Return to Finland

On saturday I finally got home to Finland. Very enjoyable holiday came to it's end. Sad but good things always end. Time to look forward to next trip.

I am on camp of "paranoid" in that I tend to assume problems happen so I woke up ungodly earthly and headed out of hotel very early up. Actually due to waking up mid-route earlier than planned Last year I had went from hotel to airport via bus but this time I had initially opted for skyliner limited express train that had starting point near to hotel. However I had woken up too early so switched to slower train(but due to earlier start would still arrive sooner than waiting for the skyliner.

I arrived to Tokyo station and found the train platform. And noticed every seat is reserved seat. Never got one so was bit lost. Found ticket sale place but closed. Was I too early? Would I have needed to get ticket for this early time yesterday? I oomphed my options. I could try to find place here. I could try the skyliner but problem then comes with money. If that fails I might only have enough left to come back here and make it work. Or I could go straight to Shinjuku and take the bus like last year. It's the most expensive solution but I had reserved enough money for that. Thanks to being early(being paranoid paid off) I would have time to go to the Shinjuku despite being about 30 minute train ride with time to spare.

I opted for the safe option and went for Shinjuku. This way I'm 100% quaranteed to get to the airport and I really wasn't feeling like taking chances. Next year maybe I'll check that skyliner ticket purchase procedure in advance. Should have done that this year too!

Anyway getting to the bus station at least for the bus ride got rid of the two bags for a while. Those are bummer to carry around(on airport found out they were 20 and 17 kg's...Plus laptop bag). On airport staff helped me to get the boarding pass and got the bags checked in and went through the security check. Now I could relax. I was through all and bags were within limits so all was well.

 Final views of central Tokyo.

 That was the airplane that would carry me back to Finland.

 Inside the plane(nice btw that use of electronic tools is these days allowed provided they don't emit signals. Phone in airplane mode fits in). Just would need spare battery or two!

 First meal we were served. Good though as usual with airplane meals small. Book you can see kept me at least somewhat entertained though after 5 hours of flight was starting to get seriously sit-crazy.

Seat next to me had this Czech women who was practicing for Japanese proficiency exam level 3. So we chatted somewhat in Japanese. Good practice for both of us in preparation of exam(on 7th december). I'm taking N2 level which is the 2nd hardest. Hopefully can pass but with average pass rate about 42-45% IIRC not that unsurprising if I fail.

Final meal that was served close to the end. Also for dessert we got ice cream.

Weather in Finland was cloudy, some snow and fairly cold at least coming from 15+ degrees Tokyo. I hate that kind of cloud. Leaden coloured skies are most depressing kinds.

All the books I bought except for Nagasaki a-bomb damage photo collection. Big pile Uchuu Kyoudai, next to it Gintama, then moving on right Blue exorcist. On far right Japan history in manga style with tonari no seki kun manga at top. On front row left kuroko no basuke and then mimi wo sumaseba(ghibli animation film) in manga format.

Not addicted to books nooooo!

I might make post later about final musings but for now rest, get back to work schedule and prepare for the exam on Sunday.