Introduction to today's journey
Flying over the equator for the first time is a momentous experience stirring a sense of wonder and geographical significance. As the aircraft approaches this invisible line that divides the Earth into two hemispheres, there's a palpable anticipation. The transition is marked not just by coordinates on a map but by a shift in the landscape below—from one hemisphere's climate and terrain to another's. The change in seasons from Australia's winter to Japan's summer is a stark reminder of Earth's spherical shape and the interconnectedness of its diverse regions as I fly over the enormous expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Crossing the equator is more than a milestone, it's a chance to reflect on the vastness and beauty of our planet from a new perspective. What better way to mark this milestone than to travel northward to Japan, one of the most culturally different corners of the world to what I'm familiar with in Australasia.
Today's journey departs Brisbane heading north to Tokyo's Narita Airport before continuing north to Sapporo, Hokkaido's capital.
Today's Journey
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The plane arrives at Brisbane airport to take me to my first eastern destination in Japan. |
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Flying above the Coral Sea above the layers of cloud heading northwards towards the equator. |
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Flying over a remote small volcanic Island near Papua New Guinea. Much of the island is a large volcanic caldera filled with water. At the edge of the caldera is a perfectly formed volcanic peak towering high above the rest of the tropical island. |
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Storm clouds tower in the sky as I cross the equator for the first time, heading northward towards Japan. |
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Continuing northwards through cloud filled blue sky, the plane eventually descends into Tokyo's Narita Airport for a brief layover before catching another plane further northward to Hokkaido.
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It is dark when the plane lands, and upon departing the airport we head into the busy Sapporo City with its bright advertising lights filling the night sky. |
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We stop at a Japanese restaurant, where I try a glass of Calpis, pronounced very much like "cow piss". Jokes aside it is a very nice lime yoghurt drink. |
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The food was very nice - All Japanese food is amazing. |
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After dinner we head out into the very busy streets of Sapporo again. |
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It is well after midnight and the city streets are as busy as any time of day. |
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Even most of the shops are open, selling all sorts of weird and wonderful things that I would never think could exist. |
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It is 2:00 in the morning and still the streets are very busy as we head back to the hotel. |
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