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2 registered members (Ngaire, 1 invisible),
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 Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#240390
01/29/14 09:45 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,929
Ngaire
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Posts: 8,929 |
Okay the more the merrier. I sent Skybus an email as I could not open the quotes page today. They came right back to me so that is indicative of good service.
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#240400
01/30/14 09:11 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,929
Ngaire
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Posts: 8,929 |
The Sapporo Airport hotel does not take reservations any earlier than 6 months out. So you need to wait to try booking a room. This a good option for those not wanting to spend extra time in Sapporo or Otaru and just coming in late on the day before embarkation.
You can still contact this company for transfers from Sapporo to Otaru when you are planning on heading in that direction. The service hotels as well not just leaving from the airport.
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#240401
01/30/14 10:20 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,078
Leslie B
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We are up in Colorado this week so I haven't had time to look at all of this. We get into Sapporo at 6:30 PM on the 17th but haven't made any arrangements. I was thinking that staying in otaru would be easier but am open to a group transfer too depending on what we decide to do. Not sure if I want to be at an airport hotel for two nights though.
Leslie
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 Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Leslie B]
#240402
01/30/14 03:07 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,929
Ngaire
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I would definitely not stay at the airport hotel for two nights.
We arrive at about 9.00 pm so it is easier to stay there after our long flight. Staying at the airport hotel ONLY makes sense for people coming in late afternoon or the evening of the 18th particularly if it is after the long flight.
You could use this company to transfer just the two of you to Otaru and do a little tour of Sapporo on the way. The prices are reasonable enough you do not need to do a "group tour" just do your own thing.
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#240408
01/31/14 10:46 AM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 864
Mitch
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We are getting into Sapporo on Wednesday and spending two nights at the Mercure Hotel which gets good reviews on Trip Advisor. The rates were very reasonable even for a larger room with a refundable deposit and it is supposed to be located in a good area of the city. We may consider arranging transfers and a tour of Otaru with the same company. Even though the train fare will very reasonable, it would be a hassle doing this independently with all of our luggage. Thanks for doing all the research, Ngaire.
Mitch
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#240425
02/03/14 01:59 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,078
Leslie B
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Here is a link to the train schedule. http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/04.pdfIt looks like you can take a train from the Sapporo airport directly to Otaru without changing trains. A poster on TripAdvisor (who coincidentally is on our cruise - she was on our Silversea Arctic cruise last summer) posted the following: We have caught the train from the airport to ShinSapporo with luggage and it was easy. We are both in our 60s. We had two large suitcases and two carry on bags - all had wheels. There is a lift to the platform, luggage storage section on the train, we had the booked seats section. There is an announcement on the train what the next station is, so you can be ready to get out. Make sure you have your hotel name written in Japanese as 99% of taxi drivers do not speak English. We travel to Japan every year, use the train to get around and have not had any problems. Later this year we are also going on a cruise from Otaru port and will be getting to the port by train and taxi. We took a train to and from the Osaka airport to Kyoto a few years ago. I was a bit apprehensive ahead of time - especially about signage and announcements - but it was a piece of cake. We will most likely do this and stay in Otaru for the two nights before we board.
Leslie
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#241491
05/21/14 08:50 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,512
Ms Understood
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Final payment is due tomorrow so this trip is again on my mind, I wonder what people are packing? All of my expedition-type cruises have been cold weather. So do we bring the Wellies or waterproof sandals? Shorts or waterproof pants?
Tees or fleece jacket?
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Helen
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#241531
05/26/14 12:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,217
RachelG
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I don't think we will need the parkas or weeklies on this trip. I have been looking a temps in Sapporo and in Guam on my weather app for several months now. Sapporo is cool, cooler than tulsa for sure, except in winter. Looks more like Colorado temps for fall, so might need a fleece jacket there, but then we get progressively warmer as we go south. Guam is always the same in the 80s, so will bring the shorts, water proof sandels, etc for sure. I am going to bring a lot of warm weather clothes and a few things for cooler weather. And my trusty waterproof jacket which goes on every trip with me.
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#241815
07/07/14 01:31 PM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,212
jbittle
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Ngaire,
How many B&K guests are on each segment of SUMO?
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#241820
07/08/14 10:12 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,929
Ngaire
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,929 |
Hi Jim
18 on the first leg
6 on the second leg. Had a bunch of waitlists that did not clear. Most dropped off but one couple is still on the waitlist.
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#241875
07/21/14 03:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 1970
Posts: 15,171
KarenS
Moderator
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Joined: Jan 1970
Posts: 15,171 |
Cute Sumo pin!! ![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/iamtribble/2013/sumo.gif)
Karen
Live long and prosper
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#242078
08/11/14 11:11 AM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 864
Mitch
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Doc Dancing in Naples! Apropos, just bought SUMO tickets while we are Tokyo. We just happen to be there during one of the large annual SUMO events. Funny-they have a warning if you buy seats close to the ring letting you know there is a danger of being crushed by a huge sweaty body. We opted for chair seats on the 2nd floor. Arlene sent us a lovely detailed email with suggestions for the pre-cruise Tokyo portion of the trip. Won't be long now!
Mitch
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#242079
08/11/14 11:45 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,512
Ms Understood
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Us too! Not going to a Sumo match but we did get our silver box just now! WooHoo, so ready to get back onboard the Explorer. Looking forward to meeting you Mitch.
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Helen
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#242084
08/11/14 06:19 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,217
RachelG
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Posts: 1,217 |
Us too! But no sumo matches for me. Not long now though.
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#242085
08/12/14 09:22 AM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,212
jbittle
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Posts: 1,212 |
Does anyone know if there is anything to do in Otaru while we're in-transit for the day? Hopefully we'll find a bar or someplace to use internet.
Jim
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#242099
08/13/14 07:33 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,078
Leslie B
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Posts: 2,078 |
We were planning to stay in Otaru until we had a schedule change necessitating a night in Osaka to make our connection to Sapporo. It seemed to me that there was enough to occupy a day wandering around - there's a well preserved canal area, old warehouses, a preserved mansion of a former wealthy herring fisherman, a museum etc.
Leslie
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#242107
08/13/14 04:49 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,217
RachelG
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Posts: 1,217 |
Don't know if there is a Starbucks in Otaru, but Starbucks in Japan does now offer free wifi. The catch is that you have to register for it ahead of time, and that requires Internet access. There is for sure a Starbucks in Hakodate near the port (within easy walking distance) so I am going to go ahead and register.
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#242108
08/13/14 07:45 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,512
Ms Understood
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,512 |
I am pretty tech-ignorant. (OK i am completely tech- ignorant). I have my devices that I just expect to work and I am frustrated and confused when they don't. The only place on the planet I have ever been where my mobile phone did not work was japan. Is there anything I need to know/do before we leave to insure a working cell phone? I do have international plan on my phone. I think someone suggested it had something to do with SIM card or ???
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Helen
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#242109
08/13/14 08:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,217
RachelG
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Posts: 1,217 |
It does have to do with a SIM card, but that is all I know. George did get his verizon phone to work in Japan. I have no idea how.
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#242115
08/14/14 11:48 AM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 864
Mitch
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 864 |
It goes beyond the SIM card. Japan uses a totally different band for cell phone communications and only certain US phones and carriers work in Japan. You can check with your carrier. There are multiple other options including purchasing a very inexpensive phone with a SIM card that offers very low rates in Japan (Telestial.com). I bought one for $59 with the card. There are also companies that rent cell phones directly at the airport or they will deliver them to your hotel if you are traveling through Narita/Tokyo. When you are done with them, you can drop them in the mail to return them.
Mitch
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#242116
08/14/14 03:22 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,762
seadog
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Posts: 1,762 |
Hi Helen Do you want to use your phone for voice only? or do you want a data plan also so you can use your phone for the internet? I only know about iPhones. I bought an international SIM card for voice and data for MARINER and used it in Turkey and Italy. It was very nice to have. I would love to be going on SUMO! For an international SIM card to work in your phone, your phone has to meet the requirements below. I believe all the newer iphones do. Your phone has to be factory unlocked. You can learn how to tell if it is here: HT check if your iPhone is factory unlocked And your phone has to be a GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 compatible international cell phone. To find out if yours is, go here: Identifying iPhone models I bought my SIM card from www.ekit.com. Like Mitch mentioned, you can also buy (rent?) phones from them instead of swapping out your SIM card. If you do buy a SIM, be sure to get the correct size. For example, a Nano SIM card for my iPhone 5. The other sizes are Standard and Micro. When what I bought arrived, I thought it was the Micro size (too big), until I realized I needed to pop it out of the surrounding material. If your phone isn't an iPhone, then, well.... nevermind! 
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#242117
08/14/14 06:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,512
Ms Understood
cruiser
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,512 |
Thanks for the info Kim and Mitch. Will figure something out. I do have iPhone Kim . Thanks for the help. We would love for you to be coming on SUMO
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Helen
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Re: SUMO Roll Call
[Re: Dreps]
#242168
08/20/14 06:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,217
RachelG
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Posts: 1,217 |
Have you all been following the ice conditions? I am getting a little worried, especially since the national geographic explorer couldn't make it through.
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