DAY ONE - 08 May 2015. Transit Day from Mumbai - to Osaka.
We were required to meet Kesari Rep at terminal 3 of Mumbai Airport on 07 May 2015 . In normal conversation no one calls it "Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport ". We were further told to be there by 2100 h .( 9 PM for majority but I will stick to 24 hour clock) Flight departure about 0130 h on 08 May 15 . That is how 08 May 15 becomes Day One.As Priti & I, knowing well , that the train is late , always land up at railway station minimum of 1 hour earlier than scheduled time , no wonder we were present at terminal 3 by 2000 h .
It was a sheer coincidence that when the New Terminal building was inaugurated by the then PM ManMohan Singh happened to be a day we were present at the airport catching Nagpur flight from domestic terminal . So this was the first time we were visiting new terminal building . To be precise terminal 3 of new airport. Having reached early we had plenty of time to look around . What we saw we liked :-)
On the Right
Well lighted and flaring out latticework around the main supporting concrete pillars not only hid their ugliness but gave the whole terminal a beautiful and aesthetically clean look .
Below.
Same can be said about the the roofing slabs . Whoever thought of the putting inverted pyramidal lights and the roofing had definitely earned whatever he was paid . This not only gives the whole roofing very pleasing look but the pyramidal cones are acoustically absorbing to reduce the traffic & other noise.
Happy to see not only the interiors but outside landscaping has been given equal importance .
More photos of the interiors , the Duty Free , the corridors , the waiting areas , included in the DAY ONE ALBUM ,will convince even the best of the skeptics that given political clearance and noninterference by the babus , we can do any thing . Today the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is as good as any and may be better that few International Airports around the World .
However what really emotionally overwhelmed me was this sight
The proudly fluttering Tricolour in the gentle breeze.
The height and the size of the Tricolour was just of right proportion to suit the majestic look of terminal 3 . Putting up this Tricolour was the crowning touch . Made me feel very proud .
Well , to get back to where I had left off.
From the past experience we knew that when given time of 2100 h , Kesari fellow would normally stroll in at 2230 or there about . So we were mighty surprised to see few Kesari fellows hanging around. I reached them to check things , but before I could even open my mouth he said , Singapore ? , other fellow said Sri Lanka? I just nodded a negative and walked towards the "flagpole" the designated rendezvous . Any way this encounter made it amply clear that besides our China -Japan tour, Kesari was seeing off two other tours , one to Singapore and the other to Sri Lanka. Clear indication that majority of the so called middle class Indians now had disposable cash and may be if not enjoying the hectic life were at least enjoying tours abroad . Also brought to mind one of the statements of my friend SU Soares that the maximum number of tourists consisted of Bengalis but Tatyas( Maharashtrians) were fast catching up . I am sure now he will have to concede that Tatyas have overtaken the Bengalis by vast margin .
Gradually number of people in the vicinity of Flagpole was increasing and and by some intuitive feeling you could make out the ones most likely to be your companion on the tour . Our friends Dilip & Madhuri Mandpe arrived with Hemant & Vandana Joshi . Kesari fellow along with our tour manager Chetan also finally rolled in about 2200 h.One by one all the he handed over the passports , journey tickets and hampers . Among the three travel companies we have travelled Kesari is the only company which gives out hampers with snacks, wipes , tea, sugar, milk sachets there is also a rain coat , These items really come in handy , specially the snacks. After receiving directions from Chetan it was free for all .
After receiving directions from Tour Manager ( here onwards TM) there was rush to reach check-in counters .( left ) These were well organised and good .
Duty free shops were very well put up and appeared well stocked .
Availability of internet , with monitors , almost all of them in working order cam as a pleasant surprise.
On board Cathy Pacific Airline flight CX 660 Airbus 330 , from Mumbai to Hongkong.In focus Hemant and Vandana Joshi from our group . The very fact that the lady is totally amazed means she is not from our group :-)
Following photos clicked enroute Mumbai to Hong kong.
Flying Time , Seat Numbers and route details given in route map.
Transit through Hongkong International Airport .
Hong Kong International Airport is the main airport in Hong Kong. It is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, which largely comprises land reclaimed for the construction of the airport itself.Even today during approach and After takeoff ons can see that land reclaimation projects and connecting these reclaimed island though bridging work is in full swing.
After landing , First of all there was mad rush to get the boarding cards for the next flight to Osaka. Did not even think of taking photo of check-in counters :-)
After walking miles and miles following the " Transit " arrows and security screening , finally arrived at the boarding gate :-)
Alas, no photos on board flight Hong - to Osaka Cathy Pacific Flight Nomber CX 568 .Aircraft for the flight was Boeing 777 - 300 ER .
These photos were taken during flight from Hongkong to Osaka.
Landed OSAKA,JAPAN
We did not land at Osaka Airport but at Kansai International Airport . Some interesting facts about this change .
Need was felt by Japanese Authorities to decongest Osaka International Airport as it was unable to handle ever increasing passenger and cargo traffic. Proposal was put forward to construct an artificial island 4 Km (2.5 miles ) long and 2.5 Km(1.6 miles) wide.Construction had also to cater for high risk earthquakes and typhoon waves of upto 10 meters (30 feet) feet.After literally moving three mountains and vast resources (details of which can be found elsewhere) . The island had been predicted to sink 5.7 m (19 ft) by the most optimistic estimate as the weight of the material used for construction compressed the seabed silts. However, by 1999, the island had sunk 8.2 m (27 ft) – much more than predicted. The project became the most expensive civil works project in modern history after twenty years of planning, three years of construction and fifteen billion (US) dollars of investment.
Back to my travelogue
After reclaiming the baggage went to through the customs / Immigration and gathered near the coach These are those photos
After loading all got in to the coach and occupied pre allotted seats , which were based the time frame of your booking the trip . Earlier booking front seats :-)
Once all on board we went to Indian Restaurant in Namba Station Area for dinner .
After dinner it was to Hotel New Otani , Osaka . Collected room keys . Hotel was quite good and rooms comfortable. It was a long long day and time to say Good Night on day one.
Last photo of the day , our room New Otani Hotel
Here is the link for photo album of China- Japan Trip : Japan: DAY ONE .
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100798393236899222624/albums/6155301014961311489
Please Do read the captions , info given in the comment column of photo and the mapped position . If you are interested you may even see the street view of the photo.I hope it will be an interesting experience :-)
Have a nice trip .Good Night :-)
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