Hey there, Joel
We're here!
That's it, That's the newsletter! Until next time!
Ha, as if that's all I could send! Let's get you caught up on what happened and what's going on! To start let's just say that traveling is a Series of Uncomfortable Events. Airport lounge chairs are mostly comfortable. Airport food is mostly good - but too dang expensive! Airplane seats are almost mostly comfortable. Sleeping on a plane is barely comfortable for barely any of the time.
Jamie and I made it to Tokyo at 4am local time, breezed through customs and immigration and then were promptly introduced to heat, and humidity. Good bye ever being dry! I guess you could say we're now in a different uncomfortable: sticky and sweaty. Welcome to Japan!
After dropping off our luggage at the hotel our first real stop was 7 Eleven. Yep. 7 Eleven. Japan has the best convenience stores. Good prices and actually really good food. Today breakfast was a Melon Pan and a Monster. Healthy choices for the win!
With a more happy tummy it was time for a few quick errands (more breakfast and a better day bag for Jamie) and then it was off to Hakone for a day trip. Hakone is 90 minutes or so away from Tokyo and is a popular tourist destination for some lovely scenery, hot baths, and a (hopeful) view of Mt. Fuji.
The first destination was Hakone Yuryo for a private 2 hours in an Onsen. It was SO NICE! All the tension and stress of traveled just melted away in that water. In the room was some facial moisturizers that were heaven that we really hope to find again before heading home.
W/hat happened next can only be called "A Series of Transport Options". First, we took a bus up to Lake Ashi to catch a view of Mt. Fuji. Only there was no view because it was cloudy and overcast. Then, we rode a pirate ship across the lake. Yes, I did say Pirate Ship. Upon departure we boarded a ropeway tram to go up the mountain. Along the way are a few stops for souvenirs and such. While we were up there the clouds parted and Fuji showed up!
To get down from the top we climbed in another ropeway car to another stop, and then found our last new mode of movement - a cable car. These are trains built on an angle and move via a cable underneath to slowly go down and up a mountain. Our car had a broken AC unit and despite thinking we were already hot and sweaty we were introduced to the dripping sweat level of hot and sweaty.
At last we were off the mountain and then it was another 2.5 hours of trains back to our starting point in Hakone, then back to Tokyo. Visiting Hakone was a lot of fun, but it was also a lot of transportation.
We got back to Tokyo very hungry and ended up at Tamago to Watashi - Eggs and Me, a cute little diner that made Japanese style omelettes. Unfortunately we were took hungry for pictures.
We headed back to the hotel, grabbed a few late night snacks from 7 Eleven (late night - ha! It was like 9:30) and then came home for a very nice shower and sleep.
Until tomorrow!
- Joel