We slept hard until around 6:00 am (12 noon Beijing time). We climb out of bed, dress quickly and go downstairs for a great breakfast. After breakfast, it’s back to the room and time to organize all our stuff for our days of Amsterdam touring.

We’ve packed and unpacked so many times over the last two weeks that I managed to not pack my jeans, and the only belt I have is the one I’m wearing. Looks like we’ll be doing some shopping while we’re here. We walk over to the nearby Central Train Station and get some currency exchanged for euros. I get some shopping advice at an information desk, so our Amsterdam adventure begins.

We spend a fun morning walking some of the nearby streets. I found some jeans and belt, and we ate some pizza, before we headed back to the hotel for a rest. Our hotel is in the middle of everything and a short walk to anywhere.

Going back out after some rest time, we get canal cruise tickets from the concierge. It’s been raining, but it just stopped, so we take advantage of the sun and climb on board a canal boat for a one-hour “see-it-all” cruise. It’s so interesting, and different from Asia. An added bit of interest is the World Cup Quarterfinal game tonight between the Oranje (the Netherlands) and Costa Rica. Orange is everywhere, and so are the soccer crazies.

Some of the soccer fans cruising the canals.

A few more soccer fans, warming up for the game.

After lots of walking and people-watching, we sit down in small café for Dutch pancakes. It’s similar to a thick crepe. We share a ham & cheese, and an apple/cinnamon.  Check out the link below for some video.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/i0nfujfu3aodljl/AAAcRGdrk7M_kHWcNvsLtAoya

There are lots of “head shops” selling seeds and other “pot” paraphernalia, right next to a yogurt shop, or a McDonalds

We get back to the room around 7:30 pm. Our bodies are telling us it’s 1:30 am in Beijing. The jet lag wasn’t too bad today while we were out, but we’re definitely feeling it now.

Both of us wake up well before the 4:30 am alarms go off. We scurry around and get out to the taxis at 5:45 as planned. The first driver looks at us and shakes us off. The second driver barely looks up. The third driver finds out where we’re headed, then makes us an offer, 100rmb. It usually costs around 80, but we could very easily end up in two taxis (or no taxi) with as much luggage as we have, so I quickly accept. I almost offered more money. I was so relieved.

The line at check-in is long, but moves quickly. We’re flying LOT (Polish Airlines). I noticed on their website there was an upgrade to Economy Premium, but it had to be requested at the check-in counter, so I made the request. It costs about $200 extra per seat, but we escape the extra luggage charge because of the upgrade. The flight is almost 10 hours, and the extra legroom is so nice.

On board, it’s not what we expected. We’ve flown United Airlines Premium Economy previously, and the 5 added inches of legroom made a long trip manageable. The LOT Premium Economy is much different. If I couldn’t see the huge seats in the section in front of us, I’d swear we were in 1^st Class. We have big wide seats, two across instead of three. As we sit down they start bringing juice (champagne if we wanted it). We get a personal packet containing socks, toothbrush and paste, and a sleep blindfold. There’s a big pillow and blanket. The seat itself is a recliner with an adjustable footrest. When the first meal is served we get a menu with several selections. It’s served on plates, not out of aluminum containers. There’s cheesecake and coffee at the end. Yes, I’m a “hick from the sticks.” This vacation is starting off great!

We arrive at Warsaw’s “Frederic Chopin” Airport, for a 4-hour layover. The flight to Amsterdam is almost two hours, and we’re back in the “cheap seats” on this one. At the airport, we catch a “shared shuttle” to the hotel. We’re at the Renaissance in the middle of Amsterdam, one block from the Central Train Station. It’s a crazy ride to get there, crossing bridges and driving down narrow canal roads. Amsterdam is just as we had imagined it. When we finally get into our room, it’s been almost 24 hours since we woke up in Beijing. A bed never felt so good.

Amsterdam Airport

I thought today was going to be a slow unwind from our two weeks with the kids. It started slow enough, but suddenly switched gears. Judy headed out for a haircut. Her afternoon plans involve taking a serious look at our packing for our 4-week jaunt to Northern Europe and US. I start making plans about how to knock items off my own to-do list.

My knees have been killing me, especially my right knee with all the walking we’ve done. I take ibuprofen regularly but it hasn’t helped that much. I’d planned to visit a doctor back in DFW, but realized our medical insurance isn’t any good in the US. I get an appointment for 2:00 pm to see if I can find relief for my knees. I also need a haircut. It works out that I can get my haircut before the doctor, but I’m going to have to hustle. The schedule works, and freshly shorn, I arrive at the doctor’s office ½ hour early.

I got distracted by this McClaren on my way to the barber.

There’s no waiting. I fill out a short form, they take my insurance card and passport, and I’m off to see the doctor. She’s sitting waiting for me (now that’s different). We talk about my issues, and then I get an x-ray. Not too much later, we look at the photos, and sure enough, much of the cushioning is gone around the knees. She suggests I see a bone doctor and schedules me to see him at 5:00, at this office.

I ride a rickshaw to Sanlitun for a late lunch and shopping for items we need for our cruise. Back at the medical center, the orthopedist arrives, looks at the x-rays, and makes a few suggestions. I’m thinking I’m getting a little cortisone shot with some lidocaine, which I did, but he also decided to pull fluid off my knee. I missed that part of the discussion. Two full syringes later, he puts a band-aid on it and calls it good. I’m supposed to see him when I get back to Beijing in August for the left knee. The cost for all this: $8.00 USD. Yeah, $8.00!

On my way back home, I’m testing the knee. I keep waiting for the pain to return, but it doesn’t. If this holds up, those guys at the table tennis club better watch out!

As tired as I thought we were, Judy and Courtney have decided to go for another visit to Disneyland. We all eat early, and then walk to the train station. They head off to the Magic Kingdom, and I go looking for the Narita Express ticket office to make sure we can get on the train we need to catch our later flights.

I briefly gave some thought to going out and seeing a little more of Tokyo, but I’ve just “toured” myself out. Back at the room, I catch up on expense tracking, and writing a few blog entries. I think I’m about a week behind. Around 11:30, I go back outside, bored with the tiny hotel room, and walk around the area. Check the link below for a scan of Tokyo Station and the surrounding area.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/r98q1a0zo4w6rmm/Tokyo%20Station.MOV

The “girls” get back around 12:45. They had a fun morning, rode a lot of rides, and saw most of what they wanted to see at the park. We organize our stuff, and start on the trek to opposite side of the station for our ride to the airport. We’re better at maneuvering through the station now, so we arrive with time to spare. On the train, it’s a smooth 58-minute ride to our terminal and a short walk to the check-in gates.

We’re going back to Beijing on All Nippon Airlines, and Courtney is headed to DFW on United. The gates are on opposite sides of the terminal, and we say our goodbyes here. It’s been a fun two weeks having Courtney, Brad, and Glenda come for a visit. We’ve seen and done so many things, it’s hard to remember it all. I guess this blog and the photos will help jog our memories.

Back in Beijing, we’re in familiar territory. We can communicate with the taxi driver (better than the ones in Japan), and we’re way too familiar with this airport. Back at the apartment, we roll in the door and crash. Having an ayi like Lilly certainly has its advantages. The apartment is sparkling clean, the dishes we left are washed and put away, and the laundry is finished, folded, and ironed. Nothing to do but go to sleep.

We’re on our own most of today. Our guide is meeting us at 5:30 at the hotel to get us back to the bullet train for the two-hour trip back to Tokyo. We have to check out of our room by 11:00 so we have time to burn.

We made reservations for a Japanese Tea experience. We get a lesson on teahouse etiquette and then watch the girl mix the tea with all the appropriate ceremony, before drinking it. We can’t figure out how they spend so much time seated on their knees. I can barely get into that position, much less try to maintain it.

This is the “correct” way to enter a teahouse

After the tea ceremony, I had initially planned a trip to another popular Shinto shrine. We’ve seen a lot of temples and decide to adjust the plan. We find a small mall area that covers most of our shopping needs. Courtney had seen some notes about a nearby market area, so we walk over to the Nishhi (?) Market. It’s a huge area of covered streets with shops ranging from food, electronics, and souvenir items. It’s a nice way to kill some of the afternoon as we make our way back to the hotel.

Back at the hotel, we pick up our stored bags, and relax until the guide arrives. As we start to the train station, we encounter a protest against nuclear power. It’s looks like about 200 to 300 participants, marching down the street. This isn’t the first time in my life I’ve had to adjust plans because of the actions of a bunch of trumpets & drummers.

We board the bullet train for our trip back to Tokyo. This is an Express Train with only 3 stops before arriving in Tokyo. It’s so smooth and roomy.   In Tokyo, we make our way out of the train station and back to the Courtyard Marriott. We pick up our stored bags, and head to the rooms to adjust our luggage for the flights home tomorrow.

We’re up and out early. A guide meets us in the lobby, and takes us out to a bus. We make a stop at another hotel and pick up a large group, and then begin our Kyoto sightseeing.   We start off at Nijo Castle, built by a powerful Samurai leader. There are lots of interesting gardens and rooms to look at.

Check out the pink banner supports.

Nijo Castle gardens

The 2^nd stop is a Shinto shrine. Our guide tries to explain the difference in Shintoism and Buddhism. According to her, Buddhism has one deity, and lots of texts and beliefs. Shintoism has no beliefs or texts, and many deities. Apparently, in the Shinto religion, if you need something, you find the deity you need, and pray accordingly. Large lanterns are everywhere in a Shinto Shrine, donated by individuals needing “extra help” with their problems.

Worshippers burning incense, leaving offerings, praying and ringing the bell, at the temple in the Shinto shrine.

Our final morning stop is the Golden Pavilion, a beautiful building and garden area. The pavilion itself is covered with gold leaf, and was built as a worship/rest area for one of the early emperors.

Lunch is a Japanese dinner. There are lots of vegetables and tempura fried shrimp and chicken. Although I’m not in love with the foods, yet, the flavors are good. I’m probably still going for a burger, a steak, or a pizza first.

Kyoto residents, dressed in traditional kimonos, going about their daily business

The afternoon involves traveling to Nara, a city that was the center of Japanese power and culture before Kyoto became prominent. The temples we visit today are in an area where deer wander everywhere. The Todai-ji Temple is the largest enclosure for a Buddhist statue in the world (according to our guide). It’s definitely huge, and we’ve seen some big temples since we’ve been in Asia. We finish up the tour at another Shinto temple. It contains over 2000 lanterns around the grounds.

Some of the Nara deer.

Lanterns everywhere

These are also lanterns, lined up everywhere

We are dropped back at our hotel after the hour trip back to Kyoto. There has been some talk about geishas (women entertainers) and their training. We get a hint about where and when to go see them. They seem to be elusive. They begin work at 9:00pm, so they’re arriving at the clubs between 8:30 and 9:00. Judy and I gather our energy (Courtney is too beat), and head to the Gion District, finding the street where the clubs are located. We arrive early, and feel like paparazzi lurking around with our cameras.

The main street for geishas in the Kyoto Gion district.

These two walked right by me (bumped into me, actually) while I was trying to spot some more coming down the street

We eat early and begin the walk to meet our tour for the day. We left some luggage stored at the hotel. We’re coming back here Sunday night, but each of us has a small bag for our two nights in Kyoto. It’s no easy walk to the bus station where we’re meeting the group. It’s on the other side of this huge station, and again the signage takes us time to decipher.

Finally on the bus, we are transported to another bus station where everyone previously picked up is split into the appropriate tour on other buses. Eventually we pull out, headed for Mt. Fuji. After a 2 hr. bus ride we get to the base of Mt. Fuji. As we drove into sight of the mountain, the guide begins discussing the odds of us seeing the top of the mountain. He tells us the top is only visible about 30% of the time. Today is not going to be one of the clear days. As our guide says, “She’s shy today.” I showed our guide a picture I took as I flew over Japan in April on my trip back to the US to help mom & dad move. It turns out I’ve seen the top of Mt. Fuji already. Check the picture below.

The bus travels halfway up the mountain to the 5^th station. Any further up requires a hike. It’s fogged in, damp, and slightly cold. We’re not dressed for cold mountain weather. It’s a nice break from the heat and humidity at lower elevations. Back at the bottom of the mountain, we eat a nice Japanese lunch before heading back out on the afternoon section of the tour.

The next stop is Hakone. It’s a touristy town similar to Ruidoso, with lots of vacation homes. We take a cable car up a mountain, come over a ridge, and swing out over a hot springs area. There are springs everywhere, and sulpher extraction spots. The sulpher is extracted, and the hot water is piped down the hill to dozens of hotels/resorts that don’t have their own hot spring. Soaking in a hot spring is the prime draw for this area, and a hotel without a hot spring wouldn’t survive.

At the bottom of the hill we board a ferry for a short cruise across Mt. Ashi. It’s a small natural mountain lake. It’s supposed to have tremendous views of Mt. Fuji, but again, “she’s shy.”

Denny’s is everywhere.

Rice is growing everywhere.

After the cruise, back on our bus, we travel to Odowara, where we unload at the train station. It’s “bullet train” time! There are 8 of us going to Kyoto. The other 28 people and our guide head back to Tokyo. A tour rep meets us and takes us to the platform where we meet our train. We arrive early,   sitting quietly talking, and suddenly a train roars through, and I mean “roars” through. It goes through so fast it took us a minute to process what happened. A few minutes later another goes through the same way, going in the other direction. Apparently these are “Express Trains” that stop at only a few of the largest stations. Check out the short movie link I attached.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/q1u2g3whuxtptst/Bullet%20Train.MOV

Finally our train arrives and we board in a hurry (the doors don’t stay open long). The cabin is roomy and comfortable. When the train starts rolling, it’s hard to believe we’re going over 200mph. It’s so smooth. In Kyoto, we’re met by another tour rep. She walks us out and puts us in a pre-paid taxi for the trip to our hotel. This is much different than the small Beijing taxis. These are much bigger and the passenger doors open with a switch the driver controls. Drivers are dressed in black suits with white shirt and tie, and wearing white gloves.

The Okura Hotel Kyoto is an old, established hotel with lots of style and tradition. It’s a real contrast to our Tokyo hotel. The room is large and we’re asleep really quickly. It’s been a long day.

Today is Disney day! We start out early after breakfast, walking to the train station. We take a short ride (6 stops) before arriving at the station for the Disney Parks. Courtney had already purchased our tickets for “Disney Sea.” It’s supposed to be the most different of any of the parks in the Disney system. We ride the resort train around both parks before getting off at our entrance. The park has been open for 5 minutes, and the big initial crowd has already rushed through, headed for whatever Fast Pass they need.

We enjoy a few rides and shows, taking in as much of the park as possible. The lines early aren’t bad, and we ride pretty much everything we want without too much waiting. Naturally, there are great live music groups playing throughout the park, keeping guests entertained. The various themed areas are decorated really well, as expected. Judy and I spend the hot part of the day in a “Big Band Show”, and then take in some caffeine on the patio of a small café. It’s so nice and comfortable. We spend lots of time just watching people go by. One of the most striking things we noticed was how many of the teens and even some older are dressed as twins or multiples. Some groups as large as six are all dressed alike, and they’re not school groups in uniform. There are some crazy costumes. We have a blast watching them go by.

Courtney heads home around 2:30 to rest, with plans to return at 6:00 for the evening activities. Judy and I plan on leaving pretty soon, but keep finding things to do, and we don’t walk out until 7:00 pm. Back home, we pack for our tour tomorrow to Mt. Fuji and 2 nights in Kyoto. We need our sleep. No matter what you do, Disney parks require lots of walking, and we traversed the park several times.

WEDNESDAY, 7/2/14

My first thought as I got out of bed this morning was “hey, my knee doesn’t hurt.” Why didn’t I get this fixed months ago?

We have chores to do, but none too pressing. I want to make sure we have plenty of US cash for the trip so we both go to the bank for the currency exchange. We’re only allowed to exchange up to $500 each, per day, so we work our way through the process with a clerk at the bank. He’s very helpful.

Lilly is cleaning up the apartment and doing the laundry so we try to stay out of her way. It can get crowded with three of us around. Judy does some shopping, and I get in a swim session. I’m trying to burn a few of the thousands of calories I consumed over the last two weeks.

Back at the apartment, Lilly is gone. She has ironed everything we needed as well as finished all the washing and folding for the suitcases. Our biggest job was picking it out before she arrived. Oh man, this is great!

Some of Lily’s handiwork!

THURSDAY, 7/3/14

Today is “P-DAY”, packing day! There are lots of decisions to be made on clothes. Over the next 27 days we’ll be in Northern Europe and Texas/Louisiana, two very distinct climates. The requirements for clothes are vastly different. How many suitcases do we take and how do we avoid a lot of extra luggage fees? We also have to leave room in the bags for our Beijing return. We’re bound to buy stuff, either in Europe or the US.

We leave for Amsterdam tomorrow for four days of sightseeing before boarding a 12-day cruise of Scandinavia (Germany, Estonia, Russia, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark). July 20^th, after the cruise, we fly direct to DFW, and then Baton Rouge to celebrate my dad’s birthday. It’ll be fun to see my parents in their new surroundings, and visit. Facetime is great, but’s it’s not like being there in person. We fly back to DFW on the 22^nd, and back to Beijing on July 31. I have a little jaunt to San Antonio for a TMAA clinic July 29^th and 30^th. Judy begins her faculty orientation at BISS Aug. 6.