Day 2 - Wednesday 27 May

After a relatively good overnight flight we boarded the Narita Express Train to Tokyo.

And there to meet us at Shinagawa Station, and then take us to their lovely Azabujuban apartment was our friend, Lynaire.

We then headed off to Shinjuku, where we went up the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observation Deck (free) for views of Tokyo.

We then had a late lunch at a tempura soba restaurant in Takashimya, followed by a browse through some upmarket department stores.

We finished the day with an early traditional dinner in Roppongi, with Paul & Lynaire.

Day 1 - Tuesday 26 May

Ready to depart Melbourne on our overnight flight to Tokyo - the start of this year's adventures

Day 84 - Friday 4 July

Arrived home in Melbourne this morning.

On this trip we visited 5 countries - New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, USA and Canada.

We travelled, on our cruises over 15,000 kilometres (9,000 miles), on our flights over 17,000 kilometres (11,000 miles), and we drove over 13,000 kilometres (8,000 miles).

In the US we visited 1 territory, American Samoa, and 18 states, including 8 for our first time, resulting in us now having been to all the 50 states of the USA!

Our trip was wonderful, seeing so many beautiful and spectacular things, making new friends, and most importantly, catching up with old ones, namely Will, Kava, Joan & Pete, and Chris & Mike.

Day 83 - Thursday 3 July

Day lost by crossing the International Dateline.

Day 82 - Wednesday 2 July

There was a problem with the plane 2 hour after departure, so the plane returned to Los Angeles - http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/hollywood-star-tells-of-qantas-drama/story-fni0xqll-1226975832734 .

After getting up late in the morning, we spent a few hours at one of our favourite shopping destinations, Santa Monica, before once again checking in for our evening flight.

Day 81 - Tuesday 1 July

This morning we dropped our rental car off at Chicago's O'Hare airport, where we boarded an afternoon flight to Los Angeles, where the terminal has improved dramatically!

We then took off on our late night flight back to Melbourne.

Day 80 - Monday 30 June

We spent the day wandering around Chicago downtown, admiring the beautiful buildings and doing some last day shopping.

We had a delicious dinner at rpmitalian.com , and then went to see the www.blueman.com , a clever and entertaining production.