drron29

My most exciting excursion was today. We had a head on with another bus. Fortunately it was the worst affected. The only injuries on our bus were 4-5 of us with grazed knees. Fortunately mine decided not to bleed despite my rivaroxiban. Ours is the white bus.

Now to the church which started off as a Catholic church but is now an Anglican church. Grave of the founder of the church. Some old photos.

Old Korean buildings. Steep and rough stairs with no railing presented a bit of a challenge.

Next a drive to a cultural village and an old Christian church. glimpses of autumn.

We now set off for the lunch menu. It is rice harvesting season. Now to the restaurant for lunch. They appear to love their dogs. Now there was a bit of a mix up as our guide had told the restaurant that we all wanted beef but some of us preferred pork. This totally confused the serving staff. As well each bowl of beef or platter of pork was meant to be shared by 2 people but if you were solo you got the same bowl just for yourself. Han't realised how many solo passengers were on this excursion. The servers became totall confused so I ende up with a serving of beef as well as a serving of pork. There were sides. plus self serve salad and pickles. And you got 1 drink. So I had a local beer. This is the restaurant taken as we walked back to the bus. Other pics on the walk back. .

There was a little general store at ground level I thought they mave have some snacks. Nothing I would like. A big display of mushrooms. I could have bought some choccie biscuits. Another walk around outside waiting until we could return to the bus. The steep path down to the bus was lined by South Korea's National flower. but only 1 was flowering.

A display of North Korean Propaganda. And a room for people to put their wish for reconciliation. Though most older Koreans don't want to see an united Korea. A map of the island and it's surrounds. At the top is North Korea. in the centre of the bottom of the map is Ganghwa Island and the tiny red dot of it in the middle of the picture is our position. Views across to North Vietnam.

First I walked around the Peace building. At the entrance they had a special plaque of the contribution of the Australian forces in the Korean War. Inside the building are a series of photos of the salvage of a South Korean corvette which sank in 2010 with many Koreans feeling it was due to North Korean activity but there is a lot of controversy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROKS_Cheonan_sinking And interesting sign on the elevators.

Looking out to North Korea. Finally at the car park. But a fairly steep climb up to the Peace centre.

Today I was on the Ganghwa island all day tour. I can say now this was one of the best tours on this first segment and I would recommend it. It does start with a long bus drive to the Peace Museum and lookout over North Korea. So pictures from the bus. first up the massive number of high rise apartments around Incheon. Gradually giving way to agricultural land. And through small towns.

It took off (pun intended ) on frequent flyer forums and stood for Your Miles May/Might Vary. Meaning now is basically well that's my opinion.

Two nights before reaching Hong Kong was the last formal night of the previous segment. Virtually all men had jackets as they knew in Atlantide they would need one. About 3 men didn't have a jacket and 2 did take the offered loaner jacket. However several arrived sans ties. They also have extra ties to lend. Unlike a jacket really obvious if you take it off and hang over the chair.

We have had the same opinion of SS food as you but on the first segment on the Muse on our current cruise there was definitely a few misses and in my questionnaire had more negative comments than usual. Unfortunately as far as the food goes the decline has accelerated on the second segment even though we have BM onboard and their global advisory board. We did discover our TA is on the global advisory board so she will definitely get feed back when we get home.

Though on the previous segment La Dame and Atlantide were the only places enforcing the dress code.

I liked the red and Rojaan liked the white. Though both of us just drink wines we like.

Wouldn't make our luggage any lighter as I wear my jacket on the plane. We travel with 2 carry ons of 7KG, a computer bag and one suitcase that weighs under 23kg. It has my dinner suit and Rojaan's formal outfits as well as our everyday clothes. Yet we have had no problems with 54 days on the Moon plus a week in Portugal and 3 days in London post cruise earlier this year. Same luggage for this 44 day cruise on the Moon with a week in Bangkok and a week in Japan pre cruise.

Sunset that day. And sunrise the next day over Incheon.

Dinner was in Atlantide. The wines. We both started with the Crab 3 ways. I then had the pumpkin soup followed by the Fillet. Rojaan again had the lamb. Then we both had dessert. Sorry I> keep forgetting to take the dessert menu picture.

The next day was a sea day going around Southern Korea to Incheon. Some views. Lunch was in Kaiseki. Rojaan's platter. My first and second courses.

Dinner in La Terrazza. The wines. The antipasti platter. I began with the Penne.It was nice. Rojaan began with the Tortino ai funghi. She was disappointed. I then had the Saltimbooca which was fine.I had the tomato soup as well. Rojaan had the prawns which were nice. She then had I think that she had the cassata and I the cheese plate. No gorgonzola on the whole ship.

Time to leave. The pilot and the tug are ready. Beautiful night scene.

And a strange place for a campground. It was Monday afternoon but people kept turning up. And looking down to the pool deck.

lunch at the pool deck. decided to try the rotisserie of the day. Turkey breast which was very dry and flavourless. Rojaan stuck to the Caesar salad with chicken and their version of a mess. Then more shots from deck 11.