Wednesday – part two and au revoir dear jgontour

Well, it was only a year ago that this actually happened… In fact if you didn’t pay much attention to the date, and omitted to notice 2009, you might think this was all wrapped up in good time.

Our last day in Tokyo was rainy. We borrowed clear, flimsy umbrellas from the hotel which protected us to some degree. I can’t quite remember where we went, but we sought out a material shop for me and a tshirt shop for MM and then had lunch – more of those dumplings and noodles. Yum.

Getting to the airport was slightly hairy – bloody Japan and their credit cardless society! We didn’t have enough cash for the train tickets and then had a panic trying to find a bank with an ATM that would give us money… eeek! Anyway, finally on the train, and to the airport in plenty of time. Even got a few postcards sent last minute like.

Of course the weather had been getting worse and worse and by the time we were taking off they were warning us that it could be very bumpy the whole way etc etc. Just what you want to hear as a worry wart flyer. And it was damn bumpy. Enough for me to say to myself ‘I am never flying again’. The stewardess was very kind and stopped serving dinner to explain to me that no plane ever crashed from turbulence and that planes wings are designed to almost touch they are so flexible. This helped a bit, but only actually touching down relieved the symptoms. We had a little time in Cairns airport (hee hee, Australia again) and then a very smooth (thank goodness) flight to Sydeney, Australia where we were met by MM’s parents to drive us home.

What a trip! So many fantastic things, so many beautiful places, so many great people. What a year. Would I do it all again? With this one year’s thinking time, absolutely yes. With kiddies in tow? Definitely yes. I am so glad I kept this record so that we can look back (as we already have) to see details, directions, places, chronologies. Fan-freaking-tastic. Happy sigh. Thanks for reading along!

xxx

: Two little bescarfed statues. In a back alley.

: Rainy day in downtown Shinjuku (?)

: Such neat, clean taxis. Did I mention they are spotless inside and have lacey covered head rests? And automatically opening doors? That the driver has a cow about when you inadvertently open the wrong side yourself into oncoming traffic?