Bon Voyage! We Are Off to Vancouver, Canada! (#1)

“This is my first time flying, so I am nervous but excited!”
Many students shared these feelings as they waved goodbye to　their teachers and parents with smiles and looked ahead to the long journey.
On the bus, the nervous excitement continued as we traveled to Itami Airport for our afternoon flight to Narita Airport, and the connection went smoothly. Everyone enjoyed the time together and there were many smiles, as they engaged all the different foods available in the airport food courts. One student, who could not join us, took part by smartphone and joined our group selfie, making the moment even more special. What a great start to what is sure to be an incredible trip.

There Will Be Turbulence! (#2) 😆

The long flight finally begins! Students were excited, but they also felt a little tired as this was the longest flight they had ever taken. As we crossed the Pacific Ocean, the plane began to shake and the cabin was suddenly filled with surprised screams! The flight attendants calmly explained that turbulence is normal part of flying, but the bumpy ride still brought lots of loud reactions and laughter from the students. After a while, the plane became smooth again, and the students slowly relaxed, turning a scary moment into a funny and unforgettable memory for the students.    The students took advantage of the flight to get some much-needed sleep before our first very busy day.

We Arrived in Vancouver! Safe and Ready to Explore (#3)

Although we said good night to Japan in Tokyo, it was still Wednesday morning, January 14th, in Canada! After arriving, we started our first adventure right away.
1st Stop: Granville Island!

The food court and souvenir shops were a big hit with the students. Parents reading this may want to be ready for maple syrup and salmon seasonings coming home as souvenirs!         Students could also try many authentic Canadian dishes such as clam chowders and pot pies.

2nd Stop: The beautiful Stanley Park!

It is a large forest park with scenery that looks straight out of a movie. Students had fun posing for photos and admiring the amazing views. However, jet lag is starting to set in. On our way to dinner, excitement slowly turned into tired smiles as everyone recharged. During dinner, one more classmate who could not join us took part by phone, which made it feel as if the whole group was together. Although many students were clearly tired, their smiles remained, and everyone enjoyed the delicious meal! Time to get some sleep, before another busy day!