Round The World and other travels
A frequent flyer's collection of trip diaries
This is: Round The World 2006-07
On to Japan ...
As I hate any kind of brinksmanship when I'm travelling, I made sure that I was up by 0600. I got myself organised, did the last of my packing, took a final lingering look at that glorious harbour view and took my leave of Room 601. Checkout was easy and very soon I was aboard the shuttle bus for Kowloon Station, where I was able to make use of the excellent in-town check-in facility. Free of my suitcase, the train journey was that much more comfortable. On arrival at the airport, I cashed in my Octopus card, having previously determined that it would be easier to do this and buy a fresh one on my return in ten days' time.
Passport Control and Security were easily negotiated and very soon I
was presenting myself at the First Class section of The Wing.
(Although I was travelling Business Class, my BA Gold status got me
entry to the F section
) I had a light
breakfast, then used the computers for a while before heading for
the gate.
(Link to flight log in side panel)
It was an easy matter to transfer
from KIX airport to the adjacent railway station and I even managed
to get the right train ticket out of one of the machines without
assistance
Things did get just a little bit hairy,
however, when I stepped aboard the train with about a minute to go.
The train journey was both comfortable and efficient and the 70
minutes passed very quickly. I have no idea if this is standard
practice, but on this train, JR West had banned smoking from the
seating areas and had created standing-only smoking zones in the car
vestibules. I nearly choked while boarding, yet there was no
perceptible smell during the journey, even when the sliding door
opened to let people in or out of the car. I also noticed that
whenever the conductor passed through the car, he turned and bowed
deeply to us before continuing on his way. What a polite society!
On arrival at Kyoto, I took a few minutes to get my bearings, but was pleased that I managed to fit in a visit to the tourist information centre to pick up a city map and a bus map. They also directed me to the Westin's office at the station, where I knew it was possible to check in to the hotel and drop off luggage. However as I was heading straight for the hotel, the clerk simply directed me to the stop for the complimentary shuttle. It was almost full, but we were at the Westin soon enough and I was pleased to receive an upgrade - don't ask me on what grounds! - at check-in.
I had a quiet evening in, including a light meal from room service, and later on started to feel a little bit under the weather. I (correctly) realised that it was simply tiredness and put matters right in the obvious way, with an early night.