Kobe and Himeji, Japan 20th May 2018

What to do in Kobe?

Today is actually the end of our 7 day Southern Islands cruise and the start of Japan Explorer. Two back to back cruises. Surprisingly I have been given a mini bar set up each cruise and the usual toiletry pack given to Elite and their cabin companion.  As we had a different port of call each day until after Taiwan, I appreciated having two sea days to recharge the batteries and just enjoy what the cruise director had organised for activities at  sea. Ukulele classes, napkin folding, origami classes, Hula dancing classes, the usual egg drop and paper plan competition. There were other events happening around the ship. 

We had nothing planned so when we approached the information desk in the terminal we asked for ideas. Several options were given to us but a trip to Himeji to see its famous castle jumped out to us.We were given instructions and prices for catching public transport and maps. Our group broke up into 4 and 3. The three decided they would like to go into the main area of Kobe and check out its attractions, the remainder of us caught to monorail (which just happened to be outside the ships terminal) to the main train station and then we caught a Rapid train to Himeji. Wow. Monorail Yen 210 x 2, Rapid train 970 x 2 entrance to Himeji Castle 1000 and lunch of noodles in a little restaurant outside the castle 800. Yen 4160 = AUD 56.50. Not only did we experience Japan's monorail, we also had a successful experience on the rail. I know this is probably not the best thing to write about but the public toilets in Japan (in my experience) are the cleanest, most considerate of parents and well thought out  have ever encountered. 

Monorail tracks and three level freeway to the right.

See how close the ship's terminal is to the monorail station, it is so convenient.

View from the train on the way to Himeji. I think the netted area is a baseball field. I have seen quite a few from the roadways and someone explained that baseball is very popular in Japan.

This setup is in the ladies public toilet. It is a small urinal and a baby change table for children to use when with their mothers or female carers.

This is the ladies cubical (I have the door open to take this photo) But the structure on the right is a seat for toddlers to sit in when the mother is using the toilet. 

Covered mall we walked through from the Himeji railway station to the Castle. We enjoyed all these distractions whilst walking out of the sun.

These are the artistic drain covers in the paved footpaths.

Shoe bling. 

Manicured street trees

 

A secondhand market had set up outside the entrance to the castle selling clothing, household bric a brac, books, all sorts of things. In among-st the stalls this lady had a trained money performing tricks. 

We have crossed the bridge over the moat, then walk through the Ote-mon Gate.

Jill and I in front of gate which is advertising the 25 year anniversary since listed as UNESCO World heritage.

Fan shaped stone wall designed to prevent invaders from climbing it.

This castle was built at the beginning of the 17th century. Called "white heron castle" because of its brilliant white exterior and thought to resemble a white heron taking flight.

Inside the castle are seven stories. This is probably the 4th or 5th. 

There were boat rides in the moat.

I had to take a second look......an area in the castle grounds designated for smokers!

Noodle lunch...yummo! Note three types of utensils. I did try to use chopsticks.

These two people were dressed in traditional samurai costume walking in the mall and were happy to have photo taken with me. 

Port Keelung, Taiwan 17th May 2018

Yehliu Geopark, Yangmingshan National Park and Shopping in                                              Port Keelung

Seven of us met on the 5th floor of the ship's atrium and headed out to board the ship's shuttle from our container shipping dock to the main commercial area of Port Keelung. Princess charges a USD10 flat fee for return shuttles into the main area's of any port. On previous cruises we hadn't always been charged but in today's economic climate there always seems to be a charge. But then we never had a kettle with cups and saucers to make a hot drink in our cabins, now we do. Swings and roundabouts! 

We negotiated a 7 seater taxi for the day to take us to the northeastern area of Taiwan. Unfortunately this car meant 3 of the smaller passengers had to sit in a fairly cramped back section of the vehicle which wasn't very pleasant. We paid about AUD 35 each ($245) which I think was maybe more favorable to the driver but when compared to a ship's tour, we were in front. I suppose win win.

We headed along the scenic coastal road to Yehliu Geopark. Cost to enter TWD 80 about AUD 3.50. Our driver offered us an umbrella each which I am happy to admit to accepting and thankful to have protection from the intense sun's rays whilst we walked around the remarkable formations. 

Coastal Road from Port Keelung to Yehliu Geopark.

Limestone effected by marine erosion.

Me standing amongst mushroom shaped rocks.

Sea eroded caves

Just a normal day in the middle of the week.......can you imagine what it would be like to walk here on a public holiday?

Someone in our group requested to see a thermal spring spa, so off we headed, along the coast road for a while then off the main highway into the countryside past rice fields which seemed to be squashed in between housing. 

The road ran along and around quite a few rice fields

A thermal spring spa resort's offering different degrees of temperature pools. Some were really hot and I wonder if people ever go into them, though there were others of lesser temperatures. The place looked really run down.

Datun Volcano Group,  Yangingsham National Park. 

As the car ascended into the high mountain we could look over to see a small town nestled in a valley between some of the mountains.

Landslide off to the side of the road, note the steam coming out.

The Azalea and Camellia clock garden with a pergola on the hilltop in the back ground. 

Port Keelung  Miaokou Night Market.

The streets around and in the night market are full of food stands

Fashion bling. I wish I had changed more money!

Dianji Temple is right in the middle of the night markets. The theme of the carvings corresponds with the livelihood of the ancestors of Keelung. crabs, shells and other marine life carved into the walls.

Plenty of colour and artful carvings in this Taoist Temple.

                                                                                  

Our sunset as the Diamond Princess sails away from Port Keelung.

Ishigaki, Japan 16th May 2018

This island is one of 150 islands between Taiwan and Japan mainland.

Blessed with excellent beaches and brilliant dive sites, thick tropical foliage and a Club Med style invite, Ishigaki has attracted the No 1 spot in Trip Adviser 2018. I had been keen for our group of 5 to hire a taxi to explore what this tropical island has to offer. Unfortunately when we arrived at the ferry terminal we realized the only taxis available were 4 seater or 9 seater vehicles.  We tried to encourage some footloose disembarking passengers to join us for the day but after a sad 45 odd minutes we hadn't convinced anyone to join us. Bummer plan B took over. We walked into town and explored the various alleyways and covered walkways. It wasn't a disappointment as we took in the different shops, buildings and tasted my first raman. 

'Wagyu' brand beef known for its marblization of fat throughout the meat. The fat melts at a lower temperature and when eaten, leaves a cleaner finish in the mouth. These prices were shown for 500gm. AUD at the time $87.60. We had wondered in to this air conditioned basement supermarket selling meat and fish and spotted the beef.

I couldn't resist mimicking this statue behind me.

Some cute little shops.

Covered mall. We were glad to get out of the hot sun. It was quite humid and about 26-28C. 

We walked into this tiny restaurant where we ordered and paid using this machine in front of the entrance. A ticket is issued and then handed over to the waitress, who hands it to the cook as form of order. As only 3 of us were eating, the other two were shown they were not allowed to stay in the restaurant while we ate!. It was a tiny space.

My first ramon.........quite yummy. It is acceptable to drink the left over 'soup' from the bowl.

 

 

View of the main town from the ship as we departed. 

Okinawa part 2

Okinawa - Shikinaen Palace

Beautiful wooded walkway which opened out to a spacious Japanese style landscape garden with a central pond.

Udun Palace is a wooden house with red roof tiles built in a formal style exclusively permitted to high class people of Okinawa. It has 15 rooms where Chinese delegates were entertained and stayed for occasions of Ryukyuan King coronations.

A small hexagonal pavilion stands on one of two little islands of the lake

Shurijo Castle

Now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. It was first built in 1300's but over the centuries has been destroyed by wars and fires many times, the most recent in 1945.

Shureimon Gate

Outer gates to Castle

Walkway to last entrance to Castle

Traditional Japanese costume

Shurijo Castle

Guess who?

Kukusai Dori

Is the main retail street in the heart of Naha.

Covered walkway of markets offering clothing, souvenirs, traditional arts and crafts of weaving, lacquer ware and ceramics.

We found a noodle restaurant were some helpful young men were able to translate to the waiter our orders. One had spent 6 months in Sydney.