The day of our departure seemed to jump up on me. I kept worrying that we hadn't brought enough omiyages (gifts) for all our loved ones who we would be seeing and hoped that everybody would like what we chose.
We took John's Taxi (233-8227) to the Honolulu International Airport. We like John a lot and have been calling on him for rides the past several trips we've taken.
We brought an extra suitcase for all the omiyages we would be bringing and also for some Japanese food items we'd ordered to bring back.
My brother, Dennis met us at the airport.
We were seated on the last row of the airplane and it was the MOST turbulent ride we've ever been on. My brain was totally rattled!
It's always surreal to leave Hawaii for Japan since they're a day ahead of us. We left on March 31st, Saturday morning, a little delayed at 10:05 on China Airlines and arrived on April 1st around 2:00 PM. The flight was over 8 hours long.
When we arrived, someone came quickly to help us deplane and get us swiftly through customs. It was amazing!
We sent off some of our heavy omiyages to our relatives and friends through the Yamato Takkyubin (delivery service). I wish we had this sort of thing in the U.S. We were able to send heavy suitcases long distances around Japan for under $20.00.
We caught the airport shuttle to the New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo.
This is a military hotel, so we would be paying for everything in U.S. dollars. We'd also have to leave tips.
Once you leave the New Sanno, tips are generally not expected in Japan. And yet... you get amazing service just because of the pride they take in their work, their company, themselves.
Our friends Sam and Keiko joined us for dinner at the New Sanno's Emporium restaurant. The food was so so, but the service was excellent.
Then there was the sorting and organizing because we would be sending 2 suitcases (packed with the items Sam had ordered for us, generous gifts he and his family had given us, mom's giant snow jacket and things we bought in the gift shop) back to Narita Airport to await us until the end of our trip.
We also sent two suitcases to leapfrog on to Beppu to await our arrival. We would be traveling through Japan with just one suitcase and our three backpacks, meeting our two other suitcases every 2-4 days.
We fell asleep right away and amazingly did not wake up until 5:00 AM!
We took John's Taxi (233-8227) to the Honolulu International Airport. We like John a lot and have been calling on him for rides the past several trips we've taken.
We brought an extra suitcase for all the omiyages we would be bringing and also for some Japanese food items we'd ordered to bring back.
My brother, Dennis met us at the airport.
We were seated on the last row of the airplane and it was the MOST turbulent ride we've ever been on. My brain was totally rattled!
It's always surreal to leave Hawaii for Japan since they're a day ahead of us. We left on March 31st, Saturday morning, a little delayed at 10:05 on China Airlines and arrived on April 1st around 2:00 PM. The flight was over 8 hours long.
We sent off some of our heavy omiyages to our relatives and friends through the Yamato Takkyubin (delivery service). I wish we had this sort of thing in the U.S. We were able to send heavy suitcases long distances around Japan for under $20.00.
We caught the airport shuttle to the New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo.
This is a military hotel, so we would be paying for everything in U.S. dollars. We'd also have to leave tips.
Once you leave the New Sanno, tips are generally not expected in Japan. And yet... you get amazing service just because of the pride they take in their work, their company, themselves.
Our friends Sam and Keiko joined us for dinner at the New Sanno's Emporium restaurant. The food was so so, but the service was excellent.
We also sent two suitcases to leapfrog on to Beppu to await our arrival. We would be traveling through Japan with just one suitcase and our three backpacks, meeting our two other suitcases every 2-4 days.
We fell asleep right away and amazingly did not wake up until 5:00 AM!
Wow! I can't believe how organized you are! Is this pre-planning available in other countries as well? Aren't you afraid your luggage will get lost or stolen? That would bother me. I guess you did not do laundry either.
ReplyDeleteHow do you know all this?! You really could be great travel agents (if you had time to work).
ReplyDeleteWow! It was so incredibly organized. You are again making me realize how talented a traveler you are! :-)
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear about your trip so far.
ReplyDeleteGigi: Yes, a lot of that pre-planning is definitely available for other countries. I know Art did a lot of that when we went to Europe. The Internet has been a god-send. We weren't very concerned about our suitcases because the Yamato Takkyubin service is really an amazingly efficient company. Laundry? Oh YES! We did do laundry. We had only 4-5 days of clothing changes that we brought, but they were for different weather conditions. Every time we met up with our two leapfrogging suitcases we had to re-evaluate what we would be needing.
ReplyDeleteDina: This is actually the 3rd trip we've made with my mother. We've also made a trip with Tif and Jon and then we've also been to Japan individually before Art and I were married. We've picked up quite a bit of knowledge from the previous trips and learned a lot from others.
We also got a TON of help and advice from Art's college buddy, Sam who lives in Tokyo.
DJan: Thanks, DJan! I don't think it's talent so much as acquired knowledge. I sure am exhausted right now though.
Christine: Thank you, Christine. I've now got barely three weeks to organize photos, send out thank you letters, print photos to send to Japan, create a travel photo album for my mother and aunts, write the blog posts for the trip and prepare for my daughter and her family's arrival. Yiiiikes!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip with us. You are such a busy person, with your family committments on top of the trip to dos...you are one fantastic together person! And hard working!!
ReplyDeleteL. from W.
sounds like experienced travelers. Now you get even more pics to scan.
ReplyDeleteKay -- Your family is so organized to enjoy the most from your trips. Glad you all got to go! Maybe you can ask for mid-plane seats on the next trip to avoid the bumpy ride. DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteNo kidding organized. Oh my goodness. It looks like fun though and I now have a hint of traveling there. Maybe someday! Have fun.
ReplyDeleteWow...similar stories. I just found your blog while trying to find a recipe for those "school kine cookies."
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Manoa and now live in IL. I have been her for about 17 years. I was a high school teacher before I moved here and started doing other things.
Our plan is to move back home when we retire someday, too. Hope that happens although this winter was so mild.
I'll follow your blog, so I can see what my future back home will be like!
Wow, that's an amazing system you have. I got lost just trying to follow in reading it!
ReplyDeleteI'm tired already and you are already home...lol!
ReplyDeleteThat amount of luggage would have exhausted me just packing. Amazing what all you were able to bring with you. I'll bet you wanted for nothing.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear the rest of the stories.
You are expert travelers
ReplyDeleteYou and your organization amaze me. I can hardly wait to read of your adventures.
ReplyDeleteYou are so great at traveling and organizing everything! I love the ability to send suitcases and packages ahead in Japan. It made my trip so much easier! Thanks so much for posting this, it is so fun to experience your trip :-)
ReplyDeleteDeniseB: Hello, Denise! It's so nice to meet you. I really appreciate your feedback as I struggle to get my posts about this trip up with the new Blogger set up. I just really wish we could send our suitcases to different parts of the U.S. so easily.
ReplyDelete