So, let’s call it “⅓ of “the Big One” - we’re back on World-Cruise-Sojourn!

[shark b8]

‘Member those mangos I got in Manila a few days ago?  I asked the Colonnade kitchen staff to slice them, I would have mangled it.  Mmmmmmm, so sweet, just the best.

 

[shark b8]

The view from the docked ship toward the port can be…modest, in Indonesia and the Philippines.  So this is a striking change.  Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

 

[shark b8]

Following up on the piping leak, deck 6 is the only one which cannot be crossed, forward to aft or vice versa, at the staircase/elevator area.  The “watertight and splash-tight doors” that we have all heard about during the crew drills, are all of a sudden front and center. So if you’re midship on 6 (as we are), to get to the Colonnade or the Salon or whatever, you have to walk forward to the elevators, either go up or down to 5, 7, or 8, head back aft to the midship elevators and then down to the deck of choice.  When there’s a “Conversation” in the Salon, just feels so oddly counterintuitive to not just walk straight through to the Salon, but have to walk in the other direction to get there.  

 

 

[shark b8]

Out & about in Kaohsiung.  

 

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

Don’t ask me.

 

[shark b8]

Woohooo!  Heading off to my favorite dinner on the ship.  (Must remember, head forward first). 😜

 

[shark b8]

Just now, shark b8 said:

Must remember, head forward first

 

.aaaand, seconds later, we discover that the deck 6 doors are now open.  Tried to find evidence of the actual problem, all looks restored.   I dunno.

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

Mmmmmmmm.

 

 

 

[shark b8]

Out & about Penghu island.  Temple adjacent to 300 year old banyan tree, columnar basalt pillars, and older home architectures utilizing both coral reef stones and the flat, linear basalt.

 

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

 

 

[shark b8]

A very long bridge (receding in the distance), an interesting statue, and some unfortunate ancient symbol design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 22 by shark b8

[frantic36]

 

 

 

@shark b8 The *** symbol is to the left and is different as the arms are angled. The Hindu symbol as in your picture the arms are at right angles and has been a religious symbol to them for many centuries. Like many things *** they tainted and caused problems for many and still do.

[shark b8]

Now in Keelung, very near downtown Taipei.  The monument dedicated to soldiers who have fallen in battle is guarded by this contingent of soldiers.

 

 

 

[shark b8]

At the National Palace Museum.  Extensive display of jade, porcelain, weaponry, etc.  (last pic is just from internet, to show the building best)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

The three Confucius Temples in Taipei.

 

 

 

[shark b8]

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, from just outside the immense gate.   Then the opposite shot, from top of the hall, looking back at that gate.  The two buildings on each side are a concert hall and a theater.

 

 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

On the top floor of the hall is this statue of Chiang Kai-shek, similarly guarded by military unit. 

 

 

 

[shark b8]

Back to relatively calm seas.  No more need for these around the ship.  🤢

 

[goodvino808]

5 hours ago, shark b8 said:

Back to relatively calm seas.  No more need for these around the ship.  🤢

 

Is that area that you just sailed through generally rough seas?

 

[shark b8]

16 hours ago, goodvino808 said:

Is that area that you just sailed through generally rough seas?

 

Good question, and I honestly don't know the answer.  I bet someone reading this, does!

[shark b8]

I think the area is still considered the South China Sea, although sorta the northeast part of it, if that makes any sense.  

 

Edited March 26 by shark b8

[shark b8]

Well, we’re barely an hour out of Okinawa, sailing toward Kagoshima, and we’re starting to rock and roll again!

[goodvino808]

2 hours ago, shark b8 said:

Well, we’re barely an hour out of Okinawa, sailing toward Kagoshima, and we’re starting to rock and roll again!

I like the website vesselfinder.com where i can see where the cruise ships and it also shows reported wave data.  Looks like east of Japan has some big swell.   

[shark b8]

We visited the Shurijo Castle today, in Okinawa.  I must report that I think Seabourn seriously dropped the ball on this one - it’s all understood that the castle has been decimated and rebuilt several times, due to war and other disasters, that’s apparent if one does a little homework. But also, pretty much the whole thing burned down in 2019.  So what we saw today was essentially a construction site.  Or…”RE-construction site.”  Point being, I think Seabourn could have done a much better job of describing this tour going in, it turned out to be a view of a very big shielding modern warehouse-style building, containing important reconstruction within, with the hoped-for results painted on the outside.  Herald description below, you be the judge.

 

 

 

[shark b8]

‘night, everybody.