Our two flights ((Cleveland - Chicago, Chicago - Tokyo) were long but uneventful. They included our first BOEING 787 DREAMLINER trip, noteworthy for variable cabin lighting, bigger windows (with film "shades), universal Wi-Fi access, and seemingly endless entertainment choices. Movies and sporadic naps helped fill the fourteen-plus hours we spent in the air, arriving in Japan shortly after 3:30 PM on Thursday afternoon.
We staggered off the plane, along endless corridors, through immigration and customs to the arrival hall where we put our large suitcases in overnight storage and changed some dollars into yen before catching a train the short distance to Narita. A helpful Australian couple familiar with the area helped us navigate the Narita station and pointed out the way to our hotel, essentially just across the street.
The Richmond Hotel sports a quite contemporary lobby, a competent and helpful staff, small but adequate rooms (no surprise anywhere in Japan) and all the expected modern conveniences and amenities. We immediately tumbled into bed upon check-in and slept solidly until early Friday morning. Heidi is still asleep....
From the train window enroute to Narita, even in the midst of the foggy gray of late afternoon, cherry blossom pink shown brightly against the pine trees forest green, proving the scenic highlight of the entire day. Lee ventured out this morning to shoot some images, for him the first time ever being able to be in Japan two years in a row at the height of cherry blossom time!
We both also realized that age is catching up with us - weary legs, swollen ankles and leg cramps have suddenly become an unwelcome addition to our travel experiences. But we carry on - our JAL flight to Jakarta leaves at 10:50 AM.
We staggered off the plane, along endless corridors, through immigration and customs to the arrival hall where we put our large suitcases in overnight storage and changed some dollars into yen before catching a train the short distance to Narita. A helpful Australian couple familiar with the area helped us navigate the Narita station and pointed out the way to our hotel, essentially just across the street.
The Richmond Hotel sports a quite contemporary lobby, a competent and helpful staff, small but adequate rooms (no surprise anywhere in Japan) and all the expected modern conveniences and amenities. We immediately tumbled into bed upon check-in and slept solidly until early Friday morning. Heidi is still asleep....
From the train window enroute to Narita, even in the midst of the foggy gray of late afternoon, cherry blossom pink shown brightly against the pine trees forest green, proving the scenic highlight of the entire day. Lee ventured out this morning to shoot some images, for him the first time ever being able to be in Japan two years in a row at the height of cherry blossom time!
A CUP OF BAG DRIP COFFEE WHILE AWAITING BREAKFAST
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