Richard Bannister

This is not a proper trip report. However, I think it useful as a benchmark for the reader, so that my mental state over the next few days while I recharge personal batteries can be judged the better. All times are in GMT; Hong Kong and Taiwan are seven hours ahead, and Japan is eight hours ahead.

• 10:15 Left home.
• 10:30 Caught express bus to Dublin Airport.
• 11:05 Joined check in line for Aer Lingus.
• 12:00 Reached front of this line and checked in for flights.
• 12:15 Cleared security, bought a newspaper, and caught up with email.
• 13:00 Took flight from Dublin to London Heathrow.
• 14:15 Landed in Heathrow, and walked to Terminal 3.
• 14:30 Found somewhere to sit, and waited for George.
• 15:30 Got bored, and bought a meal.
• 16:30 George arrived, cleared security, and made way to gate.
• 18:00 Took Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong.
• 06:30 Landed in Hong Kong. Bought second lunch.
• 07:50 Took Cathay Pacific flight to Taipei.
• 09:00 Landed in Taipei.
• 10:00 Took Cathay Pacific flight to Fukuoka.
• 12:50 Arrived in Fukuoka.
• 12:55 Discover that my mobile phone works perfectly in Japan, despite being told unequivocally by my provider that it would not.
• 13:15 Cleared baggage reclaim and customs, and took taxi to Hotel.
• 13:30 Discover taxi driver has left us at train station and we can't find hotel.
• 13:35 Helpful local speaking perfect English asks us if we need help. We do.
• 13:40 Arrive at hotel, visible from where we had been standing but signed in Kanji.
• 13:55 Discover bathroom fitted with crazy Japanese electronic toilet with water sprays. Provides several minutes amusement.
• 14:00 Collapse in to bed, truly exhausted.

A word to the wise. Connecting in four places on one flight journey is not condusive to low stress levels.