I consider myself a confident traveler who tackles adventures with enthusiasm. However, visiting Asia has always overwhelmed me. When my friend Leilani asked if I wanted to join her in Japan I immediately said yes! It was not difficult to get excited for my 6th continent (Antarctica remains!) and 33rd and 34th countries.
My first flight was 11 hours to Shanghai which I spent doing some work and learning I couldn’t get WiFi on the China Eastern flight because I “was not a citizen”. When I went through the Chinese security they pulled me over for my scissors. As they put my bag back through the scanner after I removed them the lady snuck them back in my bag. I was grateful.
The next flight to Tokyo was spent embroidering and eating. China Eastern may not give you WiFi but they give you plenty of food. I left Amsterdam at 20:00 (8pm) and arrived 16 hours later at 20:00 (8pm) with about one hour of sleep. It was my strategy to sleep little so I would when I arrived. Long hauls are not for the weak. I look tired.
I stopped at a 7-11 for some food because my kids are obsessed with Japan and told me to eat there. But when I arrived it was the middle of the night and couldn’t ask them what to get!
I arrived at the Airbnb where I connected with Leilani and her family. We could have talked all night but lack of sleep for both of us and a 05:00 alarm cut it short. It was a great day.
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