From Yokohama through the Kanmon Passage to Beppu.

Third Cruise from Yokohama - 8th July 2014.
Because of a typhoon hitting the south of Japan we couldn't take the intended course to the south to Kobe where we were to spend two nights, so we could enjoy the delights of cruising the Inside Sea of Japan the next day. Instead we were compelled to cruise to the north, around the largest island of Japan - Honshu - and down the western coast to the Kanmon Passage, a narrow strait separating Honshu from Kyushu. This diversion, of three sea days, meant we would completely miss out the city of Kobe and the sight seeing cruise. For this we were recompensed to the tune of $100. each - better than naught!
The passage through the strait was quite interesting and reminiscent of going through the canals. The traffic was quite incredible and the shore lines full of heavy industry - this was really the only time we encountered heavy air pollution.
Not only was this a major shipping channel from Sth. Korea shortcutting the route to Osaka and Tokyo but also accessed the Inland Sea - but from the wrong side for us, and a day late. Never mind - on this - the third cruise - I had determined we would relax a little more, still living in hope of blue skies and swims, even if it was just in the ships pools. Having missed a port we hadn't visited yet we were about to revisit two others.
We arrived at Beppu on the north-eastern coast of Kyushu. This is a city of 122.000 which boasts visitor numbers of 12million per year. The main attractions are the numerous hot pools and bathing resorts. As a consequence the town view was dotted with columns of steam rising slowly to the sky.
We joined our bus for a half day tour to the boiling hells!!! The main pool was coloured red from the minerals therein - hence the name thought to resemble hell. It certainly was a hell of a hot!! I bathed my feet in a foot bath said to rejuvenate. It certainly was soothing. We visited a second pool - this one brilliant blue - the influence of copper in the surrounding rocks.
Next visit was to a mountain. Here the local monkey population had been causing a nuisance by stealing the food crops. The locals decided to feed them. It worked. But now the monkeys are somewhat dependant on the daily feeding - well every half hour actually. There are three groups of monkeys but as the late summer natural foods are plentiful one group decided not to come down so the occupying group had a feast!! When the feed buckets came out it was like a plague of rats!!! All running and screeching with babies hanging on to wherever they could get a grip even if it was up mum's rear!! Although these monkeys are wild, I think the regular and over feeding has probably caused a population boom. Monkeys I saw in the Tokyo Zoo much later looked heaps more healthy, but they're always so cute. Of course this is now a huge tourist attraction. The fact that the mountain is beside a busy motorway is not  problem - build a car park out into the sea and make a huge walkway over the motorway, complete with elevators for those not so able!! Nothing is a problem when you have a large population and amazing technology and know how - roads, bridges, tunnels, cable cars.
I will add some photos later as, being home now, the big PC is much easier to use BUT the photos are on the laptop!!OOOps.

Busan and Nagasaki - second time 'round.

Busan – Sth Korea (14/7) and Nagasaki (15/7) – second time ‘round.

Well there’s not much to say about Busan but the shopping if good. This time we had a BBQ lunch. Another fascinating experience – very tasty pork belly and no hot sauce this time. Hoppy wants a gas ring in the middle of our dining table!!

Hoppy fulfilled his ambition to buy a Samsung Galaxy 4S. It was comforting to see all the ship’s crew there too. Hop was assured it was not locked but “open”; would work; was in English; but to date, even after a few emails to William and some bothering of hotel reception staff no joy! We live in hope; he thought the US$330 was worth the risk.

We had also hoped to visit the Marine Museum on the pier side but it was closed on Mondays. Don’t particularly like museums but there was a walk through tunnel with fish swimming all around – that’s fun.

Nagasaki provided some brief fun – we walked a km or so in the pouring rain to get the tram. It wasn’t so much fun at the War Museum. In fact Hoppy spent maybe 1 ½ hours there. I couldn’t take it so found a comfortable seat while he scrutinised all the details of the bomb that was dropped here in 1945, including a replica bomb. I must say all very well done but how gruesome, devastating. It wasn’t the first intended target actually, but as the prime target wasn’t visible this poor unfortunate populace copped the drop. “Fat boy” exploded 500 metres above the ground.

One positive feature was the time line recording all the wars in the hope that there will be no more.

We went down into the epicentre. All the neighbouring areas have been rebuilt  and we wandered around the residential area. There is a massive Peace Park there too, with huge statues donated by various nations. The focal point is a huge statue of a man with one hand pointing at the sky to remind you to be watchful because the enemy can come, unexpected, from there, and the other in a meditation pose on his knee praying for peace in the world.

Kyoto.and lots of cute little cars for William!!!

Last day in Kyoto.

 

24^th July 2014.

I was woken by drumming albeit distant. Oh yes - the parade – how could I forget Gion Matasuri? This festival was first held in 869AD to give thanks for the deliverance from a plague which had ravaged the region. It also marks the beginning of summer after the rainy season. Now the present temperatures of up to 35C will go between 35C and 40C. and accompanied by high humidity.

I thought we were very fortunate to strike a parade. Our guide for yesterday afternoon tour had told us all about it and suggested we walk two blocks along, two blocks the left then down one of the side streets to see the construction of the floats. Ten were expected – each towed by 40 people. Apparently it would be a good time to see them in the cool of the evening. How lucky were we? The floats are kept in storage when not in use and then ceremoniously taken out to be reconstructed each year. They are totally held together by string and are about 6 metres high and on four huge wheels about 1 ½ metres high. I imagined I wold see dragons and things but no – just the carriage. But the people!!!

The police were on every corner directed the crowds, yelling loudly and waving red light batons. We saw a great gateway of bright white lanterns shining up a street and followed the crowd. I don’t know how the Japanese do it but they just seemed to flow, in a liquid form, around me, but I couldn’t see the opening to move forward. Just before the wagon were school children seated and singing; a stall selling stuff and giving out samples of sake. I later asked Hop what it was liked but he said the sample was too small to tell. Maybe they knew he wasn’t going to buy any. When we finally arrived at the wagon all we could see were some ladies climbing up a staircase erected inside a tent that covered the entire construction. Lots of ladies were wearing kimonos as per the tradition. I noticed the huge wheels having ladles of water poured over them. The main part of the huge “thing” was red and gold but covered with clear plastic curtains. There were lots of young and not so young men around wearing black and white outfits – jackets and straight legged pants – the “pullers” of the wagon. All was very exciting – well they were all excited. The whole populace turns out for this apparently. Even Mums with little babies sleeping, oblivious to the noise, in front carriers. There was actually no crush – a funny thing as I recall now. All I know is that they moved to no space and overtook me easily, without touching any one.

We had intended getting up for the parade BUT…when the drum woke me at 7.40 I tried to ignore it. It thumped out again several times. The parade was due to start at 9 am. Hoppy did stir but shame to wake him. Suddenly it was 10 o’clock!!! Time for the cuppa. We had to check out at 11. For once I wasn’t organised, in fact Hoppy had packed before me – well I was impressed til I found some of his gear still in the wardrobe. He wasn’t impressed – didn’t have any room left in his little case. We had travelled light for these three days. Reception rang at 11.15 to see if we were checking out.

I was less impressed later when I realised I couldn’t find my kindle anywhere. If it’s not in my little bag I’ve left it on the shinkasen –what a disaster.

Yes maybe we should have got up earlier to see the parade but the thought of that crowd again!!! There was every possibility we wouldn’t be able to see a darn thing. Anyway later on, as we walked the streets waiting for our 5.35 pm pick-up, we happened upon the dismantling process. Interesting.

Pics from Tokyo Zoo - the brown bear is huge - actually kills one person a year in the North!!!

Tokyo Zoo

 

21^st July 2014

I know I haven’t finished the ports yet but Hop has left the info back at Tokyo and we are now at Kyoto!! I will do it ------------eventually.

Decided to go to the Tokyo Zoo today. We’ve got quite proficient (well we think so) in using the trains. It’s not too bad but we haven’t strayed from the Yamamoto line as yet.  We have had to change lines once!! And succeeded!! There are trains, buses, the Metro (underground), there are 15 lines or so, streetcars and private lines…and then some. We purchased a Patchmo card which allows us to use any line and we are thankful everytime we go through a gate and it “beeps”. We have had to recharge it once but hopefully it will see us out. Hoppy lead me through the wrong gate at first and it wouldn’t let me out. I pushed through the gate to be confronted by a local insisted I “go back” What could I do. I then realised we could go through an office and the girl reversed our wrong charge. Apparently you are supposed to just stand there with your hand in the air and wait for an “official” to help you.

We got off at Ueno Station. I think Hop didn’t believe that that was the right stop but I had listened to the guide yesterday and gleaned as much. Actually I really remembered because it sounded like Reno!! It’s the first day of the summer school, holidays so the place was crowded – like everything in a city of 30million!!

The Zoo was great value as seniors we even got in for ½ price!! It’s always worth a try. The animals looked in great condition although some of the areas were a bit bland and lacking greenery. Especially interesting were the giant pandas. They looked just like you would expect and we were able to watch them for some time.  In our four hours we covered only half the zoo but it was well worthwhile, well set out, and you could actually see all the animals/birds etc.

Again we spent some time looking at monkeys – they were in better condition than the ones we saw in Beppu in the wild (soz – I know I haven’t done that yet) It’s never a quick look with Hoppymoto on photo patrol. He has more patience than I have and he does get some great shots.

Yokohama Mark 2 - the people are so friendly - some one insisted he take our photo. Must say "hello, hello, hello hello" - the only word they know.

Yokohama - Second time round ++++++

Back to Yokohama for the third time….. but I’m only up to the second visit!

16^th July 2014

It’s a beautiful day on the Pacific. The best we’ve seen. Sun, blue sky, blue water = far from land.

8^th July 2^nd time…………

This time we walked right from the pier. Visited the red brick warehouses which were vaguely historic, definitely shops!! $15 for a pair of socks – I don’t think so. Mind you they had three socks. The latest is three socks per pack – all different – and meant to be unmatching (I.e.odd). Sounds like revenge on washing machines that eat one sock from every pair to me. Good idea. I can do that.

We walked through the elephant park – small elephants made of – something? – and painted blue – to show that this was a walking space and carrying little signs to say – “Push you Bikes”

We walked and walked……….eventually arriving at Cosmo World -  Yaye! A huge fun park with roller coasters, log flumes, games etc. AND a big Ferris Wheel – which we had to ride on. Took fifteen minutes to do the round trip – but what a view!! A lot of major areas seem to have them Nothings too much trouble in Japan – tunnels, pedestrian bridges, walkways shared with bikes.  A chance to sit for a while too before trekking off again in search of the NYK Marine Museum. It was quite interesting – a history of shipping in Japan over the years through to modern times. Makes you realise how clever  - technically and trade aware - this race of people is.

Long day walking – Back to the ship – lunch – compulsory relaxation – the excitement of another group of passengers – etc. Only a few have done the three cruises. And we thought we were going to Jegu in Korea but apparently not. Not to mention a “super typhoon” which meant we had to go north around the island instead of south to Kobe which we missed along with cruising the In side Sea of Japan. Anywho…………

We have had about three swims and a couple of spas. Haven’t tried the Izumi baths though. Would be more attractive if we could share the experience with our partners instead of a lot of unknown, not to mention tiny – other naked ladies – however the Japanese love their Onsen – hot springs and baths.

Of course by the third trip we’ve seen all the shows and the marvellous things that entertain. Happily we do enjoy our own company and I’m sitting now at my office – computer – with the ranch slider open and the sea rushing by at 24 knots as we approach the last day of our cruises. Hoppy is lying on the bed trying to finish a book before he has to return it to the library. I don’t know how he could leave Shantaram on his kindle for this book he thinks he read ages ago. Takes all sorts and he’s not too bad a sort!

Nearly time to eat again. We slept until 10 today! Had breakfast as they were clearing for lunch – then we have to fit lunch in before our dinner sitting at 5.30!! So tough this cruising. We’re very mindful of the next week when we’ll have to mainly find our own fodder in Tokyo and elsewhere! Watched a movie in our room last night – then the 3^rd series of Rake which we stumbled across on Australia Network. Unfortunately it starts at 10.30 pm! I didn’t sleep, not helped by the two glasses of champagne I had to drink to celebrate our dining partner’s win at Trivia; then I had to drink a cocktail at the Captains Cocktail Party! Does it get any harder?? I know I’m VERY lucky and totally blessed – what a life. TG for Hoppy.

 

 

Bit dirty and sweaty in here but.........................VIPs...........surely you can guess who...........hope this worksxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Nagasaki - first time round..........

6^th July 2014

Home to Paul’s new (to him) car!!! See we remembered.

This city of 1.5 mil. has always been an important port for Japan with records going back to 1190. At times when Japan was closed to visiting trade the Portuguese and at times, the Dutch, could get goods through this port. With the influence of the Portuguese especially, Christianity was introduced here, with St Francis Xavier and the Jesuits making a huge impact on the populace. The conversion rate was such that it was seen as a threat and the banning of Christianity, persecutions and deaths ensued.

At Shimabara Castle – a classic Japanese Castle built high on a walled hill with a massive moat – there was a historical museum based on the 1637 Battle of Shimabara, the early Christian era, displays of swords and armour, cultural artefacts, and scripts concerning the early martyrs of the area, how they died and the fate of those who sheltered them. A good climb through five stories gave a fabulous view of “the kingdom” from where the Shogun could overlook the varying layers of his subjects, living in areas according to their use – warriors, farmers etc. It also showed the feudal type system they lived under, their taxation measured in rice which equalled about 150 kg per year, considered equal to the consumption of one person per year. Its correct term escapes me, as does the most basic language  at times! You understand……………

Only fitting then, that we then moved on, in the pouring rain I may add, to a Samurai Village where we went through a samurai house. People still live in the area today. The road is very narrow with a pure water spring feeding the little drain that runs down the middle of the road. This was the source of drinking and cooking water for the residents in days gone by. A constant query for the guide was a saloon car, not the usual compact, parked in a car port, begging the question, how they ever managed to get the vehicle out with the street only a matter of feet wide and a drain down the centre of it. The house was a typical Japanese style with a wooden floored and shuttered “veranda” all ‘round, tatami mats and sliding doors. All very efficient and sensible, except if you have trouble get up off the floor! Nowadays the verandas include a tiny bathroom beside the bedroom. The samurai were encouraged to plant fruit bearing trees and herbs in their tiny and beautiful gardens.

Next stop was a buried village. Still viewable where the ash has been cleared to expose some of the houses destroyed when Mt. Fugen erupted in 1991 – a memorial and a reminder of future possibilities! No locals died in the eruption but the press and some volcanologists were caught and paid the price of their obsession.

Just when I had psyched myself up for rice and miso for lunch – there were no pickles, no miso. This time two burners – one of which I left completely untouched due to the unrecognisable contents, we were told about waiting for the rice cake to soften but even then it was rather slimy so – arigatoo gozaimasu – but no; the second burner had some lovely pork in it so that was good; rice and soy is good; Chinese cabbage fine; then dessert!!! Lovely peach jelly – yum. But only a tiny tasty block!

from Busan

Busan - South Korea

 

5^th July 014

So I had thought of this as shopping day. We caught the shuttle into town – town? – the population is 3.6 million!!!! The buildings were not quite as tidy as most of the Japanese cities , a lot of which seemed to have been bombed almost to extinction, therefore rebuilt, or fairly modern anyway. Busan is the republics second largest city after Seoul but the largest port; the fifth busiest seaport by cargo tonnage.

The streets were fairly full but not packed as per Hong Kong standards. With a turn to the right we were at the escalator which took us to the underground shopping mall. About a kilometre of small shops of every description – well electronics, clothing, shoes, bags, and cosmetic  and the occasional “cafes” and little booths ladies very proficient in altering clothing -  under the main street of the city, linking with underground trains which rumbled overhead from time to time. The rule of thumb is “if it has a door and aircon. they probably take credit cards but you cannot barter; otherwise cash is king” We also learned that if you do not have local currency your yen will be undervalued considerably!

Any how our usual shopping – walking, looking – was pursued. I bought a nice top for $10 and another for $3. Sometimes you can try things on and sometimes “NO”. Hop bought a couple of pairs of trousers and included in the price was the  shortening, done immediately in another little booth.

Out of the shopping mall we went in search of lunch. Why didn’t we go to the “English menu”  place? We saw the meal picture and the beer and thought OK. After being seated and given a bib we were given a pan of sauce, noodles, cabbage, onion, boiled eggs and slices of ???? which was set on the gas ring in the middle of the table. We sat and waited to it all boiled and the waitress came and stirred a few times before we tried. Noodles – no harm. They were ok but the sauce I had liberally ladled over them was very spicy. I ended up feeling like Mick Jagger with my lips protruding an inch or so beyond my face!!! MORE BEER! The best part of the meal was some delicious fried chicken balls which we had chosen instead of the chips. Chips and chicken would have been perfect………….

Off to the famous Ja-Gal-Ch’i fish market next also known as the Aunts Market for all the women peddlers when it was established during the Korean War. Fish of every size and shape; not just some but tanks and tanks of them, some in nets and some kept in by a box floating on top of them. Snapper about 4 inches long; eels – some only 6 inches long; abalone (our paua) not much bigger than a 50c piece; octopus and squid; others that looked like flounder; cod of all kinds; cone shell fish, scallops zooming ‘round; huge horse mussels, clams and sea cucumbers. Unbelievable that there are any fish left in the sea. There was little or no smell as all the tanks had water running through them; the fish must have been stressed though. I don’t know how long they live there! Of course there was packets of seaweed and dried fish everywhere. In fact souvenir shops are mostly full of fish products, vacuumed packed or dried, for sale. There is a certain oily fish smell that does wonders for my dieting – I’m over that!! Outside the market on the back of a little truck we saw fish just gutted and sliced – drying in the city smog!!!

Our favourite shop – one with puppies in the window for sale. So gorgeous and soooo tiny.

So that was our day on Korea. Back on the shuttle and back “home”

Sakaiminato

 

4^th July 2014

This small city of 36.000 people has been an important port since ancient times and the site of a medieval silver mine. You would never guess it’s ancient origins, as with other Japanese cities it has found a modern identity, this time with stories about little monsters known as “yokai”, bronze representations of which line the streets. The minions featuring in recent movies for kids are somewhat similar, and others Mum used to call "moppets" big headed, big eyed dolls – plagiarism? Down town you are likely to come across people bressed in big heads, depicting these characters so you can have photos taken with them. Both hands in the obligatory peace sign of course. Seems to be standard practice with Asians much like our “say cheese”.

We took a tour to the Adachi Museum and gardens. This is a huge dry garden surrounding a museum of modern Japanese artworks including ceramics by famous potters, wood carvings and paintings, collected by Adachi Senko. The art was interesting and based hugely on fantasy as with a lot of things Japanese. The child inspired artworks were somewhat reminiscent of Beatriz Potter.

The garden was amazing with 900 pine trees among the maples and redwoods, all perfectly pruned and sheared of course; a moss garden which they transfer mosses in to when creating; carefully selected rocks which vary in colour according to sun or rain (and it rained for us); waterfalls and pools full of carp, all with the sand/gravel raked to represent water. This was not a strolling garden but one to be viewed only – in this case from inside the house and purposes built rooms. Great for us as it was raining most of the time. The surrounding countryside has also been purchased to ensure the gardens merge with the surrounding hillsides and a local high waterfall. Very serene. Some of the windows of the house were perfectly placed to form a living picture and served also to represent the hanging scroll that Buddhists have in their homes. This garden has been acclaimed among the Top Gardens of the World for nine years in a row.

Maisuru -

 

3^rd July 2014.

This was one of the ports where we could visit Kyoto but since we will be staying there for 2 nights later we have cancelled the trip we had booked in favour of one to Amano Hashidate and the fishermen houses of Ine. You remember? Another 9 hour day but anywho…..

The guide started by saying we were not just rucky, but rearrly rucly, “It was a sunny day.” We certainly were – It’s quite rare to see the sun. Occasionally the accents take a bit of figuring.

Another picturesque country ride to the Bridge to Heaven. Well it did go to heaven way back, but it then fell into the sea and now, after a cable car ride up a mountain you have to view it backwards, up-side down, through your legs. It’s a sandbar covered in 900 pinetrees, across a harbour, where it landed when it collapsed.  Seems appropriate that after everybody is photographed, bum up and head down, looking between their legs at the view, we were given discs to throw through a circle of wisdom. It wasn’t an easy feat. Only a piece of mine made it through after hitting the ring – I’m not very wise!!! The bag holding the discs was quite heavy so our guide encouraged us to take  handfuls and keep trying to prove our wisdom. There’s only so much you can do, yes?

We went back down the hill in our cable car. I wanted to ride the alternative – a chair lift –but due to the rain it was not now operating. The gardens were very pretty on the hillside. Out of the cable car and back to Chiongi Temple we had entered through – it’s alternative name “Sanninyoreba Monjunochie” meaning out of the Counsel of three comes Wisdom. I’m getting it. We then went to a Buddhist Temple. 90% of the population are Shinto, and 70% Buddhist. Shinto is based on the worship of nature and is for happy occasions like weddings and birth but does not deal with the sad times so well. These fit the Buddhist philosophy better. Since neither religion insists on only one God they can both co-exist happily side by side. On the way back to the bus we found some toasted chestnuts. They tasted divine. Dave and Deb have you got a chestnut tree/trees?

Then off to the fishermen’s’ houses. They are actually boathouses and the fishermen live across the road. They are certainly quaint. We had a boat ride to see them. The boat was followed by heaps of gulls and a couple of eagles. Great to see them so close. Hoppy was feeding them from his hand so I was cameralady - had it on rapid fire and took about 30 photos. This camera is a bit slower than the last one we had. Got the bird just before, and just after taking the biscuit. DARN!!

Back to our Japanese lunch. The usual little burner per person, with bubbling brew of water, veg, tofu; heaps of pickles; prawns, shrimps etc. which I pulled the head off and decided not to eat given the purple cream which dripped out. I can live on rice and miso. Some of the pickles gave me heart palpitations – I was quite scared so decided to leave them for sure – no loss!

Back to the bus and off home (!) Somewhere along the line we did walk across to the Heavenly Bridge too. There is a revolving bridge now built at the beginning of the sandbar to allow small boats through to carry the nickel ore imported from New Caledonia to a smelter in the bay. Somewhat reminiscent of Amsterdam with the houses along the canal. Bye 4 now…………..

Kamanazawa - on the west side of Honshu Island - the main island of Japan

 

2^nd July 2014

This time we take the bus we find we are immediately in the mountains – no pastures and paddy fields this time. The forest is very green with the usual trees as we travel the alpine route to the Tateyama and Kurobe Mountains. The cable car is just that, riding on rails and pulled by cables. It takes a long seven minutes to go up the steep gradient. I’m glad they have a cable car! This is also used by skiers accessing the 2400m high mountains’ ski slopes.  Back on the bus to continue our ascent; cars are banned except for service vehicles, to preserve the environment here.  After more winding roads we immerge in a highland plateau area with stunted trees and apparently some picturesque wildflowers over the brief summer season - not prolific blooms for us yet. We did see some one-day lilies,  a lone rhododendron, and some other flowering shrubs which look familiar but whose names escape me . Eventually we near the end of the road and here we go through walls of snow. They are only 5 metres high now but in the season reach over 25 metres high. With a temperature of minus 30C in the winter the roads and mountain are closed. There are no ski tows for skiers either. It’s a tramp up the hillsides but it seems you could have a long ski down as the slopes are long and wide. There are two more large buildings; one on the summit and one on the saddle between two mountains. While we were there a helicopter was taking food and supplies in nets hanging below, to those buildings. The road usually opens in April when the snow ploughs can clear the road again. The snow will have completely disappeared from the snow walls by the end of July only to start building up again with snow falls in the end of September.

We crunched over snow to the various points of interest. Not too far – it was quite unsteady underfoot not to mention wet and cold, although I managed to get sunburned. It was like walking on sorbet!! My favourite sight was a lake, partially frozen over or thawed to be more precise, in various shades of turquoise and with “icebergs” floating in it – gorgeous.

This mountain is climbed by young boys in the area, as a rite of passage, when they are about 16 years old. There are slim paths paved with what looks like metal plates, with steps and rope fencing here and there on the lowland area but nothing visible higher up – apparently the last ascent takes about two hours for a fit young man as opposed to us unfit oldies – we wont try it!

We had a Japanese “lunch box” in the most gorgeously decorated shiny box; our rice with, various flavourings and various pickles, in their own little compartments, along with raw salmon, other fish (?) and other stuff; chop sticks, a spoon and a little towelette taped inside the lid.

After lunch and our walkabout – back on the bus and back the way we came. Another two hours of torture as you crave sleep, jerk awake, and try to follow the constant information given by the guide. He was very interesting, and he made some headway in trying to teach us to count to ten, some Chinese/Japanese characters that have the same meaning, and some characters that have different and more sinister meanings. So that trip was from 7am – 3pm. I love to get out of the cities and see what life I can but this is getting very tiring. Complain, complain – poor us!! The last of the three cruises WILL BE more cruisy!!!!????

Yokohama

Yokohama

29^th June 2014

So we’re back in Yokohama; the end of cruise number one and the beginning of two.

Three seems to be my number lately. We are doing three cruises; I have had three desserts these last 9 days; three bread rolls at dinner time (always a huge temptation especially if the service is slow but that’s been excellent); three grissini sticks, three soft serves (enjoyed on tours and paid for – none of the free cones on board YET). Of course we now get a free mini bar in our cabins which we haven’t been able to drink completely but we will be due for another lot; we also get free laundry and have had the equivalent of $100. We haven’t used our 10% boutique discount except for a packet of plasters and a lanyard but that wasn’t a goal!!

Yokohama is a pretty place and being there on Sunday meant everybody was in the parks, walking/ cycling the walkways and watching street entertainers. We saw one guy riding his bike with a pet rabbit tucked under his arm. The pier – Osanbashi – is spectacular, with the decking made of timber and flowing to represent waves but also very functional with steps in some areas, wooden wings giving shade in others then merging into various floors to give viewing areas and the embarkation hall . Everything has been perfectly organised and has run unbelievably smoothly . There are about 1800 passengers on board. Four hundred of us stayed for the second cruise.

The tours , usually dreaded for the long waits and sitting in the theatre to be called, have left on time, occasionally early and returned like clockwork. Some have been 8 or 9 hours long and quite tiring, but very interesting – we certainly have seen a lot of the country.

Back to Yokohama. We lounged round and eventually went for a walk along the waterfront pathway, with it’s lovely tree plantings, rose gardens, fountains and statues – particularly popular – the girl with the red shoes based on a child’s story. There was also an old ship built in the 1930s (Hoppy guessed that right), ferries and shops, a cafe; there are lots of vending machines for drinks – including beer – and ice-creams etc. The Japanese culture is very relevant, modern, and full of characters and monsters which could be equally western. At the end of our energy we wandered up some steps with a huge ceramic dragon working his way down in ponds which was a great attraction for the children wanting to cool off. These steps concealed a pumping station and led through an arched walkway which morphed into a bridge over the highway. The traffic hasn’t been too intense anywhere as yet, although we are expecting that to change in Tokyo. Just beyond the bridge was a doll museum, so we spent some time there before walking back to the ship.

We’ve been able to stay in the same cabin with the agreement of the couple who were originally booked for here, so that’s good news. And so, off on our second cruise.

Soz - my photos take too long to come over so words will have to say it all!! XXXXXXXXXXX

Aomori - land of the blue green forest.

 

27^th June 2014

And home to the best apples in the world. Also home to new buildings as the town was  totallydestroyed at the end of WW2. There are no old buildings despite its being 30.000 years old!! We have now crossed to the northern most tip of Honshu Island, the main and biggest island of Japan. It is connected to Hokkaido Island by a 56 km  undersea tunnel! It is surrounded by mountains with rain every month of the year and gets more than 25 ft. of snow. Pop.300.000, although Japan, overall, has a falling population with the birth rate at 1.3. pr couple.

Today’s trip took us straight into the woods – birch, beech, maples, plain trees and a native conifer  – with our first stop a brief walk by a lovely stream with waterfalls and rapids – very pretty.  We climbed continuously to a crater lake – Towada. We had a cruise on the lake followed by a traditional lunch – trays set out with burner and bowl of rice, chicken (I piece), mushroom, spinach and broth on top.; another bowl of sticky rice; a bowl of rice and raw salmon slices; a dried sardine – too oily for my taste; and a bowl of miso. Oh yes, and some chop sticks. Actually the meal was tasty apart from the sardine. Hop mixed his in with the rice so found it a bit more palatable although I noticed he didn’t eat much more than I did. I stupidly picked up the whole thing, after removing its head, and took a bite! The souvenir shop was full of apple products – apple glaceed– sweet, medium, sour – apple dried, apple with shortbread and almonds, apples peeled dried and stuffed with glace apples….you name it…imagine it……apple juice.

 Onto the bus again and up Mt. Hakkoda – the name of a range of dormant volcanoes. Another cable car (ropeway – I think I’ve had enough ropeways). This cable car took 100 passengers at a time. It was operating on a skeleton crew – it’s intended and highest volume of traffic is in the ski season. The view was of more mountains, a few interesting plants, and a bird with a distinctive whistle that we couldn’t find. I bet it was a speaker hidden in the undergrowth to drive us crazy, and some pesky little biting insects which ensured we didn’t stay outside too long or be late back for the bus!!  I must say the forest would be spectacular in the autumn – would just be a blaze of orange, yellow and red – gorgeous – and of course, the local spruce (conifers) get covered in hoare frost in winter beautiful.

It was a long day………..9 ½ hours. Sea day tomorrow on our way back to Yokohama. I’ll try for some more photos when the boss has downloaded them. XXXXXX

Hakodate - Hokkaido's 3rd lagest city at 280.000 population.

26^th June, 2014

This town is famous for its squid. We visited the morning market. It was full of fish – huge crabs, clams, sea urchins, squid, giant octopus, flounder, mackerel, sea snails large enough to give up a piece of meat as big as your fist - all alive and in tanks. I felt so sorry for them. I couldn’t bear the thought of catching something, then having it cooked for lunch, as you can! And here too, a packet of vacuum packed Minky whale meat!! There were all kinds of dried seafood as well. I sampled a dried scallop – quite sweet. Imagine giving that to the kids for a treat. Although I didn’t get a taste of dried kina I did sample some fish eggs. I hated the pop and burst of liquid into my mouth – yuk. Just the sensation was quite repulsive. Maybe smaller eggs wouldn’t be so bad. Food is mostly interesting though and it was good to have a guide to tell us what was what and how they used it. There was also our equivalent to a farmers market. One of the men there spotted NZ on Hoppy’s hat – he LOVES NZ. There were daikon the size of your forearm, potatoes, asparagus – green and white, rock melons for $30. each (!) and all kinds of delicious fruit – just like home. Everywhere in the country side are these huge leaves – like giant lily pads – the stalks of these were there too, to be cut up into your meal as a vegetable.

We went on to another ropeway to Mt. Hakodate. We glimpsed bits of the city as the fog came and went. The view is famous at night when the lights of the peninsula contrast to the black night sea on either side. Would look good. But then so would it today if we could see it all! The souvenir shop at the top had a wonderful array of “hello Kitty” stuff and nick knacks – all very reasonably priced too. Shouldn’t be surprised really – this is Japan. One of our group found a four-leafed clover there – very happy chappy.  Down the ropeway and walkabout time through the Motomachi District where foreigners settled after the city was opened to the West in 1854. It’s quite fascinating that Japan kept itself isolated from the rest of the world for about 300 years. Finally a fleet of ships arrived which they knew they couldn’t repel so decided maybe they could absorb and make use of the western technology – guns at the time!! The hillside revealed a huge Buddhist Monastery, a Catholic Church and school, a Russian Orthodox Church, the old British consulate which had the most glorious rose garden, and a Chinese Meeting Hall, not to mention snow freeze shops vying for your yen and numerous artists along the walkway come road. Cars are few and far between in most areas.

The roads on the way out had Tsunami warning such as - this area is 2.2m high. Since the tidal wave they are striving to be nuclear free but they don’t have many natural resources of their own so import coal and oil etc. The Japanese are also proud of their drug free and safe cities although there was recently a drug bust in Tokyo making the headlines. They put the safety aspect down to the fact that they have police boxes scattered through the entire area, not that we noticed any police presence. You do feel very safe here I must say. I can imagine for some reason, you would like it here Rodney – especially the snow aspect. It seems everywhere there is likely to be 5 or 6 metres of snow dumped every winter between November and March , and the ski runs are clearly visible if you get a mountain view.

Once again my photos are taking too long to transfer..........but I got one for you...The Big Daikon!