I almost canceled this cruise. We booked it because friends had booked it. We used our booking to set a marker for Raven Radio, to let the board know that we had a fixed end point to our commitment. But … Continue reading Cruise Coda — Japan
I seldom sleep well on days before I fly. It’s the combination of fear and excitement. I have a fear of flying dating back to a day in 1978 when I was sitting in an exit row, landing gear on … Continue reading Home
They went by quickly Between a few last swims before we got north into the colder weather, a few last games of Mexican train dominoes, some final dinners (for a while) with friends, and packing the five sea days flew … Continue reading Five Days at Sea
The closest state to Hawaii is Alaska. Just go straight north, closer than California. You can win a bar bet with that. It becomes evident if you visit Hilo’s Tsunami Museum, set in an old bank on the town’s main … Continue reading Hilo, Last Port
After a long day on Kauai yesterday we slept in because we didn’t have anything on tap until noonish when we had lunch with our Sitka friend Fred. Fred has a place on the other side of Oahu and came … Continue reading Pineapple is ok on pizza in Hawaii.
It isn’t easy to find Fort Elizabeth just outside of Waimea on the island of Kauai. It used to be named “Fort Elizabeth Historical State Park.” That is still on the maps handed out by car rental companies and the … Continue reading Русский Форт
At one point this cruise was supposed to call on the island of Kauai. But like most long cruises itineraries change in the months before sailing, and often during the cruise itself. By my reckoning, since we booked this cruise … Continue reading Waimea Canyon.
He’s everywhere, he’s everywhere! Tourists love them, locals, well… At least not at 5 AM. But they are all over Hawaii. And Free Range! These from Kauai and Oahu. Continue reading Feral Chicken
After 10 sea days we pulled into Honolulu. I watched as we sailed past Diamond Head just after sunrise. Being our re-entry port into the U.S. the ship had to clear US Customs. The day before we had to go … Continue reading How the Boy Scouts could help.
My favorite night of entertainment on the ship is Music Night. That night all of the musicians from the different venues go back and forth between venues and jam. You see, and most importantly, hear, the folks you have been … Continue reading Music Night
October12 came twice this year We crossed the International Date Line. In her morning announcement our cruise director, Karlijn, said that we seldom have a chance to do a day over. We should do this one over with random acts … Continue reading Déjà Vu Day
My father was a sergeant in the China, Burma, India war theater, in Stillwell’s army. He served in all three countries. After VE day he and many other sergeants were flown back to the US from India to attend Officer … Continue reading Words–Thoughts on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
In Japanese Iwo Jima means Sulfur Island. The island has the smell of brimstone about it. In 1945, when the battle of Iwo Jima was fought in the second world war, it must have added to the feeling that this … Continue reading Iwo Jima
Thank goodness for McDonalds and Starbucks. Let me explain. Today in Naha Okinawa, we wanted to visit Tsuboya Yachmiun Street, an older street in Naha which specializes in pottery manufacture and sale In 1682 all of the kilns were consolidated … Continue reading Guardian Lions in Okinawa
When we sailed into Ishigaki we were greeted with a rainbow. We did not know if we would get into Ishigaki. Tropical Depression 20 became Typhoon Kathon and threatened our call. Ishigaki is off the east coast of Taiwan, opposite … Continue reading A Step Back in Time on Taketomi Island.
Nagasaki Japan. The Peace Park in Nagasaki near ground zero, or the hypocenter, reminds me of one of those parks in Eastern Europe, especially one outside of Budapest, where the authorities have gathered all of those monumental statues in the … Continue reading Degrees of Separation
I could feel it coming on, that scratchy throat, the overnight postnasal drip. So, I decided to skip the tour we had booked in Toyama and spend the day resting. Suzi went out on tour to look at temples and … Continue reading A Robotic Cartoon Cat and Taiko Drumming as a Martial Art.
On Saturday we called at Sakaiminato. There were temples and gardens we could visit, and it is a fishing port, so I could have wandered the docks. But we were only in port for half a day, and I wanted … Continue reading A Street of Whimsey and Delight
The Kanmon Strait separates the main Japanese Islands of Honshu and Kyushu. It is the way to get from the Inland Sea (which connects with the Pacific) to the Sea of Japan and is sometimes viewed as the gateway to … Continue reading Kanmon Strait
At least until after some thought. For now, pictures and captions. The “Atomic Dome” The one surviving building close “Ground Zero” or as the Japanese call it the Hypo Center. Scenes from the Peace Park, on an island across from … Continue reading Hiroshima – No Words
Paper is important in Japan. Not only is it made for documents, newspapers, books, and currency but fans and origami paper for creating three dimensional designs. Clothing was also made of paper. It was cheap and it retained heat well. … Continue reading Making Paper
Taiko Drummers and an animated Ferris Wheel ended our visit to Osaka. Each community tries to outdo the next in sending off cruise ships. This is an experiment. I have never tried to do a video before. Check out the … Continue reading Osaka Farewell
Leaving the train station, we had a lot of choices. Tour companies offered to take us on a bus loop to the major palaces, castles, forts, shrines gardens and temples that people go to Kyoto to see. We opted to … Continue reading Full and Empty
The bullet train takes 13 minutes to travel from Kyoto to Osaka. On the return the “Hello Kitty” liveried train took us back in about twice that time. Today was my train day. The Shinkansen, or bullet train, links most … Continue reading From Bullet Train to “Hello Kitty.”