The View From Space

One of my favorite activities when visiting Japan is hunting down new flavors of Kit Kat.  On my latest visit I found 2 new (at least to me) flavors.

Yubari Melon (Cantaloupe)

And Blueberry Cheescake

Also picked up samples of old favorites

Having lamented about the demise of First Class service and comfort on domestic flights, I was pleasantly surprised when I recently got upgraded to Business Class onboard a United flight to Japan.

The current domestic first class cabin is akin to business class of days gone by, international first class however, is now the pinnacle in comfort.  Cocoon seating with lay flat seats and a huge individual TV screen with more entertainment choices than you can possibly watch over an 8 hour flight.  (Unfortunately I have yet to experience this level of travel nirvana)

International Business Class is no slouch either and is head and shoulders above most of the domestic first class cabins you’ll find.  There’s semi cocoon seating with lay flat beds … I mean seats.  The entertainment choices are just as good as in first class although shown on a “smaller” screen.  Yes I was like a kid in a candy store as this was my first taste of the new cabin seating arrangement.

Yes that’s a lumbar support button in the middle of the seat back

and I even used the slippers provided in the amenity package.  So chic!

Please check out the @TheHelloBar on the top of this blog to help the victims of the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami that recently devastated Japan.  It links directly to @RedCross, where you can make a donation to help with relief efforts.  Even if the Red Cross is not your first choice there are many other relief organizations that could use your financial support.  Please consider giving.

I admit, I’m a fan of those strange Kit-Kat flavors coming out of Japan.  Here’s a couple that I picked up during my recent trip there.  Strawberry cheesecake (ok not so strange) and Wasabi (gotta admit, just plain weird).  Although that chocolate wasabi cheescake in Guam ran a close second.

Although I didn’t have time to walk over I was able to grab a couple of shots of the archway at Mikasa Park.  The park is home to the Japanese Battleship Mikasa.

Saw this sign at Narita while going through security.  Guess they do have a sense of humor after all.

Now I’ve seen it all, while waiting for my flight from Narita to Honolulu I happened by one of the duty free shops and noticed they were selling … Yes … rice cookers.  Now why anyone getting ready to board an already cramped airplane would be compelled to purchase a rice cooker is beyond me.  But if you’re ever in Narita and just happened to forget your rice cooker … well, you can thank me later.

Not only do the Japanese make great electronics, but they’ve got the limited parking space maximization thing down pat.

Having completed work in Guam I’ve moved on to Yokosuka, Japan. I’m finding more and more western influences here, maybe it’s because of the Navy base located within it’s city limit.  Or maybe it’s just the normal influx of US products found around the world.  Either way the Japanese have found ways to make each their own (and yes I did have Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner one day).