Our paradise lay ahead of us — over 2 weeks in Japan away from work just to enjoy with Kai and family.  There was just one obstacle — getting Kai through the 19 hour journey from door to door (including connection via Helsinki airport) at the tender age of two months. 

1st leg went more smoothly than expected.  Got all the 4 suitcases down and into the cab.  Checked in smoothly.  Even completed the duty-free-refund without a hitch.  A few hours in the British Airways Lounge with a few snacks, and even a bloody mary to start the trip with a relaxed state of mind.  

On the plane, the nice Finnair attendants helped to switch the person in our row so we could put the car seat in, and from then on Kai cruised right through to Helsinki even fitting in a small nap.

In Helsinki, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the airport.  Some duty free browsing, a few more snacks and drinks at the lounge, and then off to board the plane.  As we were checking in at the gate, there seemed to be an issue with our seats.  “We changed it so that you are sitting together.” was what the attendant said.  An omen that almost completely derailed the second flight.

While we had confirmed our bulkhead/bassinet reservation over a month ago, we all of the sudden found ourselves in the second row in two middle seats.  Multiple words with the cabin attendants led to a flurry of conversations in Japanese with the couples in the bulkhead seats.  Chika translation — they were really pissed they were being asked to move, because they already had their seats messed up on the way out.  In the end, we were able to get the seats, but all the tranquillity built up over the first 5 hours of the journey had disapated.

The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful, except for one point while Chika was sleeping and I tried to give Kai a bottle that he complete lost it.  Just too many new things and stimulations for a two month old that hadn’t travelled more that 10km in his life.

At the end, we made it safely to Japan and now really ready for some R&R.