It's time to pack up our trikes for the flights

Sigh, it is our final day in Naha before we fly to Itami(Osaka) tomorrow. So it’s D Day….pack up the trikes. This is our third trip with these trikes in Japan, so we are getting better at disassembling them for air travel. It was forecast to rain today, but so far, so good.

We appreciate being undercover as the weather could change. ME’s seat is off her trike. Now we will cover vulnerable areas and the frame with bubble wrap before we can do the quick fold.

The fenders, motor, the Rohloff and the frame are well packed with some cushioning. Now for the fold. Love these trikes.

Just some bungee cords to hold it together and a cover for the seat to take any abuse that could come from airline guys handling it. The great thing is that when it is finished, you simply grab the rear wheel and walk with it like it is a wheelbarrow.

This lovely Bird of Paradise plant is in full bloom by the parking area.

Our trikes have been put away for the night by the staff who work at the entry area by the parking. Next job is to carry our bike batteries to a nearby post office. We will be mailing them to our friend, Yoshi, a recumbent dealer in Osaka. They will be transported to Osaka by ferry.

We know, from experience, that these batteries can be sent via ferry to Osaka, but we always fret a bit as our success is dependent on who we deal with. Initially, the young woman said no problem, but then more people got involved and it got a bit complicated. Anyway, out came the manuals and rule books and in the end…much bowing ensued and the batteries were packed up and on their way. Whew.

Dinner on our last night is fittingly at a Conbini, Family Mart. We were pleased that this Conbini had a large area to eat in. Barry had ginger beef on rice and I had a vegetable gratin with salad. Excellent, as usual.

On our way back to the hotel, the weather was so cold and blustery, we stopped at a Don Quixote discount store, just for the fun of it. It is the largest discount chain in Japan and it is a crazy place. The stores have several floors, the lighting is very bright,they are jam packed with merchandise and loud music is blaring in all corners of the store. This one wasn’t as loud as some. The stores carry anything you can imagine from groceries, to clothing, electronics, alcohol, housewares, games etc.

This photos gives you a sense of the potential chaos of a Don Quixote, but it can be fun just to see it.

There were plenty of shoppers tonight, but not what we have experienced before. The previous Don Quixote we visited on a different trip was so jam packed with people that we made a quick escape.

Mary Ellen is dwarfed by this red animated character.

Orion is a local brewery…T shirts and other souvenirs.

Moisturizing face masks are super popular in Japan…we like them too. We always have at least one each for our flights. Mary Ellen has seen women in the onsen wearing them which can look a bit odd. It to each his/her own.

Our favourite sunscreen, Biore. We have stocked up on a few to take home. When we ride, Biore is our go to sunscreen…it is light and easy to apply and no sunburns!

More is better seems to be the plan for these stores. Sometimes you don’t know where to look first. We can’t imagine working here due to the constant loud music and announcements, but the workers seemed to be happy.

Games to play and try to snag a treasure.

Truly, they carry everything. This is the cycling section,

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