Decisions, decisions, decisions...

I think we have mentioned we are booked on Japan Airlines to fly via Tokyo (Narita). 
With all that has happened, we have had many anxious hours thinking and talking about what is the best thing to do. After some discussion with our travel agent, and with some other information gleaned from various sources, we have decided to stick with the plan, and fly out on the 31st from Sydney.

There have been changes in the Travel Advisory from Smartraveller (DFAT), with whom we have registered our intended trip. It appears I had made a small mistake in the registration, and I wasn't getting email updates from them, about any changes or news about the situation. 
I did have a very helpful conversation with a young man from DFAT yesterday morning, and all he could say was that at that time, we should "reconsider our need to travel" . That 'warning' has since gone to "do not travel" as of a few hours ago. And, he also explained that he (DFAT) could not advise me what to do, i.e. make a decision one way or the other. Fair enough.

We have also had access to some other information (via Japan), which indicates that the situation has been beaten up by the media, and things are not as bad as one would presume.(?)
So, the problem is who and what to believe. 
In issuing a travel advisory that says "do not travel", nobody is saying "YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL"  !

In fact, if you check online to the departures from Sydney International Airport, you will see that there has been a flight to Tokyo every morning at 9.20am with Japan Airlines. This is the same flight number we are booked on for the 31st, (JAL772).
The site shows departures for today, and the next two days, and further flights are already scheduled. I find it hard to believe that these planes are taking off each morning with no passengers on board!
Mind you, we have not heard anything specific from Japan Airlines either, except an item on their website to say that there would be no penalties if people cancelled, given the current situation, and were holding valid tickets bought in a particular period.
It appears we would not lose the money we have already paid out for the flights, but if we can't get the same deal we got with JAL, then tickets with another airline, (e.g. Qantas, British Airways, Virgin), for the same type of seating class, could be up to $5000 more!!!


So there it is, wait another week and see what develops, and make another decision then...

The Trial packing...

It wasn't really much of a 'trial' really, but we'd put it off a few times. So, on one of those days when we'd already been to the gym, and couldn't garden because of the rain, we set the bags up and started. The bags we are taking are the same size, and both weigh 5kgs empty. 

Then we just got out those things we thought we'd need, based on having enough for a week, allowing for washing stuff in between times. (Trouble is, there are always some places you can't access a washing machine, so we'll do some daily hand washing when needed, and hang it up in the car whilst we drive).

Anyway, after the first trial, my bag came to only 10kgs, which was a real surprise as I've always been one of those who took things "just in case". Of course it will get heavier, as we didn't include ALL the bits and pieces like toiletries, chargers, etc. etc. 
Still, I am encouraged by the first effort.

[By the way, we think our background scene is The Cliffs of Moher, in Ireland. Haven't verified it yet, but it will do until we post one of our own photo's.]

We'll just have to wait and see...

With the dreadful news coming out of Japan, it may well affect our plans. At least we have 3 weeks before we go, and so we should have plenty of time to sort things out, if we have to make changes.

And, the way we have set up our itinerary, we have more than a few days leeway, to adjust flights and times, etc. Nothing in the earlier part of the trip is paid for, except of course the airfares, but with Travel Insurance, we should be covered, and there has already been a notice from JAL to say there will be no fees for people who have already booked, and are holding tickets, and have to make changes.

Those early arrangements, are just bookings at this point, so we should be able to change them.
We could either go earlier, or even return later if necessary, depending on what eventuates.

Yet another one of the benefits of being retired!