the long night and Naritasan...
So, the alarm went off at 11:30pm last night and I was NOT particularly pleased. I consoled myself that it was past my normal wakeup time at home if I looked at my phone which was still on PDT but that didn't help.
I took a shower and then went downstairs to check out and all that was there was a security guard. Also, they over charged me. I am going to try and resolve it amicably but if not, I'll do nasty reviews.
The guard got someone out of bed (I felt marginally bad - but I had specifically notified them of this when I made the reservation) and was able to check out. I then sped to the airport (as they close checkin for a 2:30am flight at 1am! crazy!) where I found Hertz open but nobody there. Luckily I told the guy I was dropping the car off so eventually he showed up after I checked in.
Of course, when I went to check in, the desk clerk totally refused to check me in for both seats which really annoyed me. If I miss a status level by 813 miles, I'll be rather annoyed...
Anyhow, I got the car sorted and the checkin sorted and then headed up to immigration and such. Simple process and then waited to board. I had a window and slept most of the flight. Got to Guam and tried to resolve my double ticket issue, but still no lovin from the red coats or from continental reservations (even though I checked with both that I could do it). I was willing to sacrifice the ticket but there was a glimmer of hope in getting something but I'm cool either way.
Boarded the flight in GUM, also in Biz First, and pretty much fell asleep before take off. Woke up for breakfast and then went back to sleep for another 2 hours or so. I woke up with a jolt with some crazy turbulence about 40 mins out of Tokyo. Go through that and then landed, went through immigration, stuck my luggage in a locker and headed down to the train for Narita Station and my morning at the temple.
Narita-san was probably one of the nicer temple complexes I had been to in Japan. I don't know why we didn't go here when we were stuck in Narita (probably because we spent all day in the city, but we could have totally done it in a morning). Anyhow, the temple was enjoyable and after spending the rest of the morning there, I headed back up the hill for a little lunch.
I was craving a Yaka Soba lunch and was not disappointed. I saw a number of eel places on the way down and normally that would have been my first choice, but I think I made the right choice. Nothing like picking your lunch off a plastic model in the window! :)
Now I'm back at the ANA Lounge (nice to try out different lounges). I just wish the flight left a few hours earlier - like nowish... 2 more hours and change and getting into Singapore at 11:40pm. Of course, it could be worse and I could be on the Delta flight getting in at 1:30am... I guess beggers can't be choosers. Tomorrow was designated by my boss as a "recovery" day for me (it was either go home and turn around 2 hours later or do what i did - I think this was far better as there was little room for error... I would have had a similar (well, 6 hr vs 8 hr) layover in HNL and still would be there right now...for 3 more hours as well!
Anyhow, I will get up, workout and perhaps visit with one of the customer guys for lunch. I get 2 free pieces of laundry per day (which is rather exciting - so I'll pretty much have free clean clothes the rest of the trip!).
Well, going to download my photos and get all that organized since I have 2 more hours here!
I took a shower and then went downstairs to check out and all that was there was a security guard. Also, they over charged me. I am going to try and resolve it amicably but if not, I'll do nasty reviews.
The guard got someone out of bed (I felt marginally bad - but I had specifically notified them of this when I made the reservation) and was able to check out. I then sped to the airport (as they close checkin for a 2:30am flight at 1am! crazy!) where I found Hertz open but nobody there. Luckily I told the guy I was dropping the car off so eventually he showed up after I checked in.
Of course, when I went to check in, the desk clerk totally refused to check me in for both seats which really annoyed me. If I miss a status level by 813 miles, I'll be rather annoyed...
Anyhow, I got the car sorted and the checkin sorted and then headed up to immigration and such. Simple process and then waited to board. I had a window and slept most of the flight. Got to Guam and tried to resolve my double ticket issue, but still no lovin from the red coats or from continental reservations (even though I checked with both that I could do it). I was willing to sacrifice the ticket but there was a glimmer of hope in getting something but I'm cool either way.
Boarded the flight in GUM, also in Biz First, and pretty much fell asleep before take off. Woke up for breakfast and then went back to sleep for another 2 hours or so. I woke up with a jolt with some crazy turbulence about 40 mins out of Tokyo. Go through that and then landed, went through immigration, stuck my luggage in a locker and headed down to the train for Narita Station and my morning at the temple.
Narita-san was probably one of the nicer temple complexes I had been to in Japan. I don't know why we didn't go here when we were stuck in Narita (probably because we spent all day in the city, but we could have totally done it in a morning). Anyhow, the temple was enjoyable and after spending the rest of the morning there, I headed back up the hill for a little lunch.
I was craving a Yaka Soba lunch and was not disappointed. I saw a number of eel places on the way down and normally that would have been my first choice, but I think I made the right choice. Nothing like picking your lunch off a plastic model in the window! :)
Now I'm back at the ANA Lounge (nice to try out different lounges). I just wish the flight left a few hours earlier - like nowish... 2 more hours and change and getting into Singapore at 11:40pm. Of course, it could be worse and I could be on the Delta flight getting in at 1:30am... I guess beggers can't be choosers. Tomorrow was designated by my boss as a "recovery" day for me (it was either go home and turn around 2 hours later or do what i did - I think this was far better as there was little room for error... I would have had a similar (well, 6 hr vs 8 hr) layover in HNL and still would be there right now...for 3 more hours as well!
Anyhow, I will get up, workout and perhaps visit with one of the customer guys for lunch. I get 2 free pieces of laundry per day (which is rather exciting - so I'll pretty much have free clean clothes the rest of the trip!).
Well, going to download my photos and get all that organized since I have 2 more hours here!