Miaminice

Forcing ourselves away from the spectacle and the enticing food stalls, we took a taxi to the Sengan-En Gardens. Sengan-en is a traditional garden and stately home built in 1658 by powerful Shimadzu family. Sengan-en uses the principle of "borrowed landscape", and incorporates the background elements of Sakurajima and the bay to be a visual part of the gardens. Again there are no words to describe the beauty and tranquility of the gardens and I will leave it to the photos. Later in the afternoon we returned to the stop for the shuttle bus by cab and headed back to the ship. When Millennium pushed away from the pier, we got to enjoy another heartwarming Japanese sendoff for the last time of this cruise. IMG_6399.mov IMG_6398.mov

Eventually we reached the city center and found out that the unexpected festival was a curse and a blessing. The main roads were closed to traffic. But now they were filled by thousands of dancers in beautiful and colorful costumes forming a parade. On the crossroads we could watch Japanese taiko drumming by - as the descriptions said - “Kagoshima’s attractive and gallant women”. IMG_6316.mov The highlight of the festival, the So-odori, features up to 20,000 dancers in costumes of different team colors. It is is a dance to the popular Kagoshima folk song “Ohara Melody.” All of participants singing along and parading along the roads doing the same dance. It was spectacular to watch. Not just the parade, but also the joy and pride of the dancers. From little kids to the quite elderly women of the “Kagoshima Senior High School” they were all happy to perform the dance and smiled and laughed with pride when they noticed us Westerners enjoying the performance and taking photos. Once again we were happy and lucky travelers. IMG_6326.mov

2023 – Japan – Celebrity Millennium – Day 12 & Day 13 - Kagoshima & At Sea When we woke up in the morning, we were already sailing in the Kagoshima Bay and got a nice look at Kagoshima’s prominent landmark, the Sakurajima Volcano. The highly active volcano forms an island only four kilometers away from the city. Sakurajima is in deed a very busy volcano. The volcano smokes constantly, and minor eruptions often take place multiple times per day. In 2022 alone, 235 eruptions were counted. The people of Kagoshima have learned to live with the volcano and the constant cover of ash. One lady told us, they worry when the volcano is quiet.

When we reached the market again it was time to give into the temptation of the local street food. We picked Black Pork Roll filled with Kimchi and it was freshly flamed for us. For dessert we bought a Peanut Butter Bun. We had our lunch on a bench by the river and enjoyed the lively atmosphere around us. Filled by the delicious local delights we decided to walk back to the ship - the 30 minute walk soothing our bad conscience. Back on board we gave into another temptation and successfully visited the Future Cruise Sales Office. Later in the evening we had dinner with friends at the Tuscan Grill and had a nightcap outside on the deck of the Sunset Bar - enjoying the mild temperatures before we go back home to winter on Monday.

The wide seafront promenade took us to the fashion and shopping street and eventually back to the market where we met some friends from the ship. Together we walked up the hill to Samseonghyeol Park where, according to legend, three demigods emerged from the ground to become the founding fathers of the ancient kingdom of Tamna and its people. On the way down from the Park we looked at an old watchtower next to the street.

We left the market and followed a suggested route along the river, spanned with wooden bridges. In front of every bridge there was a statue of a Dol Hareubang guarding the entrance. We continued the route through Black Pork Street and reached Sashimi Street, where your meal still swims around in the fish tank before you order. Although it was almost noon, most places where still closed.

2023 – Japan – Celebrity Millennium – Day 11 - Jeju, South Korea We had been to Jeju a couple of times before and all those times we had done excursions to the various nice attractions of the island. But we had actually never visited Jeju City itself. So we decided to catch up on that. After taking our time in the morning, we took the free shuttle to the city, which dropped us off at the temple like former government house. Just a few steps down the road we reached the famous Dongmun Market. It is absolutely huge… you can buy just about everything at the market. From produce grown in local fields to fish and seafood caught in the seas around Jeju. It also has meat, clothing, snacks, and of course, Jeju mandarins. Walking along rows and rows of colorful merchandise and fish tanks is something we love doing.

We also received an invitation for a sail in event on the helipad for 8:30am. I am sure we’ll be enjoying our breakfast at that time 😁

That would be in Kagoshima today. A day before you find customs and entry forms on your bed. Plus a letter informing you of the group # and time. This is ours. Ship arrives at 10am, our slot is 11:30am

2023 – Japan – Celebrity Millennium – Day 10 – Nagasaki I just woke up when we sailed under the Megami Bridge into the bay of Nagasaki and the sun peeked over the hills. We had breakfast and then left the ship for our visit. We planned on taking the tram to the Atomic Bomb Museum first… just like every body else. So there was quite a run for the first streetcars. Together with friends we decided to skip the line and took a taxi to the Museum for 2000 JPY. It was our third visit to the museum. However, it was just as unsettling and sobering as the first times. We all know the images of the mushroom cloud. In this museum you are quite graphically reminded of the gruesome fact that in this split second on August 9, 1945 over 60,000 lives literally evaporated. All that was left of some of them was a shadow on the wall. And you get the feeling that the ones who instantly died were the lucky ones… it is a very emotional experience. Again, two words emerged out of my own personal turmoil of feelings: NEVER AGAIN! Still in thoughts we walked to the Peace Park, home to the famous statue pointing at the sky and many small monuments donated by different nations and cities from all around the world. At the end of the park lies the hypocenter of the explosion. We then took a tram from the nearby stop to Nagasaki Chinatown where I couldn’t resist the delicious pork buns and sesame balls. = We walked up the Dutch Slope where western, notably Dutch merchants settled in the 19th century. From there we strolled to the Nagasaki Koshibyo Confucius Shrine. The beautiful shrine and the 72 statues in its courtyard provided endless photo opportunities. From the shrine it wasn’t far to the Champon Museum and Restaurant. Nagasaki Champon is the city’s most famous regional dish. Very yummy! A short walk up the street lined with shops took us to Glover Garden and Residence, built for a Scottish merchant who contributed to the modernization of Japan. The gardens are directly above the pier, so for us they marked the end of our visit to Nagasaki. Well, almost - of course we were sent off again with a performance. This time by a band of young musicians. IMG_6206.mov IMG_6209.mov

2023 – Japan – Celebrity Millennium – Day 9 – At Sea Another day at sea as it should be. Roaming around the ship to take some photos and then chatting the day away with friends at the Sunset Bar. So just a few pics today…

Really no need to go to a bank! The mentioned markets are literally on every corner. Unfortunately ApplePay doesn’t work as good and often as I would like. But some places you can use contactless with the card. Most places you stick the card in.

I get JPY at ATM in the omnipresent 7eleven, Lawson or Familymart store as we go. The charge is just 110 JPY and my credit card doesn’t charge foreign currency fees. I mostly get 10,000 JPY at a time.

The cost for the guide in Okinawa was roughly $70 pp and the van JPY 6500.

2023 – Japan – Celebrity Millennium – Day 8 – Okinawa This was our first time in Okinawa, so we were looking forward to the visit. We had arranged a tour with a private guide to see some of the highlights. Our guide, Masumi, waited for us at the gate and after friendly hellos we started off to a new adventure in a comfortable van. On the way to our first stop, Masumi explained some of the history of Okinawa from the time of the Ryukyu Kingdom with close ties to China, to the transition to Japan and the later and current influence of the US. Our first stop was the World Heritage Site Shikinaen Royal Garden. The gardens and the Udon Palace in its center were used to entertain the guests of the Ryukyu royal family. It’s a Kayu style garden, so different from traditional Japanese gardens. Walking around the pond, visitors can enjoy different landscapes. Just like in Tokyo‘s Yoyogi Park, we felt like time stood still in this beautifully landscaped garden. Our next stop was Ryukyu Mura cultural theme park - a recreated village from the times of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It featured a traditional residence and various workshops. At noon we were able to watch an interesting dance and drumming performance in a small theater. A short drive took us to the scenic west coast of Okinawa island where we stopped at the rock formation of Cape Manzamo. A part of the rock formation slightly resembles an elephant with its trunk in the ocean. Stunned by the beautiful colors of the ocean we had lunch at the visitor center. Of course we had to try Okinawa Doughnuts and a Okinawa Milk Zenzai dessert - which is shaved ice on top of a mochi and sweet red bean soup. After lunch we drove to the Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping Street where Masumi took us to a fish market through some arcades before we had time do do some browsing on Naha’s Miracle Mile. An hour before all aboard time we returned to the ship. A fabulous day on Okinawa and a glimpse into a different part of Japan. Thank you, Masumi san.

This was before the buffet opened. The ship is full. But yes, the bars are not very frequented. Floralscent, that’s not typically to M class. Our last cruise to Asia on Millennium had party all night. Now there’s a large Asian percentage of passengers on board.

Happy Halloween 🎃 👻

April 2019

2023 – Japan – Celebrity Millennium – Day 7 – At Sea While we were sailing towards Okinawa I had the chance to take a few pictures of the ship. As mentioned before, we really like the modernization of the old design. Despite her age, Millennium feels fresh and modern. We have done a cruise on Infinity in June. That time we were pleasantly surprised to find her in excellent shape, but especially after 4 cruises on the modern and stylish E class, Infinity‘s old colors and design felt outdated and old fashioned. Millennium, however, doesn‘t feel outdated in any way - so good job 👍 There’s really not much to say about our lazy day at sea. Maybe that I joined the galley tour and that we very much enjoyed a matinee show of the cellist Wendy Law. So I will just present you with some images of the “new“ Millennium.

Thank you!! We have also done a Cherry Blossom cruise on HAL Westerdam. After our first Japan cruise on Millennium we chose HAL in 2019 for the better itinerary - and way better price. While we didn’t become fans of HAL, the cruise certainly deepened our affection for Japan. And soon after we booked another one on Celebrity… which was then cancelled and lifted & shifted twice to the one we are on now. so if some of you like to get a glimpse of Japan during spring time, here’s where we wrote about that cruise: https://www.travelandcruise.net/travellove_en/Our-Trips/HAL-Westerdam-Japan-01/hal-westerdam-japan-01.html

2023 – Japan – Celebrity Millennium – Day 6 – Kochi We remembered Kochi as a charming but also not very big destination from our last trip. That suited us well because we didn’t have to get up early. We left around ten, when the first rush was over and took the complimentary shuttle into town. From the bus terminal it was just a short walk through Kochi‘s shopping arcade to the vibrant little vermilion Harimaya Bridge in the heart of the city of Kochi. It is a popular photo spot for lovers because it is the setting of a legendary love story between a monk and a local woman. Back on the arcade street we heard the music of a marching band accompanying a Halloween parade of little kids in costumes. Policemen, princesses, monsters, kids dressed as Starbucks cups… an overload of cuteness. Marching on ourselves we reached Kochi Castle - an imposing stronghold guarding Kochi from the top of Otakayama hill. Steep steps through the park lead to the castle. Birgit and I smiled about the people who thought they were hard to manage because we knew that the stairs in the castle itself rather be called ladders than stairs. Nevertheless, once you managed to climb them, you are rewarded with panoramic views on Kochi. Our timing was perfect, because when we walked down from the castle again it was just about the right time to satisfy the appetite we worked up at the nearby Hirome Market. Birgit had some of the famous local bonito charred in a blazing rice straw fire. On the way back we walked through a Eco Learning Fair with nice stalls and many activities for kids. A Power Ranger show on the center stage captivated kids and parents alike. We continued and entered the local Daimaru department store. Next to the entrance we found the weird side of Japan. They sold Lovots, a self learning robot serving as a pet. OK ??? A shuttle bus took us back to the ship and Al Bacio. This time the beautiful weather held for the farewell show on the pier when we sailed away from Kochi. At 9pm we watched one more show - the performance of cellist Wendy Law in the theater. We are usually not big fans of the shows, but her performance was fabulous.

Hotel staff speak English - no problem there. At other places people will go out of there way to help you, even if they don’t speak English. BTW: at a subway station we witnessed someone yelling at staff because they didn’t know which ticket to buy and where to go. We felt ashamed… I said to Birgit: we are in Japan! It’s not that they don’t speak our language, we don’t speak theirs!

We headed back to the subway station through the shopping arcade and took the train back to the port. Birgit went back on board and I explored the Tempozan Market under the Giant Tempozan Ferris Wheel for a bit. I even found the twin sister of Copenhagen‘s Little Mermaid. Just before we were supposed to sail, the sky turned black and the wind started howling through the spokes of the Ferris wheel, blowing over signs and some barriers. So the Captain waited until the thunderstorm was over before we pushed away from the pier. Although it didn’t impact our cruise, it was still kind of sad. As always in Japan, they had arranged a show to say goodbye. And there was a soprano singing „Time to say goodbye“ with a wonderful voice. Unfortunately now there weren’t many passengers on their balconies in the rain. She sang so beautifully that we - again - had tears in our eyes. Did I mention already that we love Japan? 😉 Sailing into a now beautiful sunset we were already sure that this third visit to Japan will most likely not be our last.

We walked around a bit and took pictures of the world’s only oval shaped ferris wheel on the side of Ebisu Tower and then stumbled upon the small Buddhist Hozenji Temple hidden in the middle of the chaotic shopping area. It’s supposed to bring luck to splash water on the Fudo Myoo statue of this temple. You'll notice the statue is covered head to toe in moss, the result of many thousands of visitors pouring water over it. Seeing all the area’s enticing food offers had made us hungry, so we had a good (and spicy) Ramen before we tried some other local dishes.

Many photos later we walked to the nearest subway station and rode to Osaka’s Dotonbori District. The Dotonbori District is known for its eccentric and extremely lively atmosphere and also for the countless restaurants and stalls for Osaka’s many local specialties like Takoyaki Octopus Balls, Udon Noodles, Buns filled with crab meat and so on. The restaurants are trying to lure in the customers with huge billboards and statues but you can easily find the most popular ones. They have long lines in front of them.