Homeward Bound

 Monday 10 July

Day 21

I had left the curtain slightly open, so light was streaming into the room at 5.30am. The alarm was set for 5.45am, so we beat that and got ourselves organised. We were in the lobby checking out at 6.15am and at the station platform by 6.20am, ready for the 6.29am train to Tokyo. The train was PACKED! All we could see were squashed faces against windows! But amongst this, a door flew passed that was an entrance to the green cars “ first class”. We jumped in there with our bags and just stayed in the landing area. Off to both sides were cabins of seated passengers, who had paid extra for ticketed seats. We figured we were only on for 1 stop, 4 minutes, so it wasn’t going to bother anyone and it didn’t. 

From platform 1, we used the elevator to reach platform 4 and then waited at gate 8, for the Narita Express train to arrive at 7am. We found our seats in row 6 and made ourselves comfy for the hour journey to terminal 2. I watched the sights of Tokyo slip by the window for the final time and then it was off the train and into the check in terminal. 

We found the Malaysia Airlines gate, had an attendant check us in and deal with our bags, very old school. We were happy to see each bag weight 18.8kg and 18.7kg. We ate a sandwich, wandered the shopping and restaurant floor and then found the departure gate. We moved through the passport and baggage screening areas, with the usual frisk over for Paul. This time it was very thorough. 

With these things done, we then went in search of gate 63. We found a small convenience store, so used up the remaining money on our IC cards and got rid of some of the change we had. We then moved to the lounge to wait for the 9.45am boarding. We joined the line, when called, only to have our seats rejected, due to entertainment console issues. We ended up in the same row, just on the right wing instead. We settled into our seats and waited for take off at 10.20am, which turned into 10.45am, due to a backlog. 

Finally in the air, I watched out the window, as Japan drifted away. We were fed peanuts and juice and then lunch was served. Paul had the diabetic meal again, thankfully his fish was more palatable than last time. His meal was one of the first served. I had to wait a while for mine to turn up; chicken penne. 

I settled in to watch Blue Back and King Richard. By the time they were finished we were served another light meal and had an hour and a half til touch down in KL. The plane wasn’t very full, I had a seat beside me, which was handy for stashing our stuff. There were plenty of empty rows and people with a row to themselves. 

We finally began to see land, as we approached the capital and by 4.45pm (5.45pm Japan time) we touched down on the tarmac. We weren’t into the terminal til 5.10pm and I was able to access the free wifi and set my watch straight. We weren’t due to fly out again until 7.40pm, so we checked on where our gate was and then took the time to stretch our legs, get some food and surf the net. 

At 6.30pm, we went through the baggage screening of gate 12, and sat down to wait for boarding. There were plenty of people waiting, so we assumed this would not be such a quiet trip. The Haitian Women’s Football team were also on our flight, as their World Cup matches are in Perth in the coming weeks. 

We boarded the busy plane, by now it was dark outside and we were both feeling the effects of our early morning start. We settled into our window and aisle seat and waited for take off at 8.10pm, another 30min delay. 

Once in the air, we opted to watch a movie and then waited for the dinner meal, more stinky fish for Paul. I shared my sweet treats with him, as the diabetic meal doesn’t come with any goodies. Following dinner and my movie, Rogue Agent, I was keen to get some form of rest. I think I did manage it for part of the time. It helped having a hoodie that I could pull down over my face and block out the light and the haveachat in the row in front. 

The captain let us know we were readying for landing, so I crawled out from the hood and kept an eye out for the familiar sights of home. As we continued to descend, we breached the layer of cloud and the famous city of light was there sparkling away. We flew in from the south, making our way over the Swan River and the city skyline. Before too long, we were back on the tarmac. 

We were collecting our bags by 2.15pm, having landed an hour earlier and passing through border control. We skipped straight through customs and braved the cold, as we made our way out of the airport and into a waiting taxi. The driver was also from Balga, so he was very happy to be picking us up as his last fare. It was a clear run home, pulling into the driveway for 3am. By 3.15am, we were tucked up in our own bed, adventures over, but looking forward to planning the next one. 

Last day in Japan

 Sunday July 9

Day 20

Our final day in Japan has now arrived. We didn’t stir until 7.30am, watching CNN to begin with and generally taking it easy. Once we were motivated enough, we began to sort ourselves and then left the hotel just after 9.30am, in search of the Ginza Line, that would take us to the Senso-ji Buddhist Temple, the oldest in Tokyo and one of the most significant. 

It was pretty busy on the subway and when we exited to the road, it was even crazier. We made our way under the Hozomon Gate and down Nakamise shopping street, an alleyway of various food and trinket vendors. The place was very busy. It turns out that today was Shiman-rokusen-nichi Day, which occurs on July 9 and 10. These two days, when prayers offered at Senso-ji, are 46,000 times as powerful as prayers offered on other days. This period is also known as Hoozuki Market, in which potted Hoozuki (Chinese lantern plant) are sold at the many stalls in and around the temple precincts. There were hundreds of these bright orange plants being sold. 

We viewed the Main hall and 5 storied pagoda and then the gardens. We walked through a quieter shopping hall and then back into the mayhem, crossing over to the Niten-mon gate and then following some other streets, before stopping for a sweet bread and ice cream dessert. The station was at the end of this street, so we returned to the subway and caught 2 trains across town to the Imperial Palace Grounds and Kokyo Gaien National Garden. The palace isn’t open because the Emperor still lives here, but you can wander around it’s walls and moat.

From here, we navigated to Tokyo Station and bought our Narita express tickets for tomorrow morning. We then found a 7 story shopping centre. We went to the 5th floor and found a restaurant to have lunch at. Paul bought something that required him to cook at the table, not what he was expecting, but he said it tasted good. Mine was also good. 

We were now ready to head back to the hotel, about 15min walk away. We were back in our room by 2pm and happy to rest before we would be heading out later on. We enjoyed the respite of the air conditioning, as it was hot and sweaty outside. We watched a CNN expose on the January 6th riot. It certainly wasn’t a pretty picture. 

Just after 4pm, we readied ourselves for our final Japanese outing. This time we were heading to an immersive and interactive art installation by TeamLab Planet. Before heading to the Ginza underground line, we checked the Sobu line, for tomorrow’s passage to Tokyo station. The station itself is only 1km walk away, but if we could reach it by the underground, across the road, life would be easier and we could. 

We continued onto the Ginza platform, boarded the train and then alighted at Shimbashi station, where we would catch the Toyosu train. This is a driverless, trackless train, that heads out over the bay towards the exhibition centre, via a corkscrew entrance and then bridge. There is some pretty interesting architecture in amongst the concrete and glass boxes. The journey on the train took about 30min. 

We arrived at 5.40pm in time for our 6pm slot. We were first at the entrance gate and were soon being given a briefing. Shoes off, shorts rolled up above the knee and beware if you are wearing a skirt, as there are mirrored floors. We had to leave our belongings and shoes in a locker and then proceeded to the water area. 

We followed the dimly lit passage way and commented on the rank smell of cheesy feet. We could the hear rushing water. We turned a corner and were confronted with an ascending ramp flowing with water. We walked the ramp and ended in a room where we had to towel off the feet. The next space was a giant beanbag, not great for Paul’s ankle. We plodded through the space, feet getting caught in the black covering and being pulled into the mat. There were plenty of giggles from the other patrons, as they made their way across. 

Finally through the exit, we continued on firmer ground to the crystal room. Here were thousands of light strings hanging from the roof, all changing colours in various patterns and bouncing off the mirrored surfaces. This was my favourite room. 

From here it was large white balls that you could walk between and bounce off. These were also lit up in different colours. At times it felt like you were being swallowed by them. 

We found more water, this time knee deep with giant koi fish projected on the water. They were swimming amongst the guests, who waded around the giant pond. Then it was onto the falling flower universe. This mirrored room had projections of floral patterns moving around. There were plenty of people laying on the floor and just looking up. I joined in. It was a strange sensation, as it was all around you. Paul noted those that were on the floor making out. The room was pitch black, other than the light projection.

Once through this section, we were ushered through to the garden rooms. The first installation was of large, silver rocks in an outdoor garden bed. A couple were lit up, but for the most part this was a bit average. You also had to wear a pair of slip on, rubber sandals. Paul wondered how sanitary this was. Hmm.

The final room was the orchid garden room. This was the only room in which patrons had to queue and had a time limit to be in. We watched the group before us and then they were ushered out. We then had to walk up to the thousands of orchids that were suspended from the roof. As you approached, they lifted out of the way and then lowered behind you. This was a beautiful room.

When our time was up, we returned to the lockers, collected our shoes and things and then it was back to the station. Lucky for us, we boarded the train at the first carriage and as no one was in the front seat, we could pretend we were the driver and had a perfect view for the journey home. We shared this view with Mickey and Minnie who had their own seats propped up on the ledge, by their owner. It was very odd. 

We retraced our steps, finally reaching the home station at 7.40pm. We stopped in at a wagyu hamburger joint and ordered a meal, ate and then it was one last drink at Craft Rock Brewery, before we returned to the hotel for 8.30pm

We went through our cases, packed up everything we could, in prep for tomorrow and then it was lights out on our final night in Japan.