There were  Odysseus   ( who Homer in Greek mythology said traveled 10 years, mostly at sea, trying to return from the Trojan War ) and   Phileas Fogg   ( that Jules Verne character played by David Niven in a 1956 film who traveled around the world ), so our five-week trip to Japan was not particularly adventurous.  While most of our journey was indeed wonderful, there were some disappointing moments.  Yet, the best part of these long expeditions is returning home. After my wife passed away 14 years ago, I traveled the world several times, partly to drop off her ashes at monumental sites.  There were  MUGA 2013  ( by click on that, you can access every day of my 51-day global adventure ) and  GAWA 2015  that were exceptional. But since early in 2019, there has been a travel partner, who makes the experience different and better.  I generally keep her out of this blog by request, but in my advancing years, I need all the help I can get, plus there are added benefits. Our combined cruise

  Nara is the   birthplace of Japan .  Want details about this spiritual city?  Click on   THIS . A train on the JR Nara Line leaves Kyoto around every 10 minutes for Nara on a 50-minute trip that is 23 miles away.  You would think there would be mountains, forests and bamboo patches between the two cities.  Nope.....homes all the way in between.   Japan is so populated.  Yet it is dropping in population.  Now at 126 million, Japan is predicted to have only 87 million people in 2070...unless it does something drastic. So we left Kyoto Station. Easy ride to Nara, where we caught a cab to the J.W. Marriott.  Turned out that we could have saved $8, for there is a shuttle pick-up at the station every half an hour.  Check-in is not standing in line, but instead by sitting down and being given a hot towel and served drinks.  After a long while, they finally pass on your room key, and you meet your luggage there. The usual Christmas tree in the lobby. They do have a Club Lounge here, and this