A Silver Shadow Over The World - December 2023 to May 2024

[mysty]

4 minutes ago, drron29 said:

And for those of us over 60 Kenrokuen Garden gives you free admission.

 

Thank you @drron29!  Good to know!

[mysty]

Hakodate

 

https://www.nomadasaurus.com/things-to-do-in-hakodate-japan/

 

The Best Things to Do in Hakodate
1. Explore Mount Hakodate
2. Walk Around Tsugaru Fort
3. Try the Squid
4. Tour Fort Goryokaku
5. Shop at the Hakodate Meijikan
6. Attend the Hakodate Port Festival
7. Visit the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
8. Day Trip to the Nakamura-ke Residence
9. Explore Motomachi
10. Visit the Hakodate Museum of Northern People
11. Meander through Onuma Park
12. Visit Matsumae Castle
13. Stroll around Hakodate Bay
14. Experience Autumn Leaves at Kosetsuen Park
15. Learn History at Old Soma Residence
16. Wander the Hachiman-zaka Slope
17. Take a Hike at Mt. Esan
18. Bathe at a Natural Sea Onsen
19. Shop at the Hakodate Morning Market
20. Eat at Daimon Yokocho

 

We booked TRAPPISTINE CONVENT & GORYOKAKU PARK

 

Enjoy your half-day tour will visit two famous sights that contrast the Trappistine Convent (Western style garden) and the Goryokaku Park (Hakodate Old Magistrate's office). Goryokaku is a place famous for cherry blossoms during the season (Late April to Early May).
Hakodate is one of the few places home to a Trappistine Convent. Peaceful and quiet, the convent is steeped in history and Catholic culture. Take in the beautiful buildings and surroundings, while learning about the lives of the nuns residing here.
The park is home to the remaining walls of Japan's first Western -style fort. The fort is named Goryokaku or 'Pentagon Fort' due to its star shape. Nothing is left of the citadel, which was constructed by the Togukawa Shogunate to defend Japan and the Magistrate's office against the threats from the north. The Magistrate's Office building was completed in 1864.

At Goryokaku Tower, guests will ride the elevator up to the Observation Deck of the 351ft (107m) tower at the park entrance, and take in splendid views of the park, Fort, Mt. Hakodate and the downtown area.

[mysty]

https://www.nomadasaurus.com/things-to-do-in-otaru-japan/

 

List of the Best Things to Do in Otaru, Japan

1) Otaru Canal
2) Herring Mansion
3) Aoyama Villa
4) Nichigin-dori
5) Nikka Whiskey Distillery 
6) Otaru Beer Hall
7) Otaru Museum
😎 Otaru Music Box Museum
9) Bank of Japan Otaru Museum
10) Sakaimachi-dori
11) Visit the Nihon Yusen Building

 

We booked NIKKA WHISKY YOICHI DISTILLERY & OTARU CANAL

Dubbed as the Father of Japanese Whisky, Masataka Taketsuru chose Yoichi to set up his distillery. Built in 1934, the Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery boasts of a size that is about three times that of the Tokyo Dome. Today, 26 blocks of storage houses and factories produce whisky daily.

The Otaru Canal is the symbol of Otaru City. The historic 1.5-km long canal provides both a nostalgic look at the Otaru of yesteryear and unique shopping and dining experiences. The canal was created by a sea reclamation project beginning in 1914 and is lined with stone warehouses from that time. Once the capital of Hokkaido in Japan's Meiji Period, Otaru was known as the "Sakhalin of Japan" for its busy maritime trade with Russia. The shipping warehouses have been preserved and the canal is always photogenic no matter what the season. 

[mysty]

In October of 2015 (prior to the 2016 World Cruise) we got an email from Silversea asking us for our preferences on a few things.  They asked what we wanted to have on the name plaque for our suite door.  They asked what we wanted to have on individual calling cards (50 each). And they asked what size of jacket we each wear.   We got lovely jackets made by Eddie Bauer while we were on the cruise.

 

 

In December 2018 (prior to the 2019 World Cruise) we got the same kind of email from Silversea asking us the same questions described above but no mention of a jacket.  We did not get jackets on that cruise.

 

Because the northern ports of Japan and the Alaskan ports may be a tad chilly on the 2024 World Cruise, the jacket may return in a different iteration.  Time will tell.

[drron29]

You are picking good excursions for your Japanese ports. cherry blossoms should still be in blossom for your Hakodate excursion and the Otaru canal are is very interesting.

[mysty]

6 minutes ago, drron29 said:

You are picking good excursions for your Japanese ports. cherry blossoms should still be in blossom for your Hakodate excursion and the Otaru canal are is very interesting.

 

Thank you @drron29!  I was trying to squeeze in as much of the glory of Japan as I could!  I do the research,  make my suggestions to Myster and he either rubber stamps the suggestion or uses his veto power.   So  far,  no vetoes! 😁

[mysty]

There are commemorative gifts on World Cruises.  For the 2016 we received the jackets mentioned in an earlier post.  I have forgotten some of the other gifts.  However I do remember the backpack, the pen and pencil set and the Venetian masks for the final event which was a Venetian Masquerade Dinner on the Grand Canal.

 

 

 

 

[mysty]

I did a better job of documenting the commemorative gifts for the 2019 World Cruise.

Magnets, pen, postcards and World Map...

 

Scarf and tie...

 

Portfolio.....

 

Obligatory cap and commemorative Silversea lapel pin...

 

 

African cloth...

 

And duffel bag...

 

Both of these cruises were in the before times.  With that in mind, it is hard to say what awaits for the 2024 World Cruise.  The gifts are a nice touch.  The real joy comes from the journey and the friendships.

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Wowza. That's some serious swag!

[mysty]

9 minutes ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Wowza. That's some serious swag!

 

Indeed!  It was always fun to come back to the suite and find unexpected gifts on the bed.   😁

[Mr Luxury]

5 minutes ago, mysty said:

 

Indeed!  It was always fun to come back to the suite and find unexpected gifts on the bed.   😁

Let us know what you get for it all on Ebay

[Stumblefoot]

2 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Wowza. That's some serious swag!

For a six figure cruise, it better be!

[Stumblefoot]

4 hours ago, mysty said:

Both of these cruises were in the before times. 

What did folks on the 2023 WC get, besides the lack of decent internet?

[mysty]

Just now, Stumblefoot said:

What did folks on the 2023 WC get, besides the lack of decent internet?

 

Unfortunately,  there hasn't been much chit chat on the loot from 2023.   I know they got caps and backpacks.   My friend on the cruise has been very busy and communication is not frequent.   If I hear anything,  I'll report back. 😁

[Mr Luxury]

3 hours ago, Stumblefoot said:

What did folks on the 2023 WC get, besides the lack of decent internet?

Bored with each other?

[mysty]

The theme for the 2016 World Cruise was Tale of Tales.  For each segment there was an noted author or photographer or adventurer.  Many will recognize some of the names.  Along with each new "artist" we received a copy of one of their books.  We ended up with 10 different books.  Each "artist" gave presentations in the show lounge and signed their books for the passengers interested. 

 

First off was Pico Iyer:

 

Saroo Brierly

 

Harold Koda

 

Laksmi Pamuntjak

 

Steve McCurry

 

Jeremiah Towers

 

Paul Theroux

 

Sophy Roberts

 

Zelda La Grange

 

Tahir Shah

 

 

Edited February 27, 2023 by mysty

[lincslady]

I guess you know to allow for the extra luggage you will be bringing back from a world cruise by now, Mysty.

 

Lola

[mysty]

39 minutes ago, lincslady said:

I guess you know to allow for the extra luggage you will be bringing back from a world cruise by now, Mysty.

 

Lola

 

I mislabeled the post about the books!  My apologies.   They were from the 2019 cruise.   I should have had more coffee before posting!  🙄

 

The books from the 2019 cruise were definitely a challenge! 😁  The Steve McCurry book and the Harold Koda book were very large and weighty.   Many of those two books ended up in the Whisper library instead of in passengers' luggage.  We brought ours home.   Mr McCurry signed our book on the page showing his famous picture of the Afghanistan young woman.  Couldn't leave that behind. 

 

The book by La Grange about Mandela was delivered just before one of the events in Cape Town.   She spoke at the event,  not on the ship.

[JoGay]

We are also going on the SS world cruise 2024.  We are really looking forward to it.   What kinds of activities do they have on sea days?  Does anyone play mahjong?

[mysty]

5 minutes ago, JoGay said:

We are also going on the SS world cruise 2024.  We are really looking forward to it.   What kinds of activities do they have on sea days?  Does anyone play mahjong?

 

Great to "hear" your voice JoGay!  Welcome!  Sea days can actually be quite busy.   There are lectures, bingo,  trivia, putting contests,  sometimes arts and crafts, bridge and the list goes on.  If you are interested in mahjong you might consider talking to the Cruise Director and the request for players could appear in the Chronicles.  Silversea often does World Cruise special meals,  like breakfast,  on sea days.  I'll see if I can find a sample of a Chronicles for a sea day to post. 

[mysty]

1 hour ago, JoGay said:

We are also going on the SS world cruise 2024.  We are really looking forward to it.   What kinds of activities do they have on sea days?  Does anyone play mahjong?

 

Here is a link to a fellow World Cruiser's post which provides the Chronicles for a number of sea days on the 2022 World Cruise.  Hope this helps!

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2874286-activities-on-multiple-days-at-sea-on-ocean-crossings/?do=findComment&comment=63786649

[Stumblefoot]

11 hours ago, JoGay said:

What kinds of activities do they have on sea days?

Naps.

[JoGay]

19 hours ago, mysty said:

 

Here is a link to a fellow World Cruiser's post which provides the Chronicles for a number of sea days on the 2022 World Cruise.  Hope this helps!

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2874286-activities-on-multiple-days-at-sea-on-ocean-crossings/?do=findComment&comment=63786649

 

[JoGay]

Thanks for your reply.  I will definitely talk to the Cruise Director.

[mysty]

Before our first big adventure in 2016, I asked for words of wisdom on this kind of journey from the helpful folks in this forum.  I will provide their pearls in sets of 10 over the next few days.  Some advice/helpful hints maybe be duplicated.  These are taken from the original posts in 2015.

 

The most obvious issue is that you will get billed for your on-board spend at the end of each segment and not at the end of the WC.

 

Bills. Be sure that you can pay all of your bills automatically and any you can't that you can pay on line. That includes your credit cards.

Medicines/Toiletries. Start making lists of what you will need. It's never too early. Figure out how much you use of a product each month (eg., even toothpaste) so you can figure out how much to bring with you. We like to bring enough items so we don't have to waste time in port looking for it also knowing that the products we use might not be available. For over the counter medicines bring items to cover various issues from stomach bugs to colds.

Passport. Make sure you have a lot of blank visa pages. Silversea will advise but I would have a good 25 blank visa pages.

Ports. Start researching what you might want to do in each port. We don't try to plan something for every port because after awhile it would seem like work so there are ports that we just enjoy on our own or even some that we skip. We look at the entire itinerary and prioritize what we want to do.

 

If you plan to have a house sitter check on the house this is what we did.. We would have our neighbor go inside our house once a week and run the water and flush toilets and check on things if it got very cold such as drip the faucets. They also ran our cars each week. Some people who don't have their cars run would either disconnect their car battery or put it on one of those devices that keeps it charged.

If home security is a concern for you you might wish to consider installing some ip cameras. This means that you can view your home live from an app on a mobile phone, ipad or pc and if anyone moves past the camera the image is uploaded to something  for you to have a glance at once a day. They can also store videos for later study if need be. We have them over our UK homes and they are very reassuring.

 

I have gas water heaters and I lower them to vacation mode.

I leave the cabinets underneath each of our sinks that are along exterior walls of the home open.

We do turn off the water to the washing machine.

On a different note, we do unplug most electrical items including washing machine and dryer. While I have a household surge protector I just think it is wise and many appliances drain electricity anyway even when they are plugged in.

More to come tomorrow......