywhere on the menu, so that means anything goes as far as we’re concerned, from deep-fried oysters to pork ramen, pan-fried yam to dough balls with green tea, roast chestnuts, pig’s intestines, chicken livers, rice biscuits in train stations, 7 Eleven, back-street alleys, bus terminals etc etc. There simply isn’t enough time during the day to eat. And there’s too much to eat.
 
That’s just as well as first impressions of South Korea are that food is not as impressive or tempting as Japan’s. Yes, it”s cheaper and plentiful, but the allure and lure just aren’t there. Maybe thatll all change when we get to Seoul tomorrow…

From the heart of Shinjuku, Tokyo, and bleungberg is in heaven - gastronomic heaven.

The culniary scene truly beggars belief - and the city’s not so bad either. Honestly, if there is only going to be one thing we would take away with us when we depart for Korea next week, it is the food. So enjoyable has eating out been that Bleungberg reckons we may never ever visit another place which will offer so much decent grub - and at such good value.

In just three days, we’ve indulged in ramen, rice, countless condiments, meat buns, chestnuts, doughballs, cabbages, red-bean paste sandwiches and just now, udon with rice and tofu.

The best dish, however, came at Kamakura, where we stopped off at a very random store to sample some yam in batter, which was absolutely phenomenal. We have one week left in Japan…..better make the most of it and fatten up….

Thank you to the great British Public for voting multiple Olympic Champion Chris Hoy as their BBC Sports Personality of the Year, beating tax-exile Lewis Hamilton and Barbra Streisand-lookalike Rebecca Adlington.

As in 2007, Christine Ohuruogu barely registed a vote, despite winning the 400m title in Beijing. The face of London 2012 still has a lot of ground to make up to win over the general public.

Bleungberg paid a repeat visit to Sha Tin racecourse yesterday for its annual international raceday, and was plesantly surprised that it managed to be even better than a previous experience in 2003.

What was also different back then was that this particular raceday was enduring local indifference and falling attendance, as Hong Kong punters stayed away from patronising the betting booths thanks to their allergy to anything foreign, ie, horses whose names and forms were completely alien to them. Foreign horses with dubious forms meant one thing - less chance of backing the winner, and hence a raceday with prestige but without the local support.

Five years on, and a completely different story: over HK$1 billion was wagered on the ten-race card - an incredible amount - and the racecourse was absolutely heaving. And according to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, attendance was actually down on 2007 when over 55000 people packed into the magnificent grandstands, and witnessed some terrific action on the turf.

One thing remained, however, and that is Hong Kong people’s rudeness other countries’ national anthems, and - more suprisingly - their reluctance/shyness in singing along to the Chinese National Anthem.

Five years ago, Sha Tin racegoers got one airing of ‘God Save The Queen’ courtesy of Falbrav’s win in the International Cup. There was also ‘La Marseillaise’ and the Chinese National Anthem was played twice, including one for the incomparable Silent Witness.

Back then, local racegoers heeded the words of the MC by standing up to acknowledge the ‘foreign’ anthems, and nobody bothered to sing along to ones dedicated to their ‘motherland’.

Yesterday, it was even worse. La Marseillaise was practially ignored, likewise the rather boring one for South Africa (well done, Mike de Kock!) when half the arena didn’t even bother to respect. Most shocking of all though, was that they greeted the Chinese anthem with the same stoney silence as ‘La Marseillaise’.

Bleungberg had a look around whilst the anthem was being played, and NOBODY sang along - not even mimed. That made Bleungberg feel slightly awkward as we were raring to go, having learned the words to this belting anthem just before the evening news at 6pm on the main TV stations every day - a new fixture in Hong Kong’s television schedule - only to be bitterly disappointed.

We don’t know what to make of that - we reckon people either don’t know the words (very likely), or they are just embarrassed by their poor Mandarin (fairly likely). Most likely though, is that Hong Kongers have no history of singing along to any national anthem - British or Chinese  - and thus came across as decidely unpatriotic. It’s a culural thing.

What the fuck is happening at the BBC?

First of all, they cocked up the Sachsgate by sacking the wrong people. Now, they’ve sacked - or are going to sack - Ed Stourton from the ‘Today’ programme for not being light-hearted enough even though he’s never put a foot wrong in ten years on the programme.

They’re also making massive changes to its already limited but admirable horse-racing coverage by showing just 12-13 days a year - and with nothing between October and April - effectively pulling out of jump racing.

The normally gentile world of ‘Countryfile’ is also getting in on the act with an ageism row with a brutal sacking of its knowledgeable team of fortysomething female presenters and replacing them with a Kaplinsky-like thirtysomething woman called Julia Bradbury, who’s just a little bit too slick to our liking. It has to be said though, that the move to primetime on a Sunday is a great move, but shame it has to be overshadowed by this row.

And that is not all: Strictly Come Dancing has had a shocking season in terms of negative PR and lower-than-expected ratings - and the farcial voting at the semi-final stage was the last thing they needed.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Clarkson might get the sack for making a joke about truck drivers, and likewise Chris Moyles on Polish hookers. Elsewhere, veteran Clive Everton is being downgraded at snooker in favour of lesser, more famous ex-snooker pros behind the microphone.

This general dumbing down is beginning to grate, and once again, questions have to be asked DG Mark Thompson’s leadership. He almost fucked up Channel 4 and is now fucking up the BBC. High time they gave this cretin the elbow instead of the freak show that is Crufts.

History has been made in the Taiwan Strait with direct flights, shipping and postal services being inaugurated between long-time foes, China and Taiwan for the first time in nearly 60 years.

That’s great if you’re Taiwanese and Chinese but absolutely appalling news for Hong Kong and Macau, with an estimated annual loss of HK$30bn to the former British colony through a drop in transit passengers and freight stop-overs. You can just imagine the awful and negative headlines here in Hong Kong - as if the recession isn’t already bad enough!

But, as we have seen from North and South Korea - truces never last and things could easily change once they get rid of the incumbent Taiwanese president - they could always just indict him for the sake of it - so you never know, this Chinese three-way (That’s Taiwan and two Chinese ports) could well be very short-lived.

In the spring of 2007 and 2008, Bleungberg condemned the naked commercialisation of the Boat Race, suggesting that it would eventually end in tears - or in the water, depending on your point of view - and we are very pleased to annouce that we were right!

By ditching its decades-long relationship with the BBC for ITV - thanks to some greedy sponsors who wanted rotating logos - they were playing a high-risk game, knowing full well that if viewing figures didn’t stand up, ITV would drop the event at once.

Unfortunately, the organisers didn’t bank on ITV doing the dirty on them even when the ratings were good; the commercial broadcaster have decided not to renew their contract in order to concentrate on football instead.

Oops.

Cue grovelling Press Releases from the organisers, begging for other broadcasters to pick up the race.

Hopefully the BBC will exact revenge by demanding a lower fee to further humiliate these greedy cunts.