Day 28 - There and Back Again...

So I'm back in Derby. It's hard to believe that I woke up yesterday in Tokyo. Leaving the house in Tokyo was difficult, I gave everyone a hug before leaving.

Then I took the train to Narita Airport, dropped my bag off and waited for my plane. I found a shop selling interesting flavour KitKats, so I had to buy them, and I had to have one last drink of Green tea before leaving. And some Pocky.

I eventually had to board the plane, though I didn't really want to. It was about a 12 hour flight to Amsterdam, then a 4 hour wait there, then an hour flight to Birmingham. I was very happy to see my Dad and Niki again.

They wanted their gifts immediately (should have known) so after arriving home having being awake for over 22 hours, I gave them the Nikka 'From the Barrel' whisky, the sake and the chopsticks, which were greatly appreciated. I also opened all the other souvenirs, and got to bed around half 12. That's 8:30am Japanese time. Thanks, guys.

I slept really, really well, and now I'm sat on the sofa going through pictures with my family.

As for my budget, excluding money spent on souvenirs, I was about £100 pounds under my budget. All in all, including flights and the Japan Rail pass, this trip cost £2,400.

I can safely say that going on this trip was the best decision of my life so far. I had so much fun, met so many amazing and interesting people. I cannot thank my Dad enough for suggesting I did this 2 years ago. Best idea ever.

So I guess this is the end! I hope you've enjoyed reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it!

Till next time,

Sayounara. :)

My Japanese mum

Day 27 - Souvenir Shopping...and a great last meal

I went back to Asakusa today, and had some yummy treats while I was there, all of which were filled with a sweet red bean paste. I also bought a drink from this funny guy on the street.

My favourite souvenirs I bought were chopsticks. I just loved buying them, I felt like I was in a wand shop! The type of wood matters and the length matters and they were so beautiful.


                                                  

Then I went home, and I had a nice chat for a few hours with Aiko and the mum, before going to the station with the mum to pick up the French girl who I am sharing a room with tonight. She is lovely, it's a shame I wont get to spend more time with her.

I also went to the supermarket to get my Dad some Nikka whisky and Sake. I later discovered in a different supermarket the Nikka 'From the Barrel' whisky I had wanted to buy, that the other supermarket didn't have. So I went home, collected the original bottle, returned it to the first place, then went and bought the other bottle. This whisky had better be pretty amazing. Not that I'll be able to tell anyway :P

The mum made a big dinner and we all ate together, it was so nice. I'm glad we all got to eat together for my last dinner. I wont be forgetting this family anytime soon.

I went upstairs and packed after dinner, which took ages because of all the new stuff I've bought, but I had company so it wasn't so bad.

I can't believe I leave tomorrow. This has gone so fast.

My last post, Day 28, will be up later than usual. I'll probably write it up on Sunday morning when I'm back in Derby.

Lots of love to everyone still reading.

Day 26 - National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation and Asakusa

Today I saw Asimo the robot! He/She/It was really cool. I watched a little show at 12:30, and then the main demonstration at 2pm. It did loads of stuff, the most exciting of which was running and kicking a ball. All of its little hand gestures probably would have seemed much more impressive if I could understand what it was saying, but it was still very cool.

The rest of the museum was very interesting as well, there were so many different exhibits, I won't go into them here. I bought 2 Asimo rulers and an Asimo mousepad from the shop, and it didn't even cost £5 altogether. So cheap! :)

Anyway I rushed off to return the Japanese phone I had borrowed at my friend's office, but I hadn't planned on going today, so I had to go into this huge posh building with lots of suits walking around wearing denim shorts, a fluorescent yellow top and a bright blue rucksack. I felt like I fit right in.

I did, however, get some unexpectedly great views of the bridge on the train over there, and I even got a decent photo from the train :)

After that mildly embarrassing experience I went to Asakusa to do some souvenir shopping. I managed to find some wooden slippers for my kimono and I got some other goodies, but I got there quite late and shops started closing, so I'll go back again tomorrow morning. Then I might go to Shibuya for a bit....I'm not sure yet.

I found a restaurant and ordered Tuna sushi. There were 7 pieces, the 3 in the middle aren't very fatty (fatty in tuna is good), the 2 at the bottom are medium fatty and the 2 at the top are extra fatty. It was seriously good.

Anyway, I'm going to go and have a shower and prepare for my last full day in Tokyo tomorrow!!!