If you read my FB post a few days ago you’ll know more about my hotel and that I essentially don’t have internet service (my room apparently is too far from the hub). Anyway, as always, you gotta learn to adapt and overcome.
This blog is about my travels to get near the Narita Airport and the trip from Narita to Perth. I checked out of my Tokyo hotel on Wednesday and board a one hour train trip to Narita Airport. They say that there are two Tokyo airports Haneda (the airport that I landed at arriving in Tokyo) and Narita. But Narita is actually in the city of Narita, a 1-2 hour train ride away. I repositioned myself because I knew that my flights to Perth would be another long day. When I arrived at the airport it was before check-in so I had some nice sushi and then took the hotel shuttle to the hotel. I talk about hotels in another blog.
I awoke at 0500 am to ride the shuttle back to the airport. Now, I had been to the Narita 2 times before when I was going on a research cruise to the East China Sea for NASA. But I was always arriving - I would always fly home from another major city where the ship put in. Another new thing was that I was flying Malaysia Airlines. My first flight was from Tokyo to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and the from Kuala Lumpur to Perth. I was scheduled to arrive at 0120 am in Perth the next day. I knew that it was going to be a LONG day, and it was.
The first flight from Tokyo to Kuala Lumpur was fantastic! Very comfortable seat and the flight attendants were awesome. It was clearly, hands down, the best service that I have ever experienced flying. Another incredible treat was that they served satay BEFORE the 3 course meal began. Everyone that know me back home knows that the Thai Room Restaurant is my favorite and that I always get chicken satay as an app. Well, the Malaysian chick satay was different and incredible in its own right. Then they served the meal and they were always coming by to see if you wanted or needed anything. One of the biggest treats is that they served salted peanuts and I love peanuts. Once they saw how much I liked them they brought me bag after bag. It had to be heaven because it certainly wasn't Iowa!
The Kuala Lumpur airport was interesting and packed. In my arrival terminal they had a large enclosed tropical forest. After a 9+ hour flight I was feeling a little slow because it was HOT! I went from near freezing temperature to in the 90s. I headed to the lounge but they don’t serve alcohol of any type in the country (only in the air) and their coffee tasted a little funky to me.
I met a nice “mate” from Australia in line to board and the second flight was OK (they switched airplanes on us) but once again, service was stellar.
When I landed everything else was/is a blur and I finally went to bed at 0400 and crashed.
Next, I describe my time in Perth.
Until next time, be safe, be kind and peace out mates.
