A Japanese Christmas and a Thai New year.

[drron]

My stroll comes to an end with the Station.


A bit of trainspotting took up what was left of the afternoon.















Mrsdrron had developed a fever and cough. She also lost her appetite. So for dinner we went down to their "cafe". Last orders are at 5.30pm and the place closes at 6pm. It also serves as their bar as the roof top bar is still temporarily closed after Covid.
Mrsdrron had a wine and a bowl of fries and I had a beer and a seafood"carpaccio". Turned out to be a nice white fish sashimi.

 

[Seat0B]

Hope @mrs.dr.ron made a fast recovery and it wasn’t something serious. At least she travels with her medical staff on hand .

 

[drron]

The last full day in Kanazawa and mrsdrron was still not feeling well-don't worry she is now.
I decided to just walk around the station precinct. I started off in the Forus mall. A collection of shops and restaurants. Mostly local but several International brands. I often chuckle at the Japanese use of English names.






But this nordic shop loved by Mrsdrron pops up everywhere around Japan.


It was already 1pm and lines were getting long outside the restaurants already so started looking for one without a line.


And I found one. And it was an Okonomiyaki restaurant that I had missed out on in Osaka. So in I went.

And it came with instructions as to how you cook your dish.




I was beginning to wonder if I had done the right thing. Needed have worried I picked the simplest one.


Just put on some sauce and bonito flakes. Easy peasy.


And it was nice.

 

[drron]

I then walked around the station and through the station shopping centre.






Who wants to shop here.


And nearly what I want to say to some.


And are any of the Johns on here owning up to this.


Then I looked to see if any good bento boxes for our shinkansen ride the next day.

 

[drron]

Back to the hotel for sunset at 4.30pm.
















Once again we just ate at the hotel and mrsdrron had her wine and fries and I a beer and a Tonkatsu bento box. Thankfully tasted a lot better than it looked.

 

[drron]

So on 30/12 it was time to go to Haneda. We stay at the Royal Park hotel the night before a morning flight. Though the flight the next day was late morning. Today though we were catching the 1050 Shinkansen to Tokyo. Our ticket also let us take the Yamanote line on to Hana matsucho to connect to the monorail. Sadly we had to pay for that.
Naturally we were early so saw 3 trains leave. 2 Express trains and a Shinkansen.



Then ours


Seats again a little narrow but OK even though the fellow in front of me reclined as soon as he sat down.




Some people haven't heard of Takubin. Our large case had been sent from Osaka the day we checked out and would meet us as we checked in to the Royal Park hotel.


So we farewelled Kanazawa.




Not long before we saw snow.

 

[drron]

Then the mountains began to come into view.

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

We had now reached Nagano and it appeared we were leaving the sno behind.

 

[drron]

But there was one last hurrah. You could see people skiing on this slope.


And soon we were in the flat lands and coming into Oomiya.







The scenery wasn't much from there. so no more photos until we are at Haneda. Once again on local trains you noticed the changes in Japanese society. In each carriage on local trains are some priority seats marked as for disabled, elderly or pregnant women. That was always the way it was. Now more likely to see school children sitting there whilst even a fellow on crutches had to stand.
The monorail was the worst. A bun rush so we let the first one go so were first in the line for the next train. Still didn't mean we were first on.

But an easy walk from the Monorail Station to the Royal Park Hotel. Got there at ~ 2.30pm but the machines were cordoned off. No checkin until 3pm which in an airport hotel is ludicrous. A little after we arrived some AA crew arrived. The 2 pilots in the group became quite vocal so they opened up checkin but ushered us to the first machine and we were basically finished before they opened the other machines. Maybe a bit of passive aggression?

As soon as we had finished our check in we were told our bag was already in the room and it was. For the first time we had to catch the lift up not down so got a view instead of the brick wall of previous stays. The room though is still tiny.




The view.




But we were looking west so sunset time again.

 

[drron]

The sun put on a good show.













Then I noticed something.


And indeed it was Mt. Fuji. The most complete look I have had.

 

[drron]

Last of the sunset.










We then wandered over to the termial. Above the checkins there are several restaurants and stores. We have enjoyed eating there in the past. We wandered over about 4.30pm and did a little looking around noting that most restaurants opened at 5pm. So we returned to the restaurants at ~ 5.03pm and most had signs out - fully booked tonight!. The locals must be coming to the airport to eat. Didn't have much choice so we ate at an Italian restaurant. Mrsdrron had a caesar salad and I Spaghetti Neapolitana. It was a small serve.


Going back we just might have seen other AFFers arranging their office for the night - 30/12.






And around the corner 1 lonely sign.


Back to the Royal Park. The hallway is stark.

 

[bPeteb]

The next morning I took Mrsdrron over to Odaiba Island on the train t go to a 100 yen shop. Just before we left I noticed the reflections on the buildings we saw out of our window were good.
View attachment 359310

The original plan was to take her to the one I hadn't visited first and then go to the one I had visited. Fortunately though the first Daiso was much larger and Mrsdrron found everything she wanted and then some.
As we walked into the mall there was a familiar name.
View attachment 359311

There was a large group waiting to go in.
View attachment 359315

In there food court there was an ad for something I have no desire to taste.
View attachment 359314

So we walked back to the station. I believe there are a few AFFers that want go find this place.
View attachment 359312

View attachment 359313

We looked everywhere there but no teleporting to be found

 

[drron]

New Years day and time to fly to Bangkok.We were flying JL31. Wandered over to checkin about 8.30am. Huge lines for Y and fairly long in J. Not helped by the fact that the 3 JAL J agents had families with numerous checked bags. We moved up a spot when a JAL agent appears and took the 2 singles in front of us plus ourselves around to the F checkin where no one was waiting. All went very smoothly and the agent just asked if we knew where the lounge was and we answered that we did.

Quickly through security and Immigration. The F lounge was very close but as we were both now OWS we headed for the J lounge. Handed over our BPs and were told we could go to the Flounge. Just thought it a little unusual but wasn't going to argue. So first the view from the Flounge.


A pretty awful day weather wise. The lounge was reasonably empty.





They had beer dispensers,


wine dispensers


and sake dispensers.


Spirits.


But had never seen the champagne before.

 

[drron]

Our last views from the lounge.




Now our BPs had us in Row2 but I thought it was just like our SIN - NRT flight with no F. But got to our seat and thought this is a bit flash for J and only 2 rows. Then I noticed the menu.


Boy were we slow. We had been upgraded to F. Well now was the time to sit back, relax and enjoy.










Not a bad seat at all. I did try the full recline and it really was comfortable. but I wasn't going to let sleep rob me of time to enjoy the F service.
The PDB was Salon 2013. A bit overwhelmed so didn't take a photo.

 

[drron]

So to the Menu.






And the wines.

 

[drron]

Wine list continued.

 

[drron]

Now to my meal. I started off with the Argentinian wine. I had not tasted this wine before but thought I would just taste it and concentrate on the other reds. In fact it was extremely nice so after trying the Californian and French reds I went back to this wine. A great Malbec.


An amusee bouche I think accidentally given to me from the Western Menu.


Then to the seasonal delicacies.


Certainly delicate flavors.
Next a beautifully served dumpling.




Then the Kinki fish and caviar. Excellent.




Next red.


Then the tilefish with seasoned rice,pickles and miso soup.


And finished with the coconut mochi.

 

[drron]

Then Mrsdrron's meal. First the scallop and vegetable mille-feuille. She thought it was excellent.


However the fish course was even better.


She really didn't need anything to go with the steak which was tender and tasty.


And the dessert she also liked.


Now back to the third red I had.


All the reds were very good but it was the Malbec I preferred and kept drinking.
Later on I had the soba noodles.


And mrsdrron the fruit salad.


Unfortunately the flight was over all too soon. We arrived early but put at a remote stand and bussed in with all the others.
Still we came up the escalator after getting off the bus right across from the premium Immigration line so were very quickly through and off to nearly the furthest baggage carousel. Had to wait a while but our bag came out in the first dozen.
Down to Exit B and soon in the Limo going to the Westin.
Why the Westin. well after our stop at the SGS under it's new GM the standard had slipped. So we are trying a few places to see what may replace it. We tried the Kimpton in September and although a fabulous room we are not Kimpton's target Market.
So this time we are staying at the Westin first as we know the GM very well.
We will also be staying at the Royal Orchid Sheraton and the Original IC Bangkok which had a major refurb last year.