Wednesday 25 February 2009

26 Feb -- My "Guam" Post (AKA Japan)

So many of you have probably heard part of my story, but our trip to Guam never quite worked out. We made it as far as Okinawa, Japan and then it just seemed that it was not our fate to get to our little tropical paradise. We got onto a C-17 cargo plane and arrived late Sunday night and slept in a one bedroom hotel room (18 people, counting kids) Needless to say that was a sleepless night. The next day we tried for Guam again and spent about 7 hours in the terminal trying to catch one of the two flights to Guam. Neither plane ended up taking passengers so we got new rooms at another base nearby and stayed there for the next two nights. It was very nice to relax and enjoy Japan on Tuesday. We played at the park near the hotel and went to the beach and ate at the Macaroni Grill next door. My 28th birthday was one I will never forget and honestly with all the craziness that occured on the trip, I'm glad that I went. Three of the six Moms made it back to Osan on Wednesday in a KC-135 refueler. I can't wait to hear the other girls stories from the rest of their adventure. Japan was cool to see and I would even try another hop to Guam in the future (direct flights only, please!) Here are some great photos to document the adventure!

Waiting in the Osan terminal to board the C-17

Charlie, Parker and Trevor can't wait for the plane to take off

We're ready to roll!

Picking up our luggage and trying to figure out the plan

Welcome to Okinawa

The morning after the rough night in the one bedroom hotel (6 moms, 12 kids under the age of 3)

Our first attempt to get back to Korea...which got canceled

Jane plays with Gretchen and Ava at the PAX terminal waiting for the possible flights to Guam

The play area in the PAX terminal, what a lifesaver!

Outside our hotel there was a cute little courtyard that Charlie liked running around

Jane didn't like the grass on her legs, she kept lifting her left leg and whining

What a fabulous place to be for your birthday!

Charlie and his buddies, Chase, Trevor and Ava help build a fort

Jane started out eating crackers but somehow ended up with a mouthful of sand...she didn't mind

Our flight home on the KC-135, Charlie and Jane both slept most of the way

4 comments:

Anna said...

I've said it before and I'll say it again: You are CRAZY!

Welcome back, I missed seeing you multiple times every day.

And, Happy Birthday!

Helen said...

Happy Birthday!

2 questions:

1 How do you pack for a trip like that?
2. What were the sleeping arangements for 18 people?

Jessica said...

Ooooh. Wow, Anna Jane! Makes me glad I didn't track you down and ask if we could come, too! ;^) (I so almost did!).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Jess

Andrews Family said...

Anna you rock!!! Way to enjoy the adventure and with 2 kiddos in tow, you are seriously superwoman!!! Happy Birthday :)