drron29

The crew might all be starting new contracts but for most it is unlikely to be their first contract therefore not inexperienced crew.

Though for this Muse cruise the Maitre'D of Atlantide said you have to ask the restaurant manager the first time we asked. The change came from higher up. As well although the Maitre'D in Indochine kept a table for us he did say it wasn't a reservation. I was told by both the HD and restaurant manager that as Atlantide and Indochine were listed as no reservation required tables could not be reserved. I replied that not required doesn't mean can't be done. They didn't agree saying that if someone turned up and requested the table we may have reserved before we arrived they would have to seat them there. Absolute rubbish.

The last of Hirosaki Castle. The sakura festival had started and there were quite a few food stalls on the way out. Then we walked back down the road to the museum and our bus. Before I got back on the bus I bought myself an extra spice curry bun. Delicious.

Great views of Mt.Iwate from the castle. Locally it is known as Fuji san Iwate.

Then we walked to Hirosaki Castle. We passed through a little shopping precinct. Some interesting food places. We came to Hirosaki Castle in 2016 but 2 weeks later at the end of April and it was peak Sakura time and still the best display we have seen. So I was not expecting much this time but it was a little more advanced than I thought it might be. Hirosaki is one of the 12 Japanese castles that remain from before the Mieji Restoration.

I’m not going to like your post because I am very jealous.

It’s certainly a problem on the Muse at present but wasn’t on our cruise on her last October. Both the Restaurant Manager and the Maitre’D last month insisted that Atlantide and Indochine are no booking restaurants so you can’t book for 8 which is the maximum table size in Atlantide. The Maitre’D in Indochine however if you told him the night before would say we will keep an area aside for you although he would say it is not a booking. We always got a table for 8 not the big table. In October if you asked the Restaurant Manager by about 4 pm you would get one of the tables for 8 in Atlantide. Though you couldn’t do that on formal nights as those tables were used for hosted tables. So it seems to be a particular manager problem. So mention it in the mid cruise and final surveys as I did. I also complained to the HD with no result other than no invitation to a hosted table for the first time ever.

After going through the museum shop there were a few craftsmen doing their thing. Then it was out into their garden.

Volunteers try their hand at Taiko. not too bad. I have to admit to being very naughty at this point. there were 2 annoying women. one in front of me in the performances holding her phone above her head videoing the whole performance and another young woman who all through the cruise would walk in front of others taking photos. I photobombed both more than once. The young one complained and I politely told her I could do it another 33 times to catch up to the number of times she had done it to me.

A different kind of welcome. Then I set off on an excursion to Hirosaki Castle Town. Snow still on the ground. First we went to Neputa Mara for a view of the Neputa Annual festival. Our guide and translator.

The next morning we are steaming in to Aomori.

Back to Atlantide. Rojaan had the seared scallops. And I had the Carpaccio and then the seafood chowder. Rojaan then had the lamb cutlets and I the Stroganoff. Then she finished off with the crumble.

Back to the ship and our sail away. The Namahage join in. And we sail away from another wonderful Japanese farewell. More visual pollution.