drron29

Even a wattle flowering.

Amazing to see what this garden was like nearly 79 years ago.

When I got back to the temple the Kendo was still going. These two were really having a ding dong battle. But it was now time to get back on the bus to go to the Shukkeien Gardens. Once we were inside the Gardens I told the guide I was going off on my own and would catch the shuttle bus back to the ship. I had done this excursion from the Muse in October 23 so no need to do it again. Blossom chasing again.

This is the new soccer stadium. Hiroshima has a home match today and a steady stream entering the stadium. Hiroshima was sitting second on the table.

Started to walk towards the castle though diverting for the cherry trees. Some lads and a girl getting some Kendo practice in.

I have never left a book on a sun lounge. And by that time I had already eaten a stiff cardboard burger at the Grill.

But I have been informed by 3 different restaurant managers and one HD that the policy is to keep 50% of reservations until Embarkation day. So board early and go to your butler or reception and try for the dates you want. I suspect the policy is not always followed. But some sneaky transit passenger may snaffle a few up before the new guests arrive,

Coming around the to the temple there was a surprise bonus. A junior Kendo tournament. The gear. I ended up watching all of this match up. The aim is to strike various target areas including the wrists, top of head and to the sides of the body armour. each competitor has a ribbon on their back. Either red or white. The judges have a red and a white flag. they raise the appropriate flag if they believe a strike has been made. Two of the three judges need to raise a flag before a point is awarded. The winner is the first to get 3 strikes. The two quite young contestants in this were both aggressive and loud. the start position. The fellow with the red ribbon won. I happened to be standing beside his father. the youngster ran to his ddad and high fived but then burst into tears and lay on the ground. He was not expected to win but this win got him into the semi final of his age group. Then to the temple. Donation boxes for the December Noto earthquake and the recent Taiwan earthquake. The site of the bunker where some high school girls survived the blast and got a message out as to what had happened.

The bus has been parked and we now walk to the Castle Entrance Gate. And the famous Eucalyptus tree. it survived the bomb. The koi all waiting to be thrown a morsel. And another famous bomb survivor though this one apparently is on it's last legs now.

The next morning we were in Hiroshima. Rojaan wasn't up to an excursion. We had chosen Hiroshima castle and the ShuKKeien Gardens. We have been to the Peace park several times. The first time in 1984 we could walk through the Dome. We have also been to the castle and this garden before but this will be the first time in Sakura season. So off I set. And when we reached the castle we first went around it in the bus. The reason is that the best view of the Castle is from outside the grounds.

The afternoon turned into a medical drama. Not the fact that I came down with an URTI or that Mrsdrron injured a toe but a real emergency Code Alpha. The ship turned around and steamed towards the Port of Kochi. A Coastguard vessel was sent out to help with the helicopter transfer of the patient. Turned out to be an 85 year old who was resuscitated 4 times by the ship's doctor and crew. A successful helicopter transfer and a week later the fellow was still in Intensive Care but extubated and talking. Fantastic effort by the Doctor. Rewarded a few days later by a second Code Alpha - the only 2 I have ever heard called. This one turned out to be simple. Someone felt extremely light headed in the Hot Tub. That night we went to Kaiseki for a Teppanyaki meal with my sister. It is a $40 surcharge which we were finding it hard to use up. So we paid for the 4 of us. In the end we left $0.47 cents behind. The appetisers are served attractively. You can choose seafood,meat or vegetables. The there is lobster, black cod and waygu. the lighting wasn't much and the cod picture was justv way too dark. Then there is fried rice and finally dessert. Rojaan just had ice cream whilst I had the tempura ice cream. Rojaan had her NZ Sav Blanc the rest of us sake. A very enjoyable night.

After lunch I walked the deck again. One boat drift fishing. Plus a ferry included us in it's harbour cruise. And a barge that would be more at home on the Chao Praya. Back to atlantide for dinner.Rojaan had the scallops appetiser and I the salmon. Then I had the tomato soup again but this time served as they used to do the soups previously with the cheese bread presented in a bowl and the soup added. Rojaan had the fish and I the filet again. And Rojaan had a tart to finish. The next day was another sea day. Lunch at Atlantide. Rojaan had the panini and the fish. She said the panini was excellent. I had the soup which was not too bad and I added some extra spice to the chicken korma.