Monday Monday

Feeling much better Monday morning but saddened at my inability to keep pace with the Privateers.  All reports are that aside from some minor skulduggery (Heineken Cooler anyone),
prior evening gathering under the tracks was much enjoyed by Privateers, tourists and locals.  Saw most everyone at the breakfast buffet and able to offer a hearty sayonara.

Got ourselves organized for the journey home and headed out to find the Raumen Museum (this spelling was engraved in stone above the entrance - not sure if this is the correct spelling, or a bad splivage by the contractor?).  We were a bit early, so popped into the local Hoshino coffee house and had a latte.  The museum opened at 12:00 and we got there at about 12:30 to find a fairly busy place.  It was interesting with the main floor providing historical perspective on the evolution of the Japanese version of Chinese noodle soup, which they have made their own.  The lower floors were set out to mimic 18th century streets and Raumen shops, that were actually serving up noodles!  We struggled to pick one but eventually settled for a reasonably short line up.  This will not go down as a top spot for noodles, but it wasn’t terrible and the experience was worthwhile.  I think we have enjoyed Udon Noodles almost every day on this trip?!? After that, it was back to the hotel where we were surprised to discover that the Rosso actually had beer on hand?
We awaited our transfer and enjoyed the 2 hour drive to Narita Airport through a couple of spots with heavy stop and go traffic.  Pat and Derek had elected to take another option which was best as I think they would have been a bit stressed as we sat parked on the freeway.  We did get there in plenty of time and managed to find more stuff that we didn’t know we couldn’t get along without at the duty free stores (except Yamazaki Single Malt).  Flight departed on time and the Dream Liner was very comfortable landing in Vancouver in under 8 hours.  The customs experience was made in Canada, technical difficulties or some such.  We did the e-claim (twice) to no avail and wound up having to hand write the old fashioned way. Was reminded of the last time returning from Asia through Vancouver where I had my duty free scotch whisky confiscated at security after clearing customs.  This time, they didn’t confiscate our booze, but bizarrely, the did completely unpack it from the sealed packaging and weighed it??? Very strange.  Speaking of whisky, in spite of great effort, I was unable to find the 12 year old Yamazaki that I had wanted to bring home.  So, skunked for Asian Single Malt Whisky twice on the trot.  Layover in Vancouver was three hours, we needed it to get through the grievously dysfunctional customs and security.  Nonetheless, we arrived home before we left, enjoying Monday, Monday; Tsukareta, Onaka ga Suita and Nodo ga Kawaita once more.

Some highlights:

England 19 New Zealand 7
Nagoya Walking tour with Fuhito-san
Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Museum
Ramen Shop in Osaka
Shinto Shrine of 10,000 Torii gates
Skewers and Beers under the tracks
Privateers
Toilets

Some lowlights:

Vancouver
No Yamazaki

All in all, I must invoke the immortal words of my late Father, Great Trip, Glad to be Home.