Notebook

On this flight they actually had the in-flight data display working (we were on another Boeing 747-400). That is where the main movie screens periodically display the airplane’s position, altitude, airspeed, etc. I took some notes when the numbers interested me:

• The total flight distance from Kansai Airport (KIX) to Detroit (DTW) was about 6,842 miles, and the trip took about 11 hours and 26 minutes.
• Soon after take-off we had reached 2,800 ft above sea level and were going 288 mph.
• Once we were above 10,000 ft we were travelling at 370 mph. Over the Pacific the plane was flying at an altitude of 33,980 ft, going 646 mph., and the temperature outside the plane was -12 degrees Fahrenheit.

We hit some rough turbulence about 30 miles out from the airport. It made all the other turbulence we hit on the flight over to Japan look like a calm day by comparison. We bounced up and down, side to side for about 5 minutes. Fortunately CDF and MDF were already asleep and didn’t feel the effects as much. I managed to avoid getting sick, but I was happy when it was over. Fortunately we didn’t hit anything like that again.
MDF made two more friends on this flight. First we met a flight attendant at the back of the plane as we walked around and around the two aisles. We met the lady again at the middle of the plane a little later and MDF sat beside her on the seats reserved for attendants and talked for a while. Then the lady got MDF her own helping of apple juice that she could drink with a coffee stirrer straw.
The other friend was a little girl, maybe about 9 or 10 years old, who thought MDF was very cute. After we had gone back to our seats, the girl and her father came down the aisle to bring MDF a paper flower the girl had made. She said that she loved babies and wanted to give MDF a gift. MDF accepted it and promptly pulled the “flower” off the stem (but thankfully after the girl had walked back up the aisle).

We’re home now (and have been for almost a week). It’s taken a few days to get adjusted, and we’re still feeling the effects of jet lag (I’ve heard it takes a day for every time zone you cross… so we’ve have two weeks to suffer!). MDF has probably had the worst of it, especially since she picked up a cold along the way and now just doesn’t feel well anyhow.
Anyway, enough complaining.
Our trip back seemed to go better than the one going. At least as far as rushing around in train stations and airports. This time we knew where we were going, and were more familiar with the process. We had less trouble with the trains too. Now that we realized that the escalators were easier to navigate with lots of luggage than the stairs were, we knew how to go.

MDF waiting for the train at the Iwakuni Station.

We (actually I) got mixed up abou the train we were supposed to catch in Hiroshima, so we rushed down to the tracks without needing to. The train we were going to ride actually would be arriving 15 minutes later than I thought. We were riding the Shinkansen (bullet train) again. On the way to Shin-Osaka station, a message flashed up on the destination marquee saying we were traveling at 300 kph.

Bullet Train at Iwakuni Station

One thing I noticed on the final leg to the airport was that it is on an island by itself, and the only access is by the train bridge going out to it and one (I think) highway. The train bridge took a while to cross too.
We ate lunch in a McDonalds on the second floor of the airport. They only difference between there and the ones in the States is that the bergers seem a little smaller (drinks too), and the mayonaise tastes like it has soy sauce mixed in!

MDF is sitting in front of a samurai statue that is supposedly “lord” of Kintai or the Kintai Samurai & it is also in front of a cherry blossom tree in full bloom!

The next picture is of a group of ladies that were providing a dance show. These are not the same ladies in the kimonos–but we did enjoy their performance.

And I got to take a picture with one of them. She really liked MDF & Abigail. MDF was too shy to have her picture taken with the lady & Abigail was asleep & didn’t notice the touching the lady did on her face.

And finally we are back to me & JF & MDF on the Kintai Bridge. The were a number of photographers taking pictures on the bridge & as MDF & I were watching the kimono ladies leave JF told me to hold still my picture was being taken—by 3-4 Japanese men! One of them took this photo.

Now, once we got off the bridge, there were little shops down by the water’s edge. I have drooled over some shoes they have here that are made of wood & are sandals. Every shop had them but they were $14.00 (1400 yen) and I only had about $5 worth. Well, there was this one shop that didn’t have a price and as I was holding a pair the lady came up to me. I asked how much & she held up 2 fingers and said 2 yen. I thought I had 2 yen! I had 2 100 pieces so I got excited. Held out to make sure & she shook her head no. We tried to get it right. She called a lady over & she brought with her a 1000 bill. I said no–and showed them all the money I had. Explained that I couldn’t purchase & I’d put them back. The shop lady held the shoes–finger over mouth (shhh) & motioned for the other lady to wrap them…hands motioning to go & be quiet. I thanked her in Japanese & walked off. I got my shoes for $5.00!!! Talk about being happy–my second purchase alone.
The afternoon has been subdued. MDF, Abigail & I took a nap and then JF & I finished up on some packing. Stephanie & I watched the movie “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” and we’ve had dinner. The vacation is coming to a close. I’m dreading the flight back because it is so long but also ready to be home in one way. Then again, by us having to leave; we also have to leave Stephanie, Vasco & baby Abigail. I’ve had a bit of homesickness (for the first time in my travels that I can remember) but I’ve enjoyed our visit. I hate to leave them but it is something we must do. Hopefully they will be able to come to the States before Abigail gets to be too big for a visit on their own. But then again, now that I know the flight–I also understand why they don’t come more often. Aside from how much it costs! We won’t go into that one.
It has truly been an experience & I can now put faces with names, places they frequent & food they talk about. I’m glad we made the trip & I grew wings & flew!
The next time you hear from me I’ll be home in Wilmington & getting back to my routine of life. Actually, I’ll be packing up our home & getting ready for a move. Don’t fear we are not moving here–they don’t have big enough yards. We are moving to Burgaw. We have put our house under contract while we have been here & move April 16th.
Hope you have enjoyed our visit right along with us. It’s been nice to hear from those that have responded back.

The first picture is of us under the Kintai Bridge at the river’s edge. Behind us is where rocks have collected & has a white water rapid effect.

The next picture JF took of me & MDF on the Kintai Bridge. We had to pay to cross it but it was a nice little walk & we were able to see things we would not have seen otherwise. You can also see what I am talking about with the white water rapid effect.

The third picture is us still on the Kintai Bridge–but each hump has steps that you climb rather than smooth wood. The bridge is famous for the arches so we wanted that as a nice backdrop.

And finally, there was a group of ladies dressed in kimonos that passed us. We tried to find them later in the park but never did.

Hello! This is our last outing here in Japan. We leave for the shin train in the early tomorrow morning to start the long journey home. Thankfully it will not be another 14 hour flight–just 13 this time. Daylight savings time is wonderful!
We went back to the Kintai Bridge area today to look through the shops & catch sight of the cherry blossom trees that are in bloom. They will be beautiful on Tuesday or so of next week, so we are missing them in full bloom but we were able to see some. The morning was a bit overcast but dry with a hint of a chill. Plus, we were right on the Nishi River.
We found a great spot to view the Kintai Bridge & the river & took the first two pictures. MDF has really taken to her Uncle Vasco (Unce Basco as she calls him) and I’m afraid will be lost when we get on the shin in the morning. This morning before we ever got dressed to go to breakfast, she had him reading “Mouse on the Moon” to her. They play together & do really fun things together. She’s sure gonna miss him & I think he’ll miss her a little too. It will be awful quiet around the house when he comes home & in the middle of the night–(she has woken the house up a few times between 11-1 screaming for no reason!–bad dream). So the third picture is of the two of them playing run down the hill. She liked to run down to the bushes & beyond that is the river…so he positioned himself to “catch” her & let me feel safe about her running down. She would run into his arms & he’d “throw” her in the air. Tons of giggles & laughter.

Just two

Posing at the bridge

MDF and Vasco playing