file=	Japan2019.htm
Introduction
We decided to do a Wendy Wu
tour to Japan, in May 2019..They
are extremely  well organized.
All you have to worry about are
personal expenses, like gifts and
booze and suchlike.
ALL other items, such as :-Flights,
Hotels, meals, ground transport
and entry fees to attractions are
included in the "reasonable" tour
costs. Our group size was about
the maximum of 22, determined
by the bus seat capacity.				Map of our bus travels, inside Japan.
The group included mostly Aussies, some from UK, a few from elsewhere, and, thankfully, only a few
wanabe's, that never will be, and the usual few posers. Don't think we had any Yanks.
Photos	Unfortunately, I had just bought a new "high tech" camera, which I had NOT yet mastered.
While trying to set it up, on the trip, ended up taking some video's, rather than some stills, and Black and
Whites, instead of some colour shots. With some help from others in the group, more or less got it
sorted out near the end of the trip, but could have been MUCH better, with a simple camera !!
Trip report and Itinerary :-			These are very well documented in the Wendy Wu website, so I will
only give a brief narrative including the best of my poor quality photos.
Tokyo	The trip from  Tokyo airport to our hotel in Tokyo, Grand Palace, took about 90 min.
I was surprised at how well the traffic flowed….very few delays. There were many well  engineered road
overpasses and cross-overs that eased traffic flows. (looked very expensive, like LA in USA)
All the hotels on this trip were 4 star, but a bit small by Australian standards. Otherwise excellent. Nearly
all staff could understand English. I was a bit taken back by the (in my opinion, excessive) politeness by
all Japanese….they never stopped bowing to each other. (I guess, when in ROME…do as .....)
My highlight of this trip was the Tokyo Sky Tree, which I had seen being built on TV at home. This is now
the 2nd highest ( to Dubai) steel tower in the world with huge observation areas and view points. No
great delays in getting up or down as in some other similar towers in the world. An amazing experience.
Grand Palace, middle of Tokyo.↑					We were on the 10th floor, with good views.↑
Picture of Skytree from brochure, my photos were duds.↑
Showing Observation level of Skytree----------------------->
We also visited some temples, the Imperial Palace and of course some Japanese Gardens. Bad photos.
Tokyo to Hakone, via Mt Fuji, by Bus.				The bus was very modern and comfortable, with good
driver and our Tour Guide, Kanae, a young Japanese lady, was very informative and entertaining.
Unfortunately, when we got to Mt. Fuji, the weather had closed in and low clouds made viability very poor.
Could not see Mt Fuji at all, just had to post pictures from brochures or the net.
Even at the bus station, low down, could barely see 50 metres.
					Mt Fuji + Bullet Train.↑, from brochure.
					<---Bus station at Mt Fuji….terrible visibility
Looking at lake Ashi, from top of Cable car trip.					Our wonderful hostess, Kanae. She was a ball
					of fun, information and entertainment. Was
					impressed by Bullet train, smooth and quick.
Hakone to Kyoto		By Bullet train. I only got 1 shot of the engine/front, from a passing train. The train
service was extremely well organized, both mechanically and for passengers. (pushers were in use)
We saw some incredible temples, gardens and palaces in Kyoto.
Nara Buddhist Temple, I think.					Golden pavillion, Kyoto.   Magnificent.
After a LONG Tea ceremony, we tried our hands					I clicked on Black and White un-intentionally.
at Japanese calligraphy. This must be an incredible					for a number of photos. Should have read the
handicap to their education and business ? It seems					bloody manual in the flight over. (7+6 hours ?)
that perhaps, eventually, they may adopt the western					There were hundreds of tame deer, who
alphabet ? This seems likely as many road signs are now					ate aggressively out of your hands.
with western characters and numbers. (who knows ??)
Osaka castle great views fro the top.					Could see all round the top, viewing Osaka.
Flight home		Took about 6++ hours, from Osaka to Singapore, then 7++ hours Singapore to
Brisbane. Flying Singapore Airlines, they made you stop at Singapore for 3+ hours. Would have
preferred a direct flight, if possible. Flights were practically full, as is the case nowadays !
Conclusions		We have to say that Wendy Wu was extremely well organized, in EVERY aspect.
The planning, Itinerary and execution was faultless. Could NOT do this on your own, at our age.
The Japanese people were extremely polite and law abiding. Most bicycles on the streets were left
un-locked, and very little crime is committed. I was amazed that they even obeyed the "don’t walk signs"
at traffic lights !!. At first I ignored them, if the roads were clear of cars, but soon got in their habit.
When in ROME, do as the Romans do. (thus spake Zarathustra) I also admired their habit of NOT
wanting or accepting tips. I find tipping a very demeaning and grovelling habit, used mainly by the Yanks.
I thought 7 days in Japan was sufficient, at our age. There was plenty of walking, between sights, and
some more elderly and fragile people in our group, made me look bad, despite 2 new knees.
All the hotels had excellent facilities, apart from catering to "serious" drinkers. We had to find a local
bar or two in some cases.
Wendy Wu caters well for anyone over 40++ and is highly recommended…..great value for money.
=============================================================================
P.S.	After much effort, I managed to get some still photos off my un-intentional VIDEOS.
Only way I could manage this, was to freeze a scene on my PC screen, then Print Screen. I then
scanned this print, enhanced it as much as I could, and saved them for this report. They are of poor
quality, but it will remind me to READ THE BLOODY MANUAL, before using a new CAMERA.
					View down from Observation deck, Tokyo
The Magnificent Tokyo SkyTower.					Another view down..have 360 views of Tokyo.
Parj in Clouds, Mt Fuji not visible.					Ferry trip on Lake.
	Parj and Julia, happy Wendy Wu customers.
==============================================================================								END home