drron29

Now Sakuragichio station is not a major station so the JR ticket office only has one window. When I arrived there was a young Caucasian couple who only spoke English. There were 3 other people in front of me. By the time the couple left there were another 8 behind me. Several more came in,looked and left. Fortunately the three in front of me were fairly quick but when I got to the window the agent left and was replaced by a very young looking Japanese woman accompanied by a much older lady standing behind her. It was obvious the young one spoke little English. However as well as looking up the trains and their numbers I also wrote down the Japanese for phrases I might need. It paid of big time and I had my tickets quite quickly. As I was handed my tickets the older woman thanked me for being organised and polite to the agent. She said it was her first day and I was her first customer. Now my original plan was to look at the restaurants and have some noodles for lunch. This place looked quite good. However I looked at my watch and felt if I had a meal I wouldn't get back to Rojaan at the time I promised. So of I went. I had also planned to ride the Gondola though they called it Air cabins. They have strict rules for queuing and still the covid rules for the lift. And off I go. Now back on the ground.

Whilst having brekkie a new ship docked across from us.' That day I needed to do some more walking but first I had to go to Sakuraguchigo station to get our train tickets for the next day. They have a JR ticket office there. It is basically undercover the whole way so a very easy walk. On the way I came across a performance by a band. They were very good. Lots of onlookers upstairs and down. The saxophone player was obviously well known. When he stepped forward there was vigorous clapping. At the end of the show he was called forward again and once again the crowd responded. So my walk continued. The streets are lined with azaleas which were coming to their peak.

Breakfast the next morning. Corn soup is a popular breakfast item in Japan. Rojaan decided to try the Morning sweet and this was it. I had the omelette which was very good with lots of cheese and mushrooms. We had a look at the afternoon tea menu and decided that would make a nice late lunch.

And if you find that a particular reservation that you want don’t despair. The policy is that 50% of the reservations are kept until on board. So when you board make the reservations you want early. Ring reception or get your butler to make the reservations.

Our first visit to the club. Staff were really good. Food offerings not extensive but good and quickly refilled. The pizza guy was continually making pizzas. They have a pizza oven in the club They were quite nice too. And we could see the Muse frm the lounge. We went back to our room and watched the Muse sail away.

That afternoon it was time to give Rojaan some retail therapy. There were 2 100 yen shops a short walk from the hotel. As usual she found several things she hadn't realised she needed. After that we went to a supermarket. The last time we were here one night we just got sushi from here. very nice and inexpensive. but I like looking at some of the unusual snacks. They always have a great range of mushrooms. Veggies are often cheap. Those mushroom packs above are just over $A1. Fruit though is usually expensive. $A30 for a watermelon. Sashimi again looks nice and inexpensive. And lots of seafood.

Always feels a bit sad when you leave a cruise. On this occasion we didn't have to worry about how to get to our hotel or an airport. the ship docked about 200 metres from our hotel - The IC Yokohama Grand. Would have been better to have been at the IC Pier 8 as you could walk across the dock and into their hotel lobby. But it was 3 times the price. So our room. Now it does need a refurb especially the bathroom But the views are great and the IC Club has been refurbed and it was pretty good. Lovely flowers just outside the hotel.

and this week I also got an email to rate the ports on our May 25 cruise Singapore to Doha. Some time after that it is meant to go through the Red Sea. I have thought that this cruise will also be cancelled.

And it is a good idea to print those excursions and restaurant bookings, On this last cruise it was the first time we didn't. Tou do get a printout of excursions and restaurants and can access it under my activity. But this time it showed no restaurant bookings at all.

But Les you had 2 Cinco de Mayo. 48 hours to down all the tequila and Corona that you could. But I guess they didn't load enough.😉

And once more Atlantide for dinner. I started with the snails and then the beef Rossini. both very good. Rojaann had the scallops which were excellent that night then her usual lamb chops. So now it was only a sea day to go before we disembarked in Yokohama, A very relaxed day apart from packing. Lunch in Atlantide. Rojaan had the Hawaian salad and the cheese cake. the cheesecake was nice. I had the chicken roti which was nice and then the cauliflower in the cashew curry coconut sauce which was disappointing. Our last dinner in Atlantide. Rojaan had the grilled shrimp and then the lobster tail. She liked both. I had the foie gras, tomato soup then beef wellington. All excellent. Rojaan then finished with some gelati. On the last morning we went a little late to Atlantide for breakfast but mainly because on the last morning it's usually the least crowded public area. It was indeed. The eggs Benedict were very nice as well. But don't go away. despite the cruise ending I still haven't managed the perfect Fuji shot so the lead up to that and a little of Japan are still to come.

Then there is the crew parade. Overall a very good crew. It was an informal night. They had actually planned the formal nights well on the 2 legs we did. % formal nights,4 on sea days and the 5th was when we left the port at 1.30pm. Our butler is the second in that line. The entertainers. The fellow in the pink waistcoat virtually always ran the putting competition. We got on very well. And the important people. Then all on stage. Our butler again second from the right. The Captain Tomasz Kulas from Poland. Again excellent and got on famously with his crew. Occasionally I was up before 0600 to do my walking and would see him coming out on the pool deck and talk to the fellows setting it up for the day and helping out as well. CD Bob bottom left.

Then the sunset. I had put my camera on the program for moving subjects and forgot to turn it back. Actually gave a very interesting few shots. That night it was the captain's farewll cocktail party. A short show began the evening. the singers were good.

Have to know just a little of outback Australia to get that one