SailorJill and I Sail on the Orient Express a.k.a. Millenium's Immersion Cruise

[debshomespun]

I was hoping someone else would have jumped in and answered your question as I do not know the answer as we did not play at the casino. I looked through our "Today" flyers and the only reference I could find was, "Get more credit for your Dollar with our Slot Packages, up to 15% extra credit. Available from the Cash Desk, limited time only." I would assume from that blurb that US dollars are used, but that is just a guess. Perhaps you can post a question on the board and get an answer.

 

Jack

 

Thanks Jack, you answered another question that I didn't even ask! DH usually will use some of our OBC for his slot play, and it's nice to the the extra 15%. Was just on the Equinox, and he was able to play through the OBC and get cash out of the slots dollar for dollar. He did a great job!

 

 

Linda, thanks also for your reply, I was assuming everything on board the Celebrity ships would be in US$$$. That is what it was in Australia while we were on the Solstice.

[SailorJack]

I don't frequent the casino much, but the currency on board all Celebrity ships is the US dollar. That would include the casino, which is on board the ship. If you have some other currency, guest relations can change it for you.

 

Thanks Linda, I knew someone would have the answer.

[SailorJack]

I was just directed over here from the Princess Board. (Thank you caribill!) Once again you have outdone yourself, Sailor Jack. I finished reading the review, and will delve into the pictures next. Yay!

 

I am editing more pics this weekend and should start to post them this PM or in the morning.

[SailorJack]

Just two blocks from our hotel in Shanghai was the Peoples Park. It is sort of like Central Park in NY, but with a Chinese twist. From inside the park you can see a winter view of the city, but I would think that once all the trees are leafed out most of the city would be blocked.

 

 

 

 

There was a small area for amusement rides aimed at small children. None of the rides were adult sized.

 

 

 

 

There was a beautiful meandering lake with lots of walking paths and bridges. It was easy to find a little solitude in a city of over 24 million people.

 

 

[SailorJack]

OMG!! How have I missed you? I am so happy that I am now retired & can go back & read all your reviews! I was reading portions aloud to my husband - always the sign of a fabulous job!!

 

Glad you enjoyed it. Isn't being retired just grand!:D

 

Jack

[SailorJack]

Enjoying the photos.

 

Glad you are enjoying them. More coming today - almost finished editing the last batch.

 

Jack

[SailorJack]

More shots from inside the east side of the park. Not as many visitors as the west side, but more tranquil with amazing views of the city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SailorJack]

The west side of People's park is more formal - with gardens and government buildings.

 

 

 

This is the Shanghai Municipal People's Government building.

 

 

 

 

One of the formal gardens in the park.

 

[SailorJack]

Yet another Sailor Jack classic.

 

I really resent that I will never be more than the third best (if that) writer on CC as long as you are the first two.;p

 

I have a new one in the RCI board if it interests you.

 

You are being too kind. I did read your latest review and wish I had your talent for subtlety.

 

If anyone wants to read a humorous author here is the link to Mr. Galtny latest:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2472117&highlight=johngaltny

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

You are being too kind. I did read your latest review and wish I had your talent for subtlety.

 

If anyone wants to read a humorous author here is the link to Mr. Galtny latest:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2472117&highlight=johngaltny

 

Thanks for the referral. More laugh out loud stuff!

[SailorJack]

This is the Shanghai Museum - it was huge and very crowded. Some of the biggest crowds we saw in Shanghai.

 

 

 

The glass dome in the bottom center of the photo is the entrance to an underground shopping center. There were two of them - the Shanghai shopping center and the Hong Kong shopping center.

 

 

 

[SailorJack]

Some last shots of China before we head to Nagasaki, Japan. We enjoyed our two days in Shanghai and can't believe how much it has grown since we were there many years ago. It is a vibrant city and we enjoyed the friendliness of the people and way they seemed to enjoy their city as well.

 

 

 

 

 

[SailorJack]

Thanks for the referral. More laugh out loud stuff!

 

Glad you found it. I have enjoyed his reviews for years. His signature has links to his other reviews.

 

Jack

[SailorJack]

We have made it to Japan. The entrance to Nagasaki's harbor.

 

 

 

 

 

The building at the top of the hill is the upper station for the tram - which provided spectacular views of the city.

 

[SailorJack]

Our first stop in Nagasaki was at the Nagasaki Peace Park, We took the train and the station was located just a few minutes from the ship. An all day pass on the train was about five dollars. The walk from the Peace Park station to the park itself was about a five minute walk and then a series of escalators up the hill to the park itself. The entrance to the park was around a fountain that was erected in memory of the victims of the bombing who were searching for water to ease the pain of their burned bodies.

 

 

 

The spray from the fountain was designed to represent the wings of a dove - the symbol for peace.

 

 

 

 

Inside the park were monuments erected by countries from around the world. This one was erected in 1985, but we could not tell from which nation.

 

[tweetylori]

LMAO! I don't know that I can ever sit through a pedicure without thinking of this and laughing again. What a terrific review and am loving your pics!

[SailorJack]

LMAO! I don't know that I can ever sit through a pedicure without thinking of this and laughing again. What a terrific review and am loving your pics!

 

Well, we may have something in common. I don't think I can ever sit through a pedicure again.:D Glad you enjoyed the review.

 

Jack

[SailorJack]

This is part of the sign near the entrance of the park. I have cropped the photo so that the information on the sign is readable.

 

 

This is the foundation of the Urikami branch of the Nagasaki Prison. It was the closest public building to the epicenter of the atomic bomb blast - which was about 100-250 yards away. AT 11:01 it was a large complex housing over 200 staff and inmates. At 11:02 this was all that was left.

 

 

This shows the prison after the bombing. All of the signs at the park were in four languages.

 

 

[7leagueboots]

This is part of the sign near the entrance of the park. I have cropped the photo so that the information on the sign is readable.

 

 

This is the foundation of the Urikami branch of the Nagasaki Prison. It was the closest public building to the epicenter of the atomic bomb blast - which was about 100-250 yards away. AT 11:01 it was a large complex housing over 200 staff and inmates. At 11:02 this was all that was left.

 

 

This shows the prison after the bombing. All of the signs at the park were in four languages.

 

 

 

Those figures in the first photo sure highlights that day in Nagasaki.

[SailorJack]

This sign describes the thoughts behind the fountain at the entrance to the park.

 

 

 

This was sort of an interactive pavilion at the park. Visitors could take a ladle and water a "peace" plant.

 

 

 

This gentleman oversaw the pavilion and was a survivor of the bombing. He showed us a photo of him as a young boy standing amid the ruins of the city.

 

[Baatman]

Just reread your review - just as funny second time around. But Masimoto Packeminsan!:D

[SailorJack]

Those figures in the first photo sure highlights that day in Nagasaki.

 

I guess nothing brings it home like actually being there. It was amazing how well the city has recovered from the bombing. You look at what happened at Chernobyl and at Nagasaki, except for some preserved relics, you could not tell that the bomb had fallen on the city. The biggest reminder was in the museum where they had walls of pictures showing the devastation.

[SailorJack]

Here are several more memorials erected by countries from around the world. This one is from the German Democratic Republic and is entitled, "Monument of Peoples Friendship."

 

 

 

 

 

This is entitled "Joy of Life" and is from the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. It shows a jubilant mother lifting up her baby. It is interesting to note that some of these memorials outlasted the countries that contributed them to the Peace Park.

 

 

 

 

We could not find an English translation to this memorial showing two children and what I assumed were doves, but Jill thought might be pigeons.

 

 

[SailorJack]

Just reread your review - just as funny second time around. But Masimoto Packeminsan!:D

 

Well, I thought that was his name, but I may have lost something in the translation.:)

 

Jack

[SailorJack]

This is the most imposing statue in the Peace Park and is the focal point of many of the ceremonies held here each year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Symbol of oath for eternal peace of world

 

An atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki at 11:02 am on Aug. 9, 1945, wiping out precious lives of 74,000 people and turning affected areas into ashes in an instant. There remain a large number of people who could fortunately survive but are still suffering from after-effects of the bombing. The sorrow of victims cannot heal though many years have since passed.

Heiwa Kinen-zo was built to prevent a recurrence of such a disaster on the earth, wish for world peace and pray for the victims of the bombing. The statute was completed in 1955 by Seibo Kitamura, a locally born sculptor. The bronze statue is 9.7 meters high, sitting on a 3.9-meter base, and weighs some 30 tons. It is said that the statute’s right hand is raised upward to point to the threat of nuclear weapons while the horizontally extended left hand symbolizes peace. The gently closed eyes are said to offer a prayer for the repose of the bomb victims’souls. The face does not look Japanese because it is a “Person who goes beyond human races.”

The surrounding area of the statute in the Nagasaki Peace Park is designated as a zone to pray for world peace and has the Fountain of Peace to mourn the victims who died, seeking water, as well as the Peace Bell and monuments donated by other countries, prompting visitors to consider the importance of peace. On Aug. 9 every year, the Nagasaki Memorial Service for the Dead and Peace Ceremony are held in front of the statute.(from a description on the internet.)