15th - 16th Dec 2011 Tokyo

15^th dec Tokyo

After a very late night looking at the Elizabeth Taylor on line auction and with a hangover from the previous night had a late start. 

Breakfast about 10.15am and then we head to Harajuki where the kids all hang out and wear the funky clothes. We wander around in the sunshine and then head back to the hotel and have a shocking meal on the way back as restaurants are all closed!

Try to have  sleep and then about 6.30pm. head out to Asakusa where I saw  kimonos  that Henry wanted to purchase for presents, firstly we head across the road from the hotel  where there is a kimono shop that sells second hand ones which were stunning for 36,000 yen about  470.00 aud, but a little out of the price range we are wanting so off to the metro we head.

Just love the metro so easy to get about and again so organized!

Love the fact everyone wears masks to protect us from their bugs!

Love the way when they get onthe train they put their heads down close their eyes and nod off, waking at the exact station they have to get off at!!

Love all the bowing to each other and us, the lower the bow the more respect for the person.

Well we get to Asukusa and the shops are shutting but as luck would have it I found one open and boy the shop assistant was very happy as Henry bought up getting heaps of Xmas pressies for his staff! Yippee!!

Back to the hotel for a good nights sleep before the flight back home tomorrow!

Harajuki

16^th Dec Tokyo

Of course Im ready for breakfast as planned and he is still asleep!! I can not tolerate a lack of punctually  I find it totally annoying and rude, so he is keeping up the standard of always being late.

After breakfast I went for a walk and bought some cards came home wrote them posted then, called Henry as we had planned to have lunch and he wants to have a sleep!!!!

I have to wake him up in an hour!! My dear he is funny/annoying!!

We go back to the restaurant where we had our first meal , which was fabulous. It was a great way to end our holiday and we were able to have pleasant conversation and some laughs!

Back to the hotel and we have a driver to take us to the airport and home.

The drive was amazing as the sun was setting and the pink colour on the buildings was spectacular and breathtaking reflecting on other buildings .

It’s a long drive to the airport so allow at least 1.15, in fact they say allow 4 hours before the flight goes in case of traffic and also they are very through at customs.

Henry had to pay excess on his luggage but I didn’t as I have a higher level on frequent flyer and I didn’t have the wardrobe he had!!

Oh well the end to a very interesting trip!! Filled with fun and laughter mixed with annoyance and frustration!

Henry has his Mother and cousin to meet him!! So the farewell was brief with 2 sets of strange eyes on me!! 

A surprise to me as there was no mention of a family gathering at the airport!!!

I head off to the domestic airport for my flight home!! Yippee!!!

13th - 14th Dec 2011 Tokyo and Nagano

13^th Dec-14^th Dec Tokyo and Nagano

Henry went to the hospital  for final check which gave me time by myself!! Yipppe!!

So I decided to do the metro after having my nails done which I might add took a long time 1.5 hrs but the detail was amazing  and the 2 girl hand massage divine!!

I think it cost me about 60 dollars. I  decide to go to Asakusa where Lynette had told me about getting kimonos( which I have already bought) but there are lots of  little shops near the shrine!

I get there and laugh as it is the same shrine that Henry and I had been there when it rained days ago!!

Anyway I have sorted out the train system!! Buy 160 yen ticket press English thanks to Lynette telling me, then put ticket in and then it tells you when you haven’t   paided enough for the ticket, go back to ticket machine and put more in!!

Got it!!

Then go back on the train and go to Hermes and buy the scarf  with Ginza  on it which is unique to here! Shouldn’t but may never come back and I do like the memories of the places I visit!!

Back to hotel and Henry arrives at my room. Im stuffed so send him on his way and I go to bed feel like home 6.30p.m !!!

Have a fuji apple (which are the most delicious apples I have ever had) and go to sleep, he wakes me up as he has left his bag in his room and now I cant get back to sleep!!

Shit ! shit ! shit !

Early start tomorrow as we decide  we will go to Nagano for our last Shinkensen train trip which we love. Now breakfast at 700am  and leave 7.45!!! Oh yeh we are travelling with "Always late Henry "!! So I doubt this will happen!!!

14th Dec  2011 Nagano

As usual Henry was late, still in bed when I called to see if he was ready! No surprises!!

Eventually we head  off to Nagano home of the Olympics , another train trip which we both enjoy.

Get to the train station and I just love the organization there. People queue in an orderly manner behind the green line if you are first, then go to the red line if you are later. Board the train quietly and civilized! Just amazing!! I love the look of the Shinkansen very slick and fast looking!!1 As it is!!!

We arrive at Nagano and head up to the shrine which is the only highlight of the town other than a skiing museum which is some distance away.

We wander up the street again with interesting shops either side till we reach the shrine. This is really a lovely setting with little buildings scattered in the enclosed area,  the ambience is very special, in fact I love this one best of all.

We wander around the surrounding gardens and other smaller shrines and ponds then head back to the main little street for something to eat.

Come across a great little shop café with the display of food outstanding and the coffee and green tea cake delicious!!

Head back to the train as we have dinner with Henrys friend Taiko (his Xmas dinner).

Back to the hotel where Henry uses my computer and has tantrums as of course it’s the computers fault he keeps loosing his letters!!

Of course he storms out in a shit!!

Writing implements

Green tea cake

The dinner with Taiko is very pleasant at an Italian restaurant not far from the railway station. Good to catch up with Michael and chat to the stunning Japanese eye doctors! They all look like they are 20 years old!