Day 64 – Saturday 15th
March 2014 – Kagoshima
When we
awoke the ship was alongside in Japan and in the Britannia Restaurant for 08.45
for breakfast.
Immigration
was done on the ship by a lot of Japanese officials, finger prints and photo
identification taken and through the whole process within ten minutes.
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| Kagoshima |
 |
| Mount Sakurajima |
Kagoshima is
situated on the southern tip of the Island of Kyushu and home to the
tempestuous volcano Mount Sakurajima.
The city rests in the shadow of the
island, its horizon dominated by the volcano, which regularly grumbles and
belches out smoke and ash, as though reminding people of its existence, the
volcano’s last real eruption was in 1914.
We were
ashore for 10.45 and onto the shuttle bus which took us into the centre of town, a thirty minute journey.
It took us
another hour wandering around taking in the sights and sounds of the city. With its many modes of transport and quite of
a lot of the population wearing face and nose masks, either they have a cold or
are trying to prevent one.
 |
| Temple |
Trying to find our
way by the public transport proved a little difficult to our intended
destination of the Senganen Gardens. One of the local helpers for Cunard
spotted us at the bus stop, and informed us we were at the wrong one, while the
correct one was on the other side of the road.
He advised in the time allowed ashore, it was better to stay in the
centre of the city, and he directed us to a park not too far away.
In this wonderful quiet place we found the
Terukuni Shrine, a small working temple; also in the park were statutes to the
many noblemen who ruled here in the 1800’s.
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| Raku Raku Tei |
In our adventures we
had not spotted any bars, although there were many cafes and restaurants. On
leaving the park we were invited into the Raku Raku Tei bar/restaurant by the
owner, as we were parched, we accepted his invitation; the quenching beer was
just what we needed.
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| Likely Lads & Owner |
I left Colin
here for an hour, while I trudged up the steep cliff steps behind the bar, to
an observation area to take photographs of the city. When I arrived, exhausted at the top, there
was a car park with two tour buses from the ship, but I had the last laugh, as
I was going back to the bar.
Here the owner was on
hand with beer and his staff cooked in front of us a magnificent lunch. It was all very friendly and enjoyable but
all too short, as we had to make our back to the shuttle bus.
 |
| Cherry Blossom & Carp |
On the way, we passed
this idyllic spot with ponds which had brightly coloured carp in, with
overhanging cherry trees in blossom.
Somehow, I could not imagine this scene at home (fish would be in the
pan, and blossom blown away).
Back at the
quayside, it was party time, there were local people everywhere looking at the
big ship and enjoying the entertainment.
Girls in
their national dress were mingling with everyone and having lots of pictures
taken.
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| Drum Band |
The drumming band
were a sensation, all young ones bashing away keeping up a pulsating rhythm
while at the same time, it was telling a story.
There was a
lot of bowing and thank you’s (arigoto), as we boarded the ship, and the final
performance before sailing away were the stars of the show.
 |
| Little Cherries |
A school swing band
based on the American Glen Miller Orchestra called ‘Little Cherries’, these
were absolutely great, they had everyone on the quay and those watching from
the ship, clapping and swinging along.
They were
playing as we left the quayside, with all the others waving us off, a wonderful
farewell.
There were orange flags in
abundance waving as the ship’s whistle sounded three long blasts (sailor’s
farewell) all very emotional and great to be part of it. The orange flags are a symbol for the area,
when Shogun Satsuma family ruled in the 1800’s, hence the orange colour.
The evening
in the Café Carinthia was very enjoyable with our rum and coke, before going
into dinner of soup/salad/crab and crayfish ravioli. I had to forgo the pudding again, as I was
full up.
Up on deck a
clear night and I managed to pick out the Pole Star and delighted by a very
bright shooting star.
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