Cruising Grand on the Amsterdam Asia/Pacific

[GarySuzy]

arzz,

GarySuzy,

 

Hai, so desu! It was a play on my nickname (Cat) given in jest by friends in Tokyo about thirty years and more than thirty pounds ago, and it just sort of stuck. We would love to have the opportunity to go back to Asia, especially Japan, especially on a cruise. Sigh.:)

 

Ichiban Nekko,

 

The DW just returned from Japan yesterday, she had spent a week touring up by Sendai. She was with a group who play the Japanese 3 string guitar (I can't spell the real name). They had a convention and people came from all over the world.

 

Hope to meet you on a cruise some day.:D

[arzz]

Ship’s time: 3:20 pm September 28

Chicago time: 1:20 am September 28

Distance sailed from Seattle: 3722.4 nautical miles

Distance to Hakodate, Japan: 243.7 nautical miles

Ship’s Position: 42 degrees 46.53’ N, 145 degrees 30.81’ E

 

Today is another day. And despite what I said, yesterday actually was another 25 hour day -- communications got a bit mixed up here on board but we are all sorted out now and we were even still able to get breakfast.

 

It is sunny, our seas are slight, the winds are down .... AND ... we have begun to pass land masses and even an occasional freighter! I guess the navigators really do know what they are doing!

 

There is an excitement on board as the signs of known civilization (such as CNN and other satellite TV) start to reappear, and as the miles left to sail to Hakodate decrease to triple digits and below.

 

In trivia today we learned that the first popular US consumer item to get permission to sell in the USSR was Pepsi (and we should have listened to the one member of our team that was sure it was Pepsi while the rest of us guessed Coke), we learned that Dr. Ferdinand Porsche designed the Volkswagon Beetle, and that according to legend President Taft was responsible for the creation of baseball’s seventh inning stretch.

 

I have to confess that as I have posted the headers to my daily blog I have had my issues. As you certainly must have guessed by now, I am a very loyal fan of the HAL date and time channel. This channel is a font of information for the technically interested -- why it has the “Captain’s Log”, the “Navigator’s Log” and the “Weather Log”. Interspersed at regular intervals between the “Logs” we have the usual “how to put on your lifejacket” videos and also a short subject on Hakodate, our first port. (Let me tell you that after many days at sea that Hakodate video has gotten VERY old ....) As I post my daily information it is necessary to glean those parts of the stats that fit the headers on my blog ... but they do not all come up at the same time and I can not always write fast enough to get it all down during the same cycle, so that by the time I have copied the distances, winds, and sea conditions, say, the ship’s position is now somewhere else, the mileage has changed, and so has the time. For those of you who might be serious navigators I admit that my stats may not all match. Sort of like I used to teach in science class -- once you take the first measurement you have slightly perverted your system so that the second measurement represents a system that is similar but not entirely identical to the first. I humbly do my best.

[GarySuzy]

ARZZ,

 

You are doing a great job of keeping all of us informed how your cruise is going. As for the Navigation aspects I think we are not expecting everything to match as we understand that it may take multiple times through to gleen the information you are posting.

 

Please do not let the repeated playing of the Hakodate video getting old affect your excitement about getting there and going on excursions.:rolleyes:

 

Once again thanks for posting.

 

Gary

[lois1112]

You are doing a PERFECT job keeping those of us who are on land informed. keep it up.

[2FromTN]

.....There are two other blogs going on one from the Stansfields, and one from our good friend Jeff aka tan man. ....

For those of you interested, you can find my parent's (The Stansfields) blog/journal at the following URL:

http://2008asiaaucruise.thestansfields.com

[Kween Karen]

Hi 2fromTN.....

Are you Steve? I have been emailing your father and he has been advising me on how to blog during MY trip (a year away)....I think he even got advise from you.............

anyway..........I have been following your parent's blog...and enjoying it a LOT!

[bigjohn42]

For those of you interested, you can find my parent's (The Stansfields) blog/journal at the following URL:

http://2008asiaaucruise.thestansfields.com

 

 

Thanks so much, your folks seem to be having a great time, as well as doing a great job chronicling there voyage, looking forward to the rest of the cruise, thanks again, John

[arzz]

Ship’s Time: 10:10 pm, Monday, September 29, 2008

Chicago Time: 8:09 am, Monday, September 29, 2008

Distance to Hakodate, Japan: 0 nautical miles -- we are in port until midnight tonight

Distance from Seattle: 3966.3 nautical miles

Distance to Aomori, Japan: 60.4 nautical miles

 

This morning we awoke to the sunny skies and mountainous terrain of Hakodate, Japan. Our starboard side cabin was dockside. For many on board the relief was palpable that we were actually in port -- as a room service steward whom we met on the elevator at 7:00 am this morning said with a big smile “we are no longer moving” -- this was also his largest number of continuous days at sea.

 

And, for the record, we are no longer internationally anonymous. The Japanese, like the Americans, are now finger printing and taking photos of those who embark upon their soil. For the first time in our lives we have been fingerprinted. I must have put too much acid on my fingertips last night as I had to repeat the fingerprint scan at least 6 times before it “worked” -- or else I entered Japan at least a half dozen times this morning -- I am really not sure. I must remember not to use my forefingers if I commit any crimes while on Japanese soil this week.

 

What a glorious day it has been. The skies were clear and sunny, the temperature in the upper 60’s to low 70’s. Perfect! Our tour today was called “A Day in Hakodate” and it was an HAL shore excursion.

 

We spent almost three weeks in Japan about 30 years ago. Some things have really changed, others are still the same. Our bus came complete with a driver, our really eloquent tour guide “Sue” and a “bus lady” -- I do not know what they are officially called, but 30 years ago as well as today every bus we took had one. And even after 30 years we are not exactly sure what the “bus lady” does other than stand in the front of the bus next to the driver as a sort of decoration. Many of them wear white gloves while doing this. But they are one of the things that are the same about Japan.

 

Hakodate is a modern city of about 300,000. Thirty years ago we did not get this far north during our Japanese visit. What I have not yet seen this visit are the older women who thirty years ago wore the traditional Japanese robes, the socks with one separate toe, and the traditional Japanese sandals. Western dress and western style buildings fill this town. Only a few traditional style buildings were seen during our tour’s day long route.

 

Pleasantries over, lets get down to the nitty gritty of the biggest change that we observed today. The toilets. Thirty years ago some Japanese locations had some western style toilets, but many places had only the traditional Japanese style toilets -- best described as a urinal mounted flush with the floor -- used much as the French “foot prints” would be used. My favorite thirty year old memory of the traditional Japanese toilet was trying to use what is basically a hole in the floor aboard a moving ferry that we took from the island of Shikoku back to the main island of Honshu.

 

Today we saw none of that. In fact, anyone who claims that we, in the US, are too focused on our bathrooms, have clearly not been to Japan recently. The Japanese toilets that we experienced today (and which were dutifully photographed by most on our tour group) are multifunctional automated electronic wizards with heated seats, electronic control panels, and built in sound systems that do everything for you except .... no, wait a minute, they do that also. Enough said.

 

Back to the tour. We began with a visit to the Morning Market -- primarily a food market full of the wonders and diversity of sea critters and sea weed along with lots of produce and other food stuffs. Here we again noticed what thirty years had changed. Much of the food is now packaged. Gone are the tables that used to be filled with all manner of unrecognizable produce, pickles and sea food often layered with soy bean paste and pickling brines. Now the same things are available in neat little packages much like our produce and meat is packaged at the super markets at home. Gone also is the bulk of the market odors as they are now well sealed in their individual wrappers. Still an interesting trip, but different.

 

Second stop was brief at a collection of very tourist oriented shops. Then on to lunch at a local hotel. Though the lunch was excellent, well presented and included local products such as the tasty local corn, it was a disappointment to us because the food was basically western without local choices or options. Many on the tour with us would have preferred a Japanese lunch.

 

After lunch we took the Hakodate Ropeway up to the top of Mount Hakodate (1100 feet above the city and water). The views from the top were absolutely stunning -- especially looking across the water at the Amsterdam, the only ship in port in Hakodate today. From there it was on to the Goryokaku Fort with its distinctive pentagonal shape. The park around the fort was very pretty and contains the Goryokaku Tower, a 107 meter tall structure that greatly resembles Seattle’s space needle from which more scenic views were available. Our day long tour ended with a visit to the gardens around a local convent (and the ice cream shop on the property).

 

As I write this I am feeling deprived. First, we skipped both dessert and coffee to make it to the 9:30 pm quick trivia game. As a consequence we arrived at the Queen’s Lounge so late that there were no seats left for the local Folkloric show that they are doing for us tonight. Well, to be blunt, that they are doing for some aboard the ship, but not us. Some of my feeling of personal deprivation, however, has been soothed by a truffle gleaned from the Explorer’s Lounge on the way back to my cabin.

[jayzee99]

Hi ARZZ:

 

We are totaly enjoying your postings for this cruise. We are planning on doing this same cruise on the Amsterdam in September, 2010 (the next time this one is offered). With your permission, we would love to reproduce your postings and keep them for our future reference. I will place them in a binder and label it "THE ARZZ BIBLE" and use your valuable information for our trip.

AND... with the answers to some of the trivia questions, I might even win a game or two.

 

Keep up the great work and have a WONDERFUL rest of the cruise!

 

Steve and Henny ZImmerman

[LAFFNVEGAS]

arzz, I can so relate to you writing about Japan because my Japanese experience was having spent 6 weeks in Japan in 1970 so it has been 38 years ago for me but what you remember is exactly what I remember. Oh how I would love to go back.

Thanks so much for continuing your reports in such detail :)

[Foxpaw]

Roxanne (aka "arzz"),

 

Thanks for your terrific reports! I almost feel like I'm there! Isn't the warm welcome in Japan wonderful?!

 

See you all in three weeks in Singapore. Packing in progress. Heart beating a bit faster each day. :eek:

 

Please extend my best wishes to all my "Shipmates".....I look forward to meeting everyone at the CC meeting onboard Amsterdam on the 23rd.

 

Best Regards,

 

Nick

[arzz]

Of Shrines and Oreos We awoke this morning to another incredible day in Japan. Sunny and mid sixties. Our starboard cabin had the view today. Our window faced right out on Aomori’s elegant suspension bridge and the stunning triangular shaped building that sits as a welcome to the port. It was a short and pleasant walk from the dock into town where we wandered the shopping district. Nestled into a visually hidden location right in the center of town is the Utoh Shrine. We were surprised thirty years ago and are still amazed today how in the very centers of the busiest cities in Japan one will find an ancient Japanese garden or a shrine. Within the boundaries the experience is one of quiet and peace even in the most bustling of city centers. This shrine was no exception. To be truthful, Aomori does not really qualify as a bustling city -- even with the complement of passengers from the Amsterdam the town was not crowded. At the corners of city streets, when the light would change to signal the OK to pedestrians to cross, Aomori has an added musical chime (that was different at different corners) to signal the OK to walk. We spent a pleasant few hours wandering the port, town, shops, and shrine. And then, as good cruise passengers do, we got hungry. Thirty years ago when we traveled in Japan we had three rules that we applied in order to find places to eat. Rule One: restaurants had to have wax food models on display outside -- Rule Two: the food displayed had to look cooked not raw (in our youth we were such cowards) and Rule Three: (the most important rule at the time) the food prices had to be posted. Today, armed with a little more financial comfort than we enjoyed thirty years ago we broke all three of our rules. We entered a small restaurant that only had menus posted in Japanese -- inside the woman who so politely greeted us with cups of tea and damp cloths did not speak English. She produced the Chef who had no English menu but asked us, in English, what we wanted -- we settled on bowls of soba noodle soup with tempura -- and we both ate well for a total of $15.00. Though I would have happily been a little more adventurous in food selection, we were more than satisfied. As was our custom thirty years ago, we needed to follow each Japanese meal with a small sweet which we usually found at a coffee shop -- so we sought one out. Ed enjoyed a latte -- I ordered an iced green frothy looking beverage that I was also available hot. I have no idea what I consumed but it was mighty tasty and I believe that its base was from some kind of green tea. The town was full of more bicycles than cars though the streets were generous and not very busy. Cyclists here ride on the sidewalk and not on the street. There are definite “lane markings” in the concrete blocks of which the sidewalks are composed -- but we were never able to determine their meaning -- at least not by watching either pedestrians or the bicyclists. In town we were able to spy a few of the older members of the community in traditional Japanese dress and we also watched what appeared to be some sort of religious procession composed of five or six men in western style black shirts and pants carrying banners and clanking two musical wooden sticks together. No clue at all what it meant. At trivia this afternoon we learned that there are 12 flowers on each side of an oreo cookie and that on the average a cow gives 200,000 glasses of milk in its lifetime. As we struggled to arrive at an accurate estimate of an answer to the milk question we asked the cruise staff member what size glass the question referred to. He was clueless. We won the tie breaker anyway. And then we decided that anyone who knows that there even are flowers on oreo cookies certainly doesn’t comprehend the true essence of oreo or has far too much time on his hands. But, then, come to think of it -- is that the definition of the person who takes an extended cruise? As we left port this afternoon, the pilot boat that led us to sea was called the Utoh Maru (Utoh same as the shrine in town).

[hammybee]

I wish I was under your wing, right now.:)

 

Fiddle-de-dee, Fiddle-de-dee,

The fly has married the humble bee.

Says the fly, says he,

"Will you marry me,

And live with me,

Sweet humble bee?"

 

Says the bee, says she,

"I'll live under your wing,

And you'll never know

That I carry a sting."

Fiddle-de-dee, Fiddle-de-dee,

The fly has married the humble bee.

 

So when the parson

Had joined the pair,

They both went out

To take the air,

Fiddle-de-dee, Fiddle-de-dee,

The fly has married the humble bee.

 

And the flies did buzz,

And the bells did ring -

Did ever you hear

So merry a thing?

Fiddle-de-dee, Fiddle-de-dee,

The fly has married the humble bee.

 

And then to think

That of all the flies

The humble bee

Should carry the prize.

Fiddle-de-dee, Fiddle-de-dee,

The fly has married the humble bee.

[arzz]

Ship’s time: 7:05 pm Wed, October 1, 2008 Chicago time: 5:05 am Wed, October 1, 2008 Ship’s Position: 39 degrees 19.23’ N, 142 degrees 19.61’ E Distance from Seattle: 4253.6 nautical miles Distance to Kobe, Japan (Osaka): 716.7 nautical miles What a glorious day! Sixties and sunny again. The Amsterdam was led into the port of Miyako, Japan shortly before 8:00 am by the pilot boat, the Goyu Maru. We had booked an all day HAL tour. As we boarded our buses the mayor of Miyako was welcoming the Amsterdam on her maiden visit to Miyako. All disembarking passengers were presented with a copy of the mayor’s remarks. Also setting up at the dock was local entertainment which included a Japanese drum band consisting of “cute as a button” Japanese children in traditional Japanese costumes waiting to play drums that were larger than they were. Unfortunately, due to the length of our tour we had to leave the port before the Mayor finished his speech and the official festivities began. But, what a tour it was. We saw things we could never have seen ourselves in the time available. It was a two hour drive to the Tono Valley. Our bus drove inland from the port through fishing villages and industrial towns, and past many rice fields. On our last trip to Japan in June of 1977 the vibrant green rice seedlings were just being planted in the flooded rice fields. Today, we were able to see the rice growing season to its completion as in October the fields are filled with mature, bright yellow rice plants growing in what are now dry conditions. We saw many fields lined with scarecrows -- some the standard anthropomorphic human representations, and some were merely large inflated plastic birds. There were other fields in various stages of harvest. When harvested the rice plants are hung to dry on wooden racks -- reminiscent of the drying of hay in the fields near home. Our drive took us through towns and villages full of modern homes with tiles roofs and a definite Japanese style -- one that we felt was missing from the architecture in Hakodate and even in Aomori. We also drove through many tunnels, one as long as 5 km as we twisted through the hills and mountains. Our tour today visited two old Japanese farms -- one that was authentic medieval Japanese and the other had a collection of buildings that were either reproductions or possibly authentic building that were moved to the sight to create an historical park. We also visited an impressive Buddhist temple and a park dedicated to the mythical impish Kappa -- a sort of Japanese leprechaun that wears a dish style hat, has green skin and loves cucumbers (thus cucumber sushi is called “kappa maki”). Hey, no offense to the Japanese people -- I didn’t make this up. We returned to the port of Miyako just a few minutes before the Goyu Maru escorted us back to sea. Since I am exhausted after a wonderful day in port and another wonderful dinner on the Amsterdam I will finish with this -- there is an unnamed cruise critic member on board who loves chocolates -- as he passed through the Explorer’s Lounge last night he gathered a few extra goodies to get him through the long night ahead. Not wanting to appear too greedy he hid his stash in his computer bag along side his computer --which was still warm from an evening of e-mails and blogs. Can you see where I am going with this gentle reader? A sad end for divine chocolates . And no, it was not me! If it had been me, the chocolates would have never survived long enough to get to the cabin, let alone into the computer bag to snuggle a warm computer.

[Kween Karen]

Sounds like a wonderful day experiencing a different culture.

So sad to see yummy chocolates end that way..............and how IS the computer???

[Foxpaw]

Gee, sounds like you've got one sweet machine there, Roxanne!

 

(Sorry...I couldn't resist!)

 

See you three weeks from today in Singapore!!! :D :D :D

 

Nick

[MightyQuinn]

We had booked an all day HAL tour....

But, what a tour it was. We saw things we could never have seen ourselves in the time available......

I am exhausted after a wonderful day in port....

Arzz - What a great endorsement for the Shorex team/operators in Japan! Your day sounds marvelous. It's not often you hear of a HAL tour that delivered more than you could do independently in port. Way to go! :rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

When you get a chance to answer questions, here's a few: Is the ship full? Are most folks on for the full voyage? And how is the on-board experience noticeably different than on a "regular" cruise?

[Himself]

You make me envious. I hope you enjoy every moment of your cruise on this classic ship.

[JenSDCA]

Arzz, I am loving your writing! My folks will be joining you in Sydney, and I will insist that they read your postings before then. Man, I'd be going too if it weren't for those two little dudes who insist on calling me "Mom" (more like "Moooooooommmmmmm"). Someday, someday, I'll be doing this voyage (and maybe I can get those little guys to foot the bill??)

Keep up the enjoyable posting!

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

Thanks for your fascinating diary. I am living our cancelled cruise through you and loving every moment.

 

Barbara

[arzz]

Ship’s Time: Thursday, October 2, 10:10 pm

Chicago Time: Thursday, October 2, 8:10 am

Distance from Seattle: 4783.8 nautical miles

Distance to Kobe, Japan: 186.5 nautical miles

Ship’s Position: 33 degrees 23.51 N 136 degrees 09.47 E

 

Received an e-mail today from our pet sitter who is caring for our cats at home. She was wistful that she could not be as carefree as the cats are during these very uncertain economic times. Funny thing, we, on the Amsterdam, feel very much like our cats as we are fed and cared for by the ship’s crew and we are far removed from the turmoil at home.

 

And today was another absolutely remarkable day at sea. Sunny skies, balmy temperatures (shirt sleeve weather), smooth seas, very little wind. And ..... we even passed close enough to some of the Japanese coast line to see volcanoes and rock formations.

 

Other than that it was a rest and regroup day. As a sea day “everyone” turned out to play trivia and we learned that the card game Canasta originated in Uruguay, the actress that did the voices of Betty Boop and Olive Oyl was Mae Questel and that Velveeta Cheese first appeared in 1918. Today’s team won with only 6 out of 15 correct questions -- that is how hard our questions were -- it is possible that this was a record low score for the voyage. I think Bruce Scudder was very pleased. :)

 

Dinner this evening was a semiformal event. The dining room was decorated with all things Japanese and our wait staff were dressed in Japanese silk robes. An attempt was also made on the menu to celebrate Japan. The Grand Cruising has begun.

 

Tomorrow our intent is to take the train from Kobe to Kyoto and spend the day enjoying the mysteries of ancient Japan.

 

In answer to questions: The ship does appear to be quite full -- as folks that we know who were looking to change rooms had virtually no options. There are a group of people leaving us tomorrow at Kobe - whether there are 6 or 600 in the group I cannot say -- it may be more apparent tomorrow as we look for new faces.

 

Things that are different on a grand voyage -- the pillow gifts, the level of staff -- more cruise staff, more wait staff, etc. -- the special event dinners -- no pressure to buy photos, art work, things in the shops, spa services. All of those activities occur on a regular basis but they do not make announcements over the intercom and there is no pressure exerted by the staff. Also the passengers are much more relaxed as they do not have to do everything in 7 days -- they know they will be on board for a long time. And team trivia is an olympic sport rather than an intramural activity. We find the atmosphere on the two grand voyages that we have experienced to be relaxed and sophisticated. Our fellow cruisers are not first timers, they are seasoned travellers. Due to the length of the cruise, most of them are retired.

 

And for the record -- re: the chocolate incident -- it was not me and it was not my computer. When I do something dumb I am the first to admit it -- this time, at least, it wasn’t me.

[Deb C.]

Am loving your daily reports. Thanks for your effort to give them to us.

Are they giving out daily prizes for winners of the team trivia? Deb C.

[arzz]

Oh, what adventures we have had! We did our own touring with the help of a local guide.

 

My 10 rules for getting around in the Kobe/Osaka/Kyoto area (with apologies to Bill Mahr)

 

1. The distance between any two points on the JR (Japanese Rail) is much shorter if you have a seat.

 

2. The train maps are all in Japanese ideograms so unless you read the language they are useless.

 

3. It is OK to wait in the “ladies only” line for a train on Saturdays.

 

4. If you “accidentally” purchase a rail ticket for less than the required amount to travel -- when you arrive at your destination you can adjust the cost of your ticket at one of the special fare adjustment machines.

 

5. If you get on the wrong train, you can just go back on the next train in the opposite direction.

 

6. If you get off of your train too early -- you just wait for the next train to arrive and try again.

 

7. If you are a REAL Japanese commuter you can learn to stand up holding the hand strap, text message on your cell phone and sleep at same time -- all without missing your correct train station.

 

8. If you are in a group of 6 westerners and you must follow a quick moving Japanese guide who is very short in stature through very crowded and convoluted Japanese train stations you will not get lost if you use a “GPS” (Giant Positioning System) to navigate -- that is you have one western person raise their hand as they walk through the crowds (Please be aware that the GPS or Giant Positioning System was invented by cruise critic member Bra1nchild)

 

9. If you are a Japanese guide and you get lost, never admit it to your charges, use your cell phone to call a friend for advice (speaking only in Japanese) and keep leading your charges on and off trains until you figure out where you are going.

 

10. If your Japanese guide constantly directs you to walk down the “up only” staircases it is OK to correct him.

 

As you can tell we have spent the last two days in Kobe, Osaka and Kyoto working the local rail and bus systems. In fact it is entirely possible that in only two days time there is no rail or bus line that we have not ridden. In general we prefer the rail to the bus but when all else fails, or in Kyoto where there is not much in the way of rail systems, the buses work very well.

 

Between the many hours that we spent navigating Japanese public transportation we did get to squeeze in a few wonderful experiences in both Osaka and Kyoto. On Friday we were out for almost 10 hours touring and I have to admit that the sight of the Amsterdam at 7:30 pm all lit up at the pier in Kobe was one of the most inviting sights I have ever seen. Exhausted and with aching feet it was almost possible to make it through dinner last night without falling asleep at the table.

 

Today we insisted on leaving our guides to return to the ship in mid afternoon so we will do better this evening. And we will get to rest up for the next two days while the Amsterdam steams towards Shanghai.

 

Between our heavy transportation use yesterday we managed to squeeze in a visit to the Nijojo Castle -- an ancient Shogun Castle built by a Shogun who united many families by bringing them all together to live close to him near the Palace -- keep your enemies close so that they can be constantly watched. In addition the wooden floors of the palace were constructed as “nightingale floors” -- designed to squeak at every step so that the Shogun’s enemies could not get too close. The sounds of the floor are almost musical. Yesterday, as we shared our visit with many school children who along with us padded through the castle in our stocking feet, the floors sang to us most of the morning. The rooms at the main palace have screens that have been saved and restored that contain paintings made by a very famous Japanese painter (whose name I cannot remember) on a background of gold leaf. The palace itself is surrounded by a serene Japanese garden. Another reminder that though the Shoguns could be incredibly violent they created and enjoyed their patches of serenity in an otherwise chaotic world.

 

We also visited the Kinkakuji Temple (also known as the Golden Pavilion) -- a place that many have seen on post cards, etc. It sits on a quiet, mirror like lake and the upper levels of the Temple have been totally guilded in gold leaf. The temple is surrounded by rock gardens and green gardens and is extremely photogenic. The current building was built as an exact replica after the original was destroyed by fire during the 1950’s.

 

We also visited the Ryoanji Temple and it’s famous rock garden. The garden supposedly contains fifteen large stones but only 13 can ever been seen from any one place -- the goal is to meditate on how it is never possible to get everything at once.

 

We enjoyed a delightful Japanese lunch at a local restaurant as well as a visit to the Heian-jingu Shrine before heading back to the ship, during rush hour, via many buses, trains and trains.

 

Today we left the ship a bit smarter but still ended up consuming large amounts of time riding the rails. We went to the Osaka Castle (which was rebuilt in nineteen thirty something -- it had been struck by lightening and then bombed a couple of times). Today the exterior of the Castle is well preserved and quite photogenic -- but the interior has been made into a museum. You can get to the top for the photo opportunity of the city of Osaka but the inside is modern and not representative of the life of the Shoguns and ancient Japan.

 

From the Castle we ventured to the nearby Osaka Historical museum which is housed in a relatively new (about 10 years old) glass walled sky scraper with a four or five story spherical atrium attached at the front. The museum is filled with dioramas of ancient Japan, mannequins wearing ancient Japanese robes, interactive exhibits for children, and informative films. Unfortunately, not understanding Japanese much in this beautiful building was lost on us.

 

During our walk from the Osaka Castle to the Historical Museum we were delighted to stop and briefly watch some high school tournaments -- in one side of the building there was a judo competition, and n the other side there was a kendo competition (bamboo sword fights) under way. Not something that you normally see at a US high school.

 

But never fear, we did enjoy a Japanese lunch and many train rides home.

 

Time to get ready for dinner -- tonight I expect to stay awake through the meal.

[MightyQuinn]

Arzz, your wonderfully descriptive journal is like being at Trivia Boot Camp! Who knew about nightingale floors for shoguns? Great stuff. Thanks for taking time (and $$$) away from your Grand Voyage to give us these reports. :):)

[Druke I]

Enjoying your posts.

 

Japan is wonderful - we've enjoyed our trips there.