Sunday, December 16, 2012

Japan-land

September 10, 2012
I left my house early in the morning and headed to Renee and Sean's house in Belingham.  I picked them up and we headed to SeaTac for our flight- which was already delayed before I left home.
We parked and caught the park and fly bus with our 5 suitcases and 6 carry on bags- yikes.  We checked in and headed to the gate- for our 2 hour wait. Renee met some people at the gate who were traveling to Asia from Egypt- expats- making friends along the way.
Eventually we boarded and as luck would have it- I had a free seat next to me.  Thank goodness as 10.5 hours is a long flight!  I watched 2 movies- Safehouse and the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.  We were served an early dinner and then the blinds were all drawn, as we were flying towards tomorrow we never had darkness.  After a few hours sleep I was awoken to ice cream bars being handed out- weird but okay, I'll have one.  I managed to lie down and get some more zzz's.  Before I knew it breakfast was being served.  An hour later we landed and it was 6:30 Tuesday evening!
We arrived into Narita airport, had to go through customs and we were expecting hustle and bustle when we go there-but it was very quiet.  We sorted out Sean's school papers, organized delivery of his air freight and got him a cel phone.  We then headed to the airport bus limousine and awaited the bus- outside- oh boy it was humid.  The bus arrived and we traveled for 83 minutes on the bus- really not seeing much as it was dark.  We arrived at the hotel Otani and then had to catch a taxi (remember 5 suitcases, 6 carry on bags and 3 of us!). Thank goodness we only had to go about 3km's (820yen's worth), bungee trunked and front seat piled high.  Eventually we arrived at the Jal City hotel at about 10 at night. Exhausted and jet lagged we went to bed.  Wednesday would bring new sites, smells and sounds.




That was the beginning of 9 amazing days in a city I can't wait to return to.  Tokyo had sites to see the likes of which I never new.  We went to Akihabra- Manga crazy and electronics heaven; Harajuku- girls you have the coolest look; Shinjuku (where we stayed) amazing eats and treats; Shibuya temples that were amazing and so much more.  Cannot wait to go back to this amazing city!