Day 74 - At Sea

Day 74 – Tuesday 25^th March 2014 – At Sea

The gym and sauna session was grand this morning and shortly after relaxing with a cup of tea at 10.30, the ship’s hooter started and blasted out every two minutes, as we were into fog, and it is the International signal to let other shipping know, we are about.

We did our final choir rehearsal at 13.00, then led down to the theatre to be given a health and safety briefing before being allowed on stage. 

This time there were only forty of us in the choir, with a lot missing from the ladies section. The theatre was about half full when our choir master, Tommi, made his entrance and began his solo from ‘Les Misearables’, ‘Master of the House’ before we were allowed to sing our parts.  Followed by the full choir singing, ‘Razzle Dazzle’ from the musical ‘Chicago’.  Followed by our problem song ‘Impossible Dream’, and once it was out of the way, we got into ‘Jerusalem’ and unaccompanied by Shane on the piano, sang ‘The Drunken Sailor’.

Grand Staircase

    

Our choir medley went done well and our favourite, a combination of ‘The Rose’ and ‘Moon River’ ended the show.  We did have an encore up our sleeves and again from ‘Les Miserables’, sang ‘Do You Hear the People Sing’.  It was all over and the very kind audience gave us a standing ovation.

We left the stage and assembled at the Grand Lobby staircase for the photo shoot, then into the Golden Lion for an earned Speckled Hen.

It is a formal night and today’s promotion cocktail was not to our liking and we stuck to the rum and coke before going to dinner consisting of snails/salad/lobster/baked Alaska and beautiful.

Chef's Parade

It is the last formal night of this section of the voyage, the Chefs who have been looking after us, leave the galley, to parade around the tables in the Britannia Restaurant, to the clapping and cheering of the guests.

Britannia Restaurant Staircase

They assemble on the Restaurant staircase and Amanda our Entertainments Manager introduces the main participants in the Catering Department.  It is a wonderful scene and a chance for the guests, to thank the real people, who have been supervising our wonderful meals.

It is also the Masquerade Ball tonight, and there are some strange disguises, but we steered clear of those and marched into the Golden Lion for the karaoke.

Not too many takers tonight, but we were royally entertained by Tommi, our choir master and trained Shakespearian actor, and Wayne, once a member of Buzz Fizz.

It was a long day, both varied and enjoyable; very happy when it came to an end, looking forward to a new Chinese port tomorrow.

Day 73 - Shanghai

Day 73 – Monday 24^th March 2014 – Shanghai

We were alongside the passenger terminal at 07.00 and breakfasted in the Britannia Restaurant.

Ashore by 09.30 in the company of Edwina and her daughter Deborah, who both dine at our table.  The passenger terminal is incredibly new, very large with very little inside and seemingly it was built for the Beijing Olympics.  Here we obtained tourist maps and exchanged money in to the local Yuan.

Onto the shuttle bus, for the hour long journey to the city, we sped along most of the time on a raised motorway and running alongside, there was also a raised railway line.

We arrived at the Bund, a symbol of Shanghai and a epitome of Shanghai’s modern history. On one side of the broad highway stand 52 blocks of tall, magnificent buildings with different architectural styles, which can be called a museum of modern world architecture.  On the other side is the wide embankment, where crowds of visitors come to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the Huangpu, the mother river of Shanghai.

The bus did not stop at the Bund but took us another ten minutes further on to the silk museum.  This was all very nice, showing how it is all made but, it was not what we were looking for and the finished articles were very expensive.

Back Street

We left here and headed back along the river towards the Bund before branching off into Shanghai’s Old Street and the Yuyuan commercial area.

This was more of how I remember China from 47 years ago.  The hustle and bustle of the place, stalls and workshops on the street with flats three or four storeys high above. You could buy all sorts of fresh produce and the purchasing going on was amazing.

Shopping Centre

     

Eldon Sqaure

After passing through, we came to a modern shopping centre though based on the old architecture and within this shopping complex there was also a temple and tea houses. 

Yuyuan Garden

   

We went into one of the tea houses and in very ornate surroundings enjoyed a cup of green tea.  Through the shopping area which was packed, you come into peace and tranquilities of the Yuyuan Garden. 

This is another place, when you enter, it takes your breath away after the mayhem going on outside.  The walk around certainly settles you down and puts your life more into perspective.

Feeding the Carp

Edwina & Deborah at peace

  

The ponds are full of multi coloured carp and a constant attraction to folks and children alike.  We left the ladies in the garden before they went off shopping, while we headed off to the Bund. 

We wandered off through the back streets into more shops and the traders who seemed to be doing brisk trade, and carried on down to the river.

How big can you go

Commercial District

On the other side are these massive structures which are at the heart of the commercial area.  A walk along the Bund and eventually we found the ferry to take us over to the other side.  You have to get all of this into perspective as 50 years ago this whole area was wasteland.

We headed for the Jinmao Tower which has an observatory on the 88^th floor, 350 metres high.  It is the largest and highest observatory in Shanghai.  A super-speed elevator of 9.1 m/s takes visitors up the tower in 45 seconds.

Pearl Tower

From up here through the smog and haze is a fine view of this vastly expanding city.  The Oriental Pearl Tower, which is 468 metre high, and one of the first skyscrapers to be built here.  The tower consists of 15 spheres of different sizes at different levels creating an artistic conception of “large and small pearls dropping onto a jade plate”.  At night, colourful lights glisten and dazzle the eye.

Inside Jinmao Tower

A view in the centre of the tower; looking down from the 88^th floor; 350 metre up, into the lobby below.

Cloud 9

The Jinmao Tower in which we were boosts the highest bar in the world called ‘Cloud 9’ but situated on the 87^th floor, so we had to go back down in the lift and use the Hyatt Hotel’s lifts, but you have to use three different lifts to get to the bar.

      

The Bund

We sat in the bar and had a couple of beers watching the dusk and the lights coming on over the city and the spectacular show.  When we left, we only had to pay for one round of drinks as it was happy hour (how’s your luck).

  

World Financial Centre

Next to the Jinmao Tower is the Shanghai World Financial Centre which has 100 floors and 472 meters high, but alongside both of these is another tower in the process of being built, and will be 630 metres high (how high can they go).

  

 

The ferry across to the Bund gives you some wonderful scenes of the city and there were thousands of other people all taking in this extravaganza.

The Bund

River Boat Shuffle

Time was of the essence and it was time to head back to the ship, we hailed a taxi and were back on board for 20.00.  We did not bother with the restaurant, but went up to the Lido bar and self-service restaurant for drinks and a meal.

We sailed from Shanghai at 22.30 and in bed for 23.00.

I had always wanted to come to this city, as I had heard so much about it during my travels in the Far East.  Shanghai, certainly did not disappoint, the sights and sounds of it, will remain with me for a long time.

Day 72 - At Sea

Day 72 – Sunday 23^rd March 2014 – At Sea

Spent a very quiet morning; after yesterday’s activities.

The early afternoon was spent at choir practice, today we should have carried out our performance, but the choir master decided we were not quite ready for it, and we all agreed.

The weather may be calm and sunny but it is still cold, and we are heading on a southerly course.

There was no promotional cocktail today, so we contented ourselves with our usual dark rum and coke.  Dinner consisted of parsnip soup/salad/shrimps/soufflé, and all a delight.

The theatre show was given by Pingxin Xu, a Chinese virtuoso dulcimer player; unique musical instrument, which I had never heard played before.  I was very impressed by the performance and I bought the CD.

Early to bed, as a big day tomorrow; arrive in Shanghai.

Day 71 - Busan, South Korea

Day 71 – Saturday 22^nd March 2014 – Busan, South Korea

We were ashore at 09.15 and on the shuttle bus for the half hour ride into the city centre, on the way we passed many closely packed together shipyards, working on all different sorts of sea going vessels, and I have never seen so many floating cranes, ranging upwards to the gigantic.

Busan, Fishing Harbour

A short walk from the drop off point and into the Yongdusan Park, there is an observation tower built in 1973 and 120 metres tall, from here on this beautiful sunny day, you could see the sprawling city of Busan.

  

   

The city spreads out into every valley and this is the second biggest city in South Korea after the capital, Seoul.

      

Within the park and around the tower are the Buddhist bell structure and mythical dragon.

  

Department Store

From here, I went into what is reputed to be, the biggest department store in the world, called Lotte.

It is very elegant inside, while I was very interested with the roof on which there was another observation deck, for the kids, a park, playground and zoo.  The next floor down consisted of different types of café/restaurant and also a quiet internet centre.  With the help of one of the assistants, I caught up with the communications.  The store is still expanding, with cinemas being built on the side and at the rear, a towering skyscraper to finish it off.

     

   

The next stop was the Jagalchi fish market, I have visited some of these fish markets around the world but I was not expecting to see, what I witnessed in this place. 

Within this modern building on the ground floor is the market selling live fish and shellfish, and I have never seen so much fish in one place. 

The locals pick out which fish they want from within the displays (there is constant flowing water through each one), they are killed there and then and popped into the shopping bag.  The variety of fish available is incredible and I left there in disbelief.

Open Fish Market

   

  

Only to find on the outside even more shops/stalls, doing exactly the same in what would of been the original market.  In here, they were even bartering over different types of sea weed.

Trawlers

Tied up alongside the quay was this line of trawlers, I presume do not go out fishing at the weekend.  How the surrounding seas can sustain this amount of fishing, only they can tell, but when it is gone, it is gone forever.

Underground Shopping Mall

The shopping extravaganza is not over yet, going back to the main shopping street and going into the subway underground, stretching as far as the eye can see in both directions are even more shops, following the same route of the road above, incredible.

Back to the shuttle bus pick up point for 16.00 and there are people everywhere and stalls opening up in every side street and more on the main road.  Shopping is from 10.00 to 22.00 and there are willing buyers, the same as the fish, I have never seen so many shops in one area.

The ride back on the bus was amazing, the driver switching lanes as often as he could, to the squeals, and oohs of the lady passengers, as we just avoided knocking someone over, or bashing into the other traffic.  Everyone was very glad to get back on board.

Farewell

We sailed at 18.00 to the accompaniment of drummers, singers and well wishers.

The pre- dinner cocktail was Japanese punch, white rum, pineapple and orange juices, sour mix topped with dark rum and splash of grenadine and very nice.

Dinner consisted of shrimps/salad/beef/crepe soufflé which finished off the night very nicely.

Busan was a different exciting type of metropolis, moving at a very fast pace.  Obviously, the Koreans have lots of spending power, and a wide variety to choose from, and long may they prosper.

Day 70 - Nagasaki

Day 70 – Friday 21^st March 2014 – Nagasaki

The ship was alongside the passenger terminal at 07.30 and we went to the Britannia restaurant for breakfast at 08.00.

Queen Elizabeth & Bridge

At 09.30, we were ashore in the passenger terminal and exchanged money, given maps of where to go, and obtained a tram day pass.  A walk along the shore line was very interesting inside the park, passing the maritime museum and cafes.

Tram

  We board the tram a wonderful mode of transport and to the delight of me, the driver.  As each one paid their money or showed their pass, they were given an arigato (thank you) and a bow. We went six stops before receiving our bow, and walked across the river bridge and along to the ropeway.

Cable Car

The cable car takes you up to the top Mount Inasa a height of 333 metres and a stroll along to the observation platform gives you incredible views over the city on a fine, clear day, like today.

            

Back down on the cable car a five minute ride, and back over the bridge to the tram stop, and another five stops along we arrived at the Peace Park.

An atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki at 11.02 am on 9^th August 1945.  The most part of Nagasaki was destroyed, and a tremendous number of lives were lost. People who narrowly escaped death suffered physical and psychological damage.  Even now, many A-bomb survivors are suffering.

Peace Statue

Inside Peace Park is the Peace Statue.  The statue’s raised right hand pointing to the sky symbolisers the threat of nuclear weapons, his flat, outstretched left hand represents eternal peace, and his eyes are closed in prayer asking that the souls of the victims may find rest.

Hypocenter Monolith

The atomic bomb exploded approximately 500 metres above this monolith on 9^th August, 1945.  The bomb caused roughly 75,000 injuries and 74,000 deaths (as of the end of 1945).  A micro-filmed list of the names of the A-bomb victims is kept in the stone box in front of the monolith.

In the Nagasaki atomic bomb museum you learn about the events that led up to the dropping of the bomb, the tragedy that ensued, the road to recovery, and the history of nuclear arms development.

You are taken in by the enormity of what happened here, but I came away, after paying my respect, that the whole story had not really been told.  There is no mention of the Japanese atrocities committed during the pre-war years in China, nor in the Second World War, in their quest for power in the Far East.  The feeling I got, was they could not understand, why this had happened in Nagasaki.

Back on the tram and into the city centre to the main shopping area, where we found a bar/restaurant and had beers with a tempura (a light meal with your choice of meat, soup, and salad) before wandering back to the ship.

Farewell

We sailed away at 18.00 to the music of the school swing band and accompanying majorettes and passed under the Nagasaki Bridge at 18.30 on which there were people waving and cheering us on our way.

In the Café Carinthia, today’s cocktail, pina colada, then into the restaurant for dinner, consisting of clam chowder/beef/spotted dick pudding and all wonderful.

Early to bed, as we say goodbye to Japan after four wonderful port visits, and in the morning we arrive in South Korea.

Day 69 - At Sea

Day 69 – Thursday 20^th March 2014 – At Sea

After yesterday, it was a late awakening and a lazy day.

For some unknown there was no promotion of a cheap cocktail today, so we contented ourselves with rum and coke before dinner of scallops/salad/sea bass/ New York cheesecake.

String Quartet

   

After dinner, we went into the Lido Restaurant on Deck 9, and to the sounds of the string quartet, attended an ice and chocolate culinary event.

Fish

   

Dragon

    

The ice sculptures were magnificent, guest were getting stuck into the many different types of chocolate fancy cakes on offer; just after dinner, I could not quite tempt myself.

Bear

Everything on show was a credit to the expertise and the culinary delights of the Catering Department.

The theatre was next with the wonderful voice of the Maori, Ben Makisi, and a great Armenian comedian, Kev Orkian.  It was a great show and both received a standing ovation.

A day which started off quietly, gradually built up into a wonderful evening.