Days One and Two...

Canberra to Sydney was uneventful for a change, A good flight and we don't know why they bother trying to serve you anything, as by the time they get the trolley down to start, they have to think about getting it all back ready for landing. Just forget it Qantas and do the flight.
Ibis hotel room small and compact, as they all are, but very clean, with a nice view of a factory area across the road. Maybe the "views" cost more, but I never seem to get a great room on the best side of the hotel!
Chose not to have breakfast at $22 per head, and went with the idea of getting something at the airport, as we had to be over there around 6.00am. 
There were no other people checking in for Japan Air Lines when we arrived, so the process was very quick and friendly. We ended up getting a 'ticket' which allowed us access to the Business Lounge. Wow! Comfortable seating, a view, and the most wonderful range of things to have for breakfast. Toast, crumpets, fruit and yoghurts, pastries, bacon, eggs, etc., etc.

If you ever go and can afford Premium Economy, it is worth it!! You also get priority check-in, immigration and all the checks, and easy boarding. And then, once on the plane you have the larger seats and more leg room. Lee and I got the two seats in front of a bulkhead behind which is the actual Business Class, and this is a really large space.

The flight to Tokyo...to be continued
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One more sleep...

Well, here we are with only one more sleep until the big off.
All packed and ready, and under weight, which is good. Got a reply from the big cruise (P & O), to say they are strict about dress codes on the formal and semi-formal nights. This is their policy, so if we don't want to do the stiff shirt thing, we'll just go and have a pizza or whatever.

However, it is discrimination against us males, as the ladies can get by with a nice pair of trousers and a fancy top. But we mere males have to do the shirt/jacket/tie thing, which is extremely uncomfortable, and as I have no neck to speak of, a collar and tie craps me right off.

I love dining, but I love dining when I'm comfortable.

So, you pay out your money for the cruise, which includes all meals, and then have to "make do" somewhere else on the ship, because you don't want to dress up!!

We won't feel we are really off until we get on the plane in Sydney on Thursday morning. They have been flying out to Japan every day since the earthquake, so I can't see why they should stop now. The real plus will be knowing we are leaving Narita for London on Friday. 

Then we will definitely be on our way...