drron29

That is the last one I will post from the train. Getting off the train was an absolute shambles two narrow entrances into the station building. there were at least 4 Chinese groups and 2 Indian tour groups. They were determined to be out first. Though it would have been just as bad if it was an Aussie tour group. Wasn't helped that those that wanted to board a train were using al entrances as well. Inside the Station it was bedlam. wall to wall people and suitcases. That made us miss the 1245 hotel shuttle bus meaning a 2 hour wait as it doesn't run at 1345. So we headed to the taxi right. We were about 9th and 10th in line. We got to the head of the queue as the hotel shuttle arrived for the 1445 run. We got the shuttle. These next 3 shots are from the shuttle as we passed the Lawsons that hit the news recently. You can see why it is a popular spot. But this was the view from our room at the Fuji view Hotel. Aptly named. We were here on a Luxury Escapes package.

The best photos i have had of mt. Fuji in our travels in Japan up to now. Believe me probably more than 100 photos of Fujisan that day. The only worry was the weather report for the next 3 days was cloudy. Supposed to be clear today but still some cloud around.

We stopped at Otsuki and then proceeded on the Fujikyu line. several got off late here as if you haven't paid the full fare to Kawaguchigo you need to have a Fujikyu ticket. The late exit was almost certainly when a conductor boarded. And we go under the Maglev test line. Then something comes into view.

In the morning it was off to Kawaguchigo in search of that mythical shot of Fuji without cloud. We have been to Japan well over 50 times and this will be our third stay there. They say however this is the best time to get that shot. We got a cab up to Sakuragicho station. Nice flowers where the taxis let you off. We first got a local train direct to Hachioji. There we picked up the Fuji Excursion number 15 train. They put on 2 extra trains at this time of year so we didn't have the usual E 353 train but an unimposing substitute. When we boarded there were 2 fellows in our seats. We asked them to move and they did. So if anyone wants to use this service to Kawaguchigo it is essential to book your seats. They sell obviously more unreserved tickets than they should. First we had trouble boarding as every vestibule was crammed with people. And they are allowed to sit in any seat that is unoccupied. Then we were really glad we used the Takubin service to send our checked bag to Haneda from Yokohama. We would have had no where to put it. As it was I had to shove bags closer together to get our bags onto the luggage rack. The view as we pulled out of Hachioji Then the views as we hit full speed and no stop until Otsuki. I use my iphone with these shots. It is a scenic route.

Of course it was back to the lounge at night. First the Sparkling. Then one of the beers in the dispensers. And once again the pizza was popular. The poor fellow making them didn't get a minute off.

Heading back to the hotel. And I got back to the room 1 minute before I said i would be back. The reason that I needed to be back in time was to go to the lounge for afternoon tea. No alcohol served but a good selection of nibblies. Whilst there treated to a display by a fire fighting tug.

Well we had the Foie gras occasionally in the month we were on the Muse in both Atlantide and Indochine. Though it wasn't called rougie but very nice, Terrine of foie gras was much more frequently on the menu. However I never saw a Room service menu. I always looked at it on the TV. I really don't know if there is a physical copy of that menu for esteemed guests.

Fortunately it wasn't Silversea. Was referred to as Cruise line X but it was pretty easy to work out which line it was from the facts in the NIH article about the outbreak. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7188409/ It also is a bit scary how many Noro Virus outbreaks are due to frozen berries.

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.