A Long Journey with a Warm Welcome

Today marked our second travel day in a row, and it was a big one. We started early, leaving our hotel in Bangkok and boarding a Japanese airline flight bound for Tokyo. The flight itself was smooth, a six-hour journey that gave us a chance to catch our breath (and maybe a few winks) before the adventure ahead.

Landing in Tokyo at Haneda Airport (HND) was exhilarating, but our excitement was tempered by the long wait at immigration. Haneda is one of the busiest airports in the world, and the process of getting through customs felt like it took forever. As we navigated the long lines, I couldn’t help but notice how meticulously everyone followed the rules. This was something we’d already seen in Japan—people here take rules very seriously, whether it’s standing in perfect queues or being quiet and respectful in public spaces. It’s a bit of a contrast for someone like me, who prefers to live outside the rules and find freedom in the flexibility of doing things my own way. But there’s something to be said for the order and efficiency that comes from this kind of adherence to structure.

Once we were finally through, we tried to take a cab to our hotel but the can coordinator refused to believe that we could fit in the cab, so we headed for the bus that would take us to our home base for the next few days: the Hyatt at Tokyo Bay. The drive from Haneda gave us our first real glimpses of Japan—beautifully maintained roads, a mix of modern architecture and traditional touches, and that unique energy that only Tokyo can offer.

As much as we were eager to see the city, the best part of our arrival was waiting for us at the hotel. A few moments after stepping into the lobby, we were greeted by familiar faces—my brother, Astrid’s dad, Albert, and Max. There’s nothing quite like meeting up with loved ones after a long journey, and their presence turned what was already a special day into an unforgettable one. Albert and Max flew in earlier today to meet is for the rest of the trip.

After two days of back-to-back travel, there’s a comfort in knowing that we’ve arrived, that we’re surrounded by family, and that the adventures are just beginning. Tonight, we’ll rest and recharge, but tomorrow, Tokyo awaits, and we can’t wait to explore it together.

Here’s to family reunions, the balance between order and spontaneity, and the promise of new adventures in a city that’s as vibrant as it is welcoming. Stay tuned for more from Tokyo!