10 March 2014
Not so cold
Now I am in Japan. Not only am I in Japan but I am on a fast train travelling from a man made island in the sea that taunts tsunamis typing on my laptop connected to super fast internet that comes in something the size of two matchboxes (see photo).
The flight and airport and whatever experience was the same as always in Hong Kong, so I wont bore myself by typing about it, very efficient.
Arriving in Osaka was very weird, theres only 2 planes at the whole airport. Customs etc was fast, despite having to be swabbed, anal probed, photographed and interrogated.
A nice man in gloves went through my bag in detail, read the writing on my vitamin tablets, and when he saw my first class sticker he bowed and said welcome sir.
I dont actually fly first class, but my qantas status gets bag tag things.
Picking up the mifi internet thing from the post office was also easy, just show your passport, they know why round eyes are there.
Getting the round trip train ticket to Kyoto with ICOCA smart card deal was also easy, despite having to again show your passport and prove you arent actually Japanese who arent entitled to the discount.
You do however need cash, luckily theres a citibank ATM on the first floor of the airport, unlike 7 bank you can get out something other than a 10,000 yen note.
Going back in time now, the descent into Osaka was awesome, I looked out the left as we skirted the city along the coast, unfortunately I couldnt take any photos at that point.
Going back further in time, the flight was full but comfortable as I had 2 little Japanese girls next to me who were probably 40, who both watched the same movie and sobbed for the entire duration.
I didnt eat the meal but it actually looked pretty good, the plane was a 747 and compared to the a380, it was like being in a wind tunnel next to a semi trailer with its exhaust brake engaged. It was ridiculously noisy whilst we were still on the ground without the engines running.
And finally going back to this morning when I left for the airport too early out of airport excitement, I used the in town check in, which had a very bored first class lady who was thrilled to get a customer. I am guessing not a lot of first class passengers take the train to the airport which is where the in town check in service is.
Its me, wearing pants. I felt compelled to take a mirror selfie to celebrate pants wearing.
My breakfast in the Wing first class lounge silver service whatever. To be honest it wasnt as good as the buffet fruit and pastries I had already consumed.
Theres also yet another new Cathay lounge in Hong Kong airport called the bridge, which means theres now 5, plus the two Qantas lounges.
Those mountains sure do look enticing. I stood at the window looking at them. The best airport in the world in front of accessible mountains.
I briefly considered exiting the airport and staying here.
My plane, the worlds noisiest, a Boeing 747. It made it so I cant complain.
My ipad and the tiny device bringing me the internet as I type this on the train.
Me on the train to Kyoto. Sorry for the abrupt text, its hard to type on a moving train in glorious blazing sunshine.