Arriving in Japan........

Hello from Tokyo - before I leave for the ship.

Flying into Narita airport over rice paddies.

Terrible traffic jams to get to the hotel in the city.

 Last night's view from my hotel room (beautiful hotel) 

on the 34th floor. 

Leaving on a jet plane........................

.......see you all when I get home again!

These adorable books were at SuzAnna's Antiques last weekend - I should have snatched them up - but in the rush of photographing those flower frogs and buying a few other treasures, I forgot about the books. Anyway, I loved Honey Bunch with her dolly, both dressed for travel, and smiling at the wonderful vintage prop plane. 

I remember a similar day, fifty years ago. Standing with my dear mother at London's Heathrow airport full of excitement, anticipation, somewhat scared I'm sure..............waiting to board my first ever airplane flight bringing me here to America. Of course it was jet a plane, and instead of my dolly I was more likely embracing a new handbag as I was almost nineteen and extremely fashion conscious!

Since then I've flown on every type of plane - even an unexpected helicopter in Botswana - and seen so much of the world. The small prop planes crossing the blue skies of Africa are still similar to the one on the book cover......and they were some of my favorite flights.

I'm leaving today on my adventure with Paula to Japan and Russia. No small planes this time. Journeying on a high speed bullet train to embark on another small expedition ship sounds exciting.........and there will be plenty of big jets getting back and forth too.

Thanks so much to everyone who left kind 'bon voyage' comments on yesterday's post. Each of you has become very dear to me and I really do appreciate you following me on all these splendid adventures. As always, I never want to sound uppity or boastful when visiting these often wild places. I understand completely that many of you may never see them for one reason or another. I just enjoy taking the photos and writing little travelogues to share with you in case you don't get there. This world truly is an amazing and beautiful place.

Teatime on the porch............

......always a favorite thing.

English china and tea. French linen and magazine.  

Sunshine and jasmine perfume.

Wish you could join me here before I fly away.

Early Sunday I leave on another adventure. I'll be a long, 

long way from home. 

I fly first to San Francisco to meet up with Paula, then 

on to Tokyo. Following day we'll board an expedition 

ship and sail through Japan's islands, making our way 

to Russia's remote Far East Kuril islands, then onward to the 

Kamchatka Peninsula - click to see my itinerary 

and more details.

I may not be able to blog whilst away depending on 

Internet availability.............but 

will see you all when I return in June, hopefully 

with photos and stories of amazing places.

Linking to Claudia's Saturday party at 

Mockingbirdhill Cottage - hope you'll 

visit and join in.