Back To The Americas

Colombia...why Colombia people ask? Well why not? We did have to discuss drugs and kidnapping with the children pre-trip...but Colombia is the next hot destination and so let's experience it before the masses discover it! Little did we know that getting to Colombia was not so easy nor kind to the wallet. Add going to Walt Disney World and a cruise to round off the trip and we had a little challenge going. In the end, we chose the option that was the best combination of price and pain (or lack of it). This would see us flying ANA/United flying via Tokyo, Chicago, and Miami before arriving in Bogota. 

Travel days are rather boring to read about so unless you are interested in trivial Albany silliness or photos of lounges, feel free to skip to the next post!

Baymax is ready!

Our first challenge of the day was getting to the airport. We had one child going to school, one going to a dermatologist appointment and getting medications, and one adult going to work. This smart adult chose to take the day off and enjoyed a combat class  and breakfast with gym friends. By 4:30pm we (well the rest of the family) were still taking showers, packing and tidying the house...

I intentionally left plenty of time for us to get to the airport as we were leaving right in the midst of Sydney peak hour traffic. Firstly husband ordered the wrong uber. The driver made a valiant attempt to squeeze our 4 suitcases into his little blue Lexus but didn't even come close to fitting the 3rd one in...and so another 17 minute wait it was for an uber XL. This time the luggage fit...just. We were hit with traffic as soon as we hit the Gore Hill Freeway. By the time, we inched our way forward, we could see the horrendous line for the Harbour Tunnel. Our uber driver made it his personal mission to get us to the airport in time despite still having 4.5 hours to our flight. He was obviously a pro at weaving in and out of traffic. Someone who I probably would curse if I were on the road with him but definitely someone I loved by the end of the drive. Still wondering how we only took an hour to get to the airport!! 

At 6:45pm on a Wednesday night pre-school holidays, immigration and security were a walk-through. We headed for our first lounge, The House, which disappointingly had very average food at best. Plus there were only 2 toilets. And so we relocated to the AMEX lounge which was slightly better. 

The House, part of the priority pass family of lounges

The Amex lounge

No alcohol for me sadly, on account of a recent bad asthma flare

The plane taking us to Tokyo

Only the Japanese

She's ready for her flight

Our flight to Tokyo Haneda was uneventful. It was an easy bus transfer from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3 and we spent our time food shopping and just chilling in the lounge(s). One child was feeling amazing from having slept through the whole flight including the meal service, the other was grumpy because he didn't get enough good sleep. We're about to board our flight to Chicago O'Hare and so will continue "tomorrow".

The ANA business class seat

The amenities pouch. I didn't care much for the scent of the product but I do like the re-usable bag inside as well as the mini shoe horn.

My Japanese meal

One way to realise you're in Japan. So many buttons to push and that continuous sound of gurgling water as background soothing music...you can change the sound if you wish if it helps you toilet better

Waiting for our bus to take us to Terminal 3. We arrived so early, we had to wait 30 minutes for the first bus of the day

Father and daughter bonding over Spotify wrapped

Dilemma. Overwhelmed by choice

How could you not buy this? Plus it is limited edition Haneda airport. Sold!

Very tempted to add sake kitkat to the "tried" list

Next dilemma at 7-11

Sky Lounge. Feels claustrophobic. You need to take the lift in and out of the lounge (no stairs).

Food is ok though

Alcohol for those interested

Ice-cream available too! It wasn't 6am I would have partaken

Sigh I couldn't resist. Prices were on par with Australia but they did have items that we can't get back home

The much nicer ANA lounge

If you walk all the way to the end there is a quieter area at the back

There is a second food station which is smaller in selection but also much quieter

Our spot

You can order noodles from your seat but you do need a phone number that can receive text messages

The noodle selection. It is the same as the physical noodle station. 

My selection from the noodle station. Offering includes ramen, udon and soba with various options of fried tofu, vegetable tempura or grated yam

Looks like a beer machine is obligatory in Japan!