bonsai3s

Kumamoto...Goal: DIY to the iconic Kumamoto Castle...built in 1607. * Docked in Kumamon Port in Yatsushiro. * Shuttles were available at the dock...one queue going to a mall, and one queue going to the train station. ($10/person roundtrip...you can charge it to your seapass card) * We got off the ship at 9:30am...and were told all shuttle tickets to the train station were already sold out. Some passengers took taxis to the train station. About $25 one-way. * A group of us waited a few minutes and were told additional buses are coming...wooweee...off to the Shin-Yatsushiro train Station. Travel time...about 25 minutes. * Two ways to get train tickets: vending machine or the window. (The machine wouldn't accept our Visa card, so we got our tickets at the window.) * We wanted to ride and experience the "Bullet Train"...Cost: ¥1530 per person each way...travel time: 10 minutes! *** While standing next to Track 11, waiting for our train, a "Bullet Train" literally flew by us and took our breath away...if you're wearing a wig, it's gone...a hat, it's off...everyone standing there were smiling...the train was so fast, no one managed to videotape it. * Kumamoto Train Station to the Kumamoto Castle...3 ways to get there...1. Walk...2. Bus...3. Tram...we opted for the tram. Cost: ¥1.80 per person each way...this time, the tram accepted our Visa. * The train station was Stop #3...Kumamoto Castle was Stop #10. Travel time about 15 minutes. * From the tram Stop #10, you immediately see the castle walls and moat...but it is another 400 meters to the entrance. Cost to enter: ¥800 per person.

Sichuan Red was the place to try how high (or how low) the Scoville Scale your mouth can handle. They will make the dishes as spicy as you want. We did order the Crispy Fried Sea Scallops ($25)...and since I'm a wimp when it comes to spicy food, I asked for it to be mild...about a 6 from 1 to 10. The scallops and the rest of our dishes (all ala carte pricing) were cooked to perfection. I had sweat coming down my forehead, tears coming down my eyes...the "mild 6" was still a bit spicy for me. But I was still smiling...tears of joy...best scallops I've had in a long time.

Port stop: Shimizu Not sure if you can see Mt. Fuji...but it was the best we could do. Clouds covered the majestic mountain all day.

Echoing what ARandomTraveler stated, it was an extremely difficult process getting off the ship. Fortunately, the City of Kobe provided a free shuttle right into town...a block from "Kobe Motomachi"...a wonderful walking street full of shops and restaurants. * Our goal was to taste Kobe beef...we did...it was sublime. One of many Japanese vending machines.

ARandomTraveler...thanks for sharing some pretty accurate information and valuable tips...wishing you safe travels! * We're still onboard, heading back to Singapore...over 600 B2B passengers...the Manila port stop was cancelled even before this sailing started...then Shimizu was cancelled due to Typhoon Lan...it was replaced by an overnight stay in Osaka...which was then cancelled again because of bad weather...the ship is now sailing to Kumamoto, arriving tomorrow, Day 4.

Day 10, Pinnacle Lunch menu.

That's what I thought...on all O and Q class ships...and politely asked the Loyalty Ambassador on the Spectrum....she said NO $25 perk on the Spectrum. * Reasons given: It's not a Quantum Class...it's Quantum Ultra.🙄 The Silver Dining Room was designated for Pinnacles for lunch, breakfast, and dinner. Gold Dining Room, dinner only, limited reservations.

Yes, the Solarium has unrestricted access to all guest...16 yrs of age and above...a wonderful place to be...with a bar.

Hi LB! There's a large contingency of Brits, Aussies, Canadians, and Americans for this sailing. Still plenty of lounge chairs. Pinnacle lounge - Hours of Operation Note: This lounge was designated only for this sailing, and perhaps the next, because of the 92 Pinnacles onboard. Entrance to the Silver Dining Room (seapass card access only) completely separated from the Solarium. Port side designated as Pinnacle Lounge (one side of the solarium) Entrance to the Solarium, starboard side. Solarium Solarium Solarium Solarium Indoor pool Outdoor pool Kids pool

Day 9, sea day...taking advantage of the relatively fast internet. Spectrum of the Seas....I was corrected a few times by crew members: "It's NOT Quantum Class...it's Quantum Ultra" Here are a few differences... Instead of the Pub, it's now the Leaf & Bean, serving tea and coffee Diamond Lounge...part of the VIP Room for high rollers Sichuan Red, specialty restaurant unique to the Spectrum. You can order food a la carte, as spicy as you like. Instead of Boleros, they have Star Moment (no bar), and a pharmacy next door. The Hotpot, specialty restaurant unique to the Spectrum...cook your own soup tableside. $41 per person, unlimited vegetables, noodles, beef and seafood (scallops, abalone, lobster, prawns, etc. $10 extra). Noodle Bar, located in the Windjammer, different style broths served everyday. Sorrento's Pizza, located at the entrance of the Windjammer (CK location in other Quantum class ships). Splashaway Cafe, outside on Deck 14, next to the kids pool, serving hotdogs and burgers. The Gold Dining Room and Lounge (no Coastal Kitchen). For suite guests (B,L,D), and for Pinnacles (dinner only by reservation). The Silver Dining Room (location of Solarium Bistro), designated for Pinnacles, and JS and above guests, open breakfast, lunch, and dinner, buffet and a la carte. (Chops also open for breakfast for Pinnacles.) Silver Dining Room Silver Lounge, designated as Pinnacles Lounge. VIP Casino (high rollers), loacted on Deck 4, inside Music Hall.

Keelung, Taiwan (yesterday)...first time visit...plan was to visit Heping Island Park. DIY. * Off the ship by 9:30am. Inside the warehouse style cruise terminal, at the "Tourist Information" table, the first man we spoke to said there were no local buses to Heping Island Park and offered to join their tour instead ($35). We declined and spoke to the lady next to him, same table...she said bus 101 to Heping Island Park...15 Taiwanese Dollars (about .50 cents, 3 miles). * Next step...exchange currency. There was a long queue for the ATM, so we decided for the currency exchange inside the terminal...until we ran into a group of poor crew members who said each of them were charge 100 TWD (about $3 each) Lesson: Exchange currency as a group, only one fee/service charge. * Banks will also exchange currency, all charging fees excep for Taiwan Bank...no fees. Passport required. Problem is we only had copies of our passports...the ship kept our passports. Lesson: Bring Taiwanese Dollars next time. * Keelung is known for rain...lucky for us it was a sunny day. (Sarcastic, rolling eyes) I would've chosen a rainy day. It was extremely hot and unbearably humid...think sauna. * We never made it to Heping Island Park. We walked ourstside and found many fascinating sights around town, the Miaokou Night Market...yes, open and lively during the day.

Finally able to download pictures. Nan Lian Garden (Hong Kong)

It's 12:12am in the morning...still unable download pictures. I'll try again tomorriw. * Country line dancing in the Music Hall earlier...dance floor packed. * I neglected to mention...there's a body temperature check (temperature scanner up in the ceiling) when walking to exit/enter the cruise terminal. Passengers were asked to remove hats when walking under the scanner.

So sorry, the internet here in HK is really slow...slower than snail. I've made several attempts to download pictures but have failed miserably.

Perfect Day at (not Coco Cay)...Nan Lian Garden. Rated as one of the Top 10 sights in Hong Kong, I am genuinely embarrassed to admit it was our first visit to this nearby gem. * Our second day in HK. Raining in the morning...quick breakfast...on Bus 22M at 9:30am. Cost: 5.30 HKD/person, one way to the Kai Tak MTR station. Travel time, about 10 minutes. Clear skies when we got off the bus. * Nan Lian Garden is only ONE stop from the Kai Tak MTR station...took less than 5 minutes to the Diamond Hill station. Cost: 5.75 HKD/person going there, but only 4.25/person coming back...not sure why, i I It's such a small amount, part of the experience. * At the Diamond Hill station, (as in every station, be careful where you exit)...the sign on the wall said "exit C for Nam Lian Garden, then exit "C2". It took us less than 5 minutes to find the entrance to the garden. * My Cruise Critic callname is "bonsai trees"...so I have visited many gardens around the world...I had no expectations n I 8or had any idea what I was about to see...just another garden. I was wrong. * It was free to enter (I would've paid any amount to visit this place)...it started just like any other botanical garden I've visited...but then, slowly and gradually, you realize you are walking through something very special...something extra ordinary. * (I plan on attaching pictures, but the internet here in HK is...slow.7) Perfectly manicured topiaries, waterfalls, rock formations, koi ponds, and yes, hundreds of magnificent bonsai trees. * There are several museums inside, all were free to enter except for the ceramic museum. There are shaded sitting areas when you need a rest, and two sets of restrooms...nice for seniors like us. There's even a restaurant if you get hungry. * It was extremely hot and humid, so it's best to have plenty of water. The garden is over 8 acres...if you are Flash or Speedy Gonzales, perhaps you can walk it in 2 hours...for us seniors, 4 hours. Perfectly laid brick, meandering 8walkpaths with steps up the temples. * On the way out, all I can think of was "brilliant, phenomenal, outstanding!"...then my beautiful wife said "Wait! there's more!". * Before exiting, we found the Lotus Ponds Garden...and the truly magnificent Chi Lin Nunnery Buddhist Halls ( no photos allowed). Imagine listening to peaceful chimes, buddhist chanting, the smell of redolent incense...walking quietly through two large courtyards...passing by each room with different Buddhas...then you reach the far end/center of the courtyard...there sits 3 massive Golden Buddhas, 2 "servants" on each side...just in awe....perfect day. * If you are not into botanical gardens, or get too tired of the heat and humidity...the Diamond Hill MTR station is connected to a nice mall...it is cold inside, with electronics, cosmetics, grocery, luxury goods, trinkets, a food court and even a McDonalds. * Diamond Hill station to Kai Tak station...7 minutes. Buss 22M (sans loop) to cruise terminal...20 minutes (bus made a few short stops.)

A few tips for those who choose to DIY: * The gangway down to the Kai Tak cruise terminal is long. The cruise terminal is also large...part of the old Kai Tak airport. Just wanted to warn those with mobility issues. * There's a currency exchange at the terminal...one window, one lady. Imagine the thousands of passengers wanting to exchange currency. * There were queues for taxis and buses. The last time we were in Hong Kong, there was a free shuttle to the nearest MTR station...not this time. * After a long queue, we took Bus 22R directly to the Kai Tak MTR station. Cost: 7.70 Hong Kong Dollar per person one way. Took about 10 minutes. Note: The bus driver will not give you change...having the exact amount, (or close to it) is good. * Once you are at the MTR station, you will have access to many of the sights in Hong Kong...it's all up to you how far or how close you want to go. * Having visited HK a few times, all we wanted to do was go to the Tsim Sha Tsui area...walk along the ocean promenade (yes, even in the searing heat and humidity), shop inside the massive Harbour City Mall (wife's choice), and visit the statue of Bruce Lee (my choice 😅), located near the Avenue of Stars. MTR cost: 11.50 HKD roundtrip...that may include a senior discount, not sure. * It was easy getting back to the Kai Tak MTR station...getting back to the nearby Kai Tak cruise terminal was an adventure. We were informed to take Bus 22M (not the 22R in the morning) from the MTR station back to the cruise terminal. About 30 of us cruise passengers got on Bus 22M...we got suspicious because the bus was heading towards Kowloon...the opposite direction...oh my. Just to confirm, the bus driver said "Yes, I'm going to the Kai Tak cruise terminal"...what we didn't know was the bus route included a loop around Kowloon. Our 10 minute ride turned into a 40 minute tour. * Bus 22M cost: 5.90 HKD (with the loop)...5.30 HKD directly back to the cruise terminal. Felt pretty stupid taking the CORRECT bus, but the WRONG route. 😁 *

We waited for the "Symphony of Lights" show...from our balcony, Deck 9...regrettably, the Spectrum, docked at Kai Tak cruise terminal, is a bit far to hear the music and much of the light show. Our view...it's now 8:40pm.

Sailing into Hong Kong this morning, Day 5...docking at 11am.

We were off the ship and out by the port entrance/gate by 10am...taxis were lined up to take passengers...we were very lucky. * Yes, numerous men with laminated pictures of various sights, approached every passenger and offered excursions. We selected 3 sights for 3 hours. We got back at 1pm and met a couple from Toronto who just got off the tender...they said they were a bit overwhelmed by the chaos at the port gate and decided to just get back on the ship.

That may have been the That may have been at the Po Nagar Cham (towers)...my wife and I were wearing shorts and stayed outside. Ticket price was 30,000 Vietnamese Dong per person. The lady at the ticket booth gladly accepted our $3 for 2 tickets to enter. ($1 = 23,600 VD) * Really sorry to hear about your dishonest rickshaw driver. Cruise passengers reading this will now avoid using the rickshaws. Not a good way to treat visitors. * On the positive side, we have a friend who decided to get a massage. She said it was an hour long massage...her entire body, front and back...with a surprise hot oil! She said she was "in heaven". Cost: $8...she was so happy, she gave him a $20.😊

It was our third visit to Nha Trang yesterday(all DIY)...the first, over 20 years ago. During our first 2 visits, we gladly took the bicycle rickshaw to all the sights. Much older now, we happily took an air-conditioned taxi to 3 sights...the Nha Trang Cathedral, Long Son Pagoda (large buddha), Po Nagar Cham(towers). For $30, the taxi driver took the 2 of us to the 3 sights we wanted to see, asked if we wanted to eat lunch, and patiently waited for us....total time about 3 hours. He spoke very little english but enough to communicate. There was a 30,000 Vietnamese Dong per person ticket to enter the Po Nagar Towers. The lady at the ticket booth accepted $3 for the 2 of us. (Currency exchange: $1 = 23,600 VD) The 2 other sights were free to enter.

ARandomTraveler, may I have your permission to share our experience in Nha Trang?

Loyalty numbers should be announced during the Top Tier events...2 scheduled for this sailing...Day 4 and Day 7, 11am, Two70°. JS and above still gets 2 a day stateroom cleaning.

* ARandomTraveler...hope you don't mind me answering. LB, Hot Pot is not an included restaurant. It's $41.29 per person (18% gratuity included).

Love the IFly (amazing experience) and Two70 (amazing views)...Happy sailing!