As we board the 6:40am Saturday 24 March Singapore Airlines flight from Perth to Tokyo via Singapore we are reminded of Bronte’s 8pm (Friday night) departure 2 hours before us from London aboard Asiana Airlines via Seoul. She with glass of red wine in hand wishing she had booked the direct flight with British Airways and us actually enjoying a good coffee (amazing at Perth airport!).

The mayhem of those trying to push into the Perth departure queue to board contrasted vastly with the orderliness of the Singapore to Tokyo leg. Orielle and I had been looking forward to chilling watching binge movies ++ and were not disappointed – me with Breathe & Call Me By Your Name on the first leg followed by The Shape of Water, Paddington 2 and Loving Vincent on the second leg (was soooo hoping we had at least a 6 hour flight to fit them all in … tragic, I know!).

Day 1 : Perth to Tokyo"
As we board the 6:40am Saturday 24 March Singapore Airlines flight from Perth to Tokyo via Singapore we are reminded of Bronte's 8pm (Friday night) departure 2 hours before us from London aboard Asiana Airlines via Seoul. She with glass of red wine in hand wishing she had booked the direct flight with British Airways and us actually enjoying a good coffee (amazing at Perth airport!).

The mayhem of those trying to push into the Perth departure queue to board contrasted vastly with the orderliness of the Singapore to Tokyo leg. Orielle and I had been looking forward to chilling watching binge movies ++ and were not disappointed – me with Breathe & Call Me By Your Name on the first leg followed by The Shape of Water, Paddington 2 and Loving Vincent on the second leg (was soooo hoping we had at least a 6 hour flight to fit them all in ... tragic, I know!).

The flight was SO NOT QANTAS... Beautifully presented menu, real metal knives and forks, a real old fashioned tray (rather than a cardboard box), wine or a Singapore Sling offered with breakfast (I will have you know that I refused both despite the protests of the enthusiastic flight attendant) – wine and scrabbled eggs with pork sausage ... I don't think so...

A couple of bumpy joy ride theme park moments had me thankful for choosing the sparkly water rather than the cherry/gin/pineapple based Singapore Sling since half of it ended up on my lap! Luckily I had opted for the dark clothing.

I had had several fitful sleeps before departing thinking that we may arrive in Tokyo too late for the "limousine airport bus" transfer from Haneda Airport and that Bronte may have the same problem having arrived at Narita Airport and how on earth were we going to find her at midnight outside Shinjuku Train Station despite my impeccable researching as to an "easy to find meeting place"! Fortunately, all our planets aligned and we were amazed when she just evaporated in front of us within 10 mins of us arriving ... such a lovely reunion after not seeing her for nearly 9 months! Bronte dressed in her London glamour on seeing her sister declares "You're wearing your sports gear!"

The Tokyo taxis, which we were then analysing in great detail as to whether we four with all our large luggage could fit into a single vehicle, were in themselves an icon ... all black Toyota Super Deluxe reminiscent of the 1980's & driven by black suited, white shirted and white gloved drivers who we were sure were going to take us on the "tourist route of Tokyo" ... but not so and no expectation of a tip... so refreshing!

Arriving with ease at the Air BNB apartment in Sendagaya (ideally located between Shinjuku and Shibuyu) we discovered a lovely Japanese-style apartment fitted with the obligatory "shoes-off" policy, short doorways, mid thigh height basins and taps and toilets that needed a degree to operate. Amazingly, the kitchen sink was the biggest I have ever seen!

No jet lag for the Perth visitors but poor "English" Bronte from London had some catching up to do ...

Tomorrow ... discovering Tokyo

Day 2 : Tokyo

Day 3 : Tokyo

Day 4 : Tokyo

Day 5 : Tokyo

Day 6 : Tokyo to Nozawaonsen

Day 7 : Nozawaonsen

Day 8 : Nozawaonsen to Kyoto

Day 9 : Kyoto

Day 10 : Kyoto

Day 11 : Kyoto

Day 12 : Kyoto

Day 13 : Naoshima

Day 14 : Naoshima to Hiroshima

Day 15/16 : Hiroshima to Tokyo to Perth