Japan 160204 Long way home

Japan 160122-160204
Bird Photography trip

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This was the first morning we could sleep as we pleased. We only had to be finished breakfast and packing until 9.45 when we should take the shuttle to the airport, Tokyo Intl Haneda. Our plane was due to departure at 12,50.

I was surprised at how beautiful the place was. Lots of  trees made of lamps. Looks like Christmas all day long. After checking in and I said goodbye to Ms Harumi Yamanaka I went to see if I could buy some hat but did not find any I wanted. But I did find a T-shirt with cherry blossom on it so now I have seen them in Japan. And I bought one.

This the Haneda Airport in Tokyo. I There is planes that has to land before we can tax out. This is goodby Tokyo and Japan.

The plane for the first part to Munich was a large one. When I had to go to the toilet I had to go down one floor. That was the first time I had to do that. Apart from that is was as usual. Food OK. Entertainment, worked, Flight INFO, worked. Window seat, YES. The trip took roughly 12 hours. 

I think this was the Russian river Lena. 

One thing that surprised me was that the flight path took us all the way up to The Arctic Ocean. 

Here is where we were closing in to Norway from the north direction. Then we had to go over Skandinavia all the way down to Munich. 

In Munich we had 3 hours to spare at that airport before the last flight, back up north, to Sweden. We arrived at ARN 22:40 and I was lucky, my daughter showed up. So I did not have to sleep at the airport. I got a nice bet at my daughters house. Then I took a train back home the next day. 

Here is a map of the places I visited in Japan during the trip. And the only Cherry blossom I saw and purchased.

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Japan on NF Photo  NF Birds around the world   

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121124 Morocco Day 15 Saturday, Djemma El Fna to Arn

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121110-121124 South Morocco and WestSahara

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121124 Morocco Day 15 Saturday, Djemma El Fna
going back home

Woke up the first time rather early but then I slept till 8. Went up and headed for breakfast. I met some of the others at the dining room so I joined them. The 3 of us that was from Denmark has already left the group for an early flight to Denmark.

At 9.30 we left for the Marrakech market, Djemma El Fna. Quite interesting place really. It was not only the square outside but also a lot of shops under roof or tentlike rooms. And I mean a lot. I´m not too fond of places like that but I had company at all times so it was ok. It is easy to get lost when you don´t know the place. I compared it with the Kairo market I visited a lot of yeas ago and this was really different. This was very clean and well maintained. http://www.ilovemarrakech.com/marrakesh/el_fna.htm

First thing when we jumped of the bus was an entire street with horse wagons one could rent. We did not as we were supposed to take a look at the market. Then I notices something that made me a bit uneasy. On three buildings were gallows. I really hope they were not in use. But was still there only as a warning. I took the shot from the bus. That is why it is a reflection.

 

 

 

There were snakes, monkeys and people trying their best to get our attention. Some were earning their living by being “clowns”. What a life! A few women was painting with henna. I would have loved it but there was not enough time.  A lot of noice all over that almost made my ears cry. We walked around for about 2h then we went to a restaurant to get some food as the plane don´t offer it. It was a nearby restaurant with a gret view over the market place from the balcony. We were even able to get some new birdspecies from there.

 

 

Back to the bus at 13.00h to go to the hotel. I took a quick shower before finish packing and leaving the room.

Writing a bit in the lobby. The image shows the pathway to the second floor. It had a very nice fence. Enlarge for a better view.

The airport was a disaster. Talk about waiting in lines. When the incheck was supposed to start the info boards said point 8 and 9. But there stood Manchester, not Arlanda. After a while a person came and chooed us over to point 20 and 22. But point 22 was out of order. So, again after 20 min a person came and told us to go to line 5 and 6. LOTS of people there and a very slow process. Then some person, again, told us to change point. This time we actually got through our luggage and got our boarding card.

Passing through security was both easier and worse. First point was fast, did not even have to remove the computer from the backpack. But next one I had to go in a female line. For body visits. But after a while the males checkpoint failed and they came over to the female line. Chaos! 5 min later their point worked again and they had to go back to the male line. :) At passport control we were actually checked out from Morocco. This is the first time ever I have been checked out of a country. I have immigrated a lot never exited. :)

All of this took so long that the plane started boarding long before we came out of passport control. So no time for shopping. :( I was happy to buy a bottle of orange juice.

We had to go to the plane with a bus shuttle as the plane was not connected ith the building.

Then the plane was late ofcourse. We were airborn about 45 min late at 18.55.

Stockholm by night

Flight time about 4.5h and landing at Arlanda probably 10 min late at 00,20 local time.

I could not take shots during the takeoff as they had some rules of keeping digitals off during takeoff. To bad as it was dark and really a beautiful sight with all lights below.

But later on we were allowed to turn on everything. They even had internet connection. So, I was online while I was connected as well as upplifted in cyber/space.  Sounded much funnier in swedish. :) "Uppkopplad and upplyft"

The weather was good so we landed on time at midnight. Now I spend a few hours on a bench before my connection home by train.  

 

Djemma El Fna, indoors. It shows quite well my mixed feelings about having to go home to winter and cold and darkness. Would have loved a few days in Agadir.

 

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More about South Morocco and Westsahara on NF Photo    Moroccan Bird species ** Labels: Resor, travel, trip, journey, Sverige, Sweden, airplane, flygplan, sky, photo, photography, Monica Johansson, NatureFootstep, nfphoto, NF_photo, nature, natur, fågelskådning, birding, fågelblog, birdblog, Marocko, Morocco, Västsahara, West Sahara, Sahara,  airplane, arlanda, Djemma El Fna, flight, flyg, Marocko, Marrakech, Morocco, galgge, gallow, market, marknad, ormtjusare, snake,
** Links: Gueliz Hotel Tamri, Cap Rhir images Agadir Oasis Hotel Oued Massa (on Panorimo), Barrage Youssef-ben-Tachfine, (dammen foton) Guelmim Tan-Tan Plage  Hagounia Hotel Laayoune   Sahara Line Hotel Dakhla  Bab El Bahr Hotel   Dakhla Bay Oued Jenna   Dakhla on Panorimo Djemma El Fna