Tokyo/Yokosuka Day 4

On Day 4 we headed down to Yokohama to visit good friends who were visiting from Hawaii.

On the train they have cars which are supposed to be for women only. These were designed for women afraid of being groped on the train. There are certain hours displayed on the sign when the car is only for women but other times throughout the day anyone can ride in them.

We were on the train during the hours when the car was supposed to be women only. Funny thing is there were several males in the car. Wow - everyone follows the rules so well!

We finally met up with Yoko and Yuno!!! We lived down the street from them in Hawaii. They moved to our neighborhood one year before we left. Yoko's husband is in the Japanese Navy and is currently liaison officer in Hawaii. They are getting ready to move back to Japan and had come home to get things ready for their move back next month. We were so excited to see them!

We went to their house for lunch. They live in a small Japanese apartment. It was a real eye opener for me to see where they lived. They had a rooftop patio where we could see all over Yokohama.

Ben loved hanging out with Yuno in Hawaii. Granted there is a 7 year age difference but Yuno was always very nice to Ben. They picked up right where they left off.

Puppy love!

After we left Yoko and Yuno we headed back to our hotel to meet up with more friends! Ben was so tired!

We went out to dinner with friends of Grant's dad. Mr. and Mrs. Sata took us to the Tokyo American Club. It is a very nice club with three levels of dining. Very fancy to family dining with a playroom! They made a perfect choice in the location. The kids had fun and so did we!

Look at the mess under Piper's chair!!

The play area right by our seats!

Mr and Mrs. Sata gave Ben a Hummer car, which he of course thought was wonderful! Can you tell from this picture that Mrs. Sata has a grandchild?!!

Baby race back to our room at the hotel!! Who can get in bed first??!!

Good night - we're all exhausted!!

Tokyo/Yokosuka Day 3

On Day 3 we hit Disney Sea. Tokyo has a Disneyland park and then Disney Sea. Disney Sea has a "sea" theme to it. We decided to go to Sea because we have been to Disneyland in the states and thought it would be fun to go somewhere new.

Mickey window on the monorail to the park.

The view from the front of the monorail.

Ben and Goofy. I had to elbow out about 20 other people to finally get this picture. I tried to be patient and wait my turn but noone else did!!

Ben and Chip.

It was sooooo hot in Tokyo. Here I am pushing the babies up the hill about ready to pass out from heat exhaustion!

Disney Sea has a whole indoor Little Mermaid section. It was perfect for us because it was air conditioned and the rides were perfect for Ben. They also had a great Little Mermaid show.

Ben on the jelly fish ride.

The view from up high in the jelly fish.

We ate inside the Little Mermaid area. I had packed us sandwiches which was great because the food there was a little different and now that we are a family of five, eating can be a bit expensive!

Having fun!

The two story carousel ride.

One of the thrill rides there - it was some sort of Indiana Jones type roller coaster.

Ben playing with bubbles at one of the gift stands.

As we entered the park I immediately bought Ben a fan with a spray bottle attached. Throughout the park there were employees who would "water fight" with the kids with the water bottles.

Getting ready to ride the water ride.

We got soaked!!

Grant and Ben getting soaked. Disney Sea was not very busy the day we went. Japanese schools got out the day after we were there so we were able to pretty much walk onto every ride we wanted. It was very nice considering it was so hot!

At the end of the day we were so thirsty! Nate was showing us how to get the fluids down!

Tokyo/Yokosuka Day 2

On the second day we traveled from Yokosuka to the military R & R hotel New Sanno which is in Tokyo. The New Sanno is about a 45 minute train/subway ride from Yokosuka.

Grant took this picture of me giving the people sitting down the evil eye. People on the trains can be very oblivious to the fact that possibly a lady with a baby or an 80 year old woman with a cane should sit down. By the end of our trip I was pretty frustrated!

Dinner at the New Sanno!

Tokyo/Yokosuka Day 1

On Sunday the 19th we headed up to Tokyo and the Navy base at Yokosuka for the week. I was very excited for this trip because we had lots of plans to see friends and sight see.

We started our trip at the city bus station in Sasebo. We took the city bus to Fukuoka (about 1 1/2 hours), then we took a plane to Tokyo (about 1 1/2 hours) and then we rode several trains to finally reach our destination - Yokosuka. Ben loved hanging out at the bus station watching all of the buses come in and out.

Everyone waiting for the bus.

Here's Piper - ready to go!

Ben got a little bored on the bus...

Both babies were pretty tired because we woke up early to catch the bus. It took a little time but both babies finally fell asleep.

On the top level of the airport are several restaurants. We had a bite to eat and watched the planes come and go.

Waiting to board.

On the train to Yokosuka. Ben had a great time watching the conductor.

Since Piper and Nate have started drinking milk we have realized they have a bit of intolerance to it. At the airport I was desperate to give them something to drink so I got regular milk for them. Within 20 minutes poor Piper was suffering. You could tell she had a belly ache and finally was able to get a little relief. Unfortunately we smelled up the whole train!