Sayonara, Japan

Today is a super early day. We planned to leave the house no later than 6.30am to catch the train to the airport. Thank goodness it's just 1 direct train to the Kansai Airport.

We woke up to eat breakfast, do our business and shower (it will be a long while before our next shower). And then finished packing up the balance stuff. 

And off we went in the darkness of the morning, dragging our luggage to the train station. 

Halfway on the train, we realised that I'd left behind the yummy Matcha chocolate which we had bought that the tea house *bwaahahaha... * So sad... we could not make it back to collect it!

There was a not too long queue for MAS bag drops (luckily we'd already completed our web check-in). 

Unfortunately, the queue to clear the immigration was another issue. Bag checks took so long. 

Worst was we had to get our bags checked. I had checked Mei-mei's bag last night to ensure that the scissors we'd bought was checked in. But I had missed the Shuriken (Ninja star) which you had bought at the Ninja Museum. And they would not allow than on board the plane. Sadly, it had to be disposed. 

Queue to leave Japan.. time to board the plane

And then it's time to go off... 

Mei-mei with your new favourite toy, Seashell 

(formerly known as Piper)

Lunch for Mei-mei

My lunch

Tea

You napped and ate (quite a bit) while on the plane. There was once where you were hungry and I had to get something from the steward too.
Unfortunately just as we landed, you said that your ears hurt. Eating a sweet and swallowing saliva did not help. As the plane was taxiing, you looked green and I quickly took out the air sickness bag. You emptied out all that you'd eaten. Daddy was not aware until I had to throw your stuffed toy at him to ensure that it didn't get dirty. Luckily the lady next to us (like everyone visiting Japan) had lots of plastic bags on her. She very kindly offered them to me and I bagged up the air sickness bag and the soiled plane blanket.

At the airport, we headed to the lounge again as there is shower facilities there. Thank goodness, there was no queue to enter and only a wait for 1 person before it was your turn to shower. I had to book for a slot via QR code. 

As it is Christmas eve, we also got these pretzels both at the front counter and at the counter to enter the UOB lounge area:

I'd usually pack a spare change of clothes ON THE WAY to our destination as this is not the first time you'd gotten sick on the plane, and also in case our main luggage goes missing. This time on the return trip, I did not pack anything. Luckily, you had removed one of the many layers you wore while on the plane, so you had a clean top. The bottom was slightly soiled, which I rinsed at the sink as you showered. 

We then quickly ate dinner (less as Ah Ma had also cooked us dinner). Then rushed to the domestic terminal, only to find out that our flight to Penang was delayed (not surprised). 

Finally, the plane was ready and we're on the last leg of the journey back to Penang:

Still so tired

Hello Penang!

We arrived at the Penang airport and waited a bit for our luggage. To our surprise, we didn't have any bags checked. We just breezed right out. Ah Kong was waiting outside to pick us up and home we went. 

After so many days of sake, we had red wine to go with dinner. Even Ko-ko enjoyed this red: