Cities We've Been

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Tokyo back to SF!

Tokyo, Japan Day 95 (May 5)

Asia

Our three month counter clockwise tour of Southeast Asia: Singapore > Bali > Vietnam > Laos > Cambodia > Thailand > Hong Kong > Philippines > Japan

It’s been 3 months, 9 countries, and finally time to go home. Aside from a sore throat that picked up in the Philippines, we are feeling pretty good, and are ready for another three months. But, the pull of home is strong, and we are anxious to spread out, and clean through our funky stuff.

Unfortunately, Northwest Airlines determined that we changed our flight itinerary by not using the Beijing to Tokyo leg we originally purchased. As a result, they charged us $800 per person to reissue tickets for our flight home (with the Beijing leg removed). At least the nice lady at the airport waived the addition $250 per person fee for “changing” our tickets. Of all the places we’ve visited in the world, there is nothing more inconvenient or expensive than dealing with an airline, when you “change” something.

Arriving at home, we have a brief moment celebration, euphoric from our amazing trip; followed by a rather strange thought:

What are we going to do now?


We said Goodbye to GeGe & JeiJei at Tokyo Station.

After few movies on the plane

...and some snoring...


We arrive in NorCal, picked up by our Jewish parents, Frank and Harriet. Vana realizes masks are not yet in fashion... Maybe same for the socks?

first thing's first - Mexican food!

2 comments:

Kevin and Vana said...

Welcome back!
Glad you and Kevin made it back safe and sound. Whenever you make it back to Santa Barbara, I want to hear all the stories and see the pictures.
Heck, throw a party and put on a 90 day tour of Asia presentation (all within two hours or until the food runs out:)
Really, with all the bad things that happen in the world today, just glad that everything went okay and you are safe.

Darren

Kevin and Vana said...

Hi Vana, Kevin

I am having travel withdrawal, the internet just isn't the same without the twice a week pictures and descriptions of exotic places with two familiar faces mucking around SouthEast Asia.
Glad you are back in the USA. Time to head to the mall, drive thru Inn-and-Out Burger, and enjoy high-speed internet.
While you are curling your toes in thick, lush carpet and climate controlled air conditioning, remember your loyal legion of adventure straved blog-fans.
Wouldn't it be a kick to finish up the blog with a final email of your day back in the USA. Let me see, eating out at a Thai food establishment in Silicon Valley, journey up the multi-lane highway to picturesque Tahoe. Canoe on the blue lake waters. Close up pictures of fresh trout.
Ah, I'm just a dreamer.
Welcome back to the USA.

-Darren-