Things you don't see at home every day: a nearly empty plane

We had been planning our trip to Japan for a long time. We had arranged to meet old friends. And we felt that if we cancelled now, we might never make it there. But a major earthquake, a deadly tsunami and a nuclear disaster on a par with Chernobyl were serious things to consider. Despite the fact that we had bought non-refundable and non-flexible tickets, British Airways were giving us the option to change our flights. And for a few weeks, we really didn't know what we were going to do. Travel advisories issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs were recommending to avoid non-essential travel to Tokyo.  Family and friends were concerned, of course. But we decided to wait and see how things were developping in Fukushima. We had a month before our travel date, so we felt that time was on our side. About a week before the start of our holiday, the travel advisories were lifted, and Japan didn't make the news on the telly on a daily basis at least. I was reading the daily IAEA update, and things were not getting worse.

So we decided to go. And we had a wonderful holiday. The weather was perfect, the food excellent, and the Japanese friendly. But it looks like we were the only Western tourists there. Our flight was operating at about 1/6th of capacity. Narita airport was nearly empty. There was only one other Western couple on the train platform for the Narita Express. There was no queue for the free observatories on the 45th floor at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building (so we decided to do both the North and South towers). No waiting list for the New York Grill and Bar in the Park Hyatt hotel (of Lost in Translation fame). So, in a way, we felt very privileged to be there, and we made the most of our 2 weeks. We covered most areas of Tokyo, visited every temple in Kyoto, and enjoyed our time with Shinobu and with Véronique. Japan is a wonderful place for a special holiday and I would certainly recommend it.

And the fact that the plane was nearly empty was a bonus for us - though we had 2 side seats, so it didn't really make any actual difference, it felt quieter and more relaxed. With the added drama of the dreadlock girl from Economy who went in for a nap in Business while nobody was looking! But then, they did notice, and she had to go back to her seat! She didn't try it again on the way back. Yes, she was on the same flight as us again - amazing coincidence. Talking of coincidences, I spotted a Japanese girl with a lovely aqua-coloured suitcase with a yellow belt around it in the departures hall at Narita airport while we were waiting for the check-in desks to open. And what did I see on the arrivals luggage carousel in Dublin airport? Yes, the aqua-coloured suitcase with a yellow belt! Of all the places that this Japanese girl could have been travelling to! I hope she enjoys her stay in Ireland as much as we enjoyed ours in Japan!