The godfather in New Joisey.

[drron]

Friday and we get to have an early breakfast and then off to Ebisu station.I love that each station has its own theme tune-another way of knowing your station-and at Ebisu it is the Third Man theme,I love it.We catch the JR line to Sendagaya.Leaving the station there are hundreds of young people holding signs.The girl holding a sign in English saying Kiss Me makes me wonder what is going on here.We walk to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.200 Yen entry.Although very little flowering at present a Japanese garden is still a delight.This one has an 1896 rest home for the Imperial family-

and a pavilion built in 1928 for Emperor Hirohito's wedding-

with a great view-

There are other great views here-

Some more pics next.

 

[drron]

More of the Shinjuku Gyoen gardens-

We then walked to Shinjuku station via Isetan and got the train back to Ebisu.We had a late lunch at the Sai Thai in the Yebisu Garden complex.Mrsdrron just had the Pad Thai whilst I had the summer special-vietnamese style spring roll,papaya salad and green and red chicken curries followed by tapioca.Pretty good.With a beer and coke Y3900.We went up to the lounge a little early to access the wifi and found the afternoon snacks were better than the evening snacks with sandwiches,cakes and pastries.
Next an easy day around the hotel.

 

[drron]

SaturdayWe are both feeling a little tired today-as it turns out we are coming down with the lurgi.Also it is forecast to rain this afternoon so we plan an easy day.Go over and have a selection of food from the Mitzukoshi basement for lunch.We had felt like Suikiyaki(or as a granddaughter calls it-suikiyummy).However the Suikiyaki place in the centre is Y12000($150) a head so we declined.
We then bought some pastries from the Joel Rubochon bakery-basically no different from others we have had in Japan just more expensive.We then wandered over to the Suntory museum-free entry but pay for tasting-Y500 for a tasting selection-

Mrsdrron's wine was Y300($4).The shop had some interesting items-

And the entrance-

After this we spent the afternoon in the lounge.It was absolutely full of locals.2 large cakes were brought out-gone within 2 minutes,we didnt stand a chance.Later at happy hour the first two lots of food are gone in 5 minutes.One obnoxious american is there who stands over the food,demanding more be brought out,not using the serving utensils then filling several plates at once for he and his partner.
Interesting watching one Japanese couple-she has alternate mouthfuls of beer and white wine,he of tomato juice and red wine.Meanwhile their infant son is getting very tired and fragile but they just keep drinking.
No problems arranging 1700 checkout for Monday.
next-last day in Tokyo.

 

[drron]

Sunday and we go downstairs for breakfast.It is a zoo.At least 50 people waiting to be seated so we decide to go to the lounge.Not before having a look at the guest list for the restaurant-at least 60 SPG plats on it-no wonder suite upgrades are not common here.The lounge breakfast is a good standard for a lounge it is just that the restaurant is better.
We were going to the Ginza but the rain has started to come down so we change plans and decide to go to Shinjuku.We have a post prandial lie down when we are sure we are experiencing a Tokyo earthquake.Turns out to be room 1619 in a prolonged and violent bout of horizontal tango.
Once again it is JR Ebisu to Shinjuku.Walk down to Takashimaya Times Square then back through the various subways to the Odakyu dept store.up to the 12th floor and have lunch.No idea of the restaurant 's name as absolutely nothing in english.i do remember a little hirigana so we each have the suikiyaki.Cost is Y2960($39).Not the greatest but quite reasonable for the price.
Again we go down to the basement and buy a few cakes for later and back to the hotel.Just got back when the rain started to come down in buckets-the typhoon was now close to the coast.It stayed that way until we left Japan,so apart from enjoying another restaurant breakfast we did little on the Monday until we checked out~1500.
Next-back to Aust on QF.

 

[drron]

Caught the 1530 airport limousine.The typhoon had now crossed the coast just south of Narita.The bus was wobbling around buffeted by the winds.The rain was p*ssing down.Arrived at the airport at 1705.got to the checkin just as QF22 was opened.Told it would be 30 minutes late-considering the conditions i thought that was great.
QF22.NRT-BNE.ETD 2030.ETA 0725 next morning.
As we had a fair bit of time we checked out the shops before security and had some sushi.Not great and overpriced-Y1780 for 8 pieces.Through security and Immigration quickly as no lines.As unable to Flounge decided to head to the QF lounge in the annexe.They certainly have improved it since I was last there.A couple of wines and snacks were OK.Boarding was still scheduled to start at 2025,the plane had arrived at the gate only about 30 minutes late so we decided to wander to the gate a little early.Both the lounge and at the gate still had boarding commencing at 2025 but there was little activity so I went to desk and they say sorry boardint wont be until 2125-so back to the QP we go.
Boarding was announced at 2015 so very soon we are settled into 5A,B.Last row of J.I am starting to think of connexions at SYD-we are booked on DJ,an easy 3hour 50 minute connection which now is down to 2 hours.This however is not as worrying as being on an A330 heading into a typhoon.So settle with a glass of Charles Heisdeck.As usual on QF not offered a second glass but we are told to fill out our brekkie orders before takeoff.Personally I dont like this particularly as from Asia the usual coughpy continental brekkie.
Push back-2144.Take off-2211.Connexion time in SYD now less than 2 hours.As we are waiting for take off the captain updates us.Apparently Ops in Australia decided to delay take off by 2 hours early that afternoon as typhoon was predicted to be directly over NRT at scheduled take off time(and was).So why at checkin etc did they go through with the false pretence of only being delayed 30 minutes?Anyway hardly any turbulence at all the whole flight.
Dinner-first tray-cream of pumpkin soup and a plate of green leaves.For mains I go for the Roast beef fillet with garlic butter and mediterranean veggies.Beef was nice and tender.
Mrsdrron went for the herb marinated chicken on yam puree with asparagus.Chicken was good.
Desserts-we both had the fruit-melon,figs,blueberries and Isabella grapes-all tasty.And of course I have the Bailey's muscat.
After that i kick off the shoes and try to sleep.Fitful sleep for 4.5 hours.Then i obviously finally sleep well and woken for brekkie.Even with the order filled out i get a croissant instead of toast but at least it is warm.Also luke warm coffee instead of tea as ordered.Sorry unlike some others here I remain to be convinced that QF service is wonderful.I am well past the times when just getting on a QF plane after some weeks OS and hearing an Aussie accent was a great thing.
Nice fine day over SYD.At gate 0825-only an hour late.Fantastic.The only line at Immigration was at the express lane so we avoid it and get straight through.Bags come out a couple of minutes later.So straight to the DJ transfer desk.Now coming off QF they charge $15 to checkin here or you pay $5.50 for the bus and checkin free at domestic.A bus was waiting so we took option 2.By 0900 we were checked in and sitting in the terminal having our cappucinos.
Next-the final flight.

 

[drron]

So the time for the final flight has come-
DJ481 SYD-MCY.ETD-1115.
Now we have 2 hours to kill rather than the rushed connection we were worrying about.We decide after our cappucino to go to the gate and read.This is so much different to our OW experiences.No lounge to get away from the crowds.Just take it all in.When you are part of the AFF family you forget how probably most of those taking flights have little idea of the way things work.We had placed ourselves right beside the desk ready to board quickly.with the DJ set up you can hear what everyone is saying and their responses.People who have no idea what a boarding pass is,those who obviously cant read-IE have no idea which gate they are at.Then there is the fellow trying to reassign his seat as he wants to be close to the toilet-unfortunately for him he is put in row 25-not row 1 or 2(PE) that he was asking for.
Again being a vacation destination the flight has a large number of young kids-and later there was little chance of sleeping on this flight.Finally board-we are 19 D,E.As soon as he boards the fellow in 18C(not the one wanting to be close to the loo) gets up and goes to the loo.As we push back on time he wants to go again.Lost count of the number of times he went in 80 minutes.Apart from that and the screaming it was an uneventful flight and into MCY 15 minutes early.
As is common for us our bags are next to last out.Straight out to the taxi and home.So the experience is over.I really enjoyed being a part of an American wedding.The Minnesota countryside was also enjoyable.Hopefully there are a few ideas for others.
The next TR has been started from here in Tassie but soon of on our Asian journey.It almost certainly will be just as long winded as my usual TRs so I apologise in advance.

 

[serfty]

Long winded? Your TR's are fine reads. Simple large paras describing you flights and meals.

(BTW, when do you have time for exercise/golf, considering the culinary delights you partake of on these trips?)