Chasing the perfect Fuji shot

[bPeteb]

By a very strange coincidence I was wearing this t-shirt as I read this morning's posts

 

[drron]

Good for plane spotting as well.












And the bare trees below are cherry trees. I saw a picture from here taken 17 days after we were there and the cherry blossoms were fantastic.


We then proceeded down by the stairs for a floor where we both had a Hokkaido soft serve and i also had a curry bun.

 

[drron]

Back to the ship.


And we had the number 1 tug in Hakodate.


Then the sunset. I had put my camera on the program for moving events and forgot to turn it back. Actually gave a very interesting few shots.








That night it was the captain's farewll coughtail party. A short show began the evening. the singers were good.

 

[drron]

Then there is the crew parade. Overall a very good rew.


Our butler is the centre in this group. Excellent service.

 

[drron]

The entertainers. The fellow in the pink waistcoat virtually always ran the putting competion. got on very well.






Then all on stage. Our butler again second from the right.






The Captain. Again excellent and got on famously with his crew. Occasionally I was up before 0600 to do my walking and would see him coming out on the pool deck and talk to the fellows setting it up for the day and helping out as well.




CD Bob bottom left.

 

[drron]

And once more Atlantide for dinner.




I started with the snails and then the beef Rossini. both very good.




Mrsdrron had the scallops which were excellent that night then her usual lamb chops.


So now it was only a sea day to go before we disembarked in Yokohama, A very relaxed day apart from packing. Lunch in Atlantide.





Mrsdrron had the Hawaian salad and the cheese cake. the cheesecake was nice.


I had the chicken roti which was nice and then the cauliflower in the cashew curry coconut sauce which was disappointing.

 

[drron]

Our last dinner in Atlantide.




Mrsdrron had the grilled shrimp and then the lobster tail.


She liked both.
I had the foie gras, tomato soup then beef wellington. All excellent.






Mrsdrron then finished with some gelati.


On the last morning we went a little late to Atlantide for breakfast but mainly because on the last morning it's usually the least crowded public area. It was indeed. The eggs Benedict were very nice as well.

 

[drron]

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 * 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.

 

[drron]

That afternoon it was time to give Mrsdrron 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 just a couple.




Veggies are often cheap. Those mushroom packs above are just over $A2. Fruit though is usually expensive. $A30 for a watermelon.




Sashimi again looks nice and inexpensive.




And lots of seafood.

 

[drron]

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.

 

[drron]

We went back to our room and watched the Muse sail away.

 

[drron]

Breakfast the next morning.




















Corn soup is a popular breakfast item in Japan.

 

[drron]

Breakfast continued.





Mrsdrron 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.


Whilst having brekkie a new ship docked across from us.'

 

[drron]

That day I needed to do some more walking but first I had to go to Sakuraguchiko 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.

 

[drron]

The last bit of the walk to the station.






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 bhind 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 Mrsdrron 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 strictrules for queuing and still the covid rules for the lift.




And off I go.

 

[drron]

Now back on the ground.

 

[drron]

Heading back to the hotel.




















And I got back to the room 1 minute before I said i would be back.

 

[drron]

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.




Then we walked around the hotel shops. And we found a reason why @Denali wouldn't like to visit unless Mr. Denali was being very,very good.

 

[drron]

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.

 

[drron]

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.