Trip 6 - The Revisit

We revisit Shiga Kogan, Kyoto and Osaka. Read more

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Trip start
February 18, 2023
Trip 6 - The Revisit Traveler
Day 1 - GC - Narita - Asakusa
February 18, 2023 in Japan
Trip 6 has begun. Flew out of the GC on Saturday. All great on Jetstar, even arrived 15mins early, but then had to eait for our planes parking spot. Got through the easier with the printed copies of qr codes. Had purchased travel sims, and finally got them working in the immigration line. Took a bit for the ski bags to come out. So we were headed out the exit near 8pm.

What threw me however was the fact we landed at terminal 2, previously it had always been terminal 3. So that made sending all our luggage to Shiga Kogan via yamote easy. 9000ish yen for 2x ski bags, 2x rolling duffles. So our plans for our usual airport meal changed on the spot, mostly due to starving kids. Yoshinoya was right above us. Luckily they had a table for 4 waiting, so straight in, curry and pork bowls ordered, food was on the table in seconds. Dinner was 2,700.

We downed the food in record time as we wanted to catch the 8:28 train to Asakusa. But of course one of our kids is now an adult being 12, so stopped to buy a new suica card and top up ours. Our quick dash had us through the JR gates, oops, we wanted Keisei, so a quick turn around was done, and 2 mins til the train, we dashed, and made it to the platform with the train already there.

After a quick train change at Aoto, we lead one sleepy child and one excited child past Sensoji to our hostel where we ended our day at 11:30 our time. Long day, but we are back in Japan!!!Read more
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Trip 6 - The Revisit Traveler
Day 2 - Asakusa - Nikko
February 19, 2023 in Japan
Day 2 - Asakusa to Nikko
So we woke up super early, so we were out of our hostel by 6:30, having a wander around Sensoji, and headed to Asakusa tobu station, a quick, but much loved trip by a family mart stocked us up with breakfast supplies. We were then at the Tobu information centre for its 7:20am opening. We purchased Nikko World Heritage passes off klook for half price, and we had already purchased the express train portion of our journey online last week. So we had everything already sorted. So off to have breakfast in with a view of the golden poo.

We thought being a Sunday the train to Nikko would be full, but no, only 3 other people were in our carriage. The Spacia is a nice ride up to Nikko, the journey went by pretty quickly, and we arrive at 9:48am. Stashed the backpacks in a coin locker, (700yen) and set off walking up the hill along Nikko's main street. Stopping off at the Family Mart to buy some umbrellas as it was starting to spit.

We found some crowds at Toshogu shrine, the main reason we chose to visit Nikko was I found my grandfathers photos of Nikko from 1946. I photographed current day replicas as best I could.

Then it rained just enough to be really annoying and get you wet, 2 umbrellas was not enough. So with the crowds of umbrellas and the drizzle, we saw, we photographed the icons hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil monkeys, we saw the carving done of an elephant by a guy who had never seen one, we climbed the 207 steps to th late emperors resting place, and we left.

We hid out from the rain at the nearest restaurant we found and had a pretty good meal of Japanese curry (5700yen). Once the food was eaten, the rain had stopped, so we walked back down the main street, stopping for a Nikko version of Taiyaki. It was a delicious custard filled monkey. (220yen)

We then headed to our hotel for the night, this place is nice. It had a big faux outdoor onsen tub, so we all had a soak. Then, with 7-11 just up the street, it was a very uninspired quick meal. Our train out in the morning is at 7:37am.

Fun fact - airtags - not sure knowing where the bags are is good. We dropped them off saturday evening, and by Sunday evening, they were only 30mins from Narita. Not knowing their journey like we did in the past maybe its better to be blissfully unaware.Read more
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Trip 6 - The Revisit Traveler
Day 3 - Nikko, Nagano, Shiga Kogen
February 20, 2023 in Japan
Day 3 - Snow time. Nikko - Nagano - Shiga Kogen
We were up early and out into some beautiful sunshine Nikko displayed for our leaving. We caught the 7:37am train back to Asakusa at 9:33am, then a quick hop on the metro over to Ueno. The plan was to grab some lunch and exchange JR passes for after skiing, but the line was really long and slow, so we just bought our shinkasen tickets for Nagano, from another slow moving line, so we missed the 10:30 train and opted for the 11:30 on instead. These trains were pretty much full. The JR person said to try non-reserved to sit together. Our lunch was a grab something that looks ok from the konbini at Ueno station and head to the platform to line up for non-reserved. We got seats together on a pretty packed train arriving at 12:50.
At Nagano there was no one in the foreign person part of the JR service centre, but issuing the JR passes took a while, a long while. Then we also booked our journey to Kyoto, and from Osaka back to Tokyo for later in the trip. By this time we did a quick power walk from one side, out of the station, then back the other realising we did have much time to kill, and we wanted to make the 2:15pm Nagano Snow Shuttle. We were one of the first on this quite packed bus. As we were leaving it started to snow, this continued to snow more as we ascended towards Shiga Kogen, at times the road was covered in white. The bus driver put chains on once we reached Shiga Kogen. We have never had that happen before.
It was snowing big fat flakes on our arrival. We collected our bags delivered by takqbin, and checked in. Then headed back out for food, luckily the shuttle arrived moments after we stepped outside, as the walk in the snow would have not been fun. We went to the junk food cafe for dinner (7,100) and even tried our first crepes. Probably won't try it again, I have a really sweet tooth, but it is just too much. It was freezing cold and still snowing while we waited for a shuttle to return. Daughter and I hit the onsen to warm up, even convinced hubby to take son into the onsen for his first time.
We ski tomorrow....its looking good.Read more
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Trip 6 - The Revisit Traveler
Day 4 - Snowy Shiga Kogen
February 21, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌫 -10 °C
Day 4 - Snowy Shiga kogen
This morning, the view of the carpark from Prince West was snowy and white.

The snow fell all day and did not stop. It was an epic first day, and the most snow we have ever skiied in. We have 3 days of Yakebitiyama tickets, then onto 3 days all mountain. We started the day with a few runs at the quad chair outside the west wing. Then, we headed over to the south wing gondola where we did a few runs, before hitting up the hooded quad outside east wing. We loved the D1 and D2 runs there, finding lots of powder to play in. The kids and the big kid found out that some powder is too much to move through, and got stuck a few times, always in view of the chair, moreso under it. It was a chilly -11 and the snow did not relent. I found visibility was a struggle at times.

Lunch was the place under the south gondola, where we like the food, except Dale did not like the chicken curry. Pork katsu for the win. After that we returned to the fun of the hooded quad and the runs off that. I must say I love the silent snow and the squeaks it makes, sure is much nicer than the scrapes of ice and hard snow we are used to in Australia. Here ever time I planted my poles, they squeaked.

By around 2:30pm we were fading, and cold, so we headed back over to the west wing, via the south goldola, and then down to the west wing of the Prince. Near the Prince we found a lovely stash of powder and had to have a frolick as only Queenslanders could, the kids dove and swam in the powder.

Onsen was high on the list to warm up, followed by Coolish from the vending machine, then dinner was at the Teppa room,(6,700yen) it was ok, not as good as it was in 2020. Really missing the Nepalese place. We ate and the tried to time our exit out to the bus stop as best we could, as there is no protection from anything, and it was windy, snowy and cold, so at the kids suggestion we huddled like penguins for the 5mins it took for the bus to come.Read more
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Trip 6 - The Revisit Traveler
Day 5 - Sunny Shiga Kogen
February 22, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ -7 °C
Day 5 - Sunny Shiga Kogen
The sun was out this morning, revealing a beautiful blue sky.

After a buffet breakfast, they had the mini waffles this morning, yeah. We started off at the quad outside the west wing. We have now pieced together the new numbering system used here. So C chair, where we warmed up on C1. We then made our way over to the B gondola, and skied off there for a bit. The viewpoints were turning it on today, it was stunning. We did a run or two from the D hooded quad, then went over to A gondola for our first time this trip. The views from the top were magic and the mountain range in the distance filled the sky. There were quite a few groups around, as there are 8 buses in the carpark, but they were easily avoided. It was a bit crunchy underfoot over this way, so we headed back to B south gondola, and popped back downstairs for lunch again. Everyone had the pork katsu this time.

After lunch we headed over to A and then back to C, then back to B, then back to the top of C, where we demolished a pristine snow bank with some snow play and frolicking, the kids jumped, rolled, made houses, threw snow and had a ball. After our run back down to the west, the Kids play area was pretty empty, so we tried our hand at some snow bikes and sleds. Whilst there, the snow from the roof of the hotel was crashing down, and some crashed down into the water in front of the onsen. It also happened while we were in the onsen.

Dinner tonight was seek and find, we decided to walk into Ichinose. We were headed to the Ramen place suggested by Patrick, but it was shut, so we headed over to the junk food cafe, it was shut, so we ended up at Shiga Kogen Tacos at Shiga Grand. I really enjoyed my food so much we forgot to photograph it. We had tacos, nacho and a quesidilla. Timing our exit with the next hotel courtesy shuttle.Read more
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Trip 6 - The Revisit Traveler
Day 6 - Shiga Kogen
February 23, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ -5 °C
We woke up early to a slightly cloudy day where the sun tried to poke through. Dale is 13 today, and being wonderful parents we let her get a grape drink that when you shake it, it turns to jelly, and have melon soda at breakfast. The buffet was the same fare as before. Jason seems to try as many different food groups on the one plate.

We started off at the C chair outside prince west and did a warm up run down C1. The snow is crunchy and was not too soft at this time of morning. We then headed over to A gondola, wanting to hit up the runs over there before they got too chopped up. It was firm and nice to ski on at this stage. From here we went over to the D quad chair, wher ethe kids were wanting to try the remaining 'powder' that was off to the side, both made it out the first time, the second however Oscar took a tumble and managed to do a cartwheel. He was fine. At B South Gondola, we found our first real queues of the trip, the line was not far out the building and moved fast. We even had some single riders join us in the gondola. We have put the crowd down to it also being the Emperors birthday holiday??

We skied a bit there before heading over to C chair back on the west side. Where lunch was icecream while sitting outside in the sun in light snow. After this, we put the skis away and had some family fun time on the snowbikes at the play area. The snow falling off the building roof was also entertaining. Onsens were had and icecreams again followed. I can rate the Hagan Daas Macadamia Toffee Crispy icecream sandwich. Very nice.

Tonight dinner is the hotel buffett. Where the choice of steak as our main was the winner, this was a standout along with cheese risotto arancini balls. Dale had a bowl of mango and pineapple as her birthday dessert.Read more
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Trip 6 - The Revisit Traveler
Day 7 - All Mountain Shiga Kogen
February 24, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 0 °C
Day 7 - All Mountain Shiga Kogen

This morning we began using our 3 day all-mountain passes. Oscar's and mine were purchased at half price via the Go-Nagano site. We went to the linking chair to Diamond, but it does not open until 8:50, we did a warm up run on good old C1 at Prince West.

After this it was up the link chair, down Diamond, up the small cgair and across the road bridge to Ichinose Family. The top here we were treated to some awesome views, as the lingering cloud was high ove rthe mountains. From here we went straight to Terakoya, where we did a few runs, the snow quality all day was very crunchy, with the occasional patch of ice, and occasional softened snow.

After Terakoya we headed over to Higashidateyama following the meandering track down to Hoppo Bunadaira. Here at the base of Giant we went and had some morning tea at Alpen Shiga, where we had some delicious pasteries. They are so good and only 250yen.

From the base of Giant, we decided to head left onto the quad chair and do a run of Nishidateyama. The green run here was nice, so were the views. Next was the run down to the chair and up Takamagahara chair. We did a few runs here, then hit up the pizza place that elSpike recommended. The pizzas were very good, but the fries were outstanding, and only 300yen.

After our lunch stop, we had a play at Tanne no Mori, and did a few of their short runs. From here it was a run at Family, and back across to Yakebitaiyama, finishing off with a run down good old C1. Then it was definitely onsen time.

Dinner tonight was at the Junk Food Cafe again, karaage, Hot dogs and chips. Followed by some vending machine Hagan Daas ice cream.Read more
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Trip 6 - The Revisit Traveler
Day 8 - Windy snowy Shiga Kogen
February 25, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌫 -7 °C
Day 8 - Windy snowy Shiga Kogen.
It started off with a carpark weather check, a few centimetres of snow at best. Buffett breakfast was had. Potato gems today, no waffles. These are the 2 items I have noticed them rotating.

We rode the link chair over to Family, during this ride we had perfect snowflakes landing on us. We went and did the green run with family finding hidden paths off the sides. During one such detour, Dale did not appear following the other 2, so I went back up a bit to find her, as she had fallen. I noticed her pocket was open, she asked is my phone there? Which it wasn't. Hubby had then come back up the slope to see what was happening (didn't read my message I sent). We luckily found the phone in a few minutes.

Then we went up to Terakoya, where it was a bit more windy and freezing. The goggles were not coping with fogging. Visibily was challenging, so after a run or two, it was into the cafe to warm up with a hot chocolate.

From here we rode the lift out of the bottom of Terakoya that leads to Takamagahara, we skied down and attempted to go over the bridge. Snowboarder obstacle and not enough speed, so side stepped over that - not fun, especially for Oscar. We did a few runs on Nishidateyama, before ending up at Alpen Shiga at the bottom of Giant for lunch.

Lunch was spaghetti and meat sauce, the hamburger curry rice and corn and potato soup. The place was packed when we entered, but a short wait got us a table. After lunch we rode the new gondola on foot to see what was in the bus stop building as we had never been inside it previously. A shop, ski rental and some food for those curious.

We were quite cold, it had not stopped snowing all day, though the sun did try to poke through at times, it was noticeably more windy than before, and there was still a lot of hard surface on most ski runs. The new snow wasn't doing much for the run surface. So we headed back to Yakebitaiyama via the 2 gondolas up Higashidateyama, where we encountered some lines. Then down family again, up over to Diamond and then back to C1 to finish the days sking.

Dinner was at Narutoya, a ramen place. We had gyoza, pork ramen and udon. It was lovely, and only 5,450 yen. We then walked back to the hotel rather than waiting 50mins for the shuttle bus.Read more
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Trip 6 - The Revisit Traveler
Day 9 - Last day Skiing at Shiga Kogen
February 26, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ❄️ -6 °C
Day 9 - Last day skiing at Shiga Kogen

We woke to a white view and a fair amount of snow falling and on the cars in the carpark. It was a chilly -11 outside apparently. Breakfast was had at the hotel buffett, waffles today.

We decided to stay on the Yakebitaiyama side today as it was considerably windier than before, and we were only skiing a half day as we had to pack our skis to send back to the airport. So we went out and started our day on C1, yep it was colder and windier than before. But we were back to quiet skiing from the fallen snow, I like it like this.

We headed over to D lift the hooded quad, but it was not open at 9am, even though it has a start time of 8:45am. So we joined the queue at the A gondola and rode it up, heading down towards the B gondola at South. The snow was fun and the family had fun finding stashes off to the side.

From here we criss crossed heading back towards A gondola, hoping the quad chair would be open, and it was, so around 10am. We joined the queue and rode this, having fun on D1 and D2 in the powder. We then headed back to South gondola, and had an early lunch at 11am. Unfortunately they had no pork cutlets, so it was karaage and fries for lunch.

It was cold, so we skied a bit and made our way back over to Prince west, where we began the joyful task of repacking the ski bags, and shipping them off to the airport. We also shipped our luggage to our last night stay, as we will travel light for the next few days. We had to have our bags ready by 3pm here, and we got it done at 2pm. Onsen time was had, followed by Coolish.

Dinner tonight is Shiga Kogen Tacos.Read more
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Trip 6 - The Revisit Traveler
Day 10 - Shiga Kogen to Kyoto
February 27, 2023 in Japan
Day 10 - Shiga Kogen to Kyoto

We awoke and got ready to catch the 7am local bus down from Shiga Kogen, is was a blue sky morning after a snowy night. It was very cold waiting for the bus. The bus took the local route down through the ski fields and onto Yudanaka (1,100yen). From here this dropped us at Yudanaka station where we had to purchase tickets to Nagano for the 8:10 train. (Note no JR pass or suica is taken here, 1260yen).

The local train stopped all stations and we had to change trains at Shinshunakano, it was just across platform and then ride the 18 stops to Nagano. Here we hit up the New Days to stock up on breakfast and snacks for our next 2 train journeys. We boarded the 10am Kagayaki for Kanazawa, arriving at 11:05am.

From here we boarded the Thunderbird bound for Kyoto, arriving at 1:37pm. Our hotel is just on the south side of the stationMimaru Kyoto station, so we dropped our bags and headed back across the road to ride the subway to Kyoto city area. Our first port of call was the Pokemon centre where the kids found lots they loved, purchases made. Then we walked through Nishiki Market as I had heard about an amine store with cheap prices nearby. We found it Melonbooks, and Dale had a ball buying up things she loved so cheap. Most of the figures she got were only 440 yen for 10-15cm high figure.

Then it was a walk through the gion district, stopping for Taiyaki. Then we co tinues to see the Hokan-ji temple pagoda and walk around the Sanneizaka area and up to Kiyomizu-dera at sunset. From here it was a 30min walk to the train station or a 35min walk back to the hotel, so we walked the 4km back to the hotel arriving at 6pm. The room is very nice with bunks for the kids.

Coco Ichibanya was for dinner and luckily there was one 350m away from the hotel. After a curry fill we went back to the station and caught the train 2 stops to Inari, and walked through the main parts at night. It is very beautiful at night. A short train ride back to the hotel to call it a night.Read more
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Trip 6 - The Revisit Traveler
Day 11 - Kyoto to Osaka
February 28, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Day 11 Kyoto to Osaka
We woke up and had an easy breakfast from the 7-11 downstairs from the hotel. We then went to explore Kyoto station and discovered the skywalk was shut before 10am. So we caught the subway to Shijoji and went to the Pokemon store again at 10am, where we bought a bit more stuff. We then walked back through the Nishiki market and back to the Anime store at 11am where Dale got a fair bit more stuff. (9,800yen worth). After this we caught the subway back to the hotel and headed for the Shinkansen.

Osaka is only 15mins away from Kyoto, so the trip went quickly. We then made our way from Shin-Osakato Universal City. Where we are staying for 2 nights. We are on the 25th floor of the hotel tower out from of Universal city walk. We checked in, then decided to do the half day ticket to Universal Studios that lets you in at 3pm to close. (6,000A 3,600C).

So off we went to Universal studios. Today's visit was a look see rather than ride fest. No Super Nintendo world available that late in the day. Not sure if it was a good idea, turned out it was a students day and the park was staying open an hour later than usual just for students. So not sure if that added to the crowd. At 5:40 we got in the Harry Potter ride line scheduled for 80min wait time. The line went on forever. The kids and hubby hated it, I loved it. So that was a nice end to the day, as we exited the ride just after 7pm, which was the supposed closing time.

Then of course the lines at the restaurants at city walk we long, we were hungry and tired, so McDonalds it was. Eaten back at our ever so convenient hotel. Tomorrow we do it again just for longer, wish us luck.Read more
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Trip 6 - The Revisit Traveler
Day 12 - Universal Studios Japan
March 1, 2023 in Japan
Day 12 - USJ
So we woke up at 6:30am and saw people already heading to the park. By 7:30am we were in the entrance line, after grabbing some breakfast from the Lawsons downstairs. There were hundred of people lined up by the time we arrived. They let us into the park about 45mins before opening (was set to be 8:30am),

We headed straight the Super Nintendo world and got in the line for Mario Kart ride, the line was about 45mins, then we jumped in the Yoshi ride, about 30min wait, after buying some Yoshi and Bowser headwear for the kids.

After this Jason wanted the MariKart popcorn holder, the line was long and slow, so I jumped in the single rider line for Hollywood dream rollercoaster (said 70min wait), I was out in 45mins and met back up with the famuly. From here we headed to Harry Potter to ride the Hippogrith, a ride the kids actually enjoyed after some trepidation. The wait was about 45mins., though stated to be 75mins.

After this we grabbed some vending machine drinks and saw we were right beside a cart selling Angus beef meat pies, so we got some and sat by the docks to eat them. Then the Minions ride said 40mins, so we headed off to jump in the line. After this we went to the Spiderman ride as the wait was about 30mins.

After this we went seperate ways for a bit. Jason and the kids went to ride the Hiffogrifth again and I went to the flying dinosaur, where you are suspended under the ride laying horizontally. It was intense and good, and only took about 45mins rather than the 80mins posted.

From here we went to the Waterworld show. Jason and I went to the Hollywood Dream coaster while Dale took Oscar to the kiddy area. Jason and I ended up on the same coaster doing single rider. Then we went looking for food, but discovered many of the kiosks stopped selling food at 5pm. So we rode the Minions Freeze ray ride.

Called it a day at 6pm. One hour shy of open to close, but 10hr day done. Not sure our legs will forgive us.
We decided on Shake Shack for dinner, as it was closest and had no line.Read more
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Trip 6 - The Revisit Traveler
Day 13 - Osaka to Tokyo
March 2, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌬 16 °C
Day 13 - Osaka to Tokyo
We had a sleep in today and woke around 7:30, then we decided to try to make a Shinkansen one hour before the one we intended. Our check out and breakfast stop at the mega busy Lawsons stopped that idea. But we pushed onto Shin-Osaka station, and got on a train at 10:08 that would arrive 30mins earlier than our planned one putting us in Tokyo at 12:42pm.

From here we located our hotel in Asakusa, dropped some bags and went to look for another suitcase at Don Quijote. Lunch was a dodgy Lawsons "hot box" yet it was cool, barely just warm food. We then went back to check in properly after 3pm. Did a quick change and headed for Kichijoji to meet up with a friend who was an exchange student with us 30years ago. We had a lovely din er with her and her boys, who are the same age as our kids.

Back to the hotel late by 9pm. Then we headed out to the 24hr Donki to buy hubby alcohol. The tax free line was mega long, still in line after 10:30pm.Read more
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Trip 6 - The Revisit Traveler
Day 14 - The final day
March 3, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
Day 14 - The final day
We had a bit of a sleep in after our late night last night. We got another lawsons breakfast. Then packed up all our bags and checked out, storing our luggage there.

We then walked from Asakusa to Ueno wandering through the streets. The we caught the Yamanote line to Ikebukuro and went to Sunshine City. Here we visited yet another Pokemon store and also a gachapon store (capsule toys) with over 3000 machines.

After this we had another Taiyaki, not as good as any of the others we have had. But we did get to wait and watch them cook it. Then we headed to the nearby Don Quijote allowing the kids to buy some lollies. From here we went to Bic camera and got some Tomica cars and some figurines. Then it was 1pm and we were hungry, so we found a Saizeriya nearby and went for some lunch.

Back to the hotel by 3pm, then grabbed all the luggage and trekked back to Asakusa station, then to Akihabara and onto Tokyo station. Nex tickets booked and on the platform with a few minutes to spare. 4:32pm Nex to the Airport.

Good timing arrival at the airport, we were 4th in line before check in opened. We ducked downstairs and collected the ski bags from Black cat, then had just a few minutes before check in opened. It was good that our weight allocation was spread over all bags, not per person, so that saved any last minute packing changes needed at the airport.

Check in done we walked back to T2 for dinner at Yoshinoya, ending our trip the way it started.

Our plane arrived about 30mins late around 7am into the GC.Read more
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Trip end
March 4, 2023