An unexpected stop, Nagasaki

Nagasaki

Because of local laws and the fact the while sailing we were inland, we were shut off from the Internet throughout out time in Japan until we left Nagasaki.  I am a few days behind and hope to catch up soon!

Nagasaki was an unscheduled stop due to Typhoon Wipha.   Originally we were to stop in Okinawa, but the rough seas made the trip south along the eastern Japan coast too dangerous.  Instead we had scenic cruising through the Inland Sea then down to Nagasaki.  The Inland Sea had many small mountainous islands with several bridges visible throughout the day.  It was very pretty.  I sat up in what is known onboard as the Crow's Nest, a large lounge area at the front of the ship with floor to ceiling windows and read a book while admiring the views.

We reached Nagasaki around midnight and were able to head out as soon as we were cleared the next morning. We ate breakfast, packed a day bag then headed out to explore Nagasaki. Nagasaki has a great trolley system which was very easy to navigate and would take you throughout the city.  At the port bought a day pass for 5 yen each and we could get on and off different lines all day.







The port area is very nice, as it sets on a large park area where it looks as if they were setting up for a big farmers market when we returned later in the day. Many we're out walking with children and dogs.

We walked to the nearest stop and hopped a trolley to the Peace Park.  The Peace Park is very large and encompasses the Park, ground zero, and the Atomic Bomb Museum. We started at ground zero which was the center of the explosion. There were plaques depicting the timeline and what happened that day, as well as a section of undisturbed land covered by glass as it was left after the explosion.

Next we went to the Atomic Bomb Museum. This museum held many relics, pictures and small exhibits regarding that day as well as on the atomic bomb and it's consequences in a more general sense. The relics and pictures were very graphic and disturbing. The museum was filled with school children of all ages on field trips. It was quite a sad place as can be imagined, but also a good reminder of the actual pain, death and destruction that can be caused in an instant.

 

 

We then walked up through the Peace Park. This park is full of beautiful smaller statues donated to peace, from all over the world. The main attraction of of the park is a beautiful fountain and large blue colored statue of Peace. The park is beautiful, open and full of flowers. Groups of children were lining up chanting "songs of peace".

 

 

After we spent some time looking at all of the donated statues, we decided to hop the trolley and head toward the other end of town to the shopping arcade and Chinatown.  We explored the shops at the arcade and bought a few souvenirs, then browsed through Chinatown. For lunch Ty and I split a McTeriyaki at McDonalds (it looked interesting and was not something available in the US.) then grabbed an ice cream in Chinatown. I had the standby Green Tea soft serve, while Ty had one called "soda" flavor. It was actually really good!

By then we were both very tired and decided to head back toward the ship. Though the port was unexpected and not planned for by us, we ended up finding quite a bit to do and see and it was a great day.

Modern Kobe and Ancient Kyoto

Again, I will update with pictures when we receive our wifi back....

We have reached the East. Our first stop in Japan was Kobe.  Kobe is a very modern city. Most of the city was destroyed by an earthquake Jan. 17, 1995 and a modern metropolis has grown in the almost 20 years since. It is extremely clean and well cared for. We saw many hip, young, well dressed Japanese throughout the city, which seemed to fit the vibe.

We started our day by taking a shuttle into downtown and going to Chinatown. This place was awesome.  There were so many vendors selling street food snacks, noodles, soups, dumplings, sweet treats and one of our favorites green tea ice cream.  Ty and I browsed the Chinatown streets enjoying the "piazzas" with Chinese statues, decorations and mini pagodas.  These streets were extremely busy throughout the day. We ate our way through Chinatown from front to back then turned down a block to the Motomachi Arcade.

The Motomachi Arcade is basically an outdoor mall, several story stores on each side of a walk only street with a rounded covered ceiling between the store fronts over the walking road. Perfect! There were all types of stores and Ty and I walked back to front to see them all. The arcade runs several blocks and brought us back to the main road where we entered Chinatown. We then walked around downtown a bit and returned to the port.

After dinner we were treated to a show from local Kobe baton dancers and a drum band which was a lot of fun.

Japan - Day 2 Ancient Kyoto

Our second day in Japan included an all day tour to Kyoto.  Kyoto was the ancient Capitol of Japan for over 1100 years prior to its move to Tokyo.  This ancient city was spared bombing in WWII and many if its ancient Shinto Shrines and Buddest Temples still stand today.  We started at the tour at the Kinkaku-Ji Temple which was originally built in 1397 as a retirement dwelling for the Shogun Yoshimitsu. It is covered in gold foil and is known as the "Golden Pavillion".

We then went to the Nijo Castle built in 1603. This was designed with "nightingale" floors which squeak to warn the inhabitants for intruders.

 

 

 

Our last sightseeing stop was at the Heian Shinto Shrine, built to celebrate Kyoto's 1,100th birthday. It features a 2/3rd scale model of the Heian Imperial Palace gardens.

 

We also stopped at a local restaurant for lunch and had some shopping time at the Handicraft market. After our long tour we returned to Kobe and the ship. Upon arrival we were told that our next stop in Okinawa would have to be cancelled due to categorty 3 typhoon Wipha coming up the eastern coast of Japan, in our direct path. The Captain has deemed it too unsafe to both the ship and its passengers to be able to get to Naha.  Instead we will be ducking west and having our port of call in Nagasaki. Though I am extremely disappointed that our plans to meet Joe's cousin Bobby who is stationed in Okinawa will not happen, we will look forward to seeing Nagasaki.   What we have seen already of Japan and its' people has shown us a peaceful, caring and prideful nation, forever changed by the events of WWII.  I'm sure for me this will be an educational yet solemn port of call. 

Beautiful Saipan

Saipan

We arrived into the port of Saipan to another day of overcast skies and occasional showers.  We had a full tour scheduled and got an early start at 7:30 am.  Our first stop was The Grotto.  It's is an ocean cave system which is a favorite for diving and snorkeling. Because of the storm following us, the grotto conditions were a little more turbulent than normal and only a handful of our group decided to actually get in.  To get into the water we had to jump from a 10ft ledge into the grotto pool below. It's seemed easy enough until you had to hold onto your snorkel and mask strapped to your head and a camera around the wrist.

The water was warm.  There were not many fish due to the strong push of ocean water coming in through the underwater cave holes which open into the ocean from the interior for the grotto cave system, but a few schools were around. I was able to get a few cool pictures underwater of the ocean openings.  We did not try to swim through them, but on a calm day you can.    

After snorkeling at the grotto we went to Bird Island Sanctuary, Suicide Point - where hundreds of Japanese men, women, and children jumped from a towering cliff to the jungle below instead of being captured by American forces during the battle of Saipan.  We also stopped at the last command post for the Japanese troops where guns, tanks and munitions are left still today.

 

When our tour of Saipan was finished we were dropped off at the Mariana's Resort and Spa for a wonderful buffet lunch.  We were then able to use the resort and spa facilities for the remainder of the afternoon for beach snorkeling or just relaxing at the spa.  It had since started to downpour so we opted to hit the spa and relaxed in the hot flower soaking pool until it was time to leave.

Saipan is a beautiful tropical island and we enjoyed our day there. We have another sea day before we reach Kobe, Japan, our first big city stop.