Days 1 and 2

Well after 23 hours, one car, two planes, two trains and a bit of a walk (avoiding a million bikes) we made it to the apartment!!!  Ayako was there waiting for us and was just lovely.  But before I go on with that - let's just talk about the journey. Nothing could have prepared us for the amount of time we would be sitting on our arses doing nothing!


First of all - we got to Heathrow on a nice little plane and it was pretty much empty, but we were only on there for 50 minutes and time flew (!) by.  Scott has brought his adventurous side with him and ate the breakfast they gave us . . .  coffee and a hot sausage/egg pannini WITH tomato!  Yes folks, Scott ate a veggie.  He complained about it for a while, but it was there it was - in is tummy!!!


We got to Heathrow and had about an hour to spare, so had a coffee and wandered round Terminal 5 . . .  by heck, that place is huge!  We even had to get a little train to the gate.  So we get on our very nice plane - a 777.  

Now, this plane holds 299 or so people.  Once we got on board and settled in our seats, the very nice cabin crew came to talk to us. Turns out, there was only 77 people (yes 77) booked on the flight and 80% of those were Japanese going home!  So, basically, once the plane took off we were able to move to different seats and had a whole row to ourselves - brilliant!  


The crew were also very attentive mainly 'cos they were bored and had no-one to look after . . .  we were plied with coffees, teas, sweets, biscuits the lot!!!  Despite my best efforts not to drink, when the first service came round, the attendant asked what I wanted and I asked for Cranberry juice.  He took one listen to my accent and asked is he could make me a cocktail . . .  not wanting to be rude ('cos that not how I was brought up) I agreed and back came a huge cranberry, orange, lime Vodka!  Perfect.  He also made me an extra one for later . . . .  what a nice man.


So, now we had to occupy our time.  The entertainment system was brilliant.  Loads of movies to choose from, with lots of TV programmes (old and new), radio, podcasts and CD's.  Well impressed . .  . however after watching:

• 'The Kings Speech' (yeah OK movie)
• 'The Black Swan (still have absolutely NO IDEA what that movie was about - that's 2 hours of my life I'll never get back!)
• two episodes of DIY SOS
• one episode of Hawaii Five-0 (the new ones with the gorgeous Alex O'Loughlin)
• three episodes of Friends

I still had hours to go.  The Japanese had managed to get rows of seats to themselves and were all asleep and I was so jealous.  Sleep just wouldn't come - Scott shut his eyes a couple of times, but didn't really go off!  We were then told we had an extra hour in the air as we had to avoid Fukushima.  We were so sore and bored silly by this point . .. . .  oh and completely shattered.


So anyway - we landed, got through customs (so polite - had to have my piccie taken and give my finger prints!!!) and managed to book tickets for the Keisei Skyliner to get us into Tokyo.  

(Not my photo!)

Only takes 36 minutes to get to Tokyo!!!  This is where we got our first glimpses of Japan.  At this point my tummy was all over the place with excitement.


Got to Nippori and changed trains to get to Okachimachi station.  Easy when you have a man with you who knows his left from his right!  A bit of a walk from the station and we were at the apartment!  Ayako was lovely, chatted for a bit and told us how to work the utilities, the toilet and the shower and left us to our own devices.


So, first things first . . . . a shower, change of clothes, unpack and a drink.  The apartment is great (but as it's in a basement from now will be known as 'The Bunker') . .  it's a good size and in a great area.

The Bunker

Yeah we know - it's a mess!

The loo (but we haven't been brave enough to push the buttons yet!!

We are in an area called Ueno in the Northern part of Tokyo.  We are in the 'burbs and there is nothing touristy around us, but we are only 2 minutes walk from the nearest Metro station, and about 10 minute walk into the center of Ueno, so we can be at the touristy bits in no time at all.


Our initial plan for the day . . .  go out, go for a walk, get some supplies and work out where we are.  Just one problem . . .  we were completely knackered.  We managed a walk round the area for a couple of hours and found a shop for some food (there are LOADS of convenience shops around us).  Getting food was funny and slightly scary!  We had no idea what we were getting.  We ended up with some chicken stuff and rice, however when we got home and warmed it up - it turned out to be fish(ish).  It wasn't nasty, in fact it was quite nice, but we just have no clue what it was!!!


We managed to stay up till about 9, but just had to crash.


Here's where the problems start . . . .  I was first to wake up - fully refreshed and ready to go, except it was 11:05pm!  Initially I thought we had slept through an entire day, but nooooo - we had only been asleep for two hours!  Then we were up at 1:05am, 3:20am |(at this point Scott went for a walk), 5:00am and finally I gave up and stayed up from 7:30am. Not liking this jet lag one little bit!


However, we are here, completely loopy with excitement and raring to go . . . . . .


So, that should do me for now . . .  .Going into Ueno tomorrow and to the park and museums . . . . . ease us in gently.  Nite all xxx