Landed…

Happy to be on the ground… uneventful but the breakfast was good.

Landing took awhile due to low cloud… nothing like extra time where you don’t want to be… but on the positive side the landing was smooth.

Transit-ing…

We saw this sign while using the trains.

Day 2

We always attempt to be considerate when moving between locations. Here is what our suitcases look like while we were waiting for one of these connections.

Day 13
We really do attempt to keep out of people’s way – by it’s not easy. As you can see the black bags with the BikeSA are just that bit wider, and not as easy not move them without inconveniencing anyone. Over the years we have changed our routes to hotels/airports etc, to avoid issues with size of lifts or escalators (Tokyo station..!).

I also read this week in the Japan Times bags/luggage is in the top 5 of problems for people using the transport system in Tokyo. With this it is not surprising given the amount of tourists they are encouraging.

View from above…

Goodbye Naha

Day 7

The airport in Naha was lovely. Filled with moon orchids and palms – and not much advertising, at least in the arrivals/departures areas.

Day 7

Day 7

But the shops do sell pineapples.

Day 7

While I dislike flying- to see the clouds from above is amazing!

Day 7
… and the ability to see the island from above was fabulous.

Day 7

Airport food

Day 4

It’s natural to think “airport food – no thanks”. This does not apply in Japan. So many options are available….

Day 4
We choose sushi…. oh so enjoyable!

Day 4

Afterwards we had a cake from the bakery – After all we had done a bit of cycling today!

Good luck…

Journey

We had a few hours while transiting… towards the end a person was calling out “kwaka-san” and “Della-Torre-san”. Just like that we were upgraded to Business- woo-hoo! Lay flat bed… and fabulous Japanese food

Journey

Journey

what else could you ask for? Okay,

Less turbulence would of been nice.. but at least I managed to sleep. Well if I was being honest it would also be my suitcase. When we arrived after getting through immigration, my name was on a notice sign next to the remaining suitcases waiting to be taken. After some conversation with a staff member, it turns out my suitcase did not leave Melbourne… and would be in Tokyo the next day. On the positive side getting to the hotel for me was easier on public transport as I only had my bicycle suitcase!

Landed

The flight was delayed leaving by an hour, and the landing was bumpy. However how often can you say within an hour of landing at an international airport , you are on a train speeding towards the city.

Tokyo - day 1

The only down side of this efficiency is not being able to get a can of coffee from a vending machine at the train platform.

Europe- done and dusted

Well folks, our Europe leg is over, and we’re about to board a flight to Japan.

We fared pretty well, and cycling lived up to our expectations.  Including the four flat tyres we’ve had (Berlin, Paris, London, and Warsaw). Kym’s done a sterling job on changing the back tyre! Yes, we didn’t realise the irony of the sign until we’d started.

London

The meal and breakfast at Faviken lived up to everything we expected – and then some! The experience was fabulous, and really enjoyable.  Now keen to try more Nordic food. We even met a couple of Australian’s – hello!

Faviken

Faviken

Faviken

Faviken

Walkinh on the roof on buildings in Stockholm was something else.

Stockholm

You’ll hear from us the other side of the pond.

Bridlington