I met on this ship lovely family of Polish travellers living in the USA. We had a good time talking about traveling around the world. Tomorrow they are disembarking in Tokyo, heading to Hawaii. It was a good occasion to invite them to ship’s pizzeria and have there a farewell glass of champagne. Thank you for your company dear friends and have a happy journey! See you in Gdansk or in America!
In the evening I enjoyed the great show of Polish/Ukrainian gymnastics. They are really very good:
We reached today Shikoku Island in southern Japan.
Brrr.. Only 7 deg. Celsius and strong wind. Taxi is not for me, so how to get on the cheap to distant (8km) city center? You have to walk 2 kms from the port to the tram stop. Pay 170 yen at exit time and after 40 min you will be there. Shrines, remains of the castle, gardens are waiting for the traveller. But the main attraction for me is Sakura-jima island located just nearby, with active volcano. I added 4 kms walk across the city to take this pictures from the ferry port. It was worth! What a day! Japanese are just lovely!
I returned cold, tired but happy! Now I dream about hot tea and double portion of rum!
Near the shrine parents appeared with theis daughtter for the photo – session:
I also photographed a bride in the kimono…
Actuaally new friends are the old friends – in the crew there are many people who remember me from the previous cruises on Costa ships. One of them is Mamita – charming Indian lady working in the buffet restaurant (she is pictured above). Today we have day at see – day to make the laundry, relax and enjoy the show in the theatre. My favorite singer Marta Llenas was performing there
Then we had a good music to dance in the grand bar:
Welcome to Japan! Only in the afternoon we docked in Naha – the capital of Okinawa. I was here more than 20 years ago flying from Taiwan with the intention to cross Japan south to nord by ferries and trains… It is the same country: clean, polite, cultural… I like Japan! The main attraction in Naha is the castle. Years ago they started its restauration. Sorry. it is still going on… I took a funny monorail to get there, then paid 400 yen for entry and except solid walls and gates I didn’t see much. Main pavilion is fenced. But I like this excursion – many flowers are in blossom on the way and many smiles…
Security guys in the castle wear traditional costumes – interesting:
Girls and boys wear nice uniforms and are happy to talk with the foreigner:
Tomorrow we have day at sea…
Yes, it is possible if you are well organized… From the Port of Keelung where we docked today there is only 10 min walk to South railway station. Every 20 min they offer a train to Taipei Main station (40 minutes each way – the cost is 62 Taiwan dollars – like 2 USD). Central station in Taipei is like a labirynth – people helped me to find the proped exit to continue walk to the central Square of the capital (picture above) where are theatre and concert hall and yhe memorial of the national hero – general Chang Kai-Shek.
Once in the main station (it has biggest lobby I saw in the world) you can grab the map and walk to the parks with color pavilions and onward to the Chang Kai Chek Memorial – picture above – imposing memorial (Theatre and Concert Hall on the same square) Then I walked some 3 kms to Sun Yat Sen memorial:
Then I ysed blue metro line (20 TD) back to the main station and Keelung. 4,50 USD in total! Great day!
After 2-weeks loop to the south I am back in Hong Kong. Most of passengers are disembarking here, but I will continue sailing – now to the north. It was time to say happy journey to my new friends. In the evening I will see new passengers. Lovely, sunny day! When they opened the ship around 10.30 I decided to go by MRT subway to the taoist temple Wong Tai Sin. Squized between skyscrapers it is the oasis of the colors, music and old architecture. People are coming here to pray and leave offerings. Entry is free and you are free to photograph. There are many pavilions – each is different. I spent there few hours enjoying the atmosphere. Great place!
Day at sea. Big blue around…. We have the time to relax, to meet friends and to make the laundry. I was also thinking about the haircut but on the ship they charge 39 euro for men’s haircut. Idiots…. In Puerto Princessa they wanted only 100 pesos (less than 2 dollars) but I was too busy to go to hairdresser… In the evening they offered new show in the theatre. Sorry, I am coughing – that’s from the a/c on the ship. I received from our cook a garlic to chew – maybe this will be helpful…
Every evening I have 3 dance floors to choice…
After day at Sulu Sea we docked today on Palawan Island of Philippines. I love this country of poor but friendly and smiling people. They were waiting for us in the port with free ice cream and hundered or more taxi-motocycles, to drive us for few dollars around the Puerto Princessa – the capital of the island – it has a nice cathedral just near the port, many food stalls on the streets and exotic trees. Charming ladies from tourist police take care of us! It is nice to be here again after more than 20 years… Next two days we will spend in the sea, heading to Hong Kong, where we will change some passengers before sailing further north…
Day at sea, but nobody is bored. There are quizzes, dances, lectures and shows in the theater. English speaking passengers have great hostess. Hannah is from Wales and I already travelled with her on the other ship. I the crew there are also other members who remember me from the past – and I love most my Philippino cabin stewardess Maria – Thank you!
In the evening we enjoyed great show – Venezia Inamorata (picture below)
Who knows that the cruise ships visiting this sultanete do not dock in the capital city but 30 kms away – in the little port of Muara? If you have thete enough time you can look for the erratic piblic minibus. But I had only half a day for this visit. The free shuttle bus will take you from the port some 600 m to the city bus terminal. But no bus here… Instead dozen of taxis are waiting offering round trip tour to the capital. If you will find 2 companions you pay after bargaining 40 USD per person. Hurry up – other passengers from the ship also want to go!
We were driving 40 minutes on the nice, free highway. Then in the city we visited bright mosques (but not inside because the praying time). Royal palace (saw through the gate only) and the highlight – Regalia collection – ticket costs 5 Brunei dollars but they accept also the same amount of USD. Collection is very nice, including a lot of gold, charriots and the army of soldiers in the parade costumes. We were lucky because they are closing at 6 pm. I have been to Brunei by air some 25 years ago. Nothing changed… Nice day! Tomorrow day at warm sea, after tomorrow Palawan on the Philippines. Ahoy!
