Join Anne & Kelli for their 277th episode of #ilovemywife podcast recorded from HOME!!! They start the show by wishing their good friend Greg Kiep a very happy birthday!
Then they begin their journey to Japan that started with spending a few days in LA at The Edition Hotel that included a rooftop pool day, dinner with friends, brunch at Chateau Marmont (where they were told no photographs) and dinner at Ayara Thai where they reconnected with Chef Vonda.
Next, they headed to the Delta One Lounge at LAX where they enjoyed a lovely breakfast and Kelli relaxed in the crazy massage chairs. They also put best sleep schedule to avoid jetleg into Chat GBT and stuck to it on the 12 hour flight to Tokyo. When they landed, immigration was super easy because they had registered on Visit Japan and got a QR code to scan through very quickly. Anne also ordered a wifi hotspot from Japan Wireless that they picked up at the airport. It only cost $120 for the entire trip and they never had to turn on their cellular the entire time. After checking into the hotel, Anne fell asleep and Kelli grabbed a quick dinner. The next day they took a city tour with several other guests that were traveling with them and they were so surprised how large, clean and organized Tokyo is. There are no trash cans because everyone manages their own trash. That night they had a fun dinner with friends.
The next day was an epic day of Tokyo shopping. Anne had done lots of TikTok research about things to buy in Japan so they started the day in Ginza neighborhood to hit the Onitsuka Tiger store. These are very popular sneakers in Japan. Next, they hit Ginza Natsuno for custom made chopsticks. Then off to Don Quijote for skincare and makeup. They also did lots of Toyko exclusive clothing shopping at Puma, Lacoste and GU/Uniglo. Then they headed to Foula Massage Tokyo for a fabulous 90 min couples massage. During their time in Tokyo they also hit up 7-11 which is a major thing in Japan. You have to try the egg salad sandwiches and the sushi triangles!
The next day they boarded the Azamara Pursuit, where Anne was the headline entertainer and Kelli and her company KelliGregg Travel were hosting a group of 70 on board. They found out that because a typhoon was approaching that they would be staying docked in Tokyo for 2 more days instead of sailing to the north of Japan. Anne had her first show on night 2 and it was a big success, however one couple slept through the entire show right in the front row! When the Cruise Director eventually woke them up after the show, they asked when does she start? Haha!
The days were filled with interesting ports like Akita and Sakiminato (all you can eat red crab in 60 min that you have to hear to believe) and the nights were filled with LGBT mixers, Alexa in the piano bar lounge, other entertainers like Piano Manny, the onboard ship shows, the Cruise Director Darren and the Asst Cruise Director Gary. They also went to Busan, South Korea for a day where they spent the day at a Korean Day Spa called Spa Land. It was quite an experience that you also have to hear about to believe.
They spent a day in Hiroshima on a private Viator tour. They saw the Peace Memorial and the Museum and it was all very heavy. They headed to a local place for Okonomiyaki pancakes and had the best time with the very interactive staff. They took the ferry to Miyjima to see the floating shrine at low tide and it was so beautiful. They next day they were in Kochi and went to Kochi Castle. To get to the top you have to walk up 160 wet stone steps (because it was always raining btw). They also took a local dance class called Yosaikoi that involved red robes and clappers called Naruko.It was so much fun!
Their favorite day was in Kobe. They took the bullet train to Kyoto for the day and a private tour for 11 people. The bullet train goes somewhere around 160 mph and it doesn't even feel like you are movning! They visited Fushimi Inari Shrine (with 10,000 red tori gates), Kiyomizu Temple that literally hangs off a cliff, Gion (the Geisha District) and Nishiki Market, that is filled with incredible seafood and so much cool shopping. They also met some friends that happened to be in Kyoto at the same time for a quick sake and then headed back on the bullet train to Kobe. Then they headed to dinner at Mouriya Honten, an authentic Kobe beef restaurant. They sat at a counter (think teppanyaki style) to watch the master chefs at work. They got the filet and vegetables. It was the most unbelievable meal of their lives. The beef melts in your mouth and it is 1/3 of the price you would pay in the US. It was completely worth the experience.
Anne had her second show and got a standing ovation! The next day was the last big stop and Anne decided to take a day off and stayed onboard. Kelli went to a tea farm and learned how to manufacture green tea. They went to view Mt Fuji but the cloud cover prevented them from seeing it unfortunately. The last stop was back in Tokyo and it was the first big day with NO RAIN!! They decided to do a little more shopping at Loft and then headed back to Foula for one more massage. They ended the night at Jikasei Mensho at the PARCO Mall for delicious noodle bowls. The next day their flight wasn't until later so they booked a day rate at an airport hotel. They checked in, showered and relaxed and then headed to lunch in the terminal complex. They tried the flat noodles called Oni-Himokawa and loved them! They returned their Japan Wireless wifi device in the supplied envelope by just dropping it in a mailbox at the airport and headed to check in and to the Delta Lounge. They again asked Chat GBT for a sleep schedule for the 10 hr flight to LAX. After making their connection in LA then were finally off to JFK. When they landed in LA, luckily there was a cart there and Kelli asked for a ride because of her back. He zipped them from the farthest gate all the way to baggage! They were so tired that they walked out to their waiting car service and realized they had forgotten to grab one of Kelli's bags! So, Anne ran back in a grabbed it. Oh, jetlag!
Finally, they fill you in on the last few days at home. Day 1 Anne unpacked, did laundry, organized their Japan shopping haul, got a flu shot, grocery shopped and caught up with all the mail and packages. Kelli went to Urgent Care because she developed a cough on the trip. After a long day of tests and scans it turns out she had very low potassium that was causing high blood pressure too. She is now on the mend thank goodness. Blake & Teresa came over with grandbaby Anthony to get Kelli ready for some upcoming Grandma days! Anne is also repacking because by the time this show airs, she will already be gone headlining on a 10 day Oceania Cruise alone. Kelli is staying home to have another back injection. Her mom Mellie will be coming to take care of her plus her brother Charles and sister-in-law Kath are coming for the weekend for Anthony's christening. Also, don't forget that Anne has her upcoming holiday show on Wed, Dec 2nd at The GreenRoom 42 in NYC!
Find all of Anne's tour dates and info at www.annesteele.com
If you want to join them on a gig trip, and all of her newly announced 2027 trips, write to Kelli at Kelli@Kelligreggtravel.com For more info on Kelli's trips go to www.kelligreggtravel.com
As always you can stream on the DNR Studios app or you can listen anywhere you get your podcasts for free! Follow them on socials: IG: @ilovemywifepodcast @theannesteele @kcarpenter123 @kelligreggtravel FB: ilovemywife theRealAnneSteele KelliGreggTravel
