Author name: PapaMarshall

Noon Report: We were up at the normal time and spent a few minutes packing our backpacks and clearing out the cabin.After the final drawer check we left for the last time and headed to breakfast by 7:30. (REMEMBER to get your passport out of the room’s safe!)Since we didn’t need to be down to

Noon Report: EXCURSION: Tokyo PanoramaWe started the day with the “city orientation” tour – a drive thru the central sections of Tokyo while our guide pointed out various points of interest. Emperor’s CastleOur drive took us to the residence of the emperor. We wandered the grounds a bit enjoying the views. Following viewing the statue,

Noon Report: EXCURSION: Stunning vistas of ShimizuWe were greeted on the pier by Shizulla – the official mascot of the city (nothing to do with Pokemon). Mt. Fuji Viewing CenterAfter mugging for the camera we boarded the bus to view the wonders awaiting.On the way our tour guide talked about the tectonic forces that created

Noon Report: So…Today wasn’t a formal sea day. That’s because we arrived at Shimizu port at 6:00 pm. But since we didn’t have anything scheduled this evening we were able to treat it like a full sea day. Second…This being the Friday after the third Thursday (back home) I was in a meeting from 1:00-3:30

Noon Report: EXCURSION: Ancient KyotoToday was a long day.We docked in Kobe but saw very little of the city, opting to take a 9 hour excursion to Kyoto instead.Our bus left the port at 9:30 which put us in this ancient capital city in time for lunch. Lunch was served at the Tenryu-ji Zen Temple.

Noon Report: APRIL 17 (We spent 2 days in Hiroshima – which are reported together below) Out on the deck this morning I spotted a friend resting in the sun. Tradition holds that crickets bring good luck, and though David will tell you this isn’t a cricket I’m claiming the luck anyway. We docked at

Noon Report: EXCURSION: Buddhas, Castle & MonkeysToday was a fairly long day so we got an early start. CastleEventually we arrived at our first stop, the site of the Usuki Castle ruins. LunchOur next stop was a traditional Japanese lunch, but without any explanation about what we were eating or how to eat it. The

Noon Report: But check out the palm trees in that photo. Our morning started in the usual way and since we had nothing on the calendar until afternoon we took advantage of the inclement weather to do a bit of catching up on Blogs and such. EXCURSION: Kagoshima Scenic RideWe donned rain gear and headed

Noon Report: BREAKFAST: Mamsen’sWe had a fairly late excursion this morning so we took advantage of the time to enjoy a waffle. EXCURSION: Scenic NagasakiAt 8:55 we headed to the dock to get in line with 928 of our closest friends to clear immigration (our first port in Japan). 45 minutes later we were on