Welcome to Tokyo, London weather style...

It was cold and overcast when we took off from Calgary with the prospect of nothing over mid teens all week. And it was overcast and soggy when we arrived in Tokyo - but at least the temp was 20.

  We had the decided advantage of riding the new Boeing Dreamliner. What a nice way to spend 11 hours on a plane. 

 We were surprised at our route. Japan looks opposite San Fran and LA on a map, but we hugged the BC coast to Sitka, over the Aleutians (couldn't see a thing all day!) along south of  the Russian coast and down to Japan. 

  Yeah, the Dreamliner was something else. Some neat gizmos (esp the Windows), very comfortable seats, half empty plane, OK food, and quiet as a mouse in front of the engine. Watched two lousy movies en route, had about 3 hours sorta sleep, and pleasantly surprised that Narita airport wasn't a zoo like Heathrow. Very well organized. Had to wait an hour for the express bus right to hotel, and promptly left my down vest on bus! Not found today! Oh well, at least I have a down jacket for the mountain bit of trip.

  The 1.5 hour drive took us past grey, dull buildings, not til central Tokyo do you see some interesting buildings. 

  We went out exploring briefly, but I was too pooped to take in any amount of it, so we bought me a Quiche Lorraine (as good as anything in Paris) and yogurt and I came home, ate in room, soaked in bath (nearly fell asleep!) found CNN newson TV, then bed at 10:30pm, Slept well for a while then fitfully til 8:30 so not bad. 

  Ted went back out last night, found  a Mexican place he thinks he ate at with Tony 6 years ago! Quesadilla and beer and check out some other places for later. We are here 4 days so have to get out and arrange all our train tickets before long.

  Now it's pissing out there, just like being in England. Our view from hotel window, more windows and walls.

  Our room is tiny, a real challenge to take anything out of the two reasonable-sized suitcases. Two people can't pass in the hallway. Not a cupboard or drawer in sight.

  Everything so well organized and orderly here, not like China at all! Even a line on the bath telling me where to run water to! they are very economical here, not so bad.

   Great buffet breakfast of both Japanese and Western food, more pain au choc and croissants like in France. Yeah. So I guess we won't be wandering out to find better breakfast anywhere else. When we come back 2 more times, it is included, but at $12 they didn't make any $$$ out of Ted today....
  I started my log last night so will now try to start on the blog, just copy what I write.

  I see it is shitty weather in Calgary too. Sorry about

My eyes were already drooping, it's nearly noon, midnight in Calgary, but I am going to resist napping today...Ted Is doing well as usual, once he has found the cheapest beer near the hotel, he is all set...