Up, Up, and away!!!

About to embbark on our Journey!

After a very early morning trip up to Sydney, our flight over was thankfully smooth and uneventful except for a bit of light turbulence on coming into Tokyo due to the heavy cloud cover. Grant had Joked before we left Canberra that he would need to look his best on arrival as he would be greeted by a hoard of paparazzi photographers desperate to get a shot of his long awaited return to Tokyo. This is what greeted us!

Needless to say Grant beamed and was Mr I Told You So, and we all had a good laugh! Of course we worked out that it had to be the 'Blue Samurai' returning from Brazil and tried to get a glympse of them down stairs but the throng of photographers was too deep to see through.  

After we went through customs and picked up our bags, that's when it hit me! we really were about to see our little girl and the butterflies really started to flutter uncontrolably.

Family together again Yay!!!

After we had a few tears, ok, after 'I' had a few tears and a quick catch up it was off to catch the Narita Express back to Tokyo station and then to our final destination, Fuchu! Purchasing the tickets wasn't that difficult, but getting baggage etc up and down the escalators, and onto platforms and trains, was slightly more tricky!  Nanny Helen had her first taste of what it would be like catching trains during peak hour in Tokyo!  Upon arrival at Fuchu, we were rescued by Keiji who had offered to pick up as many of us as he could and collect all our luggage.  Zoe and I were going to catch the local bus home, about a 15 min ride, so went off to buy the whole family a 'suika pass' at the station that we can use for riding on trains, buses, at vending machines and convenience stores. As the bus was still going to be a while, we decided to take a cab instead, and after a small hiccup regarding the address (Tokyo taxi's need to be given directions on where you want to go, not addresses...the layout of Tokyo is far to complex for them to know where to go even with a address), the local girl gave him a landmark to take us to and he was relieved.

After a scrumptious stew prepared by Harumi, we sat and chatted a while and not too long after that, we were all ready for bed.  Well, I say bed, but I should say Futon! We are priveliged enough to be the first to sleep in the new Tatami room (Japanese bamboo mat floor) and enjoy the atmosphere!

Navigating Tokyo station with luggage, a new experience for Nan! :) 

Who Is Missing Who?

Well, the countdown has begun! Almost exactly half way through Zoe's amazing adventure at Seikei High School, we finally get to see our 'little one' in just over a day's time! I could say that 6 months has gone by surprisingly quickly for us , and in some ways it has, but it has also been way too long since I've cuddled my little girl!

We're off to Wollongong this afternoon to stay with Zoe's Nan for the night and early tomorrow morning, 5 am to be exact, well be chauffeur driven to the airport by Spike's awesome brother Peg! 

Jules - You are taking me ...right??