Today is the inaugural flight and blog for WithoutBags.com.  I am so happy to be launching this site with this trip.  It’s going to be amazing! (yes, both the site and the trip!)

This trip will include Japan (tour), Northern Thailand – Chiang Mai, Singapore, and then Bali.  I am adding (3) new countries to my trip count on this venture.

This morning I woke up at 4am to get the dogs ready, me ready.  Vitamins taken, puppies given great belly rubs and lots of momma love before I leave them for 7 weeks.  This trip is taking me from Scottsdale, AZ to Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and Bali.  I adore trips like this but I always worry about things at home (dogs, business, and family) but then I realize that I’ve spent over a decade perfecting my systems and my teams to make sure that everything goes according to plan.

I called for my uber to take me to the airport.  The awesome gentleman Mike who was my driver told me the most fascinating story.  I always ask why / how people end up driver uber.  I find the stories so interesting.  Such a slice of life.  Mike’s story is that he was an ex-banker before the crash of 2008.  He was making net take home of about $250k/ year and had a staff of about 125 that helped him cater to wealthy doctors, lawyers, etc.  He told me about how after the crash he moved to Chile & Argentina for a year and met his wife and then moved back to the states.  When he couldn’t find a job as “a fat, old, ex-banker” a friend of his suggested driving for Uber.  Now he lives in Tucson and makes over $6k/month coming up to Phoenix to drive in 36 hours shifts each weekend and then go home.  Driving for uber doubled his take home for him and his family.  I LOVE success stories.  Those who find a way to make it and create and grow and (not only survive but) thrive in the world as it is.  I sometimes feel pity for those who are so stuck in their ways that all they think about is the way things “used to be” and they can’t get out of it, see the future, and move on to bigger, brighter, and better things.

Once at the airport got thru TSA using pre-check (THANK GOODNESS for that!!! Don’t know where I would be without it!) and waiting for the flight Phoenix – Los Angeles.

PS – if you are hungry for breakfast in LAX, American Airlines terminal, near gate 48B, eat here: OMG is this delicious! Steak, Bacon, Cheese, no beans breakfast burrito!!!  YUMMY!

Met the nicest gentlemen on the plane.  He was heading for an interview in LA to work for one of the schools there.  He hadn’t slept, and was nervous and anxious about the interview.  He was supposed to be flown in yesterday so that he could rest before his interview, but him and I both agreed that the “mistake in booking” might just be a way for them to stress-test him for the job (making him fly in and interview on the same morning).  We started talking about travel and I mentioned that I had been to 32 countries and counting.  He said he has never left the country.  It always surprises me.  There are SO many things to see in the world, so many amazing people to meeting, foods to taste, and experiences to be had.  I just couldn’t imagine my life without travel.  I thank my mother every day for getting me on a plane at 2 months old.  I am pretty sure that put some deep seated need to travel deep in my psyche.

I arrived at LAX very early for my flight (7:10 for an 11:30 flight).  Not the best planning, but I kind of like roaming around, relaxing and stretching my legs a bit before I get on a long flight (LAX -> Tokyo is almost 12 hours).  I logged into my American Airlines app only to find that an upgrade was available.  $150 for first class!!!  AWESOME!!! To be honest I’ve never flown first class.  Most of the time I sleep on a plane flight this long.  So I’ve been willing to pay for it.  But for $150, you bet I took AA up on it!    You can see my awesome seat configuration options below.

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And AWESOME on you American Airlines!  Gotta love First Class food!  There was a snack, then an appetizer, then a meal, then another snack, and LOTS of bottled water.  Um, yeah, I am pretty sure I will upgrade any chance I can get!!  AWESOME!

Ok, so, travel, watch a movie, travel, nap, travel, write this blog, and some more travel.

Arrived! YAY TOKYO!!!!!

Arriving at Narita airport, terminal #2.  Nice, clean, easy, not too crowded.  Just simple.  I am already loving Tokyo.

Now, for this part of the trip I am travelling with my Mother (the most awesome one I know!) and a group of Alumni from U of Penn.  I feel so lucky that I am able to go on this trip.  Firstly because I adore my mother, and secondly because Japan is amazing and I’ve never been! J  Add another one to the country list!

I met up with the tour group, greeted by our guide “Sammy” Tanida San.  He is very knowledgeable and a bit older, so he knows how to run the group.  I am happy to be with him on this piece of the journey.

 

To the hotel in Shiodome we go, Toyko Park Hotel, Shiodome.  Nice, business travelers mostly. Simple room with great water pressure – one of the few things I absolutely adore in a hotel is good water pressure.

Went out for a quick bite with Mom to a local restaurant in the underbelly of one of the business towers near us.  We are in the middle of a wealthy neighborhood where there seems to be a good mix of business towers and hotels.  LOTS of locals all in black suits (women, men, everyone but the kids who are all in bright colors).  I guess this is the dress for all “business men” in the city.  (More to come of them later).  Had a great meal of ground beef patty in a light curry type sauce, rice, and water.  A good basic, delicious meal.  Great for a first night so we could get a good night’s sleep.

And now, for sleep!   Can’t wait to get up tomorrow and find out what’s happening!  (I should note, especially when I am on tours, I don’t read ahead on the itinerary.  I like to be surprised.  It is SO rare that I go on tours, normally I travel by myself and just let the days unfold.)