Day 16

Tokyo, Japan -> Honolulu, Hawaii

Looking back towards our hotel as we take the sightseeing ferry to Asakusa, on the way to the airport.	In the Asakusa district, what the kids call the "slug building" can be seen in the background.	We all rode "upstairs" on the 747 to Honolulu.

Sunday, the first of two Sundays we'll have in the next two days. We're leaving on a 9 p.m. plane tonight for Hawaii so we have to check out. Gina has a fever and feels pretty crummy, so we decide on a plan. She wants to just hang around the hotel and not go out sightseeing, so we leave her with lunch money and a comfy couch in the lobby and the rest of us head out for a few hours.

We re-visit the steak place for lunch and then explore the Shijuku area including the world-famous Shinjuku subway station, probably the world's busiest. It lives up to its reputation, even on a non-work day. All the stores are open, however, and we browse a little. Then it's time to head back, retrieve Gina and the baggage, and head for Narita airport.

This time, we're taking the subway, which is both cheaper and more scenic. We take a commuter ferry to the Asakusa district, then two subways to Narita. Along the way, the scenery changes vastly, from the urban landscape to lush greenery, suburban and country homes, even a windmill. Is this the same Japan? It's beautiful and despite the hassle of changing subways we are glad we took the trip.

Then, it's on to another 747 for Honolulu. This time, we get to sit upstairs in the plane. It's a small section, just 16 people, and it's cozy. Kate order the Japanese box lunch for her meal and has an incredible variety of appetizers. No one gets too much sleep, for some reason. It's a 7-hour flight but there are two meals so that doesn't leave much time in between. When we get to Honolulu, we are both excited to be back in the USA and zonked...