Posts

Japan, Russia and Alaska - 21 days

Image
I had been considering going to Japan for quite some time. Also, when I first considered going to Alaska in 2008 , Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver to Juneau was my initial thought. I was NOT in to cruises back then (too slow, too little time for shore activity, too much free time and therefore, too much food. All those are still true, but my perspective has changed as I am running out of places that I still want to visit, where cruises end up being the best solution.) I also remembered being sea sick the only time I was on an overnight voyage when I was 12. Today's mega ships have stabilizers, and for the most part, you don't even know that you are moving unless you think about it. When I first saw this cruise with several days in Japan and full Seward and Inside Passage at throw away prices, I got interested. This cruise was "repositioning" from Southeast Asia to its Alaska route for the summer, where it will go back and forth between Seattle/ Vanco
Post a Comment
Read more

Day by Day

Image
Wed May 2, 2018: Left at 8:12 am to catch 8:43 am Bart on UBER. Zigzagged through Concord and then had to wait 13 minutes for the train.  Train got delayed behind another train with a door problem - 7 min delay. But that was a nonissue. CEA (China Eastern) had a separate line for those who had checked online. They still had to check your passport and give you a paper boarding pass. CEA not being a participant, TSA precheck doesn't work. (Global Entry/TSA PreCheck really hasn't benefited me at all so far.) For such a large plane 777-ER (extended range that carries more passengers farther.), boarding started at 11:15 am and we pushed back right on time at noon (MU 590 Noon - 16:30 next day.)  The key is line management, and that means having more employees. (The same theme in China and Japan. More later.). They had one guy pacing around the entire line making sure that only the right group of people (row numbers) were in line.  At the front of the line two women on tw
Post a Comment
Read more

Notes about Japan Trip

Tokyo (NRT) Airport ATM just outside Customs and Arrival - very convenient. Tourist Info booth has maps and best way to get to Tokyo - there are several options: - Tokyo Limo (bus) Y3100, - Skyliner Keisei to Ueno, Japan Rail Y2470, - NEX limited express - to Central Tokyo also Yokohama/Ofuna Y3020 - Subway - Tokyo Metro/Toei 110-310 per trip Get a PASMO (or SUICA) - both work the same way everywhere in Tokyo.  Suica is also accepted on Japan Rail elsewhere. 7-11 ATMs accept US Credit Cards - otherwise Post Office.  - Other ATMs may not accept US credit cards. - Credit cards worked for payments for hotel and skytree. Places to visit - Meiji Jingu, Sensoji, Skytree Tower, Palace east gardens, Kamakura, Hase Y100 stores or 7-11 are everywhere and have reasonable prices. People very nice and helpful. - Full employment - so many people to manage lines at airport or SkyTree.  One at front, one at the end, and one or more roaming in between. - For all the security everywhere, there
Post a Comment
Read more