Welcome to the 2018 blog unfortunately my co-writer is not available till Saturday 28 May.
Monday 23 April
Monday 23 was the flight from Edinburgh to Hong Kong on Etihad. But as it was business class I thought a ‘luxury' night at the Premier Inn before was called for. I received an e mail a couple of days beforehand offering online check in. This turned out to be a good decision as no one was to be found - just check-in machines.
I woke early excited and after a breakfast in the lounge I headed to the gate at 0815 only to find the flight was delayed. The flight was great with lots of wine and champagne
Tuesday 24 April
Arriving in Hong Kong 20 minutes early, immigration was quick and the bag on the carousel when I arrived. No queue at the Airport Express counter and onto the train. Calling Stuart no answer - text and Whats App fared no better . What to do - i decided to get on to the tain anyway. Another call and I got through as Stuart had been in the shower and heard but did not react.
Wednesday 25 April
After a slow start we head to Central for a massage - Mr S had a body and me a foot and leg. However prior to this relaxing time I had encountered and interesting situation. I went to the immaculate (9/10) faculties in the Landmark Buiing only to discover a large gentlemen who clearly needed th afcilities in the ladies with the door wide open He hurriedly left.
A leisurely lunch in Wan Chai followed the massage and back to the flat and a binge watch of the Crown Season 2.
Trevor got home from work we headed to Sai Ying Pun and a meeting with Tom Grace’s boyfriend
Thursday 26 April
Off on HK Express to Tokyo. Up early (with Trevor) check in at HK Station and on the train to the airport. Everything left on time - not quite business class but extra leg room. We were the envy of all as the bento box arrived an hour into the flight. Stuart Soba needle and me a beef and rice. A smooth landing in Narita.
We only had two tasks - bus tickets to the hotel and Shikansen tickets for Saturday. The case arrive but without my ‘hands off this case its mine’ label. Heading to the bus and two tickets to the 1730 bus 50 minutes later then to the JR ticket office. Over an hour later still no tickets, missed the bu and were frustrated.
At the third attempt we go the tickets; change the bus to 1900 and so finally arrived at the JR Kyushu Blossom and checkin to a wonderful room. At some point I will explain to anyone interested the intricacies of Japanese toilets.
Friday 29 April
I woke after a refreshing sleep and off to breakfast despite the complaints of my snoring. Not sure what to expect but the buffet was a great array. Stuart insisted on bringing Weetabix and so we feasted on that as well.
The key objective of the day was a visit to the Imperial Palace. On the underground despite its complexity we arrived but imagine our surprise to find the Palace closed - every Friday it seems. So we headed to the National Museum of modern Art. Not really our cup of tea. The retail therapy and lunch in Ginza.
Lunch took a while to organise as I don’t eat finish and Stuart only certain fish. Takashimiya 7th floor galssses and ceramics but we held back. So we headed abck to finish off the Crown . Unfortunately we exited Shinjuku at the wrong entrance and it became abundantly clear that we lacked map reading skills. Literally and hour later we managed to get to the room - it was a 3 minute walk.
Dinner was no easier to arrange than lunch so we settled for Pizza.
Saturday 28 April
An 0450 start to catch 0650 Shikanasen from Tokyo to Kyoto then on to Tokyo Oka. WE were diverted at Tokyo station which continues to be restored
The multiple entry ticket machines must makes sense to someone but not to me. For some you put in one ticket, some two, some all three. So much chaos ensure that we needed to be guided by the official from JR West.
Nozomi 7 departed on time and past Mt Fuji. But we were faced with 3 changes and only a few minutes bewteen each. At Kyoto we had 14 minutes to get from the Shinkansen to Platform 31. In the rush of keeping Stuart in the distance the case went and so did I. Two Japaneses ladies grabbed and arm each ao spare. The other changes went smooth.nd got me up. We then encountered a steep set of steps and I had to be helped by an elderly gentleman with stick. We made the train with 1 minute to spare.
I tried to imagine the ScotRail conductor bowing to the carriage before inspecting tickets but failed.
stuart had arranged for a hire car and outside the station spotted the Times sign. arriving ether seemed to be no office or staff but it did look like a car park But with all things digital maybe all was needed was code. But after a call to the help line with a translator we did in fact find out we were in a car park. We finally found the office but as it was 1230 and the car booked from 1530 we were told to come back later. Off in search of lunch at the station supermarket and sandwiches and crips and bootle of wine and beer.
Finally reaching the hotel again ahead of schedule (1430 instead of 1500) we were held in the waiting lounge till the clock struck the hour. The receptionist was totally confused was he was expecting Trevor and Joy and he was faced bu Stuart and Joy. In the end he gave up. The hotel is traditional with Kimons and slippers for various use.
Back to Tokyo Oka station to pick up Trevor ofF the 1852 train - which was running 3 minutes late. The hotel restaurant was full so we had to find somewhere in town. We found a likely looking restaurant which had a big but empty car park . It was open and busY than we thought. No english was spoken but with lots of pointing we badged order 3 lads, a soup, 3 rice, a chicken and beef & a plate of mixed vegetable which we cooked on the bbq in the centre of the table. We also has a a bottle of Pinot Grigio. Back to the hotel for good nights on the floor.
Monday 23 April
Monday 23 was the flight from Edinburgh to Hong Kong on Etihad. But as it was business class I thought a ‘luxury' night at the Premier Inn before was called for. I received an e mail a couple of days beforehand offering online check in. This turned out to be a good decision as no one was to be found - just check-in machines.
I woke early excited and after a breakfast in the lounge I headed to the gate at 0815 only to find the flight was delayed. The flight was great with lots of wine and champagne
Tuesday 24 April
Arriving in Hong Kong 20 minutes early, immigration was quick and the bag on the carousel when I arrived. No queue at the Airport Express counter and onto the train. Calling Stuart no answer - text and Whats App fared no better . What to do - i decided to get on to the tain anyway. Another call and I got through as Stuart had been in the shower and heard but did not react.
Wednesday 25 April
After a slow start we head to Central for a massage - Mr S had a body and me a foot and leg. However prior to this relaxing time I had encountered and interesting situation. I went to the immaculate (9/10) faculties in the Landmark Buiing only to discover a large gentlemen who clearly needed th afcilities in the ladies with the door wide open He hurriedly left.
A leisurely lunch in Wan Chai followed the massage and back to the flat and a binge watch of the Crown Season 2.
Trevor got home from work we headed to Sai Ying Pun and a meeting with Tom Grace’s boyfriend
Thursday 26 April
Off on HK Express to Tokyo. Up early (with Trevor) check in at HK Station and on the train to the airport. Everything left on time - not quite business class but extra leg room. We were the envy of all as the bento box arrived an hour into the flight. Stuart Soba needle and me a beef and rice. A smooth landing in Narita.
We only had two tasks - bus tickets to the hotel and Shikansen tickets for Saturday. The case arrive but without my ‘hands off this case its mine’ label. Heading to the bus and two tickets to the 1730 bus 50 minutes later then to the JR ticket office. Over an hour later still no tickets, missed the bu and were frustrated.
At the third attempt we go the tickets; change the bus to 1900 and so finally arrived at the JR Kyushu Blossom and checkin to a wonderful room. At some point I will explain to anyone interested the intricacies of Japanese toilets.
Friday 29 April
I woke after a refreshing sleep and off to breakfast despite the complaints of my snoring. Not sure what to expect but the buffet was a great array. Stuart insisted on bringing Weetabix and so we feasted on that as well.
The key objective of the day was a visit to the Imperial Palace. On the underground despite its complexity we arrived but imagine our surprise to find the Palace closed - every Friday it seems. So we headed to the National Museum of modern Art. Not really our cup of tea. The retail therapy and lunch in Ginza.
Lunch took a while to organise as I don’t eat finish and Stuart only certain fish. Takashimiya 7th floor galssses and ceramics but we held back. So we headed abck to finish off the Crown . Unfortunately we exited Shinjuku at the wrong entrance and it became abundantly clear that we lacked map reading skills. Literally and hour later we managed to get to the room - it was a 3 minute walk.
Dinner was no easier to arrange than lunch so we settled for Pizza.
Saturday 28 April
An 0450 start to catch 0650 Shikanasen from Tokyo to Kyoto then on to Tokyo Oka. WE were diverted at Tokyo station which continues to be restored
The multiple entry ticket machines must makes sense to someone but not to me. For some you put in one ticket, some two, some all three. So much chaos ensure that we needed to be guided by the official from JR West.
Nozomi 7 departed on time and past Mt Fuji. But we were faced with 3 changes and only a few minutes bewteen each. At Kyoto we had 14 minutes to get from the Shinkansen to Platform 31. In the rush of keeping Stuart in the distance the case went and so did I. Two Japaneses ladies grabbed and arm each ao spare. The other changes went smooth.nd got me up. We then encountered a steep set of steps and I had to be helped by an elderly gentleman with stick. We made the train with 1 minute to spare.
I tried to imagine the ScotRail conductor bowing to the carriage before inspecting tickets but failed.
stuart had arranged for a hire car and outside the station spotted the Times sign. arriving ether seemed to be no office or staff but it did look like a car park But with all things digital maybe all was needed was code. But after a call to the help line with a translator we did in fact find out we were in a car park. We finally found the office but as it was 1230 and the car booked from 1530 we were told to come back later. Off in search of lunch at the station supermarket and sandwiches and crips and bootle of wine and beer.
Finally reaching the hotel again ahead of schedule (1430 instead of 1500) we were held in the waiting lounge till the clock struck the hour. The receptionist was totally confused was he was expecting Trevor and Joy and he was faced bu Stuart and Joy. In the end he gave up. The hotel is traditional with Kimons and slippers for various use.
Back to Tokyo Oka station to pick up Trevor ofF the 1852 train - which was running 3 minutes late. The hotel restaurant was full so we had to find somewhere in town. We found a likely looking restaurant which had a big but empty car park . It was open and busY than we thought. No english was spoken but with lots of pointing we badged order 3 lads, a soup, 3 rice, a chicken and beef & a plate of mixed vegetable which we cooked on the bbq in the centre of the table. We also has a a bottle of Pinot Grigio. Back to the hotel for good nights on the floor.