4/30/24 Cruise Day 143 - Colombo, Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon)

We started our excursion about 9:00am in a bus with "crystal" light fixtures and promptly found ourselves stuck in a traffic jam.

Our first scheduled stop was the Buddhist Gangaramaya Temple. You had to take off your shoes and socks to go inside, so I stayed out and walked down the street. There are tuk tuks everywhere. One owner offered to take our picture. 

Next we went to the National Museum, completed by the British in 1877. There are 16 wings and a lot to see. When I was ready to leave I went down the concrete stair to the ground floor, misjudged the last step and fell. My left knee took the brunt of the misstep, but I was more embarrassed than injured and jumped up before the docent reached me. Having some extra time, I went out to the sidewalk to look at paintings. Roger liked one, I liked another, so we got both (I was sure they'd fit in a suitcase).

Our last stop was a pleasant lunch at the very fancy, very old, beachfront Galle Face Hotel. The location offers an onshore breeze most of the time and was the most comfortable temperature and humidity level we'd had in weeks.

Pictures: Our very decorated bus interior, traffic jam, temple, ancillary buildings, welded street art, a planter from the Ceylon days, Roger and me with a tuk tuk, a giant banyan tree with a tiny falling limb warning sign, the "professionally" painted museum sign, [my personal favorite sign from anywhere I've been] a No Barefoot sign, the museum's front portico, floor plan, magnificent staircase, ancient terrace display, diagram showing how to carve figures using a plumb system, ancient weapons display room, the Galle Face Hotel, its sign, carved chairs and table between two ornate doors, plumeria [frangipani] bushes, the Presidential Secretariat building, and our farewell view of the port.

4/29/24 Cruise Day 142 - Hambantota, Sri Lanka

We docked at a commercial cargo port around noon. There were [picture] thousands of cars (under incoming threatening clouds) waiting to be shipped somewhere. It was about ten miles to anything and we had an excursion the next day, so we stayed onboard, watching the clouds go by. The ship turned in place 180 degrees to go back out the [picture] harbor opening. 

4/27/24-4/28/24 Cruise Days 140 & 141 Sea Days

As like most sea days, we didn't really do much. We prepped for a get together and watched two ships pass under rain clouds.

4/26/24 Cruise Day 139 - Penang, Malaysia

Because I'd gone out the day before, I decided to stay on the ship. Roger wandered around and took his own pictures. I took a few from the ship. 

Pictures: Cool cloud formation arriving near Penang (Georgetown), the terminal and surrounding area and that night's sunset.

4/25/24 Cruise Day 138 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I awoke to a full moon, just before a beautiful sunrise. There was a gathering for Anzac Day (Australia and New Zealand's Veterans Day Commemoration) at 7:00am. It was a moving experience, even for those of us just looking on. We tied up about 8:00am.

A seven-hour (we didn't know there would be four hours of driving) excursion to a six-story shopping center was available, so I booked that for myself. Roger went on a sightseeing tour, because mall shopping isn't his thing.

It was more than a two-hour ride through industrial, squatter, homeless/poor and upscale areas. I went with a friend on the bus, but we went our separate ways once we arrived. We were given three hours, which when we got there didn't seem like it could possibly be enough, but everyone was done and back to our meeting spot before the deadline. I'd found a few things, but hadn't had any specific items to find before I started. 

Our ride back was the reverse of the same route, but only took three quarters of the time it did going into the city. It started raining about halfway back and several parts of the roadway were flooded in the first ten minutes. Gas is subsidized and cars are relatively cheap for Malaysians (Photon and Perodua manufacturers), so there's always a lot of traffic. 

Gangway up was 4:30pm. We got off the bus at 4:20 and joined the queue through security and then the one reboarding. We didn't leave port until almost 7:00pm (we usually push off within 30 minutes of gangway up), because other excursions were delayed due to the rain, traffic or a combination of the two.

Pictures: setting moon, rising sun, the Anzak Day gathering, our bus interior (floor, seats and ceiling), standard housing buildings, high-rise and bridge support, prepping for a new building project, and the Port Klang Cruise Terminal sign at the entrance.

4/24/24 Cruise Day 137 - Singapore

We docked at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre and started an excursion about 8:45am.

Our first stop was the Singapore National Botanical Garden with hundreds of orchid varieties. 

The next outing was in the downtown central business district, past the National Art Museum (formerly the Queen's residence) next to a building with a banner proclaiming the Singapore Symphany is among the top 21 in the world. We walked through the park, across a bridge, down a bunch of stairs and arrived at Merlion Park. Overhead is Esplanade Drive, with the Marina Bay Sands Casino across the bay from the Merlion statue/fountain. Across another waterway is the Singapore Flyer (called an observation wheel). There's so much to see with all the different new building types. 

On our way to our last visiting location we passed a few Hindu Temples and went under some great cloud formations.

Our last destination was Chinatown. Lots of sellers with their wares inside and out, interesting wall art, and a paint company logo. The most distinctive structure in the pagoda. I got a few minutes of air conditioned sanctuary in the visitor center. 

Then we were back at the port and saying goodbye to Singapore. Today also marked the world cruise halfway point; day 137 of 274. We received a certificate and there was a party at the ship center (Centrum) at 10:00pm.

Pictures: "You are here" map of the gardens, only four of the hundreds of orchids on display, a sign that wants its picture taken, Roger trying to get an unobstructed (people) picture of the park sign, the requisite feral hen and rooster, and a young banyan tree, 

The Merlion statue/fountain with the Marina Bay Sands Casino, the Singapore Flyer (the plane is farther away than the picture makes it appear), another "You are here" sign, new buildings in the area, a marker for Singapore's Golden Jubilee in 2015, and an under view of Esplanade Street bridge.

One of the many Hindu Temples we passed and a big billowy cloud.

The pagoda in Chinatown, two outdoor wall murals, a van with a sumo wrestler for a logo (but he's not even holding a paint brush or can?), and our farewell sign.

4/23/24 Cruise Day 136 Sea Day

Prepped visa forms for Singapore. Only cloud pictures today. (Find all the ships in the second picture)

4/22/24 Cruise Day 135 - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

Renamed after the country's hero in 1975, this is a city of over nine million. Although the Nhà Bè River empties into the South China Sea, it's not big enough for a cruise ship to navigate. We docked at the Phu My terminal and took an "on our own" tour of the city after a 90 minute bus ride. 

Our objective was to see the US Embassy. We walked the half mile to the address and found an 8' wall, topped by curved metal spikes with no view at all from the outside. Even the drive-through gates were made to block any visual. Around the entire corner of the street where the buildings are was ringed with upright concrete and steel bollards. The former embassy was car bombed in 1965, but that building was repaired and still in use.

The city is well laid out and growing, just like most other Asian metropolises. Younger people believe cities will offer them a better life. Their Book Street is pedestrian only, offering reading material in many languages. There are places to eat everywhere. 

On our bus ride back to the ship we went through a green area, crossed the Ba Son Bridge over the Saigon River with views of the Vincom Landmark 81 and Bitexco Financial Tower (our meeting place) skylines. There was an enormous white classic building near Long An, rice fields, communities and scooter riders along our route. 

Pictures: The US Embassy Wall, the original embassy building, Book Street, the "Good Morning, Vietnam" restaurant, green area flower marker/Ba Don Bridge/Vincom Landmark 81, skyline with Bitexco Building (pointy with horizontal overhang), classic architecture giant white house/palace/mansion (anyone want to see if they can identify it? Long An, Vietnam, off Quốc Lộ 51) with a power line (that I couldn't photoshop out), local community (with lots of power lines) and a mom and daughter on their scooter. 

4/21/24 Cruise Day 133 - Nha Trang, Vietnam

Roger had been here before on a motorcycle trip. It was so hot and humid and we had to be tendered to shore on a short day, so I stayed on the ship while Roger went out. This is a tropical place where Russians like to vacation. Someday a cruise terminal will be added. There was a beautiful sunset. Six of us "girls" had dinner at Chef's Table, with six courses and six different wine pairings. Cheers!

*** HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACKIE ***

4/17/24 - 4/20/24 Cruise Day 129-132 Sea Days!

Two of our core group had birthdays on the 13th and we all agreed to celebrate at 2:00pm on the 17th, our first of four sea days after Japan. The usual suspects showed up.

Never one to get enough sleep, Roger came down to change his footwear to walk Deck 12 with buddy Gary on the 18th. We waited a reasonable amount of time before I went to check. Roger was soundly asleep and would stay that way for another hour-plus. Not wanting to wake him, I read instead of making clicky noises on my laptop.

On the 19th Roger joined a motley crew for a pub crawl at noon. I thought he’d kind of pour into a chair until I helped him back to our room. He managed, relatively steady, all day. A stowaway was seen on our balcony. We had a sunset with sunbeams.

The 20th brought a horizon on fire sunset. 

*** HAPPY (April 17th) BIRTHDAY, DAYNA ***

4/16/24 Cruise Day 128 - Osaka, Japan

On our way to the harbor some kind of sea birds were paralleling the side of the ship just above the foamy waves. We think big ships must churn up fish and the birds have found it easier to find food this way.

Our excursion for the day took us to the Shitennoji [Buddhist] Temple, believed to be the oldest in Japan. It was established in 593 and burned down and was reconstructed several times. The current structures were erected in 1963, of nonflammable concrete.

We watched a monk do a daily ceremony, saw young, current day monks, beautiful structures and statues of their deities. Even the gravel grounds were raked into order.

From the temple we went on to Osaka Castle Park which was built by warlord Hideyoshi Toyotomi, meant to be his base of military operations to oversee Japan in 1583. Another site that’s been rebuilt many times. The fall of the castle was one of the bloodiest of battles in Japanese history, yet the site belies that history. We both (but separately) climbed all seven stories of stairs to the (8th floor) top.

When we left port that evening Michael Jackson’s Never Can Say Goodbye overplayed by a live shamisen and flute duet.

Pictures: Hundreds of birds flying just above the ship's side (easier to see if you can zoom in), the Shitennoji entry torii, its two Nio guardian statues, the largest pagoda surrounded by raked gravel called samon, two young (stylish) monks and Japanese tribute area.

The 8 story Main Tower of the castle, traditionally dressed ladies, Roger giving size perspective to one piece of the giant interior wall, and a woman in front of the largest cut and placed stone in the park and our farewell duo.

4/15/24 Cruise Day 127 - Mt Fuji, Japan

We took an excursion to an overlook at an observatory that gave us views of the snow covered top of Mt Fuji, but it was hazy and difficult to see the land that leads to the snow.

From there we went to the Kunozan Toshogu Shrine for Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu who unified Japan in 1603. It is only accessible by a cable car that holds 32. The shrine is surrounded by waterfall cuts in the lava that created this part of Japan. The site has very steep, very tall (14” to 16”) steps up (and down) and is fairly idyllic.

Getting back to the tour on time, we headed back to the ship. We left port about 3:30pm and then got the best views of Mt Fuji.

Pictures: Our view from the observatory platform (can you find Mt Fuji?), a location map on a really clear day, the observatory tower, a variety of tulips (maybe?), planted flowerbed, a picture of their picture of Mt Fuji, cable car to/from shrine, surrounding forest, location map, half the double door at the top of, the stairs (that are much steeper than they look), the torii, ancient butterfly joinery on top cap wall sections, the actual shrine, one of the pair of Komainu shrine guardians and the view below.

My favorite actual picture (only cropped) of Mt Fuji that I took as we cruised by.

4/14/24 Cruise Day 126 - Tokyo, Japan

We’d signed up for a ride into Tokyo that left at 9:30am. We were let off at a major intersection and hailed a cab to get us to the Imperial Palace. A few blocks away Bud and Mitzi had met over 70 years before.

We wandered the grounds that weren’t closed off and then found the building where McArthur had his headquarters, directly across from the parade grounds and in line with the palace. Unfortunately, the area has changed so much since 1950 that we weren’t able to locate where they met, but we were closer than we’d ever been before.

Tokyo is enormous and we only saw a small area of the city. We walked into an open air market and I found a kimono, for much less than the specialty store would charge, that I plan to have framed.

A bit later we caught a cab back to the drop off point with almost two hours to wait. We stopped at a 7-11 (which like KFC, Pizza Hut and McDonald’s are everywhere), and had an egg salad, chicken and teriyaki sandwich on white bread with no crust. I went walking and found another open air market, but nothing I couldn’t live without. As I walked along there were interesting buildings, art, statues, etc. and I wondered if the people who live in the area even notice what’s around them.

We took our bus back “home” in the late afternoon and the ship left the port about 7:00pm with a rousing send off.

Pictures: Kokyogaien Park sign, Guide to the National Garden, expansive parade area, as close as we could get to the actual palace, the access bridge and gate, view with palace moat and officer housing, carp in the river that flows toward the moat, the Dai-Ichi Bldg (the insurance company has kept McArthur's office), the no tour notice posted after 9/11, the UN University (based in Japan), unique art on big structures, part of the Tokyo skyline from the Rainbow Bridge, a permanently docked former cruise ship - now a restaurant and our farewell.

4/13/24 Cruise Day 125 - Yokohama, Japan

For our first day we walked from the port into downtown Yokohama/Minatomirai, about 4.5 miles. The weather was nicely cooperative and the city and surrounding areas are clean and tidy, with a ferris wheel and rollercoaster at a major intersection. There are a lot of high-rises, few single-family homes and no depressed areas. The people looked genuinely happy and were helpful to a fault if called upon.

Our destination was an electronics store, so Roger could compare camera lens prices with back home. He didn’t buy one, but I got a 1T flash drive to keep my pictures in order, in one place, that’s readily accessible. It works fine, but turns off my laptop if I plug it in after the laptop’s running. Not a normal action.

We walked across the river, past the K-Arena, which was having a K-pop (extremely popular in this region of the world) concert later that day. I knew there was a waterway transportation service, but we couldn’t figure out the schedule or which boat to take back to the terminal. (Kit would know how). Instead, we caught a cab and were back onboard by 2:30pm.

Maintenance crew were on a lift, touching up paint on the outside of Deck 11. A little later I spotted an amphibious bus cruising around the harbor. Apparently, they’re not uncommon, but this was the first time I’ve seen one.

About 5:30 we walked into the portside area of town for dinner with another couple. There was (supposed to be) a ramen place a quarter-mile from the dock, but it was no longer in business. Roger found another place in Maps a bit further down, but we couldn’t find it either. We wound up in an authentic (the wait staff had on Mao uniforms) Chinese restaurant, that locals like and “English” menus (regular menu with translations) were available.

The place may have room for 24 people at a time. The guys had spicy and we ladies didn’t. It was all delicious. When we left there was a line to get in. It was a very pleasant walk back.

*** HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHALET & JO ***

Pictures: Yokohama skyline, a flower welcome in a large pedestrian walkway, K-Arena with patient concert goers, the wheel and coaster, ship maintenance (wish they could have cleaned the glass), a sightseeing tour bus in the harbor, a dance troupe preparing in the terminal to perform on the ship's stage, our menu cover, and two pages of pictures of dishes with their translations, the restaurant interior and our night views (the top image has a large, lighted cruise ship from long ago, that is permanently docked and was turned into a waterfront restaurant).

4/12/24 Cruise Day 124 - Sea Day

We had a meeting this morning with more specifics about going around Africa.

Since then, I’ve been attempting to get this caught up, so I’ll be all ready to add our Tokyo/Yokohama adventure on the (my) 15th.

My legs are not happy with me. I’m hoping a day a rest will help. Lots more walking over the next two days.

There wasn't a big splashy sunset, but the sky and clouds made up for that.

4/11/24 Cruise Day 123 - Kagoshima, Japan

This was the first place we found a cemetery location before getting off the ship. I’m not trying to make them a theme. It’s just that the crowds go to the usual touristy places that have been photographed a million+ times and we prefer the road less traveled (not including Recoleta)

The route was pretty straightforward, albeit a slight incline the entire way. I kept seeing cars I’ve never heard of, and some that I don’t know why they aren’t available at home (ie: Suzuki Hustler, maybe with a different name). Plus there were flowers, planted or wild, but the cherry trees still haven’t bloomed.

The Usuki Cemetery was at the edge of town. It didn’t have character like those we’d visited before. It’s terraced, but the levels aren’t accessible without going back out to the road and climbing to the next level. Oh well, they can’t all be gems.

We stopped at a grocery/general merchandise store that didn’t seem to have much rhyme or reason for the shelf contents. Hand lotion was next to cookies. Detergent was next to chips. I don’t know how even a local could find what they’re looking for.

Roger’s phone has a translator for printed characters which helped decide what unidentifiable thing was in a bag and if it sounded like something either of us wanted to try. We found a few things before I sent Roger out to eat at Go!Go!Curry* (with a gorilla logo). I finished with what looks like a quart of milk (I don’t have a translator on my phone) then checked out. The US dollar has been strong everywhere.

By the time we got back to the ship we’d walked a little over five and a-half miles, keeping our port day on our own excursion average at roughly five miles each day.

After dinner I did our laundry that needs special handling. Every moment isn’t filled with wonder.

Pictures: The Kagoshima Cruise Terminal, Mt Sakurajima, a funny sign, Usuki Cemetery, Suzuki Hustler, harbor bridge at low tide, a temple, two kinds of flowers and two vehicles with manufacturer emblems I've never seen before.

4/10/24 Cruise Day 122 - Nagasaki, Japan 

It was another under bridge entry to the dock, but not as dramatic as the one in Busan. It was a beautiful weather day. Without any plans or destination in mind, we just started walking from the ship. We went in the general direction of a park and wound up at the entrance to the Great Buddhist Cemetery. Although not a commonly sought out venue, we’ve found those we’ve visited as peaceful, landscaped, well-kept areas right in the middle of a bustling city. This one was no exception.

The site is huge, winding, steep and beautiful. As I kept finding steps that went up I couldn’t see a boundary, until I crested the landing between those I’d climbed and the last steps up. Above the edge was a simple house with white corrugated panels set at an angle as a divider. The majority of the city and our ship could be seen from my vantage point. I’d passed only two other people on the way up and no one on the way down.

Roger hadn’t climbed as high and I was on the opposite side from where we started. I took my time descending and was surprised to see Roger where I’d be exiting.

The rest of the afternoon was spent wandering side streets as we walked back to the ship. I got a satin letterman’s jacket with embroidered Mt Fuji and flowers and two complimentary tops. Roger got a T-shirt.

Pictures: Headed under the bay bridge (with people waving), a poorly translated business name painted on the side of a building, the entry to the cemetery and a welcoming committee, some of the stairs I descended, two symbolic groups of statues, an unkept burial site, many remembered ancestors cared for mausoleums, the last stairs to the top, and the view.

4/9/24 Cruise Day 121 - Sea Day

A very cold day. Many layers needed to be out on the deck. It should become more temperate as we head south. Then people will be complaining about the heat as we approach the equator. But, it’s a good day to bring travel journals up to date.

4/8/24 Cuise Day 120 - Tianjin Port

Yesterday tired us out and except for going to the mall there wasn’t much else to do/see. The weather returned to overcast and cold, so we stayed onboard, with a 2:30pm gangway up.

It was also the day segment (Hong Kong to Beijing) passengers disembarked and new people came aboard. This starts the 17 day portion to Singapore.

The jade earrings were a hit and that made me smile. Our departure should have been about 3:00pm, but the “local authorities” didn’t release the ship until after 7:00pm.

4/7/24 Cruise Day 119 - Beijing (Tianjin), China

My decades of wanting to see/touch the Great Wall was finally fulfilled. It was a major factor in taking this cruise and I booked our excursion (11 hours long) way back in December 2022. Bad wifi until we were out of China water. 

Tianjin is the closest port to Beijing and the reconstructed segment of the Great Wall we went to for our excursion. The morning was chilly, but the day’s weather was delightful. Spring is behind schedule at the more northern latitudes.

We met our fellow travelers at 7:45am to start our 11 hour tour. Off the ship, onto our bus and away we went for our 3-1/2 hour drive to our destination. We did have one stop, at a rest area with squat toilets and no toilet paper (actually most restrooms don’t provide it). The facilities weren’t needed by Roger or me.

Rounding a mountain curve, we got the first view of The Wall. The mountains look so imposing it doesn’t seem like the Wall would be necessary in the area, but it was a continuous, connected fortress, troop barracks and supply line for its (once entire) length of over 13,000 miles.

It’s unknown how much of what we saw/climbed was composed of original bricks, stones and mortar. Regardless of its authenticity it was very impressive. The steps are all varying heights, so there’s no way to build a rhythm to go up or down. By the time I made it to the first tower my legs were wobbly. I thought descending would be easier, but my legs disagreed. Still, I set out to do what I did, but I'd like to come back to China to walk at least a section of the Wall that goes back a thousand or so years (plus see the Terra Cotta Warriors).

Our guide told us how the tour business in China had been shut down for four years during the pandemic and that she’d pretty much given up on having a job when it restarted. She isn’t thrilled with her government and thinks most people pretty much ignore the regulations imposed these days. Younger people are moving away from the beliefs and expectations of the previous generations. It turns out the people of most countries just want the same things, without the intervention of their government.

Next, we went to lunch at the Yilu Garden. The restaurant was on the third floor (with a standard toilet in the restrooms). On the ground floor was the Jade Gallery. I finally found the jade bracelet I didn’t know I wanted in recognition of our 35th anniversary (over three months ago). I was also asked to find a pair of earrings by another passenger for his wife. I hoped she’d like the ones I chose.

Our last tour destination is the tomb of thirteen Ming Dynasty emperors (completed 1427), starting with Cháng Ling area, where the first of these Ming Emperors, Yongle, was interred. Later, Chengzu set the precedent of an empress receiving the same burial rites as the emperor before his death. Many individual tombs were ransacked over the next 200 years, however as far as archeologists can tell, the first is 89' below ground and appears to be intact.

Everything we saw was impressive. There are too many high rises with apartments that are almost too expensive for people to buy or rent. Still more are being built as the younger, better educated citizens from the countryside keep moving to the cities for better jobs, perpetuates the construction.

We got back to the terminal about 8:30pm, slightly ahead of schedule. We went through Immigration, then Customs, then the ship security before being allowed back onboard. It was an exciting, exhausting day.

Pictures: The Tianjin International Cruise Home Port, first glimpse of The Wall, it's hard to get a perspective of its size from a distance, the nonproportional steps, more towers, temples and painting highlights. If possible/legible, read the English translation on the "Warm Prompt of Scenic Spot" sign.

A single stone carving at a building entrance in Yilu Garden, a carved red jade headpiece and the Temple of Guan Yu.

Cháng Ling was either changed in translation or by someone simplifying the pronunciation, an oversize statue of Chengzu, an unidentifiable electric scooter with an add-on cargo bed and the Tianjin skyline at night, from our balcony..

4/6/24 Cruise Day 118 Sea Day

It was chilly, but the internet was almost nonexistent and not expected to get better until (our) Monday. Cold, so I'd stay inside, with reliable wifi/internet, this would be an ideal cruising day. That would give me regular intervals to stay up to date here.

We did have to get our passports to carry tomorrow and set our clocks forward an hour.

4/5/24 Cruise Day 117 - Incheon (Seoul) South Korea

Another city with a skyline of high-rise apartment buildings. We did go through the upscale mall where the bus stopped, but then walked over to their Central Park. It’s 101 acres in the middle of the city, just like NYC’s. The weather was pleasant and the park offered a clean, green, quiet respite from the traffic and noise.

There was a place to hang hammocks, at least a thousand newly planted rose bushes (that will be spectacular in a couple months), a lake, instructions on using a tent/sun shelter and a Healing Barefoot Walkway (that I didn’t try).

It was a nice diversion from all the city activity we’ve been in during previous stops. I did get a new, better made backpack from a store where we started.

Pictures: Port sign, covering over open air part of a mall, the park district area (over a grate), a Made in Korea manhole cover, hammock hanging area, part of the rose garden, reflections in the lake, Healing Barfoot Walkway sign, Metal heart sculpture with butterflies and little girl with a cat sitting up high (no information signage about either), Sun Shelter/Small Tent instructions with Korean to English translation "Prevent crime prevention and the corruption of public morals," a public insecticide application/spraying machine,  the entrance/exit park path, cherry blossoms/buds and  early evening sunlight reflection with the bay bridge and a cargo ship heading out of the harbor.

4/4/24 Cruise Day 116 - Jeju Island, South Korea

More shuttling from the ship to the city. Many are at least a 30 minute drive.

We were dropped off in front of the Jeju-mok Government Center, a re-creation (2003) of buildings that burned down in 1434, rebuilt a year later and then completely destroyed during the Japanese occupation of WWII.

Our usual wanderings took us to non-touristy neighborhoods where we saw quite a few cherry trees in bloom, among other unique sights, like the succulents growing in socks and other makeshift planters on a rock wall.

It felt like a holiday, with hardly any traffic, not many residents and closed shops. It stayed overcast, without rain and we were done after a few hours.

A core group couple celebrated their anniversary.

*** HAPPY 54th, Gill & Linda ***

Pictures: The layout of the Jeju-mok Government Office, open meeting building, fairly empty main road, succulents tucked into rock wall, a our first sighting of a cherry tree in bloom, close-up, a tea garden entrance tucked behind stores, signs in English (Unknown?), tranquil river and peace sculpture.

4/3/24 Cruise Day 115 - Busan, South Korea 

We docked at the Busan Port International Cruise Terminal about 7:30am. It was already raining and continued to do so through the day. Everyone had to go through South Korean immigration and get another sticker/QR code on the back of their passport by 10:30am. We waited until the first rush was over, then did immigration, picked up some visitor maps and were sent to the port parking lot to catch the shuttle bus into town. 

It didn't stop raining. There was nothing within a reasonable walking distance. We took the next bus back. 

It was one of our group's, Gary's, birthday, but he said he didn't want any sort of celebration (or reminder he was a year older). I'd gotten a Serenade of the Seas T-shirt and rounded up everyone from the group to sign the back. When I gave it to him, in a pink with silver polka dot bag, I simply said, "Happy April 3rd," as I'd already said the words Happy Birthday once. 

He and his wife had gone into town for a seafood lunch he requested. Another group member arranged for a cake and the crew on hand sang the song. He may not have liked that it was his birthday, but he did have a good day.

Leaving port, we went under the lighted Busan Harbor Bridge and the antenna/navigation equipment couldn't have cleared it by more than five feet. Bigger, city-sized ships (ie: Icon of the Seas) won't fit. Nice end to the day.

Pictures: Port sign, Texas Street (probably where the US military people hang out), city mascots, night view from our balcony, the bridge and clearing under said bridge.

4/2/24 Cruise Day 114 Sea Day

It was a fairly cool gloomy gray day. I'd been trying to download the pictures from the past few days, for hours. When the circle stopped spinning the first attempt it said "Unavailable. Authentication needed" It better not do the same thing this time. Later... download complete. 

I did watch the live action Mulan, a tale based on Chinese folklore and done fairly well (just not as much fun as the animated version).

4/1/24 Cruise Day 113 - Okinawa, Japan

We docked about 8:30am at the furthest point for cruise ships. The prime spot was already filled by the MS Eudora (voted #1 cruise ship for 12 years).

Our shuttle took us to the center of town, where we wandered about four hours. We got a few things here and there, went to Midorigaoka Park, then back to the main street for root beer (not stocked onboard) floats at an A&W in place since 1963. It also has a great vantage point of a pedestrian scramble intersection. Roger took a fun time lapse video of the people and vehicles (but I can’t put videos here). We decided to get each of our group their own can, but they don’t offer packaged goods at A&W.?

As we searched, we saw a button front shirt with dragons in the window at Mango House. We found one for Roger and discovered the pattern matches across the placket of every shirt. Difficult and costly (more fabric  and time needed) to make.

A block away we finally found cans of A&W root beer. I bought all 14 on display. It’ll just have to be enough. Back to our shuttle pick up point, on the bus and back we went.

We met the others as they returned to the ship, bided our time until dinner at 6:00pm and now I’ve brought this current through today, which is everyone else’s yesterday. So instead of being behind, I have a 15 hour head start. I’ll try to keep it that way.

Pictures: The NahaNew Port, downtown Naha, welcoming (?) dragon, a sign in case you don't know what rain is, a different kind of banyan tree and a breakwater, boat and jet all in the glow of the sunset.