Shimizu

Today we visited this ancient port town, the closest to Mount Fuji which can be seen from the harbour when the weather is favourable – it rarely is at this time of the year.

Unfortunately all the tours were already booked so we decided to be flexible and see if we could organise anything ourselves when we went ashore.

Majestic  Princess is the largest ship to ever visit here and the local people certainly put out the welcome mat for us.

We left the ship and wandered through the streets where friendly people wearing vests proclaiming they were volunteer guides, indicated sites of interest.  Their English was very good – a lot better than our Japanese.

Our first visit was to the Suehiro Museum which had been set up in the 1880s by a local philanthropist as a Seamens’ Inn.  Upstairs was an English school because Jirocho, the philanthropist thought it was important that everyone could speak English.  This philosophy seems to have endured to the present time.

We wandered along the streets to the Myokeiji  temple, graveyard and fortune bell.  Two ladies chatted to us as they practised their English. 

                                

                                             This Buddhist temple had wonderful gardens.

                                                Gail outside the temple.

We continued through the town always with guides to direct to new places to visit.  We were invited to make some origami shapes – all at no cost but instead headed for the birthplace of the town’s philanthropist.

 Jirocho’s house, now a museum, was typical of Japanese houses in the 1880s with its indoor well and wood fired cooking stove.  He had been a professional gambler but at the age of 48 changed and became a person who cared for all people, a peace maker who thought all were equal and who cared about everyone.

                                                  The old well and stove

After leaving Jirocho’s house we visited the Minowa Inari Shrine.  We walked through the red Tori Gate.  Rob rang the temple bell and tossed a coin into the box as directed by the Japanese lady who explained it would bring him good luck.

                             Just couldn't resist a shot of the garbage truck going out the Tori gate

                                                        Gail at the shrine

                                             Just as well that Gail didn't wear red!

                                                                    and Rob!

We managed to hail a taxi to take us to the Nihondaira Yume Terrace which has incredible views across the bay to Mount Fuji – when the clouds are kind!  We were lucky.  While we were there the clouds lifted for a short time and we saw the mountain from the observation deck of this splendid place which had been designed by the architects for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.  Quite a thrill even though only a glimpse.  Not everyone was so fortunate.

                                               Mt Fuji above the clouds.

Back at the port we wandered through the stalls set up by the local people and looked at ikebana displays, kimonos to try on for photos, handmade trinkets, local sweets and green tea.

When we left at 4.00 pm, it looked as if the whole town had come to say goodbye as the port was filled with waving people, fireworks were exploded and the ship’s horn played the theme from The Loveboat on its sirens.

                                             The end of a wonderful visit.

A short visit to Tokyo

A Short visit to Tokyo

Our ship arrived in Yokohama so we decided to travel up to Tokyo. We will be back in less than a week but with such a short stay planned we decided to make a start on the Tokyo sites.

We travelled by train and subway to Shinjuku. Our first stop was the hotel that we booked as if we didn’t like it we had free cancellation. It was fine so we sat and caught up on our emails and our China blog.

There is as local shrine nearby that is worth a visit so we visited the Hanazono Shrine. The was moved to its current location in 1648

                                                     Gail at the Hanazono Shrine

                                                       

                                           
                                                             Yes Rob was there!

We wandered around looking at the skyscraper district of Shinjuku. From memory they first build high rise in this district due to the underlying geology and the risk of earthquakes. The modern architecture certainly impresses.

For the best view we went across to the Tokyo Metropolitan Offices and up to the observation deck on the 45^th floor. From here you can see the skyscrapers all around the district.

One of the interesting things was a donated grand piano decorated by the artist Yayoi Kusama. It is available for anyone to play and there were impressive performances some by very young children.

                                                 The Shinjuku skyline

                                                       These kids could play!!

We travelled around on multiple trains and the metro and walked and walked until we even caught the metro for a single stop. I think we walked as far to catch the metro as if we had stayed above ground and walked direct!

Eventually it was time to make our way back to the port and the shuttle back to our ship

 Tokyo has lots of major events in the near future. The Rugby world cup and next year the Olympics

Few extra photos from Shanghai

Just a few photos from our last morning in Shanghai. We walked down to the bund to check out the old colonial area with the juxtaposition of ultra modern skyscrapers.

                   A classic colonial beauty with the modern skyscrapers as a backdrop!

                                               Another colonial beauty..now the Peace Hotel

                                                           Two golden oldies

                                                               Modern mums

Shanghai for kids

A few photos of the local kids and the things that our "little" kids would enjoy. This one is the local M&M shop!

Yes we visited the lego shop but sorry..we made no purchases. Locals at play.

                                                                A lego model.

Quick visit to Shanghai

Shanghai

We flew into Shanghai to start our post reno recovery trip! After sitting on the Sydney tarmac for 1 ½ hours we were anything but relaxed but it was a reasonable flight and an easy train trip from the airport. We did consider the Magley rapid train, the worlds fastest scheduled train service but it would have taken longer with several changes to get all the way.

The first night was late by the time we arrived and made it through the crowds into our hotel. We are staying in East Nanjing Road, the famous pedestrian only street that is

packed with people and shops of every description.

On our full day we spent a lot of time walking along the street taking in the sights, sounds and smell of the city. It is a great place to go people watching! Our major destination was the Shanghai Museum with its excellent arts collection.

                                Gail's day at the museum. Too modern for this gallery!

                                                Looking down on the art lovers.

                                                           Lots of quality jade

                                            Just tilt your head to the right! Colour painting

                                     How would you like to sleep on this pottery pillow?

They hold an excellent collection of Tang pottery..the best dynasty for this art. Some are held at the NSW Art Gallery in Sydney.

Also a Tang but this time a wooden sculpture.  From AD 618-907. A wonderful display.

The next morning it was time to repack and head off to our cruise ship. We did have time to walk down to the bund for the sights over the river and the remaining colonial buildings that sit beside some of the most modern buildings in the world. Like all of China, Shanghai is a land of great contrast and a blend of the old and the new.

 Walking down our street. Just a few other locals and us!

A Weekend in Paris

We travelled to Paris from Geneva as this is the starting point of our Greenland and The North West Passage trip. We have been travelling at a hectic pace and have tried to make this visit a little more relaxed.

On our arrival we checked into our hotel and didn't go out till we had a break. We walked to Montmartre and climbed the million or so steps to the terrace in front of The Sacre Coeur Church.

It was a real buzz. People everywhere and lots of noise.

                                                        The Sacre Coeur Church.

                                                The views back over Paris are spectacular.

We sat and relaxed in one of the back streets. Artists were sketching, we sat and enjoyed the atmosphere and a few drinks.
The next morning, being in the city of love, we found the local laundromat and did a full week's washing. Later we set off to explore some of the local sites. First was St Chapelle after 3 changes of Metro!

                                    It is one of the most spectacular buildings on the planet.

                                                               Robert at the entrance.

                                                             Stunning stained glass.

                                                          Just look at the detail.

                                                              Intricate detail.

                                                      Gail's No 1 priority to visit in Paris.

It was only a short distance across to The Notre Dame Cathedral. The beauty and size are amazing.

                                     
                                                                   Gail outside the Church.

                                                         The outside of the church.

                                                          The cavernous interior.

After our visit to Notre Dame, we navigated the Metro once more - with only 3 changes, then a walk through the lovely area where the Picasso Museum is located

                         
                                                  Pablo Picasso  Le Matador

                                                  Pablo Picasso Portrait of Nusch Eluard

Not sure if I would like him to paint my portrait but they are certainly striking!  Many of the works in this museum were donated by Picasso's family at 2 separate times in exchange for death duties.

We returned to our hotel, resisting the opportunity to stop and have a drink in this pleasant part of Paris.  Later we celebrated our last night in Paris at a local restaurant.

We have had a short but enjoyable stay in Paris and are off to Greenland in a few hours. We don't expect to have wifi till we get to USA in three weeks.

Geneva

We travelled to Geneva by train from Fribourg. The scenery as we came around the lake was less spectacular than expected. On arrival we organised our ticket to Paris and needed to go earlier than planned. We decided that we would spend some time on the lake and also walk around the old town.
After checking into our hotel we first visited the Basilique Notre Dame. This was very close so a good place to start.

                                                     Large columns for the high roof.

    We took a lake trip and admired the lakeside homes, the sailing boats and the great lakeboats.

                                                       The fountain in the lake.

                                              Like Lake Burley Griffen on steroids.

Back ashore we admired the Brunswick monument. Then we crossed the bridge to the old town.

                              Something about Switzerland..there are clocks everywhere!

  

                                                            All the towns have fountains!

In the old town we crossed over  Street of Purgatory to St Madeleine Temple. The windows are stunning. It had once been a Catholic church.

                         We were actually walking up! No funicular to get us up to the Cathedral!

                             The towers of St Peters Cathedral. They didn't quite match!

                         We started to walk back past some interesting shops and buildings.

                                                            A perfume shop window.

                                                          Time for a rest before going back!

                                                                 Just the thing!

We were entertained by a model on a photo shoot..or is it Gail returning with her shopping!

We are at the end of our time in Switzerland and head to Paris in the morning. After two days it is on to Greenland. Had a wonderful visit to Switzerland.