Since we are getting closer to Kushiro where tomorrow we will dock, we are finally getting better satellite service. The doom and gloom of the news is back on which is easy to turn off but it also means we will get better internet connections and be able to upload and download. Today it is about 47 degrees and too cold to be on the deck walking. Yesterday we listened a good lecture on our port of Kushiro and I will add some of that information. We also had a good lecture about Japanese Puppetry which turned out to be pretty interesting. We get a lot of exercise in as we have only used the stairs and then we visit the exercise room too. I brought my stretch bands so we lift some weights, use the bikes and or walkers depending on how much movement we get up there and then I tried out the bands which is a good workout. Each night we are turning our clocks back an hour so it’s hard for us adjust to the constant time changes. But typically for us we go to dinner whether it is in the main dining room or Lido and then we attend the show. Yesterday the saxophone entertainer Craig Richard gave a mid day concert. He is just excellent and his music transports you to somewhere peaceful, lovely and totally surreal. Google him and see him as he toured with Kenny G.
At 4:30 we met with some of our AZ friends at the Ocean Bar, happy hour, to visit and talk about getting off in Kushiro. Last night was also another Gala Night which means dressing up if you choose in your gala clothing! I chose to wear a cute Owl shirt that Tess and I got right before we left on a shopping day :). It was black and white with silver detail in the shape of a large owl and then I wore my owl earrings that she got me awhile back with black slacks, some black dressy sandals that she helped me find and carried a long black drapey jacket. Dan looked dashing in his black suit.; the theme for the event was black and white so we fit in! Anyway our friends excitedly shared that several of them had already booked their next cruise! Two are doing what’s called the Voyage of the Vikings which happens for them in 2019 out of Boston. It is a 35 day round trip cruise which only happens once a year. It takes you to Iceland, Ireland, England, Scotland and Newfoundland with ports like Brook Red Bay, Reykjavik, Alesund, Bergen, Hardangerjford, Rotterdam, Dublin and on and on. Then another couple told us they just booked the 113 day World Cruise for 2019! So I’m feeling the pressure! Ha ha.
We all went to dinner and enjoyed a good visit and a delicious meal; some had broiled lobster tails (two large tails per person) or as I had a delicious steak and vegetables with large shrimp cocktails and several other interesting soups, salads and appetizers. There was music last night by the ship orchestra but it didn’t start till 9:30 so we all opted to head to bed early. The seas have still been somewhat rocky and at night it has been just about right lulling me to sleep with enough motion that it is comforting.
Today we were up early at 6:15. Dan went for coffee and got us some fruit. We turned on the TV to find the movie Inferno just starting so we watched it till it was over; then we went up early to the theater to listen to the port talk about Yokohama which will be our next port stop. We have seven port stops now in Japan since they cancelled the two in South Korea. We exchanged $100 today for the Japanese Yen very easily onboard. There was no fee to do this and the ship will exchange it back for us if we still have paper Yen. They do not do any coins so they told us to spend the coins which are in denominations of $1 and $5. Tomorrow when we get off we will DIY or “do it yourself” in terms of tours. We are going with two other couples and hope to get a taxi to take us to the crane reserve; then when we get back we will do the sightseeing around the port area. The weather is to be cool and possibly rainy so again it will be jeans, socks, sweatshirts, coats, umbrellas and gloves!
Here is some trivia about Japan and our port of Kushiro..
Japan is made up of over 6000 islands. It was settled in 600 BC
Misty, Kushiro, Hokkaido was mostly a hunter gatherer area. It is or was very remote. Ghengis Khan supposedly was here.
Beautiful robes are made there some just display them. Trade is very important along with shipping.
Commodore Perry negotiated a treaty for trade. Filmore was the US president.
Seikan tunnel is the longest under sea tunnel and connects Hokkaido to the mainland; is sits
500 ft below seabed. It is the deepest and longest underwater tunnel and the trains travel at 85 mph. It is a four hour journey to Tokyo in a quick and comfortabl bullet train.
Breathe taking describes the area for it’s natural views. It is an area known for sea food, agriculture and hiking along with outdoor adventures. Kushiro is home to Japan’s largest fishing centers and known for wetlands. The first wetland to be developed was in Kushiro for Japan.
Over 2000 species of plants and animals are found in this area with the Japanese Crane, dragonflies and unique lizards. It is a Diverse ecosystem; the famous crane here is the
Red Crown Crane. The
Crane is a symbol of Japan with the
International crane center here.
Port is in the center of town. Biking is easy here and it is easy to walk around. Free Wi-Fi in art museum which is close to the port and which Dan and I will use!
Signs in Japanese and English are posted everywhere making it easy for tourists.
Dock at the wharf where you can access the Moo and Egg that contain many shops and eating establishments.
Weather to be about 55.
Everything is in walking distance and if you
Go to the bridge and cross over to the Moo you can do shopping and get good coffee.
7 11 stores are here everywhere and have good atms! They make different KitKats here like Green Tea KitKat and many people like to purchase these unique flavors when they come to Japan.
Kushiro washo ichiba 69 shops have everything too but prices can be speedy here.
Hello Kitty school buses transport the school children and Hello Kitty is BIG in Japan.
300 yen is $3 and the exchange rate is almost one to one.
Salmon ale is popular which sounds horrible!
Ice hockey is popular with a major team called the Nippon Paper Cranes located here.
A scene from the wetlands area that was shown in the special presentation.
Signs displayed in English and Japanese and things are easily found and accessed.
Our schedule for arrival and departure on October 13th. We will have our photos for the next blog entry.
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