Leaving Iwakuni on 5/12

It's Tuesday morning and I'm settled in with my canned iced latte (it's a Cafe Latte by a brand called Georgia, a subsidiary of Coca Cola) on the Shinkansen from Iwakuni. I'm flying back to the US today, via Fukuoka, Tokyo & Chicago, before I land in Birmingham more than 24 hours later . . .


I'm in Car 12 -- a non-smoking car. The sign also tells me that a telephone & restrooms are this direction, rather than behind me.


Passing through the station at the beautiful port city of Tokuyama.

Looking down at a highway from the elevated Shinkansen (bullet train).

Elevated tollroad over farmland.

Man reading newspaper on Shinkansen to Fukuoka.

Passing over a river.

After arriving at the train station, I take a short subway ride to Fukuoka Airport.

That's the announcement of my flight to Tokyo Narita, departing at 12:10.



Our safety speech was pre-recorded on this ANA commuter flight.

Cutie in the seat in front of me.

Taxiing away from Fukuoka Airport.

Taking off from Fukuoka.

Another plane nearby.

Why do I always get the seat over the wing?

The overhead computer shows our flight path into Tokyo.

Snack on the commuter flight from Fukuoka to Tokyo.


Computer screens drop from above us.


Pretty layers of clouds as we start our descent into Tokyo.


This line shows our flight path from Fukuoka to Tokyo -- out over the Pacific.

Coming into Tokyo.


We've landed at Tokyo airport.


Classic Japanese artwork inside Narita airport.


After a short layover, it's nearly time for the looong flight to Chicago.


So after the long flight to Chicago, clearing Customs, changing terminals, and a (relatively) short flight to Birmingham, Holly picks me up -- exhausted, but happy to have arrived back in Birmingham.

Visiting Meg & Family

It's now a few days after I arrive & Sue's taken me to Meg's. Here she is with grandchildren Lanie, (Nana), Clay & Turner

Turner shows off the zip line in the back yard. Cool!

Lanie -- mama Meg's clone.

Sue said Lanie usually doesn't take to strangers, but she likes me -- she really likes me !

Fish Market Restaurant

Shortly after arriving in the US, I had dinner with girlfriends Sue, Linda, Dottie & Margaret in Hoover.


Fish Market's decor


Yum! Fried okra, catfish with lemon & a few hushpuppies, & Greek salad. My first Southern meal!