Note :
This is going to be a lengthy post with a lot pictures so I'm going to split Day one under 2 posts and the write up on the 2 restaurants we went to, on Day 1 under another 2 postings.
Date : November 21 to December 02 2015
Place : Singapore, Narita, Shinjuku
We went ahead with this trip with so little planning. (What's new. Seems like this is our travel SOP which is last min packing and planning) It was during busy period in our respective place of work so we didn't really sit down and plan our itinerary. The only thing we were sure of, was to buy the JR Rail Pass (7 Days pass), which we bought from JTB Takashimaya. http://jtb.com.sg/home/
We literally packed our luggage less than 6 hours before our early morning flight, bought travel insurance, pack our medications, decide which winter jacket to wear and pack (but forgot to my winter boots), how many sets of jeans should I pack or should I just get it from Uniclo since it's commonly everywhere in Tokyo.
Here big boy helping me to pack,
I did not sleep the whole night, (normal SOP) before flying. You see, I'm a nervous Flyer. I will start getting anxious a few days before we flying hence the sleepless nights.
Our flight is at 8:20am Changi Airport Terminal 1. Check in at JAL was a breeze. Because I'm bringing Epi Pen on with my carry-on luggage (which is adrenaline injections for my allergies) This cause concerns with the JAL staffs. They got worried about my allergies even though we assured them not to worry as nuts and prawns only cause me discomfort wheezing but the one that can cause me asphyxia is crab which I doubt they served on air.
The first thing we did after entering transit was to look for Changi Recommend counter to collect the Overseas Wifi router which we reserved. (See Below)
It cost us $98 for 10 days unlimited usage and you can connect up to 10 devices at any time. There is another company called StarLight which offers cheaper rates but it was fully booked. I will post on the other data connection options while overseas on another blog post (if I got around to that)
For this trip, We fly with JAL. My sisters were kinda surprise because we are dieheart SQ flyers, but I read a lot of positives review about JAL, and it's way cheaper than SQ prices, so here goes nothing.
Before boarding, we stop by Kiliney.
That was a bad decision. The line was snaking and slow. We stayed because I need something to nibble but that left us with no time to shop around and we were the last to enter the gate which was at the other end of the terminal.
After entering the boarding area, one of the ground stewardess approached us. JAL was being overly concerned and was assuring me again that the the food served does not contains any stuffs allergic too. This was repeated again as soon as we were seated, where the flight stewardess came over and enquire again about my allergies and assured me again that they will not be serving any kind of nuts, shellfish, prawns, .. Wow... I don't recall SQ doing all out for that.
Before take off, remember to recite doa.
And one of ours before take off
It was a full flight. The plane look new and the service was fantastic. I don't like take off and landing so I forced myself to look out the window and took videos of mindless stuffs to just calm/distract myself. Here's one.
One of the worse thing that can happened on a plane for me apart from severe allergy reactions and asthma, that would be panic attack.
Over the years I more or less has manage to overcome this. One of the steps I took was to walk or stand frequently. Another one thing I found out was to have a sip of water frequently to wet my throat. Coffee is a no no. The one that helps me the most is Apple Juice and hot tea. That's why I try to secure seats nearer to the back of the aircraft which is nearer to recess areas as well as near to the loo (if loo malfunction and start to get smelly, can die lah). Aisle seat is also a must for me cos of my frequent walk about.
Maybe perhaps this is only a 9hr trip so apart from the frequent toilet breaks, I had a pleasant and uneventful flight there. I even manage to keep myself occupied by watching Jurassic Park Movie and past seasons of Doctor X (Japanese Drama).
The food was ok. Not as good as SQ but still ok.
Due to some miscommunication about the allergy portion, one of us got served vegan food :-) heheheh I supposed that was meant for me hehehe.
This was what I had. That's fish with tomato gravy and rice.
And this was the vegan food served for Mr. Vegetarian Lasagne.Our non muslim fellow travellers got 1 dessert and 1 Haagen Daz Ice Cream.
Because we got 2 types of dessert, no Haagen Daz Ice Cream for us. We didn't know that so we thick skin and asked If we could have one. Must be rezeki kita kan, they had some left overs and passed us 2.
The view....
Snack time before landing. I learn that when you want tea, must say black tea. Else they will serve you Green tea :-) Unlike SQ, they served tea in paper cups. I have no complains.
Our Muslim sandwich. Tuna, Cheese and Margarine
After 8-9hrs we reached Narita. Mr still look fresh and not so fresh me who have not been sleeping for last 24hrs. (Opps photobomb)
Touch Down... Welcome to Narita. One of the smoothest landing ever..
This was taken 4:26pm Japan time or 3:26pm SG time. It was late Autumn and daylight is shorter.
For customs clearance, you will have to fill up the disembarkation card as well as the customs declaration form. You only need to fill up 1 customs declaration form for your party.
No picture because the one I have was already filled up with our particulars.
Here's Mr managing 2 huge luggage (50% and 25% full only) up the escalator like a pro.
I created another post for La Toque here.
I think it's a good more to have Halal options at the airport. I remembered last 4 years ago when we first came, there wasn't any halal restaurants around.
Here's more info on La Toque.
In my next Day 1 Part 2 post, I will share on the following
1) Narita to Shinjuku via Narita Express
2) Finding our way from Shinjuku Station to Hotel Sunroute Plaza
3) Our very first halal Yakiniku in Japan...
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