I'll post photos and our thoughts as we go along, before my memory gets fuzzy. This means I need to blog very frequently. Below are little thoughts which I jotted down yesterday, while riding over here on the plane.
Not a business trip
Our trip is definitely not about business, far from it, but fortunately, we’re on the "business class" section. How ironic. Good thing that they don’t ask for the purpose of our flight. For our trip around the world (except for Africa and S. America which we are saving for later) we decided to go with a program called "Oneworld." This is a special alliance composed of 10 or so airlines; a program I found through searching through the internet. The business class is double the cost of flying economy but definitely worth it; especially for long flights that come with almost a flat bed (some come with 180 degree flat bed).
I made sure the transpacific flight is comfortable since it is about 10 plus hours long. That’s why I booked Japan Airline instead of American; JAL comes with nice so called ‘lie-flat seats’ while AA only reclines 30 degrees. I heard that JAL's service was top class too; we got to experience Japanese hospitality from well trained, nice looking young stewardesses from right off the gate. I mean literally, from right off the gate, an agent somehow escorted Joanne and me all the way to the airplane, taking us quickly through all the security checks avoiding long lines, just to make sure we get on board. I thought, hmm what terrific service, I didn't realize we were almost the last ones on the plane. I didn’t take into account the fact that it takes that long to get through security at LAX.
With all the pampering, good food and wine, I promptly fell asleep (probably helped by sampling all of their fine champagne, wine, shoju, and sake. Yes, I asked for and got all, each one served politely). I can’t say the same about Joanne (doesn't drink). I don't even know if she slept well because I was a gonner. When I woke up a little before landing in Tokyo, she looked as pale as the white rice I had eaten for dinner. Her motion sickness prevention device had run out of battery!
Too big to handle
Luggage – a very important matter, but a part we couldn’t pay close attention to because we were too busy clearing out our belongings till the last minute. I know when I threw in all my stuff, it only filled half the trunk. Next thing I know when I came back from UCLA after picking up Kristin so she can drop us off at the airport, I saw four fat, bulging trunks (two elephants and two gorillas, two check-ins and two carry-ons). I know a normal person couldn’t even lift it. I had no time to argue since we had to get to the airport on time.
After we landed in Tokyo and got our luggage, I knew I was in trouble. No way would I be able to lug around this immigration size luggage for a whole year. Joanne was looking pale from the flight. I couldn’t say much, I could only think "oh no, I need to drag around not only our heavy luggage, but even Joanne.. " I just told myself to stay positive or it could end up being a very short trip.
Tokyo night
Our first night away from home, all I can remember is taking a taxi from Shinjuku Station to our hotel (5 min), washing up, and sleeping. Oh, one thing, right before going to bed, I went down to the front desk and asked if our stay included breakfast since I thought it did. But the clerk replied that it didn’t. OK, what happended?
To make a long story short, don’t book with Asiarooms.com. On their website, a standard room includes breakfast and we booked it as such. When the voucher came thru email, it said no “boardbase”. It turns out that "boardbase" means breakfast. The hotel more than made up for it with clean, efficient room and allowing us to store our luggage for the next trip to Hakone.
Hakone experience
Ryokan is a traditional Japanese style lodging. It usually comes with breakfast and dinner served in our tatami room and has an onsen (natural hot springs). It usually is more expensive than a hotel stay but we wanted to relax in an onsen and experience a Japanese style room. We chose Nanpuso Hotel for the first day and Mikawaya Ryokan for the second. They were both excellent; sumptuous food, in-room food service(like breakfast in bed), and good indoor and outdoor hot springs. Joanne liked the first ryokan and I liked the second.
Japanese way or Joanne way
The Japanese are very polite, methodical, and work hard to please their guests. But they also go strictly by the book and are inflexible in many of their ways. At the first place our travel agent booked, we had requested a non-smoking room but somehow ended up in a room filled with lingering smoke. After going back and forth with sign language and body motions, the female employee who escorted us to our room hurriedly went downstairs to bring back a large air freshener machine. A few more hand gestures and a phone calls later, the next thing we know, the manager of the hotel and another employee entered the room and kneeled before us in a big bow with their heads down on the floor. They sincerely apologized and said that everything was already set and that they were no non-smoking rooms available. It turns out that most rooms in Japan allow smoking in the rooms. In fact, only a few rooms are left for non-smokers. All they could do was offer us another room, a large suite but at an additional cost of 120 dollars (they couldn't even serve us dinner in our room since these extra large suites were so far away from the main building). This was on top of 350 dollars we had already paid to reserve the room. Being resourceful, Joanne takes over and makes suggestion; how about this and that? We ended up getting a room double the size, with a better view,our own private garden that didn't smell of cigarettes; all at no extra cost. Joanne prevails once again..
On our way to Hakone from Shinjuku Station. This line is called "romance car". It takes about an hour and 20 minutes to Hakone-Yumoto Station.
A simple decor of Japanese 'tatami' room. This is 15 tatami size, more than enough room for two.
Our dinner - never seen so many Japanese dishes in one setting.
Cheers to all - glad to be in Hakone.
A road Tokugawa built about 400 years ago. Cedar tree lined goes for about 2 km provides shades from sun, snow for travelers.
A view of Ashi Lake and Mt. Fuji hidden behind clouds. Had tea and Japanese cakes. 
This is what the view is supposed to look like on a clear day. 
Mikawaya Ryokan which we stayed on second day. A very traditional house nestled high in the middle of a hill top, with a beautiful view of surrounding mountains.
Waiting for the bus in a common area. The buses & trains run right on time.
You can see a glimpse of the Hakone golf couse beyond. We just drooled..
Departing back to Tokyo on our way to Gimpo-Korea.2 comments:
kristin said...
aw i like that picture of you and mom in those kimono-like dresses. i even created a folder on my computer desktop called "mom&dad pictures" so that i can save all the pictures you upload :)
October 5, 2008 9:36 PM
Brian said...
Hi Kristin, it is called yukata. It is like a robe, but they insist it's not a bath robe.
October 6, 2008 2:06 AM
gene said...
very nice.
October 5, 2008 8:52 PM
gene said...
everything in japan looks so delicate and miniaturized haha
October 5, 2008 8:57 PM
Brian said...
Hi Gene, there are many things to learn from Japanese culture. I like the fact they take high pride in all their work. Nothing is overlooked. They are very detailed minded.
October 6, 2008 2:13 AM
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