Chasing the perfect Fuji shot

[Pushka]

Just wondering how far the War Museum is from the Port? Just realised Dad was in the Korean War with the Navy.

 

[drron]

Just wondering how far the War Museum is from the Port? Just realised Dad was in the Korean War with the Navy.

Not sure of the exact distance but a fairly long bus ride. Looking up the Cemetery web site they give directions but not from the Port. Google maps says walk 10 minutes from the port to the Busan Post Office bus station and tke the 134 bus to the cemetery. It takes 35 minutes.

UNMCK - UNITED NATIONS MEMORIAL CEMETERY IN KOREA

UN Memorial Cemetery, UNMCK

www.unmck.or.kr

 

[drron]

Now we are at the fish market. Had done the trip here before but I knew it was close to where the shuttle bus goes from and is in an area with lots of restaurants. So I went through the markets again. luckily the guide wasn't that interested in fish so a quick visit and then off to the general markets which hold no interest for me so I took my leave.










And the cough fish which is really a worm.

 

[drron]

Then out to the stalls and back to the main road.

 

[drron]

A candy store.


I'm not sure this is an accurate name.


I then set out to look for a restaurant to eat. Unfortunately even though this was a Tuesday it was a public holiday because the next day they were having elections for their National Parliament. Saw some interesting places. I don't think I wanted to try a dung house stir fry.





I settled on a BBQ place. Pretty pricey in the evenings relatively speaking.


But they had lunch time specials.


Now that is just over $A14 but it was for 2 people. It was though less meat for the 2 people than the serving size for 1 at night. so I thought why not. This is what they served first.


However more was served and when I finished the Kim Chee they brought me another bowl. these were the bowls at the end though they had removed 3.


I had been looking at some of the street food at first but although it looked good I was full.

 

[drron]

A couple of shots whilst waiting for the shuttle bus. their bus system seems well orgaised. On the main streets ofte bus lanes in the middle of the road with bus stations usually at an intersection.




Then back to the ship and a walk around the top deck after golf. Several ship building yards.

 

[drron]

People camping at the port.

 

[drron]

That night was a casual night. I decided a bit of decorum was warranted.


Mrsdrron had the foie gras and I the pho.




Mrsdrron had the rump steak and I the chicked Aloo.




She then had the coconut rice pudding but I stuck with the ginger and kaffir lime creme brulee.

 

[drron]

We sailed quite late so I was able to capture the changing lights on the bridge.

 

[drron]

Now we are sailing out of Busan.

 

[drron]

The next day was a sea day. Pretty cold and a bit of a swell meaning the pool wasn't that popular.


Lunch at Kaiseki.






Not that far from the coast.




That night was the Venetian Society party. First our Polish Captain and then the Future cruise Consultant aka Venetian society host.




Announcing some of the achievements. We were 4th in the number of nights.


And the night ended with a couple of numbers from the lead singer.

 

[love_the_life]

And the night ended with a couple of numbers from the lead singer.
View attachment 381891

He looks like the chap who was on Muse in December - had a good voice.

 

[drron]

The next morning was Kanazawa where we were to overnight. I was looking forward to this even though we were here in 2016 at peak bloom but it was a few days earlier. Was encouraged when the morning report was that peak blooming had been declared the day before we arrived. Can't believe our luck on this cruise.














Just a crow but it looked like a flying stingray.

 

[drron]

A lot of snow still on the mountains.




But a sign that things would not be perfect today as the Diamond Princess arrives.


Mrsdrron was still feeling below par so we just went for a stroll around the little park at the terminal.





The Silver Muse was getting an official welcome.

 

[Pushka]

ive lost track of the timing. We are in Japan next year from about 9 April and start the cruise on April 20 going south then circling north ending May 2. We may have chances too?

 

[drron]

I was going to get the 10am shuttle bus but missed it. The next one was at 11 so I had 45 minutes to wander around the Industrial area. Just across the road from the terminal was a park with several older Japanese playing a variation of golf. fascinating.
You tee of with an oversize putter and a plastic ball.




You have to get inside this.


So a few pics of the progress.




Now in this shot you see a fellow at the side leaning on his club. He couldn't stand straight,could hardly walk and looked the oldest player. But he was by far the best. The second picture shows where his shot reached.




His is the white ball. On the next hole he had a hole in 1.
A statue marking 30 years since the start of the Maritime Workers union.




A duck hiding.

 

[drron]

ive lost track of the timing. We are in Japan next year from about 9 April and start the cruise on April 20 going south then circling north ending May 2. We may have chances too?

If the cruise ends up in Akita,Aomori and Hakodate a good chance they will be at peak blooming. However in Kanazawa we arrived on the 11th April so unlikely to be at their best. We were in Hiroshima on April 7th and they were at peak.
So I would look at spending some time going to Kyoto and Osaka and maybe further south to get good sakura viewing and then from Osaka across to Kanazawa before back to Tokyo for a few days before the cruise. A good idea is to book a few hotels on cancellable rates in a few places so you can cancel the ones where the blooms are past it.

If they are a bit early probably best to head straight to Kanazawa then to Nagano. From there it is possible to train it to Kawaguchiko with 2 changes of train and should be good for Sakura and views of Mt. Fuji. you'll just have to wait until I get to that part of the trip.

 

[drron]

So caught the 11am shuttle and as I feared huge queues for the loop bus which goes past Kenrokuen gardens. Would have taken an hour or 2 to get there so would be better to just walk. But having been to Kanazawa a few times i knew to catch the local bus from the next stand 6 which has a stop no more than 100 metres from where the loop bus stops for the garden. It left in 5 minutes and I was able to get on and get a seat. Same fare as the loop bus. But on Kanazawa busses IC cards are not accepted. Correct cash fare but they do have a machine to change your notes to coins.
So the walk from the bus to the loop bus stop.








I took the lomg way up to the garden entrance from there.

 

[drron]

Entrance was free for everyone today and the crowds were thick. A lot were off the Diamond Princess.

 

[drron]

Truly magnificent display.








Now I earnt a few karma points here. There was a very old Japanese gentleman wanting to take a picture of that magnificent old pine. He walked using 2 sticks and was bent over plus had a terrible tremor. The young Japanese folk just walked by. so I went over and remembered my lines from my days of kidnapping Japanese tourists on the Gold Coast -shashin o totte mo idesu ka. He beamed and I took several photos of him with the pine in the background. With the aid of google translate I found that he was 93 and that his wife had died about 3 years ago.
I continued on.