Blossoms, bullet train and beyond: exploring Japan by Land and Sea.

[petef]

At ¥2200, the ferry Miyaima - Peace Park is a lot more expensive than either JR train/light rail/bus options but would save time/hassle.

Considering the low tide, good chance the direct ferry was not running. It can't get up river, so stops running during low tide.

 

[Seat0B]

They had a stall for fishing for them as well. We passed! We catch squid frequently at Broughton so it's more fun doing that than catching some poor thing in a water trough.

In the case of the 'dancing squid' the muscles contract when soy sauce is poured over it so it looks like it is moving even though dead, Caught then cleaned then served with the soy to make it look like is dancing. Quite bizarre.

A bit like the waving dried bonito flakes much beloved by okonomiyaki chefs

 

[Quickstatus]

In the case of the 'dancing squid' the muscles contract when soy sauce is poured over it so it looks like it is moving even though dead

In physiology class we used to make frog legs twitch with salt

 

[Pushka]

Considering the low tide, good chance the direct ferry was not running. It can't get up river, so stops running during low tide.

Yes, we did see the ferry berthed and wouldn't have commented but the guide said we could catch it back but it was more expensive. We'd spent two hours by the time we wanted to return so don't know the difference in tides by then.

 

[Pushka]

It was lobster night for dinner last night that everyone but me hankers for. The dining smelt like seafood as I walked in. I can handle fish markets but dining rooms smelling fishy I really notice.

Last day of cruise today which means luggage tags arrived last night. Heard in the retreat lounge that a very high suite traveller was doing a DIY to Hiroshima to see the Botannic Gardens. He was given an information sheet on the gardens and also the cruise port info, at the Retreat lounge for suits. Got to the Gardens and they are closed every Friday. They looked around elsewhere to fill in some time and then came back to the port stated on the ship by taxi. But, it was the old cruise port, Celebrity changed port a few cruises ago. Got to the wrong port and with heavy traffic it's 45 minutes away. He said they almost missed the ship! They received another bottle of whisky from the lounge (meaning they were in Royal suite plus amd would not have done a move up bid. Think $35k USD.

Last night we went to our third show and it was a cracker. Ben Mills who came third on UK X factor. Has played/sung with Procol Harem, and played/sung our 1979 music we had at our wedding - Whiter Shade of Pale, as we had an organist at the chapel. Maybe a bit radical for the oldies at the time I guess. Sang like Joe cougher, then did a great Neil Diamond medley. Sweet Caroline (my song ) an international favourite it seems. Standing ovation. Great last show.

Some of his work on YouTube: his X factor audition.

Neil Diamond cover.

 

[Pushka]

Lovely rolling pacific seas as we head back to Yokohama. On deck 11 lounge and we are rolling along. Our original cabin was on this deck.

 

[Pushka]

And we got kicked out of the general lounge an hour ago. - we were in the midst of writing thankyou notes to the crew we'd interacted with (ironic much ) and they needed to clean up the lounge for an elite/zenith gathering. Now, we had the retreat lounge to escape to for a bit of space and quiet but the rest of the people booted had clearly been enjoying this quiet relaxing space with the best views.

 

[Pushka]

Disembark day. Chaos. But on a tourist bus now. But only a few seats taken because it seems to be only for retreat people. Yes. Business class bus. Off to a quick tour of Tokyo to new places, up Tokyo Tower then to airport. A few hours at the hotel and onsen then F lounge JAL. Then back tomorrow. Almost done.

 

[Quickstatus]

What do the great unwashed get on disembarkation?. More chaos?. Do they get left on the wharf?

 

[Pushka]

What do the great unwashed get on disembarkation?. More chaos?. Do they get left on the wharf?

Everyone gets the luggage collection and immigration chaos. We usually get a taxi to airport or accommodation. Some take an excursion to the airport like we did. We could see some walking to their hotel which is what we did to get to the ship. It’s just this bus that seems to be only retreat people. Seats are tiny. We aren’t big and barely fit so nice to have space. No realistic area to put backpacks other than on lap or at feet.

 

[GarrettM]

Disembark day. Chaos. But on a tourist bus now. But only a few seats taken because it seems to be only for retreat people. Yes. Business class bus. Off to a quick tour of Tokyo to new places, up Tokyo Tower then to airport. A few hours at the hotel and onsen then F lounge JAL. Then back tomorrow. Almost done.

Tokyo Tower is all well and good, pity they can't take you to the SkyTree.

 

[Pushka]

Tokyo Tower is all well and good, pity they can't take you to the SkyTree.

There’s lots we won’t get to see this trip and can’t do it all but with the way the weather is today visibility on every tower etc won’t be good.

 

[RooFlyer]

Disembark day. Chaos. But on a tourist bus now. But only a few seats taken because it seems to be only for retreat people. Yes. Business class bus. Off to a quick tour of Tokyo to new places, up Tokyo Tower then to airport. A few hours at the hotel and onsen then F lounge JAL. Then back tomorrow. Almost done.

So you can leave all you bags securely on board while you fill in time getting to the airport? Sounds ideal for me.

Everyone gets the luggage collection and immigration chaos.

Disembarkation not staggered by deck (or colour of your luggage tag), or by status cabin?