Japan Trip, Day 1

McD – 15 jun 2008

>We entered today without going through night, which truly was strange. Narita Airport was easy enough to navigate once we figured out domestic flights are on the first floor and international ones on the 4th floor. Once we were again rid of our bags, we explored the airport and found the observation deck, where we sat and watched huge jumbo jets take-off and land. We wandered around the “mall” where we had our choice of pizza, tacos, croissants, Starbucks and McDonalds (as well as Thai and Japanese food).

We headed towards our gate, but had to sit on the floor to wait as security didn’t open until 3pm. It opened later, because one of the officials apparently forgot some crucial thing that sent everyone scurrying. We stopped at the little store and got some snacks (koala bears and wasabii peas). I checked my mail and did other things while the others napped during our 2 hour wait.

Interestingly, half the people in the gate area were Americans. I guess that shouldn’t be so surprising with the huge American presence on Okinawa….

After the gate attendants made some speeches and bowed to us, a bus took us out to our plane, which was a half-full 767. Okinawa was humid the second we stepped off the plane. After we got the bags and met up with the group, we went out to the taxi. Of course, I was half awake and headed towards the wrong side of the van to get in. Oops. We’re in left-side driving Japan now.

The hotel was about an hour from the airport. The expressway took, among others American Express and Diner’s Club, so I guess credit cards are more widely accepted than I had read? Or maybe smaller shops don’t, but travel area do? We stopped at a convenience store so the folks staying “on campus” could get some snacks to tide them over (I packed crackers, peanut butter, lemonade, granola bars, etc.). One of the guys did remark that the ATM there would not take his cash card — we had read that we would need to go to the post office to use it, so that part was a least partially confirmed.

Our hotel reminds us of the hotel in Cancun quite a bit. Open and airy in the lobby, lots of restaurants. Our ninth-floor room is much fancier, with a fridge, teapot and lots of other amenities (like internet). Plus, the balcony looks straight out into the ocean!

Tomorrow we will actually get to see the beach instead of just listening to the waves crash outside our window.

kindle – 15 jun 2008

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