Arriving in Japan

(I have sent this already to a couple of family members and close friends so apology for the repeat here.)

Excuse typos. Not much time to proofread.

I don’t know how much time I’ll have to write but today is free so thought I’d try. I awoke at 3 am yesterday morning. At 4 am I had an Uber at the door. A lovely Pakistani man who chatted all the way to the airport. He told me all about his tiny camera he took to the beach with his family. We then discussed the future of technology re cameras, glasses you wear that translate foreign languages and on it went. Yes, 4 a.m. Made me laugh to see such energy at that hour. He was so kind and helpful. 

Thankfully the plane was on time and Hobart airport’s new security system was a breeze. Don’t have to take off shoes or take out laptops any more. Lovely. Plane on time. 

Got to Sydney and we were in a holding pattern for an extra 20 min to land. When we landed I had 1 hr 20 to get to the international terminal  that is a 10 min bus ride away, through security and find the gate. I didn’t stress but I sure thought about stressing. 

Luckily the bus was accessible by Gate 15 and we disembarked right next to it. The bus was waiting and I hopped on. Then I tried not to stress thinking will my luggage make it. My lovely small pink bag. Another surprise was Sydney now has a security line just for business passengers of which I thankfully was and no one ahead of me. With all my camera gear, etc I was sure they’d stop me. Many cords throughout for all my technology. I’m sure they were looking for the attached stick of dynamite. But, no, not a problem and off I went. The gate was a four minute walk. I knew this as there was a sign that told me. Another surprise. 

Then a 45 min wait to catch my breath. There must be an easier way to carry kgs of camera gear and heavy purse with all my old lady meds, iPad, Kindle, etc. 

Once on I settled into my cubby house towards the pointy end of the plane. The toilets were next to the entrance of the cockpit so happy I didn’t confuse the two signs. COCKPIT, toilet. I was on Japanese airlines now and all the announcements were in very speedy Japanese language and even speedier English language, none of which I could hear or understand.

During the next 9.5 hours I first checked to make sure the seat would totally recline. I had only had 2 hrs sleep the night before because who sleeps waiting for a 3 am alarm. I could never be a commercial baker. 

A meal was served almost immediately because it was only about 10 am and they had to make us believe it was 10 pm. I had had an omelette and a couple of really good sausages which I hardly ever eat on the Hobart to Sydney flight. Not heart healthy food but it tasted good. So by the time my Japanese entree came at 10 am I was not that hungry. The menu I received was extensive. I settled for a sampler Japanese plate and water. I received 6 tiny tasting dishes on a white tableclothed table the flight attendant whipped out of nowhere behind a secret panel. I was wondering where it was. There was a hidden panel. The little dishes had an assortment of foods. The Japanese do little dishes like the contestants of master chef. There was one dish that had little bits of roe (cavier) on it, which I love but eating cavier eggs with chopsticks was an achievement that I was proud of. One egg at a time. I’ll be looking to catch a blowfly mid air this coming summer with our chopsticks at home. 

Next stress was wondering what immigration would be like. Would my bag make the transfer? 

When you get off the plane you head towards immigration. Immigration is like a large Australian sheep station. Millions of sheep with coloured lines drawn all over the floor and a hundred or so staff `right there directing everyone. It is so nice to see a business that’s open with enough staff to help you. Kind of like the old days. 

I got slotted in line A. I had filled in my arrival card online when waiting in Hobart to depart. When you answer all the questions about going to jail if you have a piece of meat or a plant in your bag. I was happy about that. Once finished a qr code is emailed to you which I saved like gold. So back in Line A.. You pass through various cameras that are everywhere. You come across a station and there is one place to put your passport, one place to lie your phone down with qr code and one place to put both index fingers of your right and left hand to get finger printed. Then you look up and your picture gets taken. Made me wonder what they do when one gets arrested and is being processed down at the station. 

Then off to the baggage carousel. I couldn’t check on my phone for my apple air tags to see where my pink bag might have been as it would not connect until I got out of the terminal. So it was a surprise when I saw it coming up the livestock chute . 

Then as I turned, another staff member rushed over to tell me to go to another lane A. Nothing to declare. Others got assigned to B, C, D and E. Makes you wonder what line E involves. They intuitively seemed to recognise a tired Aussie tourist. 

Did I mention as you leave the customs area of the airport you walk up to a full length mirror? As you look at the length of your entire body it fires off a large flash and your whole body has just been photographed. Makes you wonder where all the photos go. It would be fun to see all those portraits. Face expressions, outfits. Maybe the dark web? Who knows. 

Next livestock lane was the taxi line. A long line with a longer line of taxis. When my turn came; the lines move fast; I was asked if it was just one person. I said, Yes, and immediately got moved from line B to line A. A smaller taxi arrived. I showed the older driver my paperwork for hotel name. He typed a few things in his phone from his guard like enclosure of the front seat and off we went. About 45 minutes later I was at my hotel and bags were on the footpath. 

It was now after 8 pm Japanese time. We are 2 hours behind Hobart time. We had to wait almost 30 min in our plane once we had landed around 5:20 for airplane to find a parking place. Isn’t that always the case finding a place to park. 

Maybe it was closer to 7:30 pm. I got checked into my very lovely but very small hotel room on the 6th floor. Dumped everything on the adjoining bed. Hit the bathroom then the shower. Japanese showers and toilets are another story. 

The toilet seat is heated, there are buttons to push if you want a squirt of water sprayed at you up the old clacker, and music can be played to cover any noises you might want. I just had a big wee and as I turned around to flush, the toilet flushed itself automatically. Made me jump. Then into the shower room . That had a few things I cannot even begin to describe. Had a quick shower then couldn’t find a big towel anywhere so used a hand towel to dry. Then found the big bath towel tucked under the sink. Another secret compartment. 

By then I needed fresh air and food. Went out to front of hotel and blinded by all the beautiful lights and fresh air. Probably around 13C / 56F.

There is a very large arcade like structure next to hotel. You can walk down different hallways and lots of restaurants. Mostly small and filled with staff and customers. I saw a single table setting next to a wall and braved my being slightly nervous and sat down. Didn’t need to be. Friendly staff treat you like royalty. I had a hot bit of gas plate built into the table top. I was brought a couple of very small utensils that were shaped like Michigan snow shovels. A wet towel and a menu. It was in both languages. 

I ordered ramen noodles and pork and a Sapporo beer. The beer came cold and in a very tall bottle. But flying is very dry and hydration is always needed. I’m not much of a drinker but a cold beer after the day I had was enough to make a person drool. 

Next thing an older man from the kitchen came out from the kitchen and threw a plate of ramen noodles, chopped onion and very thin pieces of pork onto the big burner in my table. It started sizzling and I grabbed the tiny snow shovel and started to flip everything around. I was in cooking mode. Then another waiter appeared and leaned under the table and turned off the gas. I was relieved as I wasn’t sure how long I was going to have to move my food around before it burned. I then put it on my little plate and began to eat it. It was so good. My chopstick skills were improving. Eating long noodles with chopsticks was fun and I finally got the knack of doubling up the noodles. You really don’t want noodles draped across your chest. I was starting to get my second wind.

Hit the bed at 10 pm and was asleep immediately. Woke up at 5:30 for a drink of water and a wee. Knew that toilet was going to jump at me again and this time waited for it. Back to bed. Up at 7:30. Hit the elevator for the 3rd floor breakfast at 8:30.

First up was the coffee machine. I saw a picture of a coffee with milk and pushed the button. A plateful of pineapple and grapes with a big spoon of yogurt over it hit the spot. The coffee is quite bitter. Not like any coffee I’ve had before but it was hot. 

It is now 9:52 am. It is raining out. I think I’ll go out on the street and through the arcade and get some street photos. I realised I packed the wrong cord to my iPhone so need to find another one so I can at least take some photos for instagram. Being the influencer I feel I ought to be for older people, I need a few selfies with the victory sign in the air. Lol. Need to find a cute dog or cat to pose with. Many dogs in Japan get pushed around in prams with an assortment of outfits. Ollie and Peannie would fit right in. Those of you with bigger dogs maybe not so much. 

Well I hope you have enjoyed the trials and victories of Day 1 in Japan.

I will try to ipdate you as we go but no more posts this long as our photo leader Luke will have us running circles with the camera. He is already been talking of night sky, landscape, temples, macro, street photography and I’m sure he will think of more things. Tomorrow we meet just before 3 pm in reception where the six ducklings will meet up with Luke. We’ll all have our cameras. We have a dinner in a restaurant across the strret around 6. The next day we get the bullet train up the east coast. Pretty much to the top of this big island we are on. After that it is anyone’s guess what happens. The six photographers and Luke are communicating through WhatsApp. Luke is already excited telling us the mountains towards the north have snow.  I wondered why he told us to bring thermals, polar fleece and beanies. 

I’m saying goodbye now and hope to keep you posted. Writing helps me sort my feelings so hope you don’t mind. Love to you all. Pam🌻

My first souvenir. It is smaller than it looks. They come with so many outfits but I liked this one. I don’t buy many , if any souvenirs, unless it’s a journal or a pen, so this may be it. It seems to be the IN thing to hang a Miss Kitty from all your bags.

The Japanese word for thank you sounds like aligoto. I’m so afraid I’m going to say affogato as I am not great with languages.