Seattle to Tokyo

Wednesday, 10/2 (Japan time)

Well, old age caught up with me. Or maybe it was just a normal slip anyone could have made.

I drafted up most of this post, including photos, then after mis-typing one of the captions, hit the delete button thinking it would delete just that caption. I was wrong. It deleted the entire draft post. Oh well, practice might be good. 

We packed Sunday afternoon so had only last minute details to take care of on Monday. Caught a ride share to Seatac and made a smooth trip through TSA.

Our gate was in the A Concourse to catch JAL Flt 0067. We were early so I had a chance to admire the artwork in this end of the terminal.

 This stained glass mural covers most of the east window wall at the end of the concourse.

These stylized pots, in the air and in the nook, caught my eye. I thought of octopus pots, although that's probably not what the artist had in mind. 

At the appointed time we boarded our flight. The 787 double aisles make it quicker. I like the quieter sound level too. Once we were in the air I could sense a substantial difference in noise. The seats were about the same as other planes but there was three or four inches more legroom, at least on this JAL configuration.

After the quick loading, we had the usual safety briefing. Then we sat at the gate for an additional 45 minutes. No word from the cockpit about the reason. I'm deaf so I may have missed it, but Ikuko said she didn't hear anything either. If course, she's deaf too so who's to say? 

Once we were airborne,  the pilot(s) made up most of the delay, arriving in Narita only ten minutes after scheduled on the ten hour flight. 

Through the efficient customs and immigration lines, we waited while our guides arranged our rail passes at the Japan Railway office, then out the door to the bus stop.

Interesting bus stops here at the airport. The signs display the next three buses and people line up in line one, two or three depending on which bus they want to catch.

The Express bus took a little over an hour to take us to the Shinagawa Prince Hotel, our home for the next four days. 

A sign outside our room. Sometimes the English here needs a liberal interpretation. 

A beautiful autumn arrangement in the hotel lobby. The sign above tells the story.

Tired from the day's travels we decided to skip dinner and try to sleep through the night. That plan didn't get far but that's jet lag.