did not get sufficient sleep cos our flight was 2320 and it took awhile (after midnight snack and settling in) before we got to sleep. was handed the next set of clues before we disembarked, along with 10,000Y allowance. since i didn't know where on earth i'd be going, i only have singapore dollars with me so the yen was definitely very helpful. at least it meant i didn't need to busk on the streets or sth to get money.

there was a slight hiccup cos the inefficient imbeciles at singtel did not activate my roaming even though i notified them on monday. the fella promised activation within one working day but it was wednesday and still no signal. this posed a severe threat to the race cos the original intention of the tobs was for me to sms him once i get to the next station/receive the next clue so he knows im not kidnapped by japanese gangsters or just plain seriously lost. without roaming, i am left to my own devices.

but the very smart me (haha) thought of using the pay phone. so the final arrangement was i would call if i got seriously lost. other than that, i am very very much on my own. after getting to the information counter, my next clue provided directions (in japanese) to the next stop which was the hotel, which was terrific cos i really didn't like dragging my luggage along. i know its light as a feather but its just inconvenient and people race with backpacks, not luggages, u know!

did not feel safe carrying 10,000Y. did not help that it was a big note. first thing i did (thanks to the reminder frm tobs:) was to go to the convenience store and get the cheapest bottled drink so that i had small change. then next it was off to the toilet to dress more warmly and to separate the money in different locations, just in case.

it was quite easy to reach hotel sherwood although that required some help from the tourist information center. but they definitely speak english so after the cursory "do u understanding english?", which i am able to say in japanese, the rest of the conversation was very much understandable. i had to take the keisen line to nippori then change to the jr line to uguisudani. simple.

bought tickets to nippori and arrived at the platform. morning liner came by around 0754 and i wondered if i should board. checked the schedule and realised there was a rapid coming in at around 0808 and decided to wait for that one instead. when the morning liner left, i realised it stopped at less stops than the rapid and should get me to nippori much faster so i wanted to hit myself for being stupid. but on hindsight, that was a good move cos morning liner would not have cost 1000Y and if i had indeed boarded the morning liner with my ticket, i would have got a nasty surprise should the train conductor come and check my tickets.