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Days 1 & 2: On our way to Japan
SCHIPHOL (Neth.) / TOKYO / SENDAI (Japan) - The Dutch Olympic Softball Team started its next journey en route to the Olympic Games on Wednesday, traveling to Japann. There, in Sendai, the Dutch Team participates in a Three Nations Tournament with Canada and Japan, starting on Friday.
The third big trip in 2008 started not so early for a change. For the two American Tours we got together early at Schiphol Airport, today, it was 'only' somewhere around 12:00 at noon. And it was a great sight, everyone dressed in Olympic uniforms, accompanied by parents and/or other family members. It was a big day for everyone involved, as today, a 5-week trip started which not only will bring us to Japan, but also to the Olympic Games in Beijing. The next 13 days, the Dutch will be spending in Sendai, playing in the Three Nations Tournament and practicing, before traveling to Beijing on August 5.
But let's get back to Wednesday-afternoon. The KLM Boeing 747-400 'City of Seoul' took off at 3:53 PM, about 30 minutes later than scheduled, which was due to heavy traffic at Schiphol Airport.
Despite leaving later, we arrived on schedule, as our plane took a more northern route, resulting in an hour short on flying time.
Captain Muijers and his wonderful KLM-crew made it smooth flight.
As the weather was perfect when we took off from Schiphol, we could see the coastal line of the Netherlands very clearly, seeing the IJmuiden-harbour, but also clearly the Afsluitdijk (which connects the provinces of North Holland and Friesland), as well as all the Wadden Islands (which are located in the north of the country).
After only 17 minutes in the flight, we entered German airspace, then eight minutes after that, we were crossing Denmark, where the European Championships Men Softball will open next week in Copenhagen.
From Denmark, it was on to Sweden and then Estonia, where we had an impressive and remarkable meeting in the air.
Just below us, another KLM Boeing 747-400 was flying. This jumbo was on its way to Hong Kong and carried some of the members of the Dutch Olympic Horseriding Team.
Because of our northern route, it never got dark outside. There was a sunset, somewhere over Russia, but about 90 minutes later there was a sunrise again.
At 9:25 AM (local time), our 747-400 touched down at Narita Airport, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary. And so, we arrived in the capital of Japan, where it was clouded, but 29 degrees Celsius and very humid.
After a quick passport-check and baggage retrieval, we were on our way in the bus to Sendai just over an hour later.
But it was a brief ride, as we stopped to have something to eat. And so, we checked out the Japaneses hamburger and hot-dogs and they were fine.
And there was more, some telephones didn't work, because of the system they use in Japan and of course, traffic is riding in de leftside (just as in Great Britain).
We got into some heavy traffic around Tokyo, passed the Disney Resort Japan and saw a lot of baseball and softball fields located on the riversides around this immense city.
Eventually, most of us did get some sleep in the bus, as we had a long travel day behind us and still had some hours to go.
We also experienced our first Japanese rain. In the plane, your webmaster was told that it would be 33 degrees Celsius and humid in Sendai, but we got rain. Despite that, it indeed was warm and humid.
After a 7-hour ride (including some stops), we arrived at the hotel in Sendai, got a dinner (together with Canada and Japan), checked it the Internet was working and went to bed.
Tomorrow (Friday), the first game will be played against Canada.
Getting together at Schiphol Airport
The team poses after going to the passport-control
The 'City of Seoul' KLM-Boeing 747-400 takes off from Schiphol Airport
The Wadden Islands were clearly visible. Here are Ameland and Terschelling in the back
Coach Rob Walgien enjoys a snack aboard the plane
Press Officer and Webmaster Marco Stoovelaar is ready for the trip
(photo taken by Rob Walgien)
Crossing Denmark, the site of the Men Softball European Championships next week
The KLM Boeing 747-400 on its way to Hong Kong
The sun sets above a Russian river
KLM brought us in 10 hours and 32 minutes to Japan
Arriving on Narita Airport in Tokyo
Our plane at the gate
On to our next transport, packing the bus
On our way to Sendai
Petra van Heijst and Saskia Kosterink play a cards-game
The skyline of Tokyo
And another view of Tokyo
Baseball and softball fields were everywhere on the river banks around Tokyo
Go back to the schedule of the Japan Tour
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