Plane 3 - Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi

Jetstar make Ryanair look like airline of the year! Our flight was 9:30, but cancelled so moved to 11:10. This was also cancelled and we were moved to 12:30. Somehow we were moved off this flight even though it was still flying at 12:30, we were moved to the 16:10 flight! There was also a 13:15 flight so I demanded we be put on this. We did get put on this, but it was also delayed about 40 minutes. It took all day, but made it to Hanoi in Northern Vietnam.

Hanoi seems so much more friendly than Ho Chi Minh, but just as intense.

The Vietnam Odyssey - Ho Chi Minh

So, I know this blog is about "Our Man In Japan", but I felt it important to tell you how going somewhere else has altered my view of Japan. Having lived there for so long, I had forgotten how the rest of the world can be, a little too close to see the forest for the bamboo.

We arrived in Ho Chi Minh around midnight, tired and broken, thrown into a world of utter chaos, and it only got worse! I can not think I have come across a more insane, dirty, rude, vulgar, pestered city in my life. People compete and harass for your money and cons and scams lurk around each corner. A westerner to a Vietnamese person is like a walking ATM, and something you must try and extract as much money out of as possible, but maintaining a level of rudeness and condemnation I personally wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

It makes me reflect on some of the more negative points I'd made about Japan and consider them in a new light. Maybe all I needed was a rest from Japan, to return as in love with it as I arrived. I know some stay longer than year, but its not a short time.

I miss the kindness of Japanese people, their willingness to help and guide a foreigner in need. I miss their order, their hygiene and their upfront pricing system that is the same for everyone (foreigner or native). Sometimes, to realise what you've got, you must experience what life is like with out it. "All is forgiven my Japanese friends" I think to myself as I narrowly avoid being hit by another motorbike.

Plane 2 - Seoul to Ho Chi Minh

It's not the same plane, honest.

Plane 1 - Osaka to Seoul

Goodbye Japan. See you again in three weeks.

The Maiko and the Samurai

Makiko and me did a bit of dress-up in Kyoto as a Maiko and a Samurai. It was rather a unreal experience and it just felt rather fraudulent as we are neither. But Maki seemed to really love it. She also had the chance to go out on the streets too to which there was great attention from many tourists trying to get a photo with her. For me, I felt she was a different of beauty nut it was too odd and she didn't look like my wife. But still had a good experience.

Blossom by Night

By Bike

It's the only way to see Kyoto on a sunny day. Especially with the beautiful blossom out in full bloom. Amazing timing to finish our time in Japan.