Magadan - Russia

July 18 to July 19 –Magadan, Russia

Left highly developed Japan to Siberia, Russia. Don’t know what to expect. The reason we stop here is because only Magadan has Avgas in east Russia. We paid in advance at a price that is 9 times we pay in the States. Landing in Russia is with excitement as the finishing line is closer.

It is Sunday, today, the airport opens just for us. $1800 each airplane. Maybe it is the reason everyone seems angry and no one speaks any English except the ground handler. No one speaks English in hotel either. Forget about morning calls.

Actually, Magadan is a nice seaside town with mountains covered by pine trees. At least this time of the year, it is very green. Reminds me of the Alpine in Switzerland. Can become a great ski resort town only if the Visa does not take 2 months to get.

A note to pilots. So far, every country’s air controllers and radar controllers all use English and the aviation terms exactly as we use in the States, including Japan and Russia. No worries if one wants to fly internationally.

Stay overnight at town hotel and tomorrow, depart to Anadyr. A town that is at the most Northeastern point of Russia. 6 hours flight from Anchorage, Alaska. - The finishing line ....

Very green Magadan.

The seaside town by the Pacific Ocean.

Friendly taxi driver and his friends.

A brand new church under construction.

Celebrate Brian's birthday in Magadan. Miraculously, we found a cake, a candle and a upside down salt bottle as candle stand. Brian and Dad, Steve.

Happy Birthday! Brian.

Creative design in the bath room. One faucet for sink and tub. Someone should apply a patent for that.

The most expensive two drums of fuel.

Tour director Al helping Jeffrey.

Leaving Magadan to Anadyr, further north. These sea of cloud are so tranquil. We have our classic music on in the plane. As if we are watching a cinematic presentation by nature.

Sapporo - Japan

July 17 to July 18 – Sapporo, Japan

Before arriving Sapporo, we stop by Obihiro to fuel Avgas. Again, Sapporo only has jet fuel. Obihiro is further north to Sapporo, we flew over Sapporo, to Obihiro, and then return to Sapporo to join the group and stay overnight. Total fly time on the 17^th is 6 hours. Had dense fog as landing at Sapporo, however with no problem. We stay the the airport tonight. Inside of the airport, there are these shops selling Hokaido’s live king crab, salted fish, cantaloupe, and other framing products. Here is known for its abundant agricultural products and ocean harvests. No time to enjoy, the finishing line is insight, everyone wants to cross it now. We leave to Magadan, Russia 8:00 AM tomorrow.

Obihiro airport.
Jeffrey with fueling and ground staff.

Landing at New Chitose airport, Sapporo. Visibility is ..... like this.

Runway all lighted up.

Airport shops. Wish we can have a cooking class learning how to cook these salted fish.

July 18 - at Sapporo airport departing to east Russia. Crossing those cold water again. Captain's order, survival suits on again.

I laugh so hard because I almost killed myself putting the suit on. What a paradox!

Nagoya- Japan

July 17 - July 18 - Nagoya, Japan

Took train back to Nagoya from Kyoto. Nagoya is in mid Japan. Third largest city. We stay in the hotel inside of train station where there are hundreds of stores and restaurants including a full size up scale department store bigger then Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills. Best of all, the basement of the department store has the best deli vendors plus a supermarket housing exotic fruits from the world. Sumo wrestling is very popular in Japan. Jeffrey went to a match in one afternoon which is the highlight of the stay. From this point on, we have done most of the touring. The rest is flying home. Next four days are flying everyday for 6 hours. Hope I can take it.

News release in Japan.

Square watermelon and cantelope in the supermarket.

Wreseling court.

The very helpful and friendly team of airport ground handlers in Nagoya.

Waving goodbye to Nagoya.

Special lunch from flight attendant i.e. Renee.

The sea in the sky.

Kyoto-Japan

July 12 to July 15 – Kyoto, Japan

The rain never really stopped when we were in Kyoto. It just made the city even more romantic.

One of our favorite places. Every time here (my 5^th, Jeffrey, he lost count) , I am amazed with how well the history is preserved not only by well keep the temples and shrines, also the way people live.

Tradition is part of life. Men and women would wear Kimono even walk their dogs. Many small family stores line up the streets. It makes one slow down and be relaxed. You cannot rush things even if you want to. We want to take a good rest here so schedule is very relaxed. Took a long walk along the Philosophers’ trail in the light mist of rain, had simple yet excellent “Ben Tou” lunch. At nights, Kaiseki, (traditional fine Japanese dinning with entertainment), of course.

Fly from Taipei to Nagoya. Colder weather made the airplane wings start to accumulate ice. Icing is not good for our small airplane. Jeffrey decent from normal cruising 21,000 feet to 15,000 and icing was gone.

Can see nothing outside the window.

Irrisponsible co-pilot.

Nagoya is third largest city in Japan. The development is massive.

Runway in sight.

Red carpet welcome as customs officers inspect the airplane.

With customs officers and ground handler, Mr. Micky.

Efficient airport with Avgas truck ready and waiting for us before e we land. I like that.

Jeffrey attached flags of countries we had landed for this trip to airplane.

Starting from home, America.

One last country in the list is Russia.

Here we are, Japan. One more to go.

Waiting for train to Kyoto at Nagoya train station. Part of the group. Looks like we are airline employees.

Train attendant.

Breakfast at Hyatt, Kyoto. Good choice to stay.

Starting a walk through the Philosophers' trail. It is a long trail starting and ending with two famous temples. In between, many temples worth visiting too. We stopped by two of them today that we have not been before and with minimum visitors. The stream and the plantation around it is kept as natural habitate. Fishes and ducks can be seen on clear water. Small shops, not many, and tea houses along the way. Spring time, cherry blossom is amazing, and in autum, the turning leaf is just beyond I can describe. At this time, it is green over green.

Small shops on a side street.

Honein Temple. Nice and quite. No entry fee required.

Sit down for a Ben Tou lunch. A very simple tea hous that has maybe 10 tables.

Jeffrey's favorite "Beef Bowl".

All gone.

Simple green tea and red bean cake. The best ever. Red bean cake is home made in the morning.

In a small bakery. The philosophical senteances on the wall echos the reason for the name of the trail.

Translation : One usually becomes famous or successful when the time is poor and difficult. Failure or setback occures when one is erogant.

Lotus pond of a small temple on the way.

A rare golden koi.

Imagine when all these green is bright red.

One this stairway, look out to the garden. Every step is a different view.

Kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto. Pronounciation: "Sa A Mi".

One of many well presented dishes.

Owner of "Sa A Mi".

Famous Gion district.

Dinner with Geisha entertaining.

The young Geisha (Miko Son)'s name is Toneiwa.

Dancing expressing four seasons.

The back of Geisha is as beautiful as the front.

Playing drinking game with Jeffrey.

Loser has to drink. Not bad.

Ending of a fun evening. Tomorrow, taking train back to Nagoya.