At Sea – Wednesday May 1, 2019

Breakfast in the Metropolitan restaurant as usual. Alison was at the gym but joined me later. Later, I attended talks on Patty Hurst and the start of a talk on the end of the Russian Tsar. I needed to leave early and on the way out, I received a video call from Louise who wanted to talk about plans to return to work and babysitting needs.

There was the Captain’s club reception where the top cruisers were honoured. We have so many loyal cruisers that we were split into two groups and there were two receptions. Later, we called Louise again to discuss her plans further and I left Alison talking while I went to lunch. On my return an hour later, I found Alison in the cabin still talking to Louise. It is good that we have an unlimited Internet package. I blogged during the afternoon while Alison and Louise continued to talk. Not long after the call with Louise was over, Emma called.

In the evening, we fell into the usual routine of drinks and dinner. The entertainment was a pianist and I left after two pieces and instead went looking for real music. I eventually found a solo guitar player in a lounge playing songs and stayed for an hour before going to bed.

At Sea – Tuesday, April 30, 2019

After the hour change, I had difficulty waking and Alison woke me on the way back from the gym. We had breakfast in the Metropolitan restaurant. Then I was lucky enough to find a bed in the solarium and read for a while.

Mid-morning, I went to the theatre for a second talk on crime stories. It was a warm day for lunch outside the Oceanview. In the afternoon, we spent some time reviewing and correcting Emma’s tax return as it is tax filing day. The remainder of the afternoon, I caught up with blogging from a backlog over the last couple of weeks.

In the afternoon we hung out in the solarium. It was really busy, the pool was cold and the hot tub was rather tepid. Overall, it was not a great experience.

Pre-dinner drinks were as usual and over dinner, we had out California neighbours return. With some time to kill, we went to watch a duo play in the Cellar Masters bar and finally, went to the show. Since it was a production of the singers and dancers we sat on the front row and watch Boogie Wonderland again.

Hakadate, Japan – Monday, April 29, 2019

Returning to this port for the second time we did not have a tour booked but instead left on the free shuttle to Hakodate station. There was a long line but we got on the first bus leaving at 8 am and I was able to find a single seat near the front. Then we walked a short distance to catch the tram. By now, we were well accustomed to the process. We watched one lady arguing with the driver because she thought she had bought a ticket. In fact, she had used the change machine.

After 30 minutes we got off the tram, paid our fare and then walked 10 minutes to the tower and fort. The blossom was magnificent and only a week ago had not yet come out.

We first went inside the tower building and saw long lines to ride up the tower. We did not need to do so since we had done that a week earlier. Back outside, we took lots of photographs and then walked across two bridges and into the fort. We explored the fort area with a magistrates building then climbed steps up to a raised battlement. This followed the shape of a star and as we walked around we took lots and lots of photos.

Following our walk, we returned to the tower building which was crazily busy. Alison had a look at the tourist shop, but we soon got out and walked back to the tram station, just in time to see one leave. The return journey was rather crowded and we continued a little further to another red brick building of tourist shops.

On our walk back to Hakodate station we passed the market that we visited before and then came across the Azamara Quest. We still had a few yen that we needed to dispose of and found a store to unload.

It was a very long line for the shuttle back to the ship and we waited for 3 buses and got on an extra public bus with lots of people standing. On board, we went straight up to the Cosmos lounge for Japanese exit immigration. They were clearly set up for long lines but there were few people waiting then handed our passports into the crew ready for Russia.

We were due to sail away at 4 pm, but there were still 10 guests being called who needed to go through immigration. Later there were four called, then two and finally an hour late we were ready to sail. By then we were back in the Cosmos lounge for our drinks and watch the ship leave.

At dinner, we were delighted to have our old waiters back bur concerned we may be causing them extra work. After dinner, we returned to our cabin and Alison fell asleep and did not wake up in time for the show, so we called it a day, especially as the clocks go back.

Sea Day – Sunday, April 28, 2019

Our first day out on the second cruise was a sea day which was a nice way to begin after the hectic last two weeks. With the larger group of loyal cruisers, breakfast is now served in the Metropolitan restaurant. The service is a buffet style but with similar cold items to the Tuscan grill. The presentation was much nicer and I like being able to choose just what I want. We sat with a couple from Victoria and talked for a while.

Most of the morning was spent in the solarium writing feedback comments to the first cruise. It had warmed up and we were able to eat lunch outside at the back of Oceanview. In the afternoon, I attended two talks on “Buddhism and the Art of Happiness” followed by “Forensics Making a Difference”.

Drinks in the Cosmos lounge was crowded as yesterday. Over dinner, the neighbours from California were a no-show and we instead had a long conversation with the BC couple.

The show in the evening was the Os Boys yet again and I decided I did not want to sit through another repeat performance.

Tokyo – Saturday, April 27, 2019

This was the ship’s turn-around day when most passengers go home. Consequently, the Oceanview cafe was very busy with 2000+ people getting breakfast before it closes. It was cold and windy outside so we needed to eat inside. However, there were no available tables so we ended up standing while eating until a couple of chairs opened up at the window bar. Back in the cabin, there was a knock on our door and someone was here to collect our bags to move to the new cabin.

Going ashore we switched seapass cards for the new cabin and then went out to find a shuttle bus. We also needed to go through immigration but as in-transit passengers, we did not have landing cards. The immigration officer did not seem to know what to do with us and asked a few questions about where we were going then let us proceed.

The bus took us to Shinagawa station 25 minutes away and we were really impressed with the free shuttle and all the staff available to provide help and give directions. At the station, we got on the train to Akihabara electronic town where I wanted to see the stores. The shops didn’t open until 10 but there were already lines forming an hour before opening.

While waiting we walked around the streets window shopping and found a few tourist shops open. Then we continued up to Kana Myoujin shrine which was a busy area with people lining up to go into restaurants. By the time we walked back to electric town, the stores were opening. Our first stop was the Rocket Ham Radio store where I found the prices comparable with North America. We walked around a small mall with lots of small vendors and explored bigger stores. Finally, we ended at BIC Camera store which despite its name is a large department store with 7 floors. Starting at the top we found a large 2020 Olympic merchandise display and bought gifts. Working our way down, we checked out the appliances which seemed miniature compared to NA. We also looked at the Japanese electronic toilet seats which were rather expensive.

With our shopping expedition behind us, we took the train back to Shinagawa and then the bus back to the ship. As in-transit passengers, we did not need to go through check-in, but the staff did not seem to know how to route us and we were misdirected a few times. We wanted to go through the crew line, but the agent there was directing us to the regular line. Fortunately, Reggy from the bar recognized us and said it was okay.

Previously, we had use of a small portion of the lounge for our Captain’s club drinks but in the second cruise, we had the whole of the lounge for the loyalty cruisers. Ashish, one of the waiters, has been very helpful in remembering our order and bringing us drinks without even asking.

Over dinner, we had moved to a new table next to the window and had neighbouring tables with a couple from California and a couple from BC. We were disappointed that we did not have our same waiters and service was a lot slower. As a result, we did not make it to the early show and were too tired to stay up for the second.

Yokohama, Japan – Friday, April 26, 2019

Today we are back in Yokohama having circumnavigated Japan. We wanted to go on a long journey to see a big Buddha so wanted to set off early. Breakfast was in Oceanview and we skipped the Tuscan grill to get going. The terminal looked very familiar since we had embarked from here a couple of weeks ago. We walked a short distance to the nearest train station and took a train to Yokohama station then the longer one to Kamakura. There were a lot of school children on the train in uniforms on their way to school. At Kamakura, we wandered about looking for the electric tram taking us to the temple and joined a long line of school children. Once we got on the tram with the children it was tightly packed. We all got off a few stops later then walked up in the street in the rain to the temple.

We lined up and paid 200 yen each to go into the temple and immediately saw the big Buddha. Then we paid another 20 yen to go inside the Buddha and see the construction from metal castings bolted together. We walked around the grounds and looked at a couple of shops then walked back into the town. By now, it had stopped raining.

In Kamakura, we walked down the pedestrian shopping street. After a while, I split off and found a Starbucks to hang out and get my Internet fix and do some work. The price of coffee seemed expensive. Soon Alison joined me and we ate the chocolate bunny from a few days ago. One of the girls in Starbucks told us we were not allowed outside food in Starbucks – the first time we have been told this in any of their locations.

Feeling refreshed, we took the train back to Yokohama and got off by the Red Brick Buildings. The area was getting set up with a German beer festival. This was the start of a two-week spring festival for Buddha’s birthday and the transition to a new emperor. We explored the tourist shops in several of the red brick buildings, before walking back to the ship.

Back aboard, we had a late lunch and it wasn’t long before it was time to get ready for the evening. Drinks and dinner were quiet since many guests were still off the ship and we were out of dinner quickly. The show was the Juggler and Os Boys which we had seen earlier in the cruise and were mediocre. Finally, we were ready for an early night.

At Sea – Thursday, April 25, 2019

We had our now usual slow start to the day. It was very foggy and cold outside so we sat inside the Oceanview Cafe. The ship’s horn was blasted every 5 minutes.

Alison went on a behind-the-scenes stage tour while I did some work in the solarium. Later in the morning, we went up tot he Cosmos lounge for a back-to-back information meeting. The process was explained and there were lots of questions. We also heard we will have a free shuttle in Tokyo which was a pleasant surprise.

Lunch was held inside again because it was still too cold to sit out. In the afternoon we returned to the cabin to start packing and I read for a while. Later, we both went to the solarium and I joined Alison in the pool and hot tub. Dinner was a little more formal and we dressed up. The choices were great and we settled on lobster tail and baked Alaska. The dining room was crowded and service slower. For the entertainment in the theatre, we sat on the front row and watched the singers and dancers performing Broadway songs.

Aomori, Japan – Wednesday, April 24, 2019

It was a short hop to Aomori in the night so we arrived very early. We had no tour planned so had a relaxing start to the morning. Walking off the ship there were no immigration checks. We were docked in an attractive area close to the centre of town and walked 10 minutes to a large “A” shaped building which contained the tourist information centre. There we enquired about the spring festivals and how we could get to Gappo park.

It was another 10-minute walk to the railway station where we asked about the correct bus and found the information confusing. Unlike other cities, there was very little English on signs. We eventually found the appropriate bus stop and guessed the correct bus. We knew to get on at the rear door and collect a ticket, then I tracked our progress to know the right time to get off. The Suica card could not be used to pay at the end of the journey, but the driver helped himself to the correct change and we were out of the bus. On the bus ride, we met some Australians who were going the same way and equally confused, so we walked into the park together.

The cherry blossom in the park was magnificent and we took lots of great photos. Along the main path into the park, there were lots of stalls set up for the spring festival. We continued to the seafront then returned and walked along another path with stalls before finally retracing our steps out of the park.

Finding the bus stop was easy and we were joined by the Australian couple again. We asked locals which bus we should get and they indicated this was the correct stop. When the bus arrived, a local man made a cross sign showing we should not get on this bus although we are not sure why. Soon after another bus came and we got on it and took it most of the way back but got off by Uto shrine.

This was a small urban shrine tucked away between city buildings. Alison had brought along a chocolate Easter bunny that we wanted to photograph amongst the blossom, so we spent some time getting the bunny to pose. As we were so close to the ship, we walked back for lunch and then came back out to continue the day.

We walked for a while along the seafront and then Alison continued to walk a loop while I went into the tourist information office where there was free wifi to do more blogging. After a short time, Alison joined me and we stayed until about 4:00 when we needed to return to the ship. Sitting next to us was the band pianist and we spoke to him for a while.

In the Cosmos lounge, we were joined by some Brits who were now living in Colorado but had previously lived in Canada. Getting into the routine, we were in-and-out of dinner in time for the early show. This was a very talented violinist who began by playing Bach’s Tocatta, my favourite, followed by Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. It was a wonderful performance followed by another early night.

Hakadate, Japan – Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Although we had a tour today, it was a later start so had time for 1st and 2nd breakfast. In Tuscan Grill, we met Graeme and thanked him for the invitation and kind words last night.

Still anxious to get a seat near the front of the bus, we arrived about an hour before departure to check in. When our group was called we were escorted outside to bypass the regular line and into the Rendezvous lounge for Japanese immigration. This was a full process with seapass scan, fingerprint scan, and stamp in the passport. Once done with the formalities, we were allowed to leave the ship and get on our waiting bus.

It was a lot colder outside at 15C. We seemed to be located in an industrial port surrounded by scrap metal. Our guide on this bus was Keiko who escorted us first to the fish market, then up a tall tower next to the fort and on to an observation deck. We were told that we were a week too early for the blossom in this colder climate and thankful we will be back next week to see it in full bloom. Our final stop was the gondola ride up the mountain overlooking the town. Following more photos, we came down the mountain by bus and straight back to the ship.

After lunch, Alison did her routine by the pool but did not go in the pool because it was too cold. Meanwhile, I slept. In the Cosmos lounge, we were not joined by anyone. Over dinner, we did not have any neighbours so were able to get out of dinner in time for the early show. This was an American comedian who was surprisingly entertaining with a lot of ad lib.

As a result, we were back in our cabin by 8 and before Putu had made up the room for the night. He came in and completed the make-up then we stayed watching TV for the remainder of the night.

Sea Day – Monday, April 22, 2019

It was an unusual day at sea following a week of intensive port calls. Alison had time to go to the gym while I sat out at the back of Oceanview having breakfast. In fact, I was the only person out there since it was so cold. Later, I joined Alison in the Tuscan Grill for second breakfast to enjoy a latte. Since we had a sea day, we sat out on our balcony and relaxed for much of the day. Doing so was really enjoyable, especially after such a hectic schedule.

In the evening we attended the Captain’s club celebration for Elite guests in the Cosmos lounge where we talked with the safety officer, number 3 in command. The captain introduced all of the officers and presented the top cruiser having 56 cruises with a bottle of sparkling wine. Later we sat with a British couple and had a long discussion on Brexit. At our regular drinks time, we were introduced to a couple, Mark and Elaine, who we would be having dinner with. We left early to meet Graeme and the other guests in Cellar Masters for our special evening.

There were four couples: Wayne and Judith, Dale and Suzie, Mark and Elaine who we had already met and ourselves. Graeme acted as host and said some nice words about why we had been selected. Then our dinner hosts, Haris from Greece, the safety officer we had talked to earlier and Marina from England, who is the guest relations manager. Following a toast, we were escorted up to Q-sine on deck 11, except for Alison who needed to run up the stairs. At the top, there was a photographer to take a group photograph, although we needed to wait while Alison joined us.

The seating arrangement was set with alternating boy-girl. I was next to Marina and across from Haris. Alison was next to me at the end of the table. We were each given an iPad with the menu selection where we could order our preferences which were overwhelming, but we were told there was already a chef selection. The food started to arrive and it was an eclectic collection. We had prawn cocktail in a dish of flashing lights and spring rolls held within metal springs. There were many more dishes including steak, lamb and chicken, all served family style for sharing.

At the end of the evening, Graeme returned to excuse our hosts and present roses to the ladies. Finally, each couple received a souvenier folia with the group photograph. The one thing we did not get was coffee at the end of the meal, so we stopped in at Oceanview to collect coffee and returned to our cabin.