Picking up the pieces in Japan.

[drron]

This coming Saturday we were supposed to be leaving for a trip that would have fulfilled one of my boyhood dreams.Visiting Tuvalu,Kirabati and Pitcairn Island.A 33 day cruise to all those from Honolulu to Easter Island via Papeete.
Over 3 years ago we were on the Silver Explorer with Conrad,leader of Expeditions,when this cruise was being planned.We booked as soon as it was released 2 years ago.It sold out in 2 days.Then 2 months ago it was cancelled as "the hull needed strengthening to continue safe cold water cruising".It came just after RCI got majority control of Silversea.
So a lot of rearranging.Cancelling pre paid hotels-I usually check prices 2 months out and had done so just days before.cancelling LM awards as well as AA awards and rescheduling other flights.Needless to sayu we were a little dis-spirited.

But we have salvaged the bare bones of our trip and now spending longer in Japan.Somewhere we love and are sure we will enjoy.Of course over the last 5 days we have both been struck by the lurgi.Hopefully things are fine by Monday when we leave Sydney.
Flights-MCY-SYD.QF Y
-SYD-SIN.BA F.
-SIN-NRT.JL J.
-HND-BKK.JL J.
-BKK-SIN.CX J.
-SIN-SYD.BA F.
-SYD-BNE.QF J.

We will be stopping over in SYD,SIN,BKK as well as in Japan.
Our Japan itinerary next.

 

[Jacques Vert]

On board and in 1A (looks like JohnM isn't coming along).

 

[love_the_life]

On board and in 1A (looks like JohnM isn't coming along).

Just you wait; he'll oust you as soon as you get up to go to the bathroom.

 

[love_the_life]

Some of Japan is been badly impacted by the typhoon. Hope it doesn't affect you too much.

 

[LadyC]

Sounds like fun! Look forward to reading more.

 

[Pushka]

Just you wait; he'll oust you as soon as you get up to go to the bathroom.

Or sit on your lap.

 

[Dr Bob]

Sounds like a great recovery so will read with interest.

 

[drron]

For Japan we will spend the first night at Narita.The Crowne plaza this time to get a few IHG bonus points.Repack as only taking carryons with us for the next 9 days and sending our checked bag to KIX-hopefully.
Train is our preferred method of getting around Japan.First 3 nights on the slopes of Mt.Fuji at Kawaguchiko.Hopefully the gods look down favourably and we have at least 1 clear day.
Train then to Kanazawa staying at the HI.Going to see the Kenroku-en gardens in a different season and partake of some fresh seafood in the market.
Then to Lake Biwa and a new Marriott for a place we haven't been to before.Trying out driving ourselves around.

Then hopefully a quick journey to KIX,pick up our bag and JAL Y to Naha-Okinawa.Splitting a week there between a doubletree in Naha to keep the HH points alive and a sheraton a bit further north.Once again will have a car.Hopefully learning the lesson on how to live to 100.
JAL Y back to HND and link back to our previously booked flights.
our usual 6 days in Bangkok at the SGS for a bit of R&R.

 

[Major]

I hope Typhoon Jebi doesn't muck you around too much

 

[Pushka]

And now another earthquake.

 

[GarrettM]

On board for this, as I always enjoy your Japanese travel content.

Be interesting to see how you get on after Jebi, and how fast they can get everything back and running.

My guess: reasonably fast.

 

[I love to travel]

Looking forward to the BA F report from Syd to Sin as I am doing that xmas day

 

[Straubs]

Strapped in

 

[Boca68]

On board for this, as I always enjoy your Japanese travel content.

Be interesting to see how you get on after Jebi, and how fast they can get everything back and running.

My guess: reasonably fast.

Darn fast!! My friend lives in Sapporo on Hokkaido. He got home last night after being delayed 24 hours from KIX because of Jebi. Was woken this morning by the tremor. After almost no sleep for 48 hours.

No power, but water and unbelievably internet. (NBN anyone??) Went down to the local supermarket and everyone was in an orderly queue to get the water and other necessities they needed. No drama at all. And he is Australian, but been living there for 25 years, still astounds him how calm they are.

I'm strapping in @drron ... be a great ride again. Disappointed I'll miss you guys by a day in SYD, maybe next time

 

[PLANT]

Hey does this mean the hackers have your credit card details now drron? Ie BA breach!!!!
Locked and loaded!

 

[drron]

No problems-didn't use the BA website.
Not too worried by KIX closure as our flight is domestic from there.May need to change airports though.

 

[love_the_life]

And now another earthquake.

At least it was in Hokkaido which is up north so the drrons should be OK.

 

[drron]

Yes that is no problem for us.
Spent today in the garden doing a bit of weeding.First day I felt like doing anything.Got a little woozy.
But pleasant in the sun and my little bird friends loved it as I disturbed the insects giving them a feeding bonanza.They sat no more than a foot away.
I heard some rustling in the leaves and a foot on the other side was a blue tongue obviously also enjoying the disturbance.I think the matriarch as this was the biggest blue tongue I have seen here.Could well have been the one I saved from drowning as absolutely no fear.

I am sure though that our planning probably isn't as good as usual as neither of us have felt on the ball in this last week.Hoping and praying.

 

[drron]

This trip is turning out to be a real litany of problems.
We were flying from MCY-SYD at 1215 but that has been pushed back until 1400.Should still make our grandkid sitting duties.

 

[love_the_life]

This trip is turning out to be a real litany of problems.
We were flying from MCY-SYD at 1215 but that has been pushed back until 1400.Should still make our grandkid sitting duties.

Yep, sometimes it just happens