Day 1- Flight to Tokyo

            After months of planning we are finally off to Asia.  We left Boston in a real nor’easter with torrential rains and 30-40 mph wind.  Fortunately, we were delayed only about 40 minutes which wasn’t going to have any impact on our connection through Dallas.  En route to Tokyo, I chose  to start our Japan experience with a traditional Japanese lunch on the plane.  I have no idea what I ate, but it looked beautiful (and tasted pretty good as well).  I did recognize dessert, though, hot fudge sundae with whipped cream and nuts.  Probably the last until we return to the states.  We are traveling at odd hours never having a real night until Tokyo.  Good thing there are lots of movies on the plane.

One minor mishap on the plane, Jeri zigged while I zagged and my coffee wound up on my shirt (white shirt, of course).  I’v done laundry on trips in all sorts of exotic places, but never at 35,000 ft  in an airplane lavatory.  I guess this is another type of mile-high club.  I could have used some bleach, but even without, the shirt was passable albeit wet.

 Arrived at Tokyo’s Narita Airport around 1730 after sleeping (more dozing off and on) only 3 or four hours max. We negotiated our way around customs and immigration and made our way to the ATM to score some Yen (1000 yen = just over $9) and then to the train to Tokyo (about a 1 hour trip non-stop).  Tokyo train station is an enormous labyrinth   with thousands upon thousands  of people rushing about.  I understand now, why the Japanese need their quiet gardens.

The final leg of the journey was a cab to the Tokyo Westin.It was our misfortune to get a driver who spoke no English, nor knew where the Westin was. We were sure we were headed for the Best Western.  He did call HQ and they set him straight.

Off to bed (hopefully).  Meeting our guide tomorrow morning at 9am.