DAY 00 - Mushu and Meeko stay at Grandma's as Val and I prepare to leave
Our flight arrives at the gate
This will be our first flight on Japan Airlines
I haven't been on a 747 for quite some time...forgot how big they are
Not sure why Val gives me the evil eye
As the plane turns, we get one last look at PCH and Camarillo
Overlooking the wing while...
...soaring over California
Cruising over the snow capped peaks of the Alaska Peninsula
Didn't realize we would fly this far north
DAY 01 - Sun never set, but we're now east of Japan
Tokyo's Narita Airport is our stop-over destination
Our 747 banks to the right as the sun sets
Descending towards the cloud tops
Twilight falls as we spot land...we're over Japan! By the time we land, it's too dark to take pictures (and our stopover at Narita Airport isn't exactly photo-worthy)
After another five hour flight, we finally arrive in Hanoi. Our tour driver picks us up from the airport and drops us at the Sofitel Metropole just after midnight. Needless to say, we're really happy to check-in and eager to hit these sheets
Our room is NICE! Too bad we're only here for one night
This room has both a bath and a shower...
...and French Colonial style throughout
DAY 02 - Val and I head to the hotel's restaurant...
...for a breakfast buffet that includes pho bo (the yummy bowl of Vietnamese beef noodle soup sitting in front of me) among other local dishes, French pastries, and boring western fare
While Val packs, I run outside to take pictures of the hotel...
Scooters are the ride of choice...cyclos wait nearby
