YOKOTA (Rest Day)
I liked the massage from yesterday morning so much that I had another one this morning! TALK about spoiled! I can't believe how reasonable, wonderful, and convenient it is to have a massage here! The flights for today were cancelled, so I just wallowed in a long hot bubble bath, walked to the Air Mobility Command (AMC) to confirm that I am signed up for travel Space-A, took a nap, watched TV, wandered into ITT (Information Tickets and Travel) and booked a tour of Tokyo, and relaxed in my room. Much needed day of rest!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Day Seventeen of Travel to ? 6-16-09
TOKYO
Since the Flight to Elmendorf was cancelled today, I started the day off with an hour long massage! WOW! I needed that after hauling my body weight around in luggage! What a way to start the day!
That's right...you have now seen the inside of a woman's toilet stall in Fussa Station- Tokyo, Japan. Not all together unexpected, I was taken aback for a moment when faced with this novelty. (Big Smile) That is why they say "squat" I'm sure...
I ventured into downtown Tokyo
You think it's just another water fountain? Turn that little knob and see what it does! I myself, and many other tourists got water shot into the face by this sneaky little public perk. I laughed really hard when someone got the water shot straight up into their nose!
Guards at the Imperial Palace. This reminds me of the Royals in England.
Shogun (I think).
I wandered my way around town and through the train system today and accomplished some simple, but key things. I figured out how to order sushi (even though no one spoke English and the Japanese I can speak is pitifully little) I shopped at the grocery store and found some great ingredients to take home for sushi! I could spend years here and just barely scratch the surface of all there is to experience. Tokyo is overwhelmingly AMAZING!
Since the Flight to Elmendorf was cancelled today, I started the day off with an hour long massage! WOW! I needed that after hauling my body weight around in luggage! What a way to start the day!
That's right...you have now seen the inside of a woman's toilet stall in Fussa Station- Tokyo, Japan. Not all together unexpected, I was taken aback for a moment when faced with this novelty. (Big Smile) That is why they say "squat" I'm sure...
I ventured into downtown Tokyo
You think it's just another water fountain? Turn that little knob and see what it does! I myself, and many other tourists got water shot into the face by this sneaky little public perk. I laughed really hard when someone got the water shot straight up into their nose!
Guards at the Imperial Palace. This reminds me of the Royals in England.
Shogun (I think).
I wandered my way around town and through the train system today and accomplished some simple, but key things. I figured out how to order sushi (even though no one spoke English and the Japanese I can speak is pitifully little) I shopped at the grocery store and found some great ingredients to take home for sushi! I could spend years here and just barely scratch the surface of all there is to experience. Tokyo is overwhelmingly AMAZING! Monday, June 15, 2009
Day Sixteen of Travel to ? 6-15-09
OKINAWA JAPAN TO MAINLAND JAPAN 
Here I am sipping green tea on the flight form the Naha airport, Okinawa Japan to Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan
What's the first thing I see when I step off the gruelling 2.5 hour train ride? Mickey-D's. ???Where am I?
This shot puts my location into better perspective.
I finally made it to the base and checked into a great situation!
Here I am sipping green tea on the flight form the Naha airport, Okinawa Japan to Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan
What's the first thing I see when I step off the gruelling 2.5 hour train ride? Mickey-D's. ???Where am I?
This shot puts my location into better perspective. 
I finally made it to the base and checked into a great situation!Sunday, June 14, 2009
Day Fifteen of Travel to ? 6-14-09
OKINAWA
(Above- Stacy)
So I met some people through my flight on the C17 to Kadena and we all went out Saturday and Sunday nights! 6 different stops and ended up on Saturday night/Sunday morning at a REALLY neat Karaoke place with all you can drink, eat, and sing until 7:00am! Wow! Talk about amazing fun!
(Joe, Me, Mark, Stacy)
I'm sure I'll have to go back to Okinawa to capture the rest of the experiences there, but I enjoyed the night life and all the fun I had in the short time I was there.
(Above- Stacy)So I met some people through my flight on the C17 to Kadena and we all went out Saturday and Sunday nights! 6 different stops and ended up on Saturday night/Sunday morning at a REALLY neat Karaoke place with all you can drink, eat, and sing until 7:00am! Wow! Talk about amazing fun!
(Joe, Me, Mark, Stacy)
I'm sure I'll have to go back to Okinawa to capture the rest of the experiences there, but I enjoyed the night life and all the fun I had in the short time I was there.Saturday, June 13, 2009
Day Fourteen of Travel to ? 6-13-09
OKINAWA
Woke up bright and early and went to breakfast at a local restaraunt and captured some early morning beauty on my walk.
Caught a shuttle down to the "American Villiage" to get my naviating started in Japan. American Villiage is Okinawa's take on American culture, food, and shopping. Interesting and not really close to the reality I know back home. I did order Saki Soba for lunch and was impressed!
Near the sea wall downtown.
I rode the ferris wheel and got a great glimpse of the city. Here's a rare moment where is wasn't sprinkling rain.
Woke up bright and early and went to breakfast at a local restaraunt and captured some early morning beauty on my walk.Caught a shuttle down to the "American Villiage" to get my naviating started in Japan. American Villiage is Okinawa's take on American culture, food, and shopping. Interesting and not really close to the reality I know back home. I did order Saki Soba for lunch and was impressed!
Near the sea wall downtown.I rode the ferris wheel and got a great glimpse of the city. Here's a rare moment where is wasn't sprinkling rain.Friday, June 12, 2009
Day Thirteen of Travel to ? 6-12-09
OKINAWA JAPAN (Camp Foster)
So "technically" I got into Japan tonight at 7:30 pm and I sort of skipped a day. After Immigration and Customs, the Marines drove us back to Kadena where we signed up for travel from Kadena and then a nice couple (who were in the group with me on the plane) drove me to Camp Foster to find lodging since Kadena was full. I camped out on the couch in the lobby for an hour or two until they "found" a room available for me. hahah! Cute little rooms with a KING size bed and all the amenities you could need. I was SOO happy to have a bed to sleep in!
So "technically" I got into Japan tonight at 7:30 pm and I sort of skipped a day. After Immigration and Customs, the Marines drove us back to Kadena where we signed up for travel from Kadena and then a nice couple (who were in the group with me on the plane) drove me to Camp Foster to find lodging since Kadena was full. I camped out on the couch in the lobby for an hour or two until they "found" a room available for me. hahah! Cute little rooms with a KING size bed and all the amenities you could need. I was SOO happy to have a bed to sleep in!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Day Twelve of Travel to ? 6-11-09
KONA TO OAHU TO OKINAWA
Got up early this morning with Sarah's brother, Ian, and enjoyed the drive to Hilo Airport.
Caught a hop from Hilo to Oahu and a shuttle from Honolulu Airport to the AMC terminal on Hickam.
I was SUPER grateful to get on a direct flight from Hickam to Kadena (Okinawa Japan) on a C17!
About 7:30pm local time (After a 9.5 hour flight) we arrived in Okinawa and were transported to Immigration and customs.
I thought this sign was funny and the group of us were laughing about the old person being included in the restroom sign, so I took a picture. I almost got kicked out of the country for taking a picture in the immigration office, so I learned my lesson on that one...but still got to keep the picture! haha! I have a cool visa in my passport now to prove I've been to Japan! YAY!
Got up early this morning with Sarah's brother, Ian, and enjoyed the drive to Hilo Airport.Caught a hop from Hilo to Oahu and a shuttle from Honolulu Airport to the AMC terminal on Hickam.I was SUPER grateful to get on a direct flight from Hickam to Kadena (Okinawa Japan) on a C17! About 7:30pm local time (After a 9.5 hour flight) we arrived in Okinawa and were transported to Immigration and customs.I thought this sign was funny and the group of us were laughing about the old person being included in the restroom sign, so I took a picture. I almost got kicked out of the country for taking a picture in the immigration office, so I learned my lesson on that one...but still got to keep the picture! haha! I have a cool visa in my passport now to prove I've been to Japan! YAY!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Day Eleven of Travel to ? 6-10-09
HAWAI'I (BIG ISLAND FUN)
I did some MAJOR sleeping in this morning and then we were off on our adventure for the day. This is a cute shot of Sarah Whittle on our hike at Pololu.
Sarah calls this spot the "breezeway" because after a hot and humid hike this particular spot has a fresh cool breeze and is a great place to rest before the finishing the hike.
Shaka!
Great view of the valleys and coves.
Trying for a "Zoolander look" but looking more like silly monkeys! hahah!
This hike was incredible!
After hitting a few cute shops we drove to the Marriott where Sarah will be Married August 7th! The views are incredible! Sarah's wedding and reception will be absolutely stunning.
Ian (Sarah's Brother) and I fished while Sarah and her Mom worked out some details with the hotel.
Standing in the warm water and fishing.....rough....really rough!
Caught a beautiful rainbow.
Sunset view from where Sarah will say her, "I do." What an incredible day!
I did some MAJOR sleeping in this morning and then we were off on our adventure for the day. This is a cute shot of Sarah Whittle on our hike at Pololu.
Sarah calls this spot the "breezeway" because after a hot and humid hike this particular spot has a fresh cool breeze and is a great place to rest before the finishing the hike.
Shaka!
Great view of the valleys and coves.
Trying for a "Zoolander look" but looking more like silly monkeys! hahah!
This hike was incredible!
After hitting a few cute shops we drove to the Marriott where Sarah will be Married August 7th! The views are incredible! Sarah's wedding and reception will be absolutely stunning.
Ian (Sarah's Brother) and I fished while Sarah and her Mom worked out some details with the hotel. Standing in the warm water and fishing.....rough....really rough!
Caught a beautiful rainbow.
Sunset view from where Sarah will say her, "I do." What an incredible day!Anyone visiting the Big Island should try Solemene's for dinner! Yum!
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Day Ten of Travel to ? 6-9-09
KONA HAWAII
Here my friend Sarah Whittle cranks through some waves!
Sarah's brother Ian surfing.
Sarah's Dad surfing.
Me celebrating my first attempt at surfing. Status: not bleeding, took some hard hits from a set of big waves and kept on tickin', caught a few waves and learned to steer the board but didn't stand up, and only got a little rash from the board on my tummy! Surfing is fun! I can't wait to do more. :o)
The whole family went out to eat at Cafe Pesto to celebrate their dad getting a job promotion he'd wanted for a long time! Seafood risotto and incredible desserts and drinks! WOW!
What a great day!
Here my friend Sarah Whittle cranks through some waves!
Sarah's brother Ian surfing.
Sarah's Dad surfing.
Me celebrating my first attempt at surfing. Status: not bleeding, took some hard hits from a set of big waves and kept on tickin', caught a few waves and learned to steer the board but didn't stand up, and only got a little rash from the board on my tummy! Surfing is fun! I can't wait to do more. :o)
The whole family went out to eat at Cafe Pesto to celebrate their dad getting a job promotion he'd wanted for a long time! Seafood risotto and incredible desserts and drinks! WOW!
What a great day!
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