Finnean Williams Carmichael: Finn in the Far East: A Visit to Grandmama and Grandad in Tokyo

The ultimate litmus test for determining the personality of one's baby must be a 14 hour plane ride halfway across the world. Our trip to Tokyo confirmed what we had already suspected: Finn is a mellow, generally easy-going baby. He slept the majority of the way and didn't let out so much as one wail. Other passengers were both amazed and relieved, especially those sitting right next to us. Besides the trip itself, our little world traveler handled jet lag and a foreign country amazingly well! Of course, the highlight of his trip wasn't the temples or excellent sushi, but all the special time he got to spend with Grandmama and Grandad! (Click on the photos for larger views).

Here's Finn on his first plane ride (to D.C.) and in the Red Carpet Club (awaiting our flight to Tokyo).

Our arrival in Tokyo after a nearly 3 hour bus ride from Narita airport. Dad's looking a little beleaguered and Finn's looking wide awake and ready to go!

Our first outing in Tokyo was to Ginza, a beautiful, upscale shopping district. On Sunday afternoons they close off the main streets for pedestrians.

Turns out, Finn is quite the ladies' man among the Japanese women. They just can't seem to resist him. The last photo shows Grandmama and Grandad's Japanese instructor holding Finn.

At home in the apartment with Grandmama:

Finn has discovered his thumb. In fact, upon returning to the States, he has weaned himself of the pacifier and now relies on his fingers.

Daddy and Finn enjoy some quality time working on the NY Times Crossword. I dare say Finn finished his, and in ink, too.

Dinner out at a traditional Japanese restaurant where the yakatori was fantastic!

Grandad and Finn enjoy some quality time. Grandad teaches Finn how to demand his meals..

Grandmama and Finn share secrets...

Here's Finn in typical Japanese pajamas. They make him quite contemplative.

Yes, this is Finnean's blog, but just to show you Mom and Dad had a chance to enjoy some tourist sites on their own sans baby...

Senso-ji Temple in downtown Tokyo.

The food district, Kappabashi, where restaurant owners buy fake food to lure in customers:

"Bo-peep" girls in Omatosando; a unique sub-culture in which young women (and men) dress up in extremely frilly dresses:

Up to this point in his life, Finn had only experienced one mode of mechanical transportation (the car). Here he enjoys his first subway ride. He has now experienced the car, the bus, the plane, and the train. Next goal is boat and space shuttle.

Sadly, the trip had to come to an end. We managed to get into the Red Carpet Club in Narita with the help of Finn who distracted the nice Japanese hostess who was so enamored she didn't bother to double-check our (i.e., Grandad's) membership card. Finn decided the Narita club was far superior to that at Dulles. Dad agreed (they had free beer on-tap).