drron29

After our usual breakfast in the Arts cafe I set off for the Senganen garden and villa.

Atlantide again for dinner. Rojaa n had foie gras with blackberry which was excellent whilst I had the crispy squid. A bit chewy and quite ordinary. She then had her lobster and I the filet. Both still very good. The next morning not long after sunrise we were steaming into Kagoshima. Our first view of Sakurajima.

The next day was once more a sea day. Passed several Japanese islands. Then lunch in Atlantide. Rojaan had prawns wrapped in bacon. OK. I started with the roast beef baguette which was nice. Then she had the Phyllo basket and I the enchiladas. Both OK. Rojaan finished with the cherry clafoutis. Then sunset.

Dinner back in Atlantide. The wines. Feeling old. The Hunter wine maker I first met as a young boy. We both started with the foie gras which was good. I then had the roast tomato soup from the everyday menu which was very good. I then had the strip loin and Rojaan the lobster. She then had the crumble.

Muse welcome to Kanazawa. Apple once again turns the world upside down. The snow hasn’t fallen off yet. Fortunately they know better than turning Rojaan upside down. Peak viewing declared 2 days ago.

We get distilled water. It’s so long ago that we requested it I had forgotten. Obviously on our profile hence just there when we board.

We have never had to order it. As of now 2 bottles in our fridge and replaced as used. If you don't find any your butler should visit you soon after you reach your suite so just ask.

Back in time for lunch at Kaiseki. Then the afternoon from our balcony.. Sunset.

Driving back to the ship. A bad rust problem on a pedestrian overpass.

We then moved to the Royal garden. Some magnificent trees with most being less than 80 years old. The old guardhouse. Then down a path to a lake. The royal villa.

Now we had a week driving around Okinawa a few years ago. Fortunately one of the tours featured 2 places we had not been to. The Okinawa Prefectual Museum and the Shinkinaen Royal Garden. We had tried to visit the Garden but couldn't find a parking spot anywhere near it. A statue at the port entrance. And some exhibits outside the museum. And a dinosaur found in Hokkaido. We were given free time at the museum. They had a good English leaflet of the exhibits.

Thursday 28/3 and we arrive in Naha, Okinawa. One of the airport roads goes under this waterway. The brown square buildings mark the access to the tunnel. A ferry leaving the port.

Vodka and melon liqueur. Actually quite nice.

There was a release saying that the Nova dress code was extending to the classic fleet from mid to late April so I expect that the bow ties will disappear. Didn’t stop me having my little protest on a night on the Muse tonight.

Well it is mid cruise survey time again and once more we have missed out on getting it. The butler has a vested interest in our receiving it and once notified it appeared quickly. Agree with the Grill at lunch. Went twice on first segment and will not go again. The food is not even second class. But Indochine has become our favourite restaurant. Not only do they have a few more non spicy dishes they will take the heat out of some dishes but they will also add it for me. On top of that there has been an increase in the number of obnoxious passengers on this segment. The Maitre’D of Indochine copped a blast from a fellow on the first formal night who didn’t want to wear a tie or jacket. Initially accepted the provided jacket and tie that was offered but then threw them at the Maitre’D with an outburst that was borderline racist but certainly offensive. So tonight on a casual night I arrived at Indochine on a casual night with a bow tie. I explained that if it was fine for those who don’t like formal nights to complain it was right for me to demonstrate that I indeed like those nights by dressing up on casual nights. I have made a new best friend in Indochine.

Bob Leininger

Time to get back to a little humour. Ten Facts, about you: 1.You're reading this 2.You think that's stupid 4.You didn't notice I missed out 3 5.Now you're checking it 6.Now you're getting upset 8.You didn't notice I missed out 7 9.Now you're checking 10.You're wondering how many times you can fall or the same trick 11.You didn't notice there's only supposed to be 10 facts. 12.There are only 10 facts. Another Western Australian number plate that got by the authorities.

Well the doctor is not a patient but he indeed has suffered from this situation. The patient flown out was listed as critical. This often takes a big mental toll on the treating doctor. And a cruise ship is not a hospital with many colleagues to talk too.

I couldn’t get out to film any thing as the helicopter arrived during trivia. We were doing well and won. Then the retrieval came during the putting and I had 2 holes in one and first overall. You do have to know what is really important in life. But not all casualties were flown out. I ran into the doctor on the way out and he looked quite distressed so he is thinking about my offer of a quiet chat when I am back from the excursion.

We were indeed. Cancelled the second voyage and took the 10% off a replacement voyage. They did give a 15% price reduction on the first voyage but there was no such offer on the second voyage.

They don't accommodate people on B2B cruises if a charter is put into the system in our experience. We had a B2B booked next year which became 2 separate cruises with 6 days in between and we were told we had to make our own arrangements for those 6 days.