Kaoru woke me up this morning very worried.  She said it was 9.30 already, and we had to get up now to get breakfast.  I felt quite bad and found out the suffering of Mio’s bar.  I struggled to get out of bed, and then saw that it was only 7.30 in the morning!  Kaoru had read the clock from my laptop, which I left on Melbourne time to help with timings of meetings.  So it was straight back to bed for me.

I woke up a couple of hours later, still feeling very under the weather, but went downstairs to try to eat some breakfast.  Not a lot went in.  We went back to the room and Kaoru had to go to her parents house, and I had a bit of a look at getting this release of Pracware out, but my mind wasn’t focusing, so I went back to bed.

At lunch time, we found a place that did toasted sandwiches and salads – simple food.  So went there, as I was starting to feel a bit better, and needed some food.  Unfortunately the “no smoking indoors” concept hasn’t made it to Japan, and feeling crook already, where almost every table had a smoker on it, was not how I wanted to eat my food.  By the time I walked out I was feeling worse than when I got in, and I’m thankful I can’t remember what it was like when people could smoke indoors at restaurants in Australia – much less what it was like when you could smoke on an aeroplane!

Back at the room I got the Pracware release sorted out and was back in bed.  Jet lag and long days had really caught up with me and I was out to it for a few more hours.  Once I woke up, I was feeling human again, and ready to take on the world.  Kaoru got back not long after (she had spent the afternoon getting her hair done), and we found an Izakaya to go to for dinner.  I ate quite a bit and drank several glasses of (non alcoholic) drink, and felt back to 100%.

We had an early night, as the alarm was set for an early morning tomorrow, and a big weekend.

Another work day.  Kaoru went to her parents after breakfast and I was busy for the morning.  We went out for lunch, to an Italian restaurant nearby, which was quite nice, and I spent the afternoon working.

When I had finished for the day, we caught the train to Mio (Kaoru’s sister) and Yoitchi’s house.  They live a short walk from Harajuku – the area I first kissed Kaoru, so always looks very familiar, despite me never going to their place before.  They live in a beautiful apartment, and as well as having Arisa (who is 6), they also have a little toy poodle that was excited at seeing somebody new.  Eventually the dog annoyed Mio and she put it in its play pen.  That’s right – most people have a small play pen / cage for their children.  In Japan, they put their pet dog in it.  It has a water bottle and a bed, and a few toys in it.  Each to their own.

Mio had me opening bottles pretty much from when I walked in the door.  I was to learn what being a guest at “Mio’s Bar” was like, and I will be more prepared next time!  We started the evening with a bottle of French Champagne, and then commenced eating our first course while the main course (Sukiyaki) was cooking.  The bottle of champagne wasn’t finished before I had to select the red wine (French, and chilled, which is a different concept for me) to have with dinner.  While eating, I commented on the piano in the room and was told Arisa could play, so I told her I wanted to hear a song.  So once we finished eating, with a lot more coaxing (and the promise of me playing something) I got her to play something for me.  I couldn’t believe seeing a 6 year old with such talent – but that’s what the Japanese are like!

I then had to play something, so tried to teach Arisa the base line of “Heart and Soul”.  She wouldn’t do it though, so I had to play both parts of the duet by myself.  I did a couple of versus, and then the gloves were off.  She wanted to show off what she could do!  It’s funny watching the shy turn in to confidence!  Halfway through her playing, Kenitchi – Kaoru’s younger sister’s husband – arrived from work.  He was quite hungry so got straight in to eating, while I opened the next bottle of red wine.

Arisa then wanted to play “Connect 4”.  Kaoru and I had bought it for her when Kaoru was in Australia at Christmas, after she had seen David and Izzy play it.  After a few games, Kaoru and Arisa played (with me helping Arisa at times) while I spoke to Kenitchi.  He lived in Philadelphia for a few years some time ago, so spoke fair English.  He also is President of his own company (of 3) and is in IT, so we had a lot in common and were able to converse very well.  Meanwhile Mio had the bottle of Hennesey flowing, and Kaoru had to bath Arisa.

Yoitchi (Mio’s husband, the doctor, and Kaoru’s former boss) arrived home at some point, and it was on to the Saki.  I do remember a point in the evening when I had champagne, red wine, Hennesey and Saki in 4 separate glasses in front of me, while Kenitchi was telling me “Mio’s bar is open – it’s free but you pay for it the next day”.  It was somewhere around there that Kozue (his wife – Kaoru’s sister) called, and I don’t know whether the two were related or not!  I spoke to her briefly (for the first time).  She spoke a little bit of English, but not much, so it was mostly laughing.

At some stage in the night Kaoru said it was time to go home, so the 3 of us (Kaoru, Kenitchi and I) said goodbye to Mio (Yoitchi had snuck off to bed at some point) and we started walking out.  However I was then informed that we missed the last train home and had to catch a taxi.  This wasn’t what I expected in Japan at all, as it was only just after midnight.  It was just over 7,000 yen (AU$70) to get back to our hotel by cab.

I had to try to get the Pracware release out tonight, as some final work was being done during the day by the guys back in Australia.  I attempted the first part (the checkout), but had a timeout error that took more brain power than I had left for the evening.  So I put it in the “tomorrow” basket and crawled in to bed.

After we woke up, we went downstairs for breakfast.  This was included in the room cost, which was considerably cheaper than Shinagawa (where I normally stay).  OK, it’s not a buffet breakfast – there are some rolls, egg, potato salad, soup, juice, tea and coffee.  But it is enough to kick start the day.

But today had to be an “all systems go” day for me.  We’re intending to roll out Pracware today, but the team didn’t get enough done without me on the phone cracking the whip the last couple of days.  So I had to pull it all back in line to get the release across the line.  So most of the day was spent in the room.  Kaoru went to visit her parents in the morning (they are about a 20 minute walk away), and came back for lunch.  We went to get a Bento Box from a place across the road, and brought it back to the room to eat.

In the afternoon Kaoru had to go to see her Facial Massage teacher, to say goodbye.  So she caught a train out, and we planned a place to meet near Tokyo station.  On my previous trips I had my own Japanese phone (that Dai-san had given me to use).  But I had given that back to him, and Kaoru was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to follow her directions, so she called me through the afternoon and gave me a new meeting place (without the walking from the train station gate).  I made it there no worries, and after looking for a present, we caught the train to Yokohama to see Rou and Nauko (and Haruka) for dinner.  I still don’t know how they do the walk home each day from the train station to their house.  It’s an amazing view from up so high, but it’s quite a challenge!

We had Tako-yaki for dinner.  Now that Kaoru and I have our own Tako-yaki maker, we were paying more attention to the finer arts of Tako-yaki.  Haruka couldn’t work out if she was amazed by me, or scared of me, so would stare for a while, cry for a bit, then go back to staring again.  She’ll get used to it sooner or later.  Ryu explained that his job has changed, and he is not getting to use his English at all at work these days, so enjoyed the experience of using it again.  It’s very easy to talk with them.

It was a longer train ride back to the hotel than it used to be to Kaoru’s flat in Fujisawa.  Luckily we had a seat for it.  We got back to the hotel and called it a night.

I landed at Narita airport around 7.30am, after a light breakfast, and some very interrupted sleep along the way.  Immigration wasn’t any hassle, and once through, saw my suitcase in the “Priority Baggage” area.  So no waiting at the carrousel for my bag!  Yep, this is travelling!  Once through the doors, I saw Kaoru waiting for me.

We got a bus ticket to Kasai (where we would be staying), and boarded after about 15 minutes, so it was well timed.  The trip was about an hour.  We were at the hotel around 9.30, so way too early to check in, so I left my bag at the hotel and we went to get some food, and killed some time walking around.  This included a trip to the council offices to get Kaoru’s birth certificate (for any visa’s she will need in Australia), and also a trip to the Tokyo Sky Tree.  We didn’t go up it, but it was nice to see.

We got back to the hotel and checked in.  But first had to go to the supermarket next door, to buy a bottle of Wild Turkey to keep me going :).  This was a discount liquor shop, so I needed to see *just* how discounted it was.  OK, it was good.  How good?  How about $10 for a 700ml bottle of Jim Beam, *with* a bonus tumbler glass?  Or how about Wild Turkey Rare Breed for $35?  It wasn’t an easy decision!  But finally settled on a bottle of normal Wild Turkey, some Dry Ginger Ale, and some Cola.

Once in the room I was able to catch up on work stuff from the day.  A few things had happened, so I sent off a number of emails.  Then Kaoru and I went out to dinner with her parents, and her fathers sisters, whom I hadn’t met yet.  We went to an “up market Sushi Train”.  Oh god, how I missed proper sushi!  It all just melted in my mouth!  Then the waiter came to the table with a large bag full of water and a squid (still alive).  How could I say no?  So they cut its head off, sliced it up, and put it on my plate, still moving slightly!  Delicious!  I could never get sick of this place.

Kaoru’s father dropped us off back near the hotel and I was ready for bed – it had been a long couple of days with very little sleep.  But just to really make me feel welcome, a 15-20 second tremor hit, which had the hotel shaking for a bit.  Sometimes it feels like I never left!

Here we go again – in style this time!

It took me a while, but I’ve finally managed to reach Gold Frequent Flyer status with Singapore Airlines.  So this trip is for me to go to Japan and help Kaoru move back to Australia with me.

I left my car at Brett’s house, and he drove me to the airport.  Check in was quick, and I was also given a “Priority Pass” to use for immigration / security.  So getting through was very efficient.  Once through the formalities, it was off to the United Lounge (the Singapore one is undergoing major renovations at Melbourne airport, so was closed), and with about 15 minutes to spare, I was able to set up for a Fitgenes meeting.  I spent most of the time on the phone for the meeting, being able to get a bite to eat and a couple of drinks to keep me going.  It was then time to board the aircraft.

My seat was in the upper deck of the A380 – another new experience for me.  Not a lot of difference (it was still cattle class), although I didn’t have anybody next to me (and had the customary exit row seat), so it was very spacious.  We took off about 4.45pm – right on time, and after a couple of drinks and movies, I landed in Singapore.

The new thing I had found in Singapore – if you are transitting through, they give you “Changi Dollars”, to spend at the airport!  So I collected them, and once finding out that they last until March, I put them in my passport to spend on the flight home (as I could use them with the ones I will be getting on the return flight).  It was then over to the lounge at Changi airport, for a couple of drinks, catch up on some work, and a chat with Kaoru.

What I didn’t realise is that they wouldn’t be calling the flight in the lounge!  So before I realised what was happening, the flight was at the final stages of boarding, up the other end of the airport!  So it was a mad rush through to the boarding lounge, and straight on the airplane.  I was having fears of missing my flight and being stuck in Singapore overnight.  But luckily I made it, and was en route to Tokyo for an overnight flight.  Luckily I wasn’t last on the plane, so did not hear my name called over the PA system at the airport – would hate to be one of those people!