An afternoon in Tokyo

This morning I was a bit sad. I was the first one to leave this great TravBuddy meet-up. As I was standing at the bus stop early in the morning waiting for the airport bus I felt pretty sorry for myself. I had had such a good time with the TB gang, the sun was shinning and I wanted to stay. The good thing is that we can all meet again, and I hope it will be in not too long.

The Honolulu airport was not too busy this morning. I had a latte at Starbucks before I went through the security control. In the departure lounge I just had to check out the shops. And it made me smile. If you want to bring back Hawaiian chocolate then you are better off buying it in the grocery shop before you leave. I bought the Hawaii Host Maui Caramacs at Longs at the Ala Moana Mall and paid $2.79. The same box was $4.75 in the airport. I had made a good deal! Further on at the newspaper shop I just had to get a book I saw. It was the "Hawaii´s hidden paradise". It had beautiful photos from the non-touristy part of Hawaii. Absolutely stunning pictures! Next time I have to check out the hidden Hawaii.

I guess my excitement of living the 2nd of February twice had its price. I was now leaving Hawaii and crossing the international date line again on my way back to Japan. It was early morning on the 7th when I left Honolulu and I arrived Tokyo in the afternoon on the 8th.

Since I arrived Tokyo at Narita airport and was leaving for Sapporo from Haneda airport, I did not take the chance of not making it from one airport to the other that same evening, so I booked a hotel for one night in Tokyo to be on the safe side. To make it easy I booked the hotel in Hamamatschō, the starting point of the monorail to Haneda airport.

From Narita I took the Narita Express to Tokyo station, transfered to the JR Yamanote Line (circle line) and three stops later I was at Hamamatschō. It is so easy to travel in Japan, and so convenient. I had planned to check-in at my hotel and then visit Tokyo Tower to see the great view of Tokyo by night. By the time I reach my hotel I was exhausted from traveling all day and decided just to get something to eat and end the day early. After all I was starting tomorrow with another trip. I was going to Sapporo for the 61st Sapporo Snow Festival.