Marietta, GA (USA)

Missed most of "the fun" in the cockpit and actually caught a few zzzzs in the back of the plane. We arrived in Atlanta just as the sun was coming up. After some paperwork, I drove to Douglasville (got to see the rush hour from the other side). It was great to see Nicky and the kids.  Unlike the last time I returned from Japan, I resisted the urge to take a nap. Made it to around 2000 before I had to call it a night again...  Glad to be home!

Honolulu, HI (USA)

Tried to sleep late at the Outrigger Reef, but the sun and sand was too tempting. Looked for some good souvenirs (might be another year or more until next time) and found some at the Hale Koa shoppette (1050L). After meeting up with my crew again, we arrived at the airport in the later afternoon (our scheduled takeoff time was 1600L). This was another one of those "good deal all night flights" home with a day landing. Ron H and I did the first leg and we arrived in Northern California (Travis) just before midnight. After getting fuel, we were on our way again - this time, with me sleeping in the back!

Oahu, HI (USA)

Somehow, we departed the Midway Island traffic pattern without hitting any birds...  We then flew the short (only three hours) leg over to Oahu. On the way, we crossed the International Dateline and re-lived the 24th... Arrived in Honolulu as the sun was rising - very pretty.  Our crew got to stay in the Outrigger Reef again. Even though I was exhausted, I immediately rented a car from nearby Paradise Rent-A-Car (0825L). Once again, I couldn't get anyone to go with me (this has been the worst trip yet for sticks in the mud...). Took the highway up to the Dole Pineapple factory and took a short tour while I looked around the place. Later, I drove along the North Shore. The waves weren't as big as I expected - maybe this isn't the season. Not far from there, I found a cool rainforest park at the Waimea Valley Audubon Center (1045) and walked around in it for a few hours.  Along the way, I got to experience an early afternoon rain.  There was a pretty waterfall deep in the forest and I started wishing I'd brought my swimsuit... Eventually, I made my way around the east side of the island.  Getting close to Honolulu again, I drove up into Diamond Head.  This was an interesting bonus after my already full day.  Overall, my tour gave me a much different perspective of the island. Returned rental car early and crashed. After a few good hours of sleep, I got together with other members of our crew for a very late dinner at Dukes.  Great day!

Midway Island (USA)

Checked out late from the CBQ and departed Atsugi at around 1700. We flew all the way to Midway Island in the middle of the night (it was my second time landing there). This was an interesting stop because the Gooney birds were just in their hatching stage. I was really surprised to see how many there were - they weren't afraid of us at all!  I got really close to several of them and they just shuffled away. This place could be murderous on an aircraft once they start to fly... After getting fueled, we took off at around midnight.

Okinawa (Japan)

[Flew to Kadena, Okinawa, today - picked up lunch (to go) at Taco Bell (1320L) - flew back to Atsugi in the afternoon - packed for our departure]

Atsugi, Honshu (Japan)

Worked all day...

Kamakura, Honshu (Japan)

I was tired of waiting for more people to go out in town - finally decided that I was going alone... Train ride was interesting, since I found there are no English signs on the side of the Yokohama station where I was. Oh well, I pointed to the words on the map I had and an agent gave me a ticket... I went down to the platform where I could see the same characters for Kamakura. Stood there for awhile - and nearly got bowled over by fast train that passed me (didn't stop). Decided to get on whatever train came next - it took me in the direction I wanted for awhile but then it stopped. Everyone got off and I wasn't sure what to do until a nice old Japanese man spoke to me "end of line." I mumbled the words Kamakura and he beckoned to me to follow him. He took me across the platform and pointed to a place to stand. I waved and waited until another train arrived. It took me further down and I saw some English again right as we got to Kamakura. Got off and started following the signs for the the 60 foot Buddha "Daibatsu." It was definitely worth the trip! Spent some time walking around in the area and found some pretty (and awe-inspiring) shrines. Hard to follow what people are doing, but this is clearly an important city to many people. Walked along the seashore and stumbled across a long avenue of Japanese gates leading up to a high palace-looking building. What a view from here! Bought some kimonos for the girls. Train ride back was much easier, especially when I got to Yokohama...

Atsugi, Honshu (Japan)

[Worked all day...] Picked up groceries at the Commissary (1215L).

Osan (South Korea)

Flew over this morning - nice weather. First time in South Korea - lots of people told me this was the place to shop! Got into town around 1100 - lots of stores with knock-off sports jerseys. Found some places that will make custom wood carvings, nametags and bags that are personalized. Ran out of interesting things to do around 1400. Kept wandering around and finally found a little Korean origami store - bought a framed picture of three dancers. The lady told me they are traditional dancers who were supposed to ward off disease and ill-will. Didn't take the risk of eating something local - had snack at the McDonalds... Home in the evening.

Atsugi, Honshu (Japan)

Worked all day...

Yokohama, Honshu (Japan)

Late in the evening, got a call from Mike - he wanted to go to dinner in Yokohama. Met him at the train station, since he had been at the mall in Ebina. Went to the Landmark Plaza and found a great restaurant called "Dragonkalbi" - they have Korean barbeque (mmmm...). We finished eating at 2050 and then walked around town.  Got back to the Base very late...

Atsugi, Honshu (Japan)

Worked all day...

Yokohama, Honshu (Japan)

George agreed to tag along with me today - as long as we stopped by a Harley Store (I guess that is fair). We rode the Sotetsu Line into Yokohama and then, instead of changing to another line, we started to walk towards the Landmark Tower, a prominent skyscraper in the distance. I was stunned when, about ten blocks later, we ran right into a big Harley place - George was in heaven! After walking all the way to the Minato Mirai district, we walked through the five story mall and finally located the ticket booth for the tower (1125). We were treated to a 70 story ride to the top in one minute (not quite the fastest elevator in the world - only the second fastest!). The view was great and we had some drinks while looking down on the carnival and the big ferris wheel. After looking around in the Hard Rock Cafe (1220), we walked southeast along some of the streets to see what else there was to do. I was surprised to hear the funny, video game-like sounds that play when the pedestrians cross the street... I noticed a sign about a Silk Museum and decided to take a look. George wasn't interested - and it was empty when I went in - but I got another one of those treats: a personal tour. Not only was there lots of fine silk artwork and clothing on display, but there were actual silkworms in there - working away! A nice lady tried to show me how the process worked - and she did well. I came away very impressed by the whole thing. After finding Chinatown on the far end of the city, we took the train back home. Great day!

Atsugi, Honshu (Japan)

Didn't have a flight today... Got a nice haircut (finished at 1500L). Picked up groceries at the Commissary (1525L).

Tumon Bay, Guam (USA)

Got an early breakfast (finished at 0605L) and then played around in the water slides that are all over the Hyatt Regency property. I was able to enjoyed just a little of the island before we had to leave. We flew out of Andersen [at around 1400L ?]. Not a bad trip to Japan - just a few low-lying clouds. After we arrived and got settled in our rooms (at the Atsugi CBQ), we walked over to the Officers' Club. Had some fun there - actually ran into some of my old flight students - they've come a long way since I saw them last!

Majuro (Marshall Islands)

Woke up in Waikiki this morning. Had breakfast at Denny's (0745L ?) before checking out of the Outrigger Reef.  We then headed to Hickam Field and departed with nice weather (as usual for the Hawaiian Islands). One big difference: this was my first time taking the "Southern Route" and that made the day very interesting. We stopped for gas on a small island in the Marshalls - water, water, water, water, landing... There was a German guy who did almost everything there, including pumping fuel and providing other services. After getting airborne again, we made it into Guam pretty early.  This time, we are staying at the Hyatt Regency at Tumon Bay (checked in at 1745L). Most of the others were mad that we were so far down the beach from our normal hotel.  I guess they were annoyed that they had to take taxis to the "fun"...  For my part, I was happy staying at our hotel, which had a great buffet with "free flowing wine." I like this place!

Hilo, HI (USA)

[Mission to Japan - flying with Glenn G.] Had lots of trouble with the winds today.  We had to fuel in San Clemente, which was advertised by our flight planning software as being the best place to avoid weather to the north.  Still, we barely made it to Hilo, which was our planned destination - we'd actually hoped to make it to Honolulu but that was simply impossible.  This my first time on the Big Island and I REALLY wanted to stay.  However, our hotel was waiting on Oahu and the rest of the crew wanted to get to Waikiki. Our next leg was was nice - we stayed low and could see other islands. Pearl Harbor looked great, too. Stayed in Outrigger Reef tonight. Had dinner at Moose McGillicuddy's Pub in Honolulu (finished at 2150L).