monkey@cruise

it's wise to add extra days, in case the captain change the cruise schedule. This threshold will cover any unforeseen early/late arrival. Vietnam immigration only cares if you have a valid eVisa to enter.

TripleLights.com rebranded as "GoWithGuide" since January 14, 2021.

We were in Kochi last October on Celebrity Millennium. Kochi city sponsored free shuttle from cruise terminal to Harimayabashi Bus Terminal (25 min bus ride). We had a Kochi City Center walking tour guided by Kochi SGG (a volunteer tour guide group), explored the Culture and History around the Harimaya Bridge area; local food culture and Kochi Castle. Kochi city center is small, Harimayabashi Bus Terminal to Kochi castle is one mile distance. One group went to Makino Botanical Garden, and one group did a tram tour.

I stayed next to Kyoto station, easy access to most tourist attractions: 1. train to Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. 2. Metro to Nijō Castle. 3. Bus #205 to Kinkaku-ji takes 50 min, quicker route is metro to Kitaoji station and transfer Bus #205, 35 min. 4. Kiyomizu-dera: BUS #206 only takes you to Gojozaka and hike 20 min up. Easy way: Tourist taxi stand (drivers understand some English) at Kyoto station north east exit, taxi to Kinkaku-ji is under 1,500 yen. 5. Sky Hop Bus terminal (HOHO) at Kyoto station north west. 6. Kyoto tower at the north side. Kyoto road traffic can be congested, trains and metro cover long distances faster than buses.

Hotels in Kyoto station area, easy access to all public transportation (train, bus, metro, taxi, HOHO bus..) to most tourist attractions. Food Hall Porta locates next to the station and two level of restaurants in Kyoto station.

Yes the Kodama and Hikari (slower) shinkansen stops at Shizuoka Station. To Nagoya it's a 60 - 75 min travel time and train frequency is every 40-60 min. There is no direct public transport from Shimizu cruise terminal to Shizuoka Station (9 miles away), either 45 min train ride (transfer in Shin-Shimizu), or a 25 min taxi ride. Even with a perfect travel coordination, prepare a 2.5 hrs travel time to Nagoya.

https://ghibli-park.jp/calendar/ In June The park will close on Tuesdays and from 18th June thru 25th June. https://ghibli-park.jp/access/ Shimizu port is not near any high speed rail line. Will take you > 4hrs travel time from Shimizu to Ghibli Park. My personal advice is a pre-cruise visit Ghibli Park. If you fly-in Tokyo, 1.5 hr Shinkansen train ride to Nagoya, or flyi-n Osaka, 30 min Shinkansen train ride to Nagoya. From Nagoya is another 60 min train journey to Ghibli Park. Michael

It valid for 10 years.

SEAPORT PROVINCE Hon Gai Seaport (Quang Ninh) Cam Pha Seaport (Quang Ninh) Hai Phong Seaport (Hai Phong) Vung Ang Seaport (Ha Tinh) Chan May Seaport (Thua Thien Hue) Da Nang Seaport (Da Nang City) Nha Trang Seaport (Khanh Hoa) Quy Nhon Seaport (Binh Dinh) Dung Quat Seaport (Quang Ngai) Vung Tau Seaport (Ba Ria-Vung Tau) Ho Chi Minh City Seaport (Ho Chi Minh City) Duong Dong Seaport (Kien Giang) e.g. If Allowed to entry through checkpoint * - Vung Tau Seaport , City/Province is Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Specific the ship name not cruise line. - CELEBRITY SOLSTICE

Online e-visa is USD$25/single-entry or $50/multiple-entry, It usually takes 3-4 working days for the Vietnam eVisa to be approved. Once eVisa is approved, it will be emailed to you in PDF format.

Kobe is a smaller city, but it has its European and Chinese influenced areas; Nada district is Japan's top sake producing region. Himeji Castle and Hiroshima as a day trip from Kobe.

I use the "Japan Travel" app to plan my Japan public transport, it shows train line, platform, fare, time, # of stops. in details. Not many people speak English in Aomori. Had you travel destination print in Japanese, show to taxi driver, train station staff where you like to go. Don't need google translate and never lost in communication and translation. When I was in Aomori, the weather was rainy, I took a bus to a city south shopping center, I had Aomori station and the shopping address written in Japanese, the locals are very helpful, guided me to the correct bus stop (was a loop route).

"Kobe Beef" for lunch, restaurants make cheaper prices during lunch. I go beyond, had "Kobe beef" in a butcher shop (some had a few small tables setup for lunch) - I picked my steak and butcher cooked it, cheaper than a restaurant lunch price. 😜

Gifts of cash are common in Japan, the proper way is money in envelop, so not tipping.

If you take the ASPAM building route, 20 min walking distance to JR station. Train to Hirosaki staion is the JR Ouu Main Line (45 min , 9 stops) runs every 45 min. The Tsugaru express train (34 min, 3 stops). run every 2 hrs. Transport from Hirosaki station to Hirosaki castle https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/userfiles/UNIQ_78d18009f23e366720b91663a040f784.pdf If long lineup at the bus stop, go for taxi. Since train run is hourly, plan your return trip accordingly, don't miss the boat ! Michael

As of 2023, citizens of 25 countries can travel to Vietnam and remain in the country for 14 to 45 days (depending on nationality) without having to apply for a visa. To enter Vietnam those citizens only need a valid passport with at least 2 black pages Country Maximum visa-free duration Chile 90 days Panama 90 days Cambodia 30 days Indonesia 30 days Kyrgyzstan 30 days Laos 30 days Malaysia 30 days Singapore 30 days Thailand 30 days Philippines 21 days Brunei 14 days Myanmar 14 days Belarus 45 days Denmark 45 days Finland 45 days France 45 days Germany 45 days Italy 45 days Japan 45 days Norway 45 days Russia 45 days South Korea 45 days Spain 45 days Sweden 45 days United Kingdom 45 days

JMC Release of 2023 Autumn Foliage Forecast (2nd forecast) https://n-kishou.com/corp/news-contents/autumn/index.html?lang=en

When I had bonito and tuna lunch with Kochi SGG group. I did ask if bonito is a tuna, one of them who is more proficiency in English, saying "Yes" and "No" because it belonging to the same family as tuna and mackerel. Though in Japan is skipjack tuna, but cannot market as tuna. Other Asian countries related to mackerel, because tuna a subgrouping of the mackerel family. Sometimes the term "bonito" is used interchangeably to mean both. When fresh bonito fish is cut, meat color appears dull, but when exposed to air, it turns a vivid red, and then turns black again after a period of freshness. So the lighter meat color is better.

Tokyo Metro Tokyo subway is operating by Tokyo Metro and Toei Metro. If you plan travel >2 trips exclusively on Tokyo Metro lines in a day then purchase a Tokyo Metro day Pass. Same token for Toei Metro Line. https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/1day/index.html https://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/tickets/value.html If you plan travel on Tokyo Metro and Toei Metro, then the Tokyo Subway Ticket (for tourists only, passport present to purchase) is the choice. https://www.tokyometro.jp/tst/en/index.html The 72 hour ticket is the bargain, unlimited Tokyo metro travel for 500 yen/day.

You read and saw. Did you eat bonito and tuna in Kochi? I did, bonito is firm texture makes it a favorite for grilling and searing; served with Ponzu Sauce (similar to a vinaigrette). Tuna is slightly softer texture; served with soy sauce.

If fish is dried, fermented and smoked. Then tissue-paper thin shavings to make Bonito flakes, or katsuobushi. Kochi castle - you must remove your shoes to visit the castle keep. Be careful if wearing slippery socks. My guide told me that accident did happened. To access the keep, the correct position is climb up and down like a ladder, prevent back injuries from slips or falls.

Bonito is a fish related to mackerel, skipjack tuna, and Spanish mackerel tribes. In Japan, is not marketed as Tuna.

Seared Bonito is mackerel , not tuna. The fish is tastiest during the early summer and late fall. It is served with ponzu , a citrus-based sauce (Yuzu).

Tokyo Metro tickets cost from 180 to 330 yen depending on how far you travel. Toei fares are a little more expensive, ranging from 180 to 430 yen. A subway pass may be a money saving on travel.

Read the Mobile Suica FAQ if suit your needs. Refund only for registered users. https://apfaq.mobilesuica.com/faq/show/3145?back=front%2Fcategory%3Ashow&category_id=92&page=1&site_domain=default&sort=sort_access&sort_order=desc https://apfaq.mobilesuica.com/faq/show/3144?category_id=92&site_domain=default