Woke up Sunday morning in Tokyo and had a nice breakfast. Then we checked out at 11:00 am. Now we had to kill time until 5:00 pm when our driver to the airport arrived. We walked around a bit. Right outside the hotel is the Ark Hills office complex, Suntory Music Hall and a host of restaurants. In the Ark Hills Plaza, there was a Music Fest of Japanese children performing, mostly for their parents, but today also for us. And we had lunch at the City Bakery, a Japanese chain based on the City Bakery in NYC. Good lunch. We walked a bit and cooled heels in the hotel lobby for awhile.
Finally our driver arrived and we were off to Haneda Airport. Tokyo also has the larger (and further out) Narita Airport. We were at the airport at 5:45 for our 9:45 flight. Check-in, customs, and immigration were a breeze. We spent the rest of the time in the Delta One Club, a very nice facility. We took off roughly on time at 9:55 and began the flight to Honolulu. Shortly after takeoff, we crossed the international dateline and it was Sunday morning all over again.
Aloha!
We landed on schedule in Honolulu at 11:00 am Sunday morning. Yes, still Sunday. We arrived before we left. We picked up our rental car (Kia Sportage SUV) and now had to kill time until we could check in at the Royal Hawaiian at 4:00 pm. We searched out a laundromat and did a load of wash. We had lunch at McDonald’s. (Yes, Micky D’s.) We visited a Whole Foods to pick up some wine. And finally we were able to check in.
We have a great room at the historic Royal Hawaiian overlooking Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. The first picture is from our balcony and that’s most of Diamond Head on the left. See Elaine with her hotel provided lei? We had pina coladas at the hotel’s Mai Tai Bar (with a nice sunset) followed by a glass of wine on the balcony in the room. Alas, Hawaii has cockroaches and they enjoy the balcony too. So, exhausted we headed inside to bed.
See you tomorrow which, thank God, will be Monday!
Ohhh I like this part! Did you try the spam breakfast? Is was a hoot! Great location pick! Enjoy. Smart way to bust up a long flight!
We were wondering if you were in Hawaii, what a long day indeed! We stay at the military hotel down the beach from you. Looks like they’ve imported lots of sand since we were there in Feb 2023. Have fun and aloha, rest up and enjoy any cool temps there, it will be a record 111 here today.
Aloha. Beautiful view. Beautiful pina coladas. Beautiful leis.
I’m not sure about Spam, but I do love Loco Moco for breakfast. Try it, Joe – I think you’ll like it!!!
Loved your longest day story!
Just fyi we love the royal hawaiian – took mother and dad there and she and I both bought their pink sweatshirts and wore them until they wore out!! Wonderful hotel and fantastic service! Also Russ and I went back a few years later and once again loved it!! Enjoy I can actually remember the fabulous view!!
Looking good in Hawaii. Get your feet in that sand while you enjoy a shaved ice. It’s one of the best things to do there!!