Saturday 26^th January, 2019 1600

We went for lunch yesterday, a buffet affair which was quite comprehensive. After expressing my wish to pay cash rather than stick it on the room, Alice was told it would be ¥168 per head and they strongly advised that I put it on the room, then it would only be ¥117 each. This baffles me for they know we are residents and I can only assume it's something to do with their computer system.

I put it on the room but when we check out I will still give them cash to settle it. Our room deposit was secured on my UK debit card and I really don't want to get shafted on exchange rates and NST fees when I don't need to.

In the evening Alice pigged out on lamb chops and other free goodies in the lounge and I wasn't hungry so room service never happened. This morning we had the luxury of a lie-in. Well, she did until 1000, I got up at eight.

After breakfast I suggested we go to the Global Centre, reportedly the largest building in the world and which featured a rather pissed off Miriam Margolyes in Series 2 of The Real Marigold Hotel when she tried out the indoor beach and swimming. On our visit not a soul was using it, maybe being winter it is not so popular. There were a few using the ice rink and the shopping and eating areas were busy but not excessively so. The size does impress, I tried to guess how many A380s could use it as a hangar. It seems to be targeted more at the wealthy, with designer label shops and prices to suit, together with chic eateries. I actually had a hot dog on the hoof which was only missing some onions to have made it really good. That cost me ¥20 but I never regretted it. It's not a place you want to spend hours in though unless you are moneyed and doing some serious luxury shopping.

So it is all over bar the shouting now, a rude early wake up tomorrow before our 0855 flight. I am still agonising over whether or not it is too dangerous to chance a quick breakfast seeing as it doesn't start until 0630. But then we are flying up front so checking in and security only take a couple of minutes. I'll make my mind up in the morning.