Japan Trip Day 1
Day 1, Thursday March 12th
After a couple nights of very little sleep, I once again only got five hours sleep before having to get up at 4:30 to get to the airport. I flew out from Gold Coast airport which is roughly a 3 hour drive from Toowoomba. I left my car at Jaz's place and they got their father to drop me off at the airport. Checked in with plenty of time so sat down and had a chat with Jaz, ate some food and drank the water I wasn’t going to be allowed to take on the plane.
Gold Coast Airport
Flight left on time and had a pretty good seat next to the window with nobody beside me with the slight downside of being over the wing and on the right side of the plane so I didn’t see much and what I did was ocean. Flight was fairly smooth but had strong head winds the whole way making the flight an hour longer. Had a headache and bad stomach for most of the flight which was no fun and the kid behind me, about three quarters of the way into the flight had had enough (as had I but wasn’t saying it). I had taken a few snacks with me so didn't have to buy the overpriced Jetstar food.
Landed at 7:45pm (Japanese Time) which, as said was and hour latter than had planned. Managed to get through checkout and customs with out to much of a hassle but was the first true shock of being in a country where most people don’t speak English. Wandered around the terminal trying to get my bearings and work out the best way to get into Tokyo. Decided on the bus even though it was one of the more expensive ways but it let me see the lights of Tokyo and took me right to Shinjuku station (even though I would have preferred Shibuya but that was another hour wait).
The drive was good and saw Disney Land at night all lit up and just the sea of city lights that seemed to stretch forever! Got dropped at the side of the road not even knowing where the station was but followed some others down stairs and got in the mix of thousands of people. I spent almost an hour wandering around the station trying to find how to buy a ticket and the right line to take. I had a print out of the station and lines I needed from Juunana and finally found where to buy a ticket and the platform to go to. I was sooooo happy to see the 'English' button on the ticket machines!
On the way up the stairs to the platform for the train the handle of the extender thing you use to wheel the suitcase broke off so now I can’t put it back down and will have to buy a new bag before I leave or fix it. Manhandled it onto the train then off the train to where I had to transfer to. Got on the other train and at the first station had my first experience of a Japanese, squeezed in sardine train with everyone just pushing in. I then had to find my way off the train trying my lousy Japanese ‘excuse me’.
Outside Station Waiting
I had been trying to send text messages to Juunana telling her I was there and the phone was saying they were going through but apparently not. Found the exit Juunana would most likely use and waited a while to see if I got lucky, which I did as she found me. Had a happy reunion as it has been ages since seen each other. Bought some spaghetti from the convienence store and walked to where Juu and Spacexat are living. It was so good to see them both again and after catching up found the sleep I had been longing for.
After a couple nights of very little sleep, I once again only got five hours sleep before having to get up at 4:30 to get to the airport. I flew out from Gold Coast airport which is roughly a 3 hour drive from Toowoomba. I left my car at Jaz's place and they got their father to drop me off at the airport. Checked in with plenty of time so sat down and had a chat with Jaz, ate some food and drank the water I wasn’t going to be allowed to take on the plane.
Gold Coast Airport
Flight left on time and had a pretty good seat next to the window with nobody beside me with the slight downside of being over the wing and on the right side of the plane so I didn’t see much and what I did was ocean. Flight was fairly smooth but had strong head winds the whole way making the flight an hour longer. Had a headache and bad stomach for most of the flight which was no fun and the kid behind me, about three quarters of the way into the flight had had enough (as had I but wasn’t saying it). I had taken a few snacks with me so didn't have to buy the overpriced Jetstar food.
Landed at 7:45pm (Japanese Time) which, as said was and hour latter than had planned. Managed to get through checkout and customs with out to much of a hassle but was the first true shock of being in a country where most people don’t speak English. Wandered around the terminal trying to get my bearings and work out the best way to get into Tokyo. Decided on the bus even though it was one of the more expensive ways but it let me see the lights of Tokyo and took me right to Shinjuku station (even though I would have preferred Shibuya but that was another hour wait).
The drive was good and saw Disney Land at night all lit up and just the sea of city lights that seemed to stretch forever! Got dropped at the side of the road not even knowing where the station was but followed some others down stairs and got in the mix of thousands of people. I spent almost an hour wandering around the station trying to find how to buy a ticket and the right line to take. I had a print out of the station and lines I needed from Juunana and finally found where to buy a ticket and the platform to go to. I was sooooo happy to see the 'English' button on the ticket machines!
On the way up the stairs to the platform for the train the handle of the extender thing you use to wheel the suitcase broke off so now I can’t put it back down and will have to buy a new bag before I leave or fix it. Manhandled it onto the train then off the train to where I had to transfer to. Got on the other train and at the first station had my first experience of a Japanese, squeezed in sardine train with everyone just pushing in. I then had to find my way off the train trying my lousy Japanese ‘excuse me’.
Outside Station Waiting
I had been trying to send text messages to Juunana telling her I was there and the phone was saying they were going through but apparently not. Found the exit Juunana would most likely use and waited a while to see if I got lucky, which I did as she found me. Had a happy reunion as it has been ages since seen each other. Bought some spaghetti from the convienence store and walked to where Juu and Spacexat are living. It was so good to see them both again and after catching up found the sleep I had been longing for.