Tokyo (Yokota)

We arrived at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo last night after a very pleasant 7 hour AMC flight from Singapore. ATI has the contract for the "channel" flight, using a DC-8 (yes, the 1960's vintage aircraft) that is configured as a "combi" plane. The front 2/3 of the plane is used for cargo, leaving room for 32 seats in the rear of the aircraft. There were 11 pax on the plane, so there was enough room for everyone to have their own row. The food was tasty and plentiful, and they showed 3 movies. All in all, this was one of my better flights on any airline.

We checked into the Kanto Lodge on base, which is about a half mile from the AMC terminal. This morning, we strolled through the Exchange, had breakfast, then checked out of the lodge and went to the terminal to await the possibility of a flight to Seattle. Although the 767 holds 250 pax, our chances of getting on this flight are slim, as there are only 6 tentative seats, and as retired members, we are the lowest priority. If we do not make this flight, there's a flight to Hawaii tomorrow, another to Seattle on Saturday, and one to Travis (California) on Sunday, so we don't have a feeling of desperation yet. If we haven't left by Sunday, I'll start to feel antsy and look for alternatives.

Our visit to Singapore brought back pleasant memories of our 1996 three week stay there while I was on Navy TAD at ComLogWestPac. We noticed some significant changes since then: there are "forests" of 18-20 story apartment buildings all over the place, the original subway line has sprouted sister lines going many more places, and the city/state has been deluged with immigrants from less-wealthy SE Asian nations, notably Vietnam and China. The government has also constructed a new freeway to move traffic from the apartment villages to downtown, and glamorous new high rises abound in downtown and the waterfront. Prices were higher than we remebered, and the dollar has fallen from its previous level ($1US=$1.80Sing then to 1.25 today), so we didn't buy much. Food is still a good value, if you stay away from the international chains. Food courts at malls offer a lot of variety, low prices, and good taste.

Debbie, after "alighting" from the feeder car on the way to downtown Singapore via MRT (commuter train).

One particular development on the waterfront, Marina Bay, is really unique. The three tall hotels (about 60 stories each) are joined at the top by a "park" with an infinity edge pool almost 500 feet long and 600 feet above street level. The buildings are built on reclaimed land but must maintain the perfectly level edge; otherwise, the water in the pool would begin to spill out at the lowest point along that edge. The building will settle over time, so the architects embedded a sophisticated set of jacks within the frame of each building so they can adjust the buildings to keep the pool edge absolutely level.

St. Andrews Cathedral - Skyscrapers in Background

While in Singapore, we visited a tailor shop that had made some suits for me in 1996. The owner, George, was there, and when we introduced ourselves he said, "weren't you in the Air Force or Navy?" I thought it remarkable that he could remember that after 16 years, with no interaction between us in the intervening years. If only I could do as well. I am lucky to remember my wife's name sometimes...

OK, on to roll call for the flight! Fingers crossed :-) - Boo! we did not make the flight tonight. Back to Kanto Lodge for the night - we shall try for a flight to Hickam tomorrow evening.

goldenbear70
Yokota Air Base, Japan
Thursday, 8 March 2012 - 1820