Tokyo June 2013 trip

[Mel]

Sounds great Lisa and oh-so-close! -/ -/

What a shame Mystic Rhythms is down while you are there, it's one of our fave shows - just a reason to go back later though!

[KeithS]

That's a good itinerary Lisa - it is very similar to what Della and I did last time we were there.

Don't forget to visit the Disney Store in Shibuya if you get the chance. It isn't too far from the crossing and is pretty quirky (I hope it is still there!)

[mushu mama]

Yep, can't wait, and I'll Definitely be going to the Disney store in Shibuya -/

Very thankful that the yen hasn't dropped through the floor overnight like the US$ did... hopefully it'll rise a bit more before we go.

Quick question....

Has anyone been to the Gihbli museum and if so, how long would you allocate to it, both in the museum and travel time? Still trying to work out if we can fit this in on the last day before we fly out.... Millie is desperate to go see this but it seems like its a bit of a trek.

[KeithS]

Lisa, your countdown is really on now! Just a week and a bit to go - are you all prepared? I can't wait to read all about it

[mushu mama]

Well, its been the week from hell, and at this stage anything could happen.

First our 'lift' from the sunny coast to the goldie fell through and now we are facing a 6 hour commute the day before and the extra expense of an overnight at the Goldie... unless we can tack together two airport transfers from her to Bris then another to the goldy - still trying to find companies that co-ordinate in the wee hours of the morning.

Secondly, and more worryingly, I have spent multiple days on the phone to various govt departments over divine miss M's passport - which we thought should have been sorted a while ago... issues with her dads citizenship, having been born in a 'territory' rather than on the mainland of Aus... and has veered into 'the ridiculous' arena . Still unresolved, and frankly, not certain to actually be resolved before we're supposed to go - which could put the kibosh on the whole trip and the divine miss M into a hospital ward with stress. The crazy thing is, she's had one before without a problem... but it was a child passport, so can't be renewed.

I have set up a blog, but as yet haven't written anything on it, as most of the words I've been saying about this trip this week are not family friendly. I'll post a link before I go for anyone wanting to read along.

I will say, I am a TOTAL convert to long lead- in/uber planned trips now... this particular 'few months before we go' thing has not been a fun experience, and I could well be amazed should it all actually come together in time. I'll keep you posted

Lisa.

[churros]

I hope everything can be sorted out soon Lisa

[KeithS]

That passport issue is a pain - nothing worse than having something like that happen before a holiday.

I hope you get it all sorted this week Lisa and then have a great time in Tokyo.

[mushu mama]

Thanks guys, fingers crossed we get good news tomorrow when I ring to see how its progressing.

[Mel]

Oh what a nightmare Lisa! Any news yet?

[mushu mama]

Passport sorted !!!! -/ -/ -/

only I have to do a day trip to Brisbane to pick it up.

And to add to my joy, my real estate agent springs a house inspection on us this week.... and flatly refuse to reschedule. Window cleaning was not on my pre-trip plan.

I hope this means that once we arrive in Tokyo all the things that can go wrong have already done so

[KeithS]

Passport sorted !!!!

YAY!!!

That's the biggest hurdle sorted.

[mushu mama]

Ahhhh.... Saturday , never been happier to see the end of a week as this last one.

Just a little update.
We now have the passport in hand, have the trip to the goldy sorted and now that we've found the four figure sum that kind of floated around in 'bank heaven' for longer than it was supposed to ( almost giving me heart failure in the process), with the exception of a backpack that a day of a regular handbag falling off her shoulders has convinced Miss M to buy... I do believe with the throwing of everything into a case, all is now in readiness for this saga of a trip.

you will find the new blog here, should you wish to follow along.... but I'm yet to add anything to read
http://gaijingirls.blogspot.com.au/

[churros]

Not long and you can sit on that plane and exhale!

[churros]

Have a great trip Lisa! I'm looking forward to reading your blog

[KeithS]

She should just about be there!!

We can't wait to hear all about it Lisa!