MelissaHI

The trip report is complete! You can view it here:
http://urbanmixplate.honadvblogs.com/page/5/

And work your way up to the most recent posts. Please leave comments in the box!

There are no photos in the blog because I couldn't simply upload them from my Canon while using computers in Internet cafes. The photos will be uploaded later this week on a website, probably Flickr.

Mari808 and lcuy still need to recover (each got sick during the trip) and will also post their points of view later. AND....note that the trip ended with one last GTG, meeting the lovely bmttokyo!!!

Aloha!
Melissa

monicapileggi

Hi Melissa,

Welcome home.

I can't wait to read all of it! Been so busy these days I haven't had time to myself.

Monica

MelissaHI

Thanks Monica!! My blogs are not quite as wonderful as yours, though. Especially the photos!! OMG I was trying to channel my Inner Monica to get some good shots this time.

bmttokyo

Trust your JAL flight was as good as you were hoping it would be. Mari did you have the asagohan which you were waiting for?

Hope Mari808 & Lcuy get better soon !!!

Let me know when you return.

monicapileggi

You're too funny! Thanks for the compliments.

Monica
http://www.pileggiphotography.com

Kathie

Melissa, you should have warned me not to read your blog when I'm hungry - I'm now starving! What a great trip! I hope Mari and Lcuy feel better soon.

Shanghainese

Fantaistic job! I felt I was almost out of breath following you around in your marvelous TR, mahalo for sharing!!

hawaiiantraveler

Melissa, fabulous job on the trip report! Jealous, jealous, jealous!!

Hope Lucy and Mari feel better real soon!

Lcuy, have you used that "old Japanese home remedy" yet that you prescribed for me when I got back from my trip? lol

E komo mai!

bmttokyo

I've got some photos of the Narita Layover segment - here they are !!!

http://bmttokyo.multiply.com/photos/album/25

ENJOY !!!

bmttokyo

Mel, Remember the "BEAUTIFUL" pies a couple from Kyoto's Berry Cafe that looked like they came from Kappabashi Dori? I found them in the FOOD FILE thread in my photo page. Have a look see-

http://bmttokyo.multiply.com/photos/.../FOOD_Files#88

http://bmttokyo.multiply.com/photos/.../FOOD_Files#91

http://bmttokyo.multiply.com/photos/.../FOOD_Files#90

mari808

BMT,

Thank u for being an incredible Tokyo hostess, ready w/ onsen towels and beautiful fans for all of us! I want u to know, since this was ur first GTG, that it's highly unusual for Fodorites to meet and strip--in fact, I wasn't aware this was unusual at all until MelissaHI brought it up, being a Tokyo novice.

Thoroughly enjoyed Sensoji, the bath, even the clear broth that passed for lunch in my own private hell while u all scarfed ur unagi and tempura, and the shopping! Looking fwd to hosting u and ur family in Hawaii soon!

P.S. I'm all better today, just zoned from weakness and jetlag. Nurse said sounds like I had a 5-day bout of viral gastrointestinal distress, no need for follow up. I'm just glad I was the only one felled. Plus I learned that I CAN be hungry and still live. For 5 days.

MelissaHI

BMT, I really love your photos. You need to meet Monica Pileggi one day.

And yes, I was a little surprised, that was quite a GTG! It was like, "Hey, nice to meet you, now let's get naked!"

KMLoke

Looks like it was a great trip. Seems like you've missed out on the turtle soup and frog leg porridge in Singapore. Perhaps the next time.

mari808

What? We missed frog leg porridge? One more reason to go back!

bmttokyo

Mari, glad you are feeling better. I felt so sorry that you could not eat - of course that did not stop me from making my tempura don disappear in no time.

M/M, you girls are right, this is also the first time I've ever met strangers who in 30 min of meeting, donned bday suits to the sento. That could be a first - even for the Fodor's Asian Board !!!

Oh please ........ you're TOO kind - saw Monica's photos & said , I shouldn't done that (show my food photos). Hers are incredible !!! Surprised to see all the food so lovingly fixed like they do here in Japan. Monica, when you come to Tokyo. you will have a ball taking photos of the food here. I promise you !!!

Shanghainese

Mari and Lucy: Get well soon, Mels will having you eating in HI again, Aloha!

Kathie

Hmmm... it seems you've set a new standard for gtgs.

MelissaHI

I think we HAVE set a new standard!! hahaha....

Oh, we didn't just miss the frog leg porridge. We also missed the grilled rat.
http://urbanmixplate.honadvblogs.com/page/2/

monicapileggi

bmttokyo, just saw your comment. Thanks for the compliments! I'm heading to China in October and changing planes in Japan on the way home (3 Nov). Wish I could add a few days in Japan!

Monica

bmttokyo

Monica,
You should swing by. Think about it as a "free" trip to Japan. There's much to see & do here. I'll even let you choose the sento !!!