Check your cough at customs, please...

March 9

While we were on the plan to Tokyo we flew into tomorrow. One minute it was the 8th, next it was the 9th. If you all would have been in Homer we could have waved at you as we flew over. Basically we flew back to where we started before going on to Japan. After a 10 hour ride we arrived at Nirita International Airport in Tokyo. We had a couple of hours to walk around the airport so I think everyone bought some souvenirs and having a good time just being up and moving after the long plane ride. Got back on the plane for Beijing and got fed for a third time. Some didn't eat preferring to sleep. All went well from Tokyo to Bejing.

On landing in Beijing had to go through "health screening". I do want you all to know they do look at the forms they hand out on the plane. One person marked that they had a cough and got questioned and had to fill out a new form that stated there was no cough. Oh well, we got through that.

We then proceeded to imigration and had no problems there. Then off to the train to go pick up the luggage. Our luggage was waiting for us on the carousel when we arrived and then I exchanged some money and we strolled through Chinese Customs, literally. No one asked to look at our bags, asked any questions, or even really looked at us. Our guide was waiting for us as we emerged from customs and the bowels of the airport.

Li Jun (John) is a great guy and we all introduced ourselves and proceeded to the bus and the ride to the hotel. Not much to do as we got to the hotel at nearly midnight. All checked in and went to the rooms with a reminder that a 7 AM wake-up call was coming. So we went off to dreamland.