Random Notes, Mariner, 3/28-4/15/19, Shanghai-Tokyo--LIVE!*

[Mr Rumor]

Best April Fool’s quip of the day came from Social Hostess Marla as we strode out of the Constellation Theater this morning with our bus tix for Highlights of Tianjin in hand:

 

“Welcome to Petra!”

 

We enjoyed a beautiful day in Tianjin—sunny, coolish, and best of all, clear. “You’re really, really lucky today,” Jane, our tour guide told us.

 

It was a 90-minute drive from the terminal to Tianjin, China’s fourth largest city, with a population of 14 million. Striking sights along the way were vast apartment complexes rising from the flat expanses.  I was stunned to learn they were all sold out but completely unoccupied!  (Jane implied that buyers were speculators looking to one day “double” the amount of their investments, but I heard later from another cruiser that his guide had explained many couldn’t yet afford to live in their apartments and were still making payments.  A little confusing!)

 

Downtown Tianjin itself looks quite impressive, with clean streets and dozens of new-looking high rises.  A favorite local landmark is not a building, however, but a Ferris wheel (view is from the bus):

 

Our first stop was at the Ancient Culture Street,  in Tianjin’s old town, where, Jane explained, Chinese traditions remain intact.   She led us on a brief tour. . .

 

.  . . Then allowed us upwards of an hour to browse the shops and food stalls.  I took a few snaps along the way.

 

This presentation takes the cake:

 

Hello dollies!

 

Takjng the groceries for a walk:

 

Our friend Susan says hi and buy!

 

Then it was on to the 15th Century Tianjin Confucian Temple, “consecrated to offer sacrifices to the memory of Confucius, a great thinker, educator and statesman in ancient China.”  

 

 

Our excursion was the second-most booked tour today, with a total of 204 passengers taking part.  The most popular excursion, no surprise, was the 8.5-hour Great Wall of Huangyaguan tour, with 290 passengers participating and braving the 5.5-hour total drive to/fro.  I was happy to hear that a Great Wall excursion was also organized for the crew.

Edited April 1, 2019 by Mr Rumor

[forgap]

Beautiful, Rich!

[UUNetBill]

On 3/30/2019 at 11:08 AM, Mr Rumor said:

Better?

 

On 3/30/2019 at 2:59 PM, forgap said:

Uh, Rich, you may want to rethink this...looks like a flasher in a sarong! 

Oh, good Lord, I should NOT read these posts in the office - I just about spit coffee on my keyboard.  People were kind of looking at me wondering why I'm laughing...

[ronrick1943]

39 minutes ago, UUNetBill said:

 

Oh, good Lord, I should NOT read these posts in the office - I just about spit coffee on my keyboard.  People were kind of looking at me wondering why I'm laughing...

If you get called into HR this morning better be ready to explain what was on you screen---don't think it will be a good visit.

[RJ2002]

7 hours ago, Mr Rumor said:

Best April Fool’s quip of the day came from Social Hostess Marla as we strode out of the Constellation Theater this morning with our bus tix for Highlights of Tianjin in hand:

 

“Welcome to Petra!”

...

 

  I was happy to hear that a Great Wall excursion was also organized for the crew.

 

Love, love, love that Marla! 

 

Also, nice to see the ship arranged a Great Wall excursion for the hard working crew.

 

Pictures are beautiful.

 

 

[UUNetBill]

44 minutes ago, ronrick1943 said:

If you get called into HR this morning better be ready to explain what was on you screen---don't think it will be a good visit.

Sadly, ronrick, I don't think they'd be too surprised...   

[Bigdogwon]

Following along and have to say loving the pictures!  I am hoping that we didn’t pick any 5:45 am departures, I will have to look back at what we booked!

 

I hope that Marla will be staying on, we have cruised with her several times and just love her and her singing.

 

The Land of Enchantment was having snow yesterday but woke this am to those beautiful cobalt skies....

[Mr Rumor]

Good morning from the China Sea! We are enjoying another sea day today before we hit a string of four ports, starting with Sasebo tomorrow.

 

This was the scene in a still busy La Veranda at 9:45 this morning.  Notice the row of extra tables in the aisle?  There are five temporary two-tops on each side of the restaurant, all imported from the veranda. The extra seating has come in handy as the weather has been a little too chilly so far for many passengers to want to dine on the Pool Deck.

[Mr Rumor]

Don’t go up against Boris in Baggo, if you can avoid it—he’ll make short work of you!  First Officer Boris Dzhakov of Bulgaria sunk all three of his shots—that’s nine points—as the officers humbled the guests, 52-29, this morning in the Baggo Officers’ Challenge.  (I did what I could, for the guests’ cause, walking away with three Regent Reward Points.)

[Mr Rumor]

Ginny took the (cup)cake at today’s Cupcake Teatime when she walked into the Horizon Lounge sporting her hand-made cupcake necklace.  She carves each cupcake from wood and then meticulously paints each with the tiniest brushes!

 

Edited April 2, 2019 by Mr Rumor

[forgap]

Love the necklace!   

[Mr Rumor]

That’s our John, life of the Block Party!

[HonTri]

We wonder if He will the CD on the may 16th cruise out of Vancouver B.C.?

[Mr Rumor]

Good morning from the Korean Strait!  We’re scheduled to dock in Sasebo at 1 p.m.  Japan requires a face-to-face inspection in the terminal for all guests going ashore.  After that we’ll be off on our excursion, Scenic and Cultural Sasebo.

 

We thoroughly enjoyed the Regent Production Cast’s  “What the World Needs Now—The Music of Burt Bacharach” last night.  We had never seen this wonderful tribute to Bacharach and his incredible songbook, so assumed it was a new Regent production.  Actually, it is one of Regent’s oldest, I learned from CD John afterwards, but is only currently being performed on the Mariner.

 

A snap from the production’s namesake song, the show’s closer:

 

[WesW]

Catching up with your delightful Asia thread Rich & Ginny now that I am off the Silver Shadow. Outstanding photos complement y’all’s word pictures. Thank you.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[donnacat9]

Catching up and wanted to share our fantastic tour in Tianjin.   We took the Historical Heritage tour (8 3/4 hrs).   Began with seeing the last emperor’s house called Jing Garden.   A video of Puyi’s life, his excile from Beijing and influence from the Japanese was shown.   He was excited to the Soviet Union for 10 years and upon his return he was rehabilitated and worked at a gardner.  

The concubine revolution started during his time in Tianjin   — first time a woman ever left the emperor - -From there to the museum at the beautiful Astor Hotel - underground and filled with antiques.   Lastly we toured Prince Quing’s mansion. The most interesting part is the story - -the concubine’s euchinic built this beautiful home, but with 18 steps —9 up and 9 down he used the emperors number.   Decided to sell it to the Prince and built another home for his safety.  Finally we joined the locals and walked the circuit in the reclaimed soccer stadium (finding  toilets with seats!!).   Passed many a fish farm on the drive to the back from the city.   Our guide did give us some history of the People’s Revolution explaining how Chairman Mao came power.  

 

[RJ2002]

7 minutes ago, donnacat9 said:

Catching up and wanted to share our fantastic tour in Tianjin.   We took the Historical Heritage tour (8 3/4 hrs).   Began with seeing the last emperor’s house called Jing Garden.   A video of Puyi’s life, his excile from Beijing and influence from the Japanese was shown.   He was excited to the Soviet Union for 10 years and upon his return he was rehabilitated and worked at a gardner.  

The concubine revolution started during his time in Tianjin   — first time a woman ever left the emperor - -From there to the museum at the beautiful Astor Hotel - underground and filled with antiques.   Lastly we toured Prince Quing’s mansion. The most interesting part is the story - -the concubine’s euchinic built this beautiful home, but with 18 steps —9 up and 9 down he used the emperors number.   Decided to sell it to the Prince and built another home for his safety.  Finally we joined the locals and walked the circuit in the reclaimed soccer stadium (finding  toilets with seats!!).   Passed many a fish farm on the drive to the back from the city.   Our guide did give us some history of the People’s Revolution explaining how Chairman Mao came power.  

 

 

This sounds like a tour we'd enjoy as well.  Thanks for sharing the details.

[Mr Rumor]

Hello from Sasebo!

 

We have a musical welcoming committee.

[Mr Rumor]

It’s cherry blossom time this week in Sasebo!  “You’re so lucky,”  our tour guide, Masumi, told us.  “We never can predict the best time to see the blossoms.”

 

Cherry-blossom viewing is a 400-year-old pastime in Japan, according to Masumi.  People  even meet in parks to have viewing parties, she said.

 

As we visited Yumihari Lookout Point and Ohashi Kannon Temple on our Scenic and Cultura Sasebo tour I had my camera at the ready.  Several favorite blossom snaps:

 

 

 

Edited April 3, 2019 by Mr Rumor

[RachelG]

Love your cherry blossom pics.  Also very jealous that you have John Barron as CD.  We haven't sailed with him in way to long.

[Mr Rumor]

 

Thanks, Rachel,  Here’s a final blossom shot, taken from Yumihari Lookout Point.  Had to get the Mariner in on the act!

 

We’re now in the East China Sea—Busan in the morning.  We’ll be reporting for our eight hour excursion Highlights of Gyeongiu & Busan in less than nine hours, so time to sign off!

[Mr Rumor]

Good morning from the Korea Strait as we near our first of three South Korean ports, Busan.  This is the first of what I hope to be several Mariner Refurb Notes.

 

The former computer room is now the library.  I spoke to the couple by the fireplace (yes, there’s a pretend fireplace) who like the library being located in its own room.  “It’s quieter,” the gentleman explained, which, of course, is what a library is supposed to be.  

 

In the former library space is the computer area, down from 17 computers to eight.   (Hmmm, the craftsperson on the edge of the Coffee Connection looks familiar.)

 

As I stepped into the library I couldn’t help but notice the plaque to my immediate left.  Congrats once again, Peggy/xrvlcruiser, on attaining Commodore status!

 

[ronrick1943]

About the Coffee Connection, last year when we were on the Mariner they had French Press Coffee on the menu.  But didn't have it--they said they were going to get the coffee press---question, did they?  PS, still enjoying your cruise and great photos.  We board April27th...........Rick

[crusin7]

Hi Rich. Loving all your great photos, especially the cherry blossoms. We arrive in Tokyo on the 24th. I hope a few are still in bloom. I will start a live blog on the Tokyo to Vancouver leg. I hope others join in....ronrick, Gilly, anyone.  

[Mr Rumor]

Hello again, this time from sprawling Busan, metropolitan-area population of 4.6 million!