Aug 25 - wrapping up

We went to the National Art Museum via the Mori Art Museum, which was a result of miscommunication but not too far out of the way.  It was bloddy hot again; ok on the subway but brutal outside.  37C / 100F hot.  On the way back we sorted out a transfer between the Tokyo Metro and Toei lines.  It's confusing because there are four different lines - those two, the JR (Japan Rail) and JR Shinkhansen lines, the latter being the bullet train.  It was transfers that screwed us up on the way to Disney the other day.  We paid way too much, following the machine calculation of fare and then the operator who helped us with a transfer cut new tickets and those new tickets had a different fare on them.  This time I was prepared, taking pictures of the map on the wall for our starting location and ending location, which shows the fare as well as getting a receipt.  I was prepared to lay that all out but it was unnecessary.  A helpful person directed us to the transfer / fare adjustment machine and all was well.

We ate at another local spot; beef this time.  Wonderful sauteed cabbage and grilled veggies; not-as-marbled-as-in-the-picture beef but still good; red wine.  As usual, after a beef dinner, I don't sleep as well.  I was out in the lounge at 4am and then downstairs in the lobby shortly thereafter asking them to service the coffee machine.  I suspect that the ground beans hopper fills as that would require the most frequent service; flawed design for sure.  It produces so-so espresso and cappuccino, a little too much milk and not strong enough coffee, but it's acceptable.

Now I'm prepping for another ride, Thursday from Ludington MI and over the Labor Day weekend.  It's a drive-to ride this time, which is great.  Sandy gets to stay at the cottage.

We've done a lot in Japan, from our time in Hokkaido to Tokyo.  Sandy's first impression of Tokyo would have had us never coming back.  We've now changed that thinking (although it might never occur) but we wouldn't come back in August !  Holy crap it's hot.  Besides tripping all over Tokyo we hit the Art Museum, the fish market, Disney, this morning I'll experience a Japanese Mass ...

We fly home today but of course today will be a long one.  We board at 5:40 pm local time here on Sunday (it's Sunday here) and arrive at 4:45 pm EDT on Sunday.  That's what the date line does to/for you.

Onward.