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2023 Adventure ATW
  • Sonia Gelman

2023 Adventure ATW

This is our third attempt to see Africa. Read more
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  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Bangkok, Thailand. Day 2

    June 2, 2023 ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F

    Our day started very early. We were on the pier at 6:50am and our guide was waiting for us.
    Our first destination was an hour drive from the city to a to a Maeklong Railway market.
    The railway became famous for its route through the Maeklong Railway Market. It is one of the largest markets in Thailand, and is centred on the Maeklong Railway's track. Whenever a train approaches, the awnings and shop fronts are moved back from the rails, to be replaced once the train has passed. We tasted different foods, stopped for the coffee and watched the market in action.
    After that we visited Damnoen Sanduak Floating Market.
    We were treated to a coconut ice cream and then after we we got off the boat to a delicious mango with sticky rice. We loved it so much, we purchased 5 pounds of mangos.
    A little more shopping, back on the van and in 1.5 hours we were on the ship.
    A great fun day.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Sihanoukville, Cambodia

    June 3, 2023, South China Sea ⋅ 🌩️ 86 °F

    Sihanoukville is a province in southwest of Cambodia.

    Few months before our cruise I booked a tour in Sihanoukville for four of us. The tour was advertised as good snorkeling and sightseeing. I was looking forward to this combination of activities.

    The ship was cleared around 1:30pm and our tour guide told me to meet him at gate 1. We were not allowed to walk in the port, so we asked how to get to get 1 and were directed to the shuttle. All good so far.
    We took a shuttle and after driving for awhile thru the city (which was strange) we arrived at so called gate 1. The tour guide was not there. I called him and he told me he will be in 5 minutes.

    Shortly he arrived. We settled in the van and were told the first stop is snorkeling.
    On the way we did not see anything interesting, also it was raining.

    Luckily, the rain stopped by the time we had to board big and very old boat. After 30 min of rough ride we arrived to the place designated for snorkeling. No snorkeling equipment as was promised. No problem, we had our own. Mui and I jumped of the boat…..very murky water, corals are very close to the surface. Did not feel safe to snorkel. Ten minutes later we were back on the boat and going toward the land.
    About 50 yards from the land our old boat got stuck on the sand. Oops!

    Fifteen minutes later with the help of few men we were free.
    Back in the van we asked to drive us back to the ship. Well, we were dropped at the same gate 1.

    Local guard told us that the shuttle does not come to that location. We decided to wait since the shuttle delivered us to this location in the morning. After 15 minutes of waiting, we had to walk a long distance to find our shuttle.
    This country is not ready for tourism yet.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Nha Trang, Vietnam

    June 5, 2023, South China Sea ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    We are back in Vietnam for one day. Today we stopped in a resort town Nga Trang. The town’s population is about 400K.

    We arrived at 10:00am, took cruise ship shuttle to the center of the city and from there called GRAB (local Uber) to visit Ponagar Cham Towers.
    The towers were build around 7th and 8th century.

    Lots of steps to climb, but Boris did not complained and climbed them.
    Back to the ground, we called another GRAB car and asked the driver to take us to the authentic Vietnamese seafood restaurant.
    They cooked delicious lunch of prawns and squid for us.

    After lunch we walked across the street to a beautiful white sand beach, rented lounge chairs under umbrella and enjoyed it for the next four hours.

    Then we walked back to the ship.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Manila, Philippines

    June 8, 2023 on the Philippines ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    We visited Manila in 2017 and had a whole day private tour. Since we visited majority of the sites before, today we decided to do it by ourself.
    The weather forecast promised to be another hot day with some rain. The plan for today was to visit the ancient Spanish walled city of Intramuros, which is only a little over one mile from the port.
    We took a GRAB (Uber) car to reach Fort Santiago.
    The fort was completed in 1593 and is located in the ancient walled city of Intramuros.
    We arrive to see port before 8:00am. Too early, it opens at 9:00am.
    The next stop was only couple blocks away: Manila Cathedral.

    The Manila Cathedral has survived earthquakes and conquests for more than 400 years now! The Basilica was originally built in 1571 but has evolved, and the current structure is the eighth building!

    We tried to walk thru the old town and see Spanish architecture, but it was incredibly difficult for Boris on a wheelchair. We persisted and walked a mile passing Rizal Park to air conditioned Aquarium.
    Rizal Park is the city’s biggest public park and is very dear to the Filipinos due to its historical significance. The Park is the location where their national hero, Jose Rizal, was executed.
    Again, the problem was the heat, humidity and extremely difficult conditions of the roads for Boris.
    We arrived at the Aquarium before 10:00am. The highlight is the Oceanarium which has more than 14,000 animals across 270 marine species, making it one of the biggest aquariums in the world.
    After we cooled down for over an hour, we took another car to the Robinson Mall.
    It’s a huge mall with a food court that can satisfy ant taste.
    In an hour we were done with this mall and took a taxi back to the ship.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Ilocos Sur, Philippines

    June 9, 2023, Taiwan Strait ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    Another stop in Philippines.
    The closest city Vigan is the most intact Spanish colonial city about one hour drive. So we decided to stay on the ship and enjoy restful day.
    The only entertainment for today was welcome greeting from locals when our ship arrived.
    Nice day of doing nothing.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    June 10, 2023 ⋅ 🌧 79 °F

    Again, it’s our second time in Kaohsiung.
    We had very good tour with Erin and Mui in 2017. This time Erin booked a tour for 8 people to see a countryside.
    To say gently, it was an “interesting” tour.
    It started with packing 8 people in a smaller vehicle then promised. Boris and I took a front seat wide enough for one large person or two children. The rest were seating pretty tight also.
    From that point it all went down the hill.
    We stopped for lunch at 7/eleven. Nice store, but nobody wanted to eat there. We crossed the street and went to a local joint. The driver translated few dishes for us and we ordered them. The food was tasty and lunch for 2 was $5.
    Back in the car, we drove to the oldest Catholic Church in the island. According to our driver, it was build in 17 century.
    Then we all got a warning in our phones about an earthquake. Being in the car, we did not feel anything, but it was category 4.3.
    Then we drove to what our driver told us real aboriginal village. Turned out it is a big production with show and manicured ground. To us it looked like a tourist trap.

    On the way back to the ship, I asked if we can stop at the nearby Buddhist Temple to take few pictures.

    We also stop at old bridge. Again, nice grounds, but need time to walk around. We did not have time and it was extremely hot. We also visited a store at the tile making factory.

    In short, it was completely different tour from what Erin booked.

    We are hoping for a better tour in Taipei.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Keelung/Taipei, Taiwan

    June 11, 2023, East China Sea ⋅ 🌧 79 °F

    Arrived Keelung port at 12:00 noon and met our guide. Today we had four people in our group. Tom, our driver/guide, had a comfortable van for four of us.
    The goal for today was to visit Taipei and see as much as possible in one day.
    The traffic to Taipei was light and we got to the Nationals Palace Museum in 40 minutes.

    This museum has a permanent collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of Chinese artifacts and artworks, many of which were moved from the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City in Beijing, as well as five other institutions throughout mainland China during the ROC retreat. The museum's collection encompasses items spanning 8,000 years of Chinese history from the neolithic age to the modern period. The museum building itself was built in 1965.
    The museum is huge, unfortunately we did not have time to see everything. Had to concentrate on the most important collections.

    One of more interesting places we saw was Longshan Temple. It was built in 1738 and was rebuilt multiple times due to the earthquakes and bombing in 1945.

    We visited old area of Taipei dated to Quing Dynasty.

    Also, among many places we visited was Ching Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. Very impressive structure.

    We stopped to take pictures of so called building Taipei 101. The building was officially classified as the world's tallest from its opening in 2004 until the 2009 completion of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

    Back in the van, we ask our guide to take us to a restaurant in Keelung close to the port. I found highly rated restaurant, but when we got there, it was completely booked. The waitress suggested another one few minutes drive.
    We had a delicious dinner and after dinner walked to the night street market and back to the ship.
    We had a wonderful day.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Keelung, Taiwan

    June 12, 2023 in Taiwan ⋅ 🌧 82 °F

    We have only till 11:30am today.
    Boris and I went outside just to walk around. Unfortunately, it was raining and the streets are not wheelchair friendly. We stopped at few stores and then had an iced coffee with pastries. That was nice.Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Naha, Okinawa, Japan

    June 13, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 75 °F

    Very rainy day today. We took a shuttle from the port and then monorail to visit Shuri Castle.

    Shuri Castle served as the administrative center and residence of the Ryukyu kings for several centuries until Okinawa became a Japanese prefecture in 1879. The castle is included as one of the UNESCO World Heritage designated Castles of the Ryukyu Kingdom sites.

    We new the castle is sits on the top of the hill, but we did not realized it will be so difficult to get to it. The rain did not make it easier. We had to turn back and take a monorail back to the center of the town.
    After walking a little in the town, we decided to walk back to the ship. While walking, we passed Fukusyuen Garden and took a little detour to visit it.

    It is a traditional Chinese garden.
    The garden was constructed in 1992, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the sister city relationship between Naha and Fuzhou in China.

    The garden was built nearly entirely with the use of wood and stone from Fuzhou

    We were the only visitors. If not for pouring rain, the garden is very beautiful.

    And that was our day.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Naze, Amami Oshima, Japan

    June 14, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    Tomori Beach is the main feature of the Amami Oshima Island, due to the fact that it's considered to be one of the most famous and beautiful beaches.
    The weather promised to be good with rain starting around 1:00pm.
    Younga, David and us hired a taxi and in about 45min we were on the beach. It was empty, clean and beautiful. The water is crystal clear. We spent two hours swimming and waking on the beach.
    The taxi was waiting for us and we asked the driver to take us to a restaurant not far from the port.
    Most restaurants were closed, finally he found one that was open. When we got a menu and translated it with a help of Google, we understood the restaurant has an Italian menu. No, we are in Japan. We need Japanese food.
    We walked out, it was raining. Few blocks away we found another restaurant with strange looking food. We decided to try.

    It happens to be one of Japan most popular cuisines. Local “okonomiyaki”. It’s like a pancake, which includes a mix of seafood like prawns, octopus, scallops and a thinly-sliced pork and shredded cabbage. It served with a video instruction showing how to use the heating table. We had to follow instructions on supplied iPad. Definitely an interesting and delicious experience!
    We walked back to the ship in the rain, but full and happy. It was a fantastic day!    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Kagoshima, Japan

    June 15, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Today is another short day in port.
    We missed first shuttle out of the port, so instead of waiting for 40min for another shuttle, we took a taxi to the center of the city. From there we were told we can take city bus or a tourist bus like hop-on-hop off to Sengan-en. It is is set as a traditional Japanese garden which was owned by the Shimadzu family (leading clan) for over 350 years.
    The first city bus came and it was not wheelchair accessible. Then tourist bus came and it was also not wheelchair accessible. We gave up and took another taxi to the gardens.
    Beautiful gardens with view of volcanic mountain. Not every path is accessible for a wheelchair, but we made the best we could.
    Back in taxi to the center of the city, we had a little time to walk before returning to our ship.
    The departure was scheduled at 3:00pm, but due to some problems we departed at 6:00pm.
    Those wonderful local people on the dock were entertained us for over 3 hours.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Hiroshima, Japan

    June 16, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    Because of the late departure yesterday, we arrived one hour late in Hiroshima. But the departure time is the same as schedules. Again, it is a very short day in port.

    Hiroshima was the first military target of a nuclear weapon in human history. This occurred on August 6, 1945

    So, we decided that our focus of today will be the history of this event.

    The shuttle brought us from the ship to the center of the city and after walking for 15min we arrived at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. It is three levels museum telling the history of the live before, during and rebuilding of the city after atomic bomb.
    After museum we went see adjacent Peace Memorial Park with Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, Flame of Peace and Children’s Peace Monument.
    Across the river stands Atomic Bomb Dome which symbolizes the pledge to convey the horror of nuclear weapons.

    After that we went to see Hiroshima Castle, former site of the Imperial military headquarters. Beautiful setting on the island.

    By now we has to rush back to find our shuttle.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Kobe, Japan. Day 1

    June 17, 2023, Philippine Sea ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    Our first plan was to go to Osaka for a day, but before we got on the train, we changed the plan. We decided to stay in Kobe. We have been in Osaka before, but missed Kobe last time. Plus, we decided to take it easy.
    Short walk away was Itaku Srine. Mostly young people pray at this temple. We were told it is secret place for love.
    After that we went to China town. It is one of the biggest China towns in Japan.
    We also walked thru covered street that is just a big marketplace. We came back on the ship to rest and then met with Younga and David and went back to Chinatown to eat Kobe beef at the restaurant we made reservation before.
    We got a private room, excellent dinner, the beef was melting in your mouth.
    After dinner, we walked thru Chinatown and had more street food.
    20 thousands steps today.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Kobe, Japan. Day 2

    June 18, 2023, Philippine Sea ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    The plan for today was to visit Kobe Nunoboki Herb Gardens. Th get there we had to get to the Ropeway and then go up in the mountain.
    To get there, we walked to the metro station from which we can reach Gardens. Last 4 minutes of walk to the station was a steep climb up. Instead, we took a taxi that brought us right to the Ropeway entrance.
    When we reached the top, we were surrounded by herbs and flowers. It is impossible to describe the beauty of the place. After exploring the top, we slowly started going down. Every step you take, there are different flowers. There are also waterfalls, benches and hammocks to rest. The park is endless. After reaching lower Ropeway station, we went all the way down.
    Returning to the city, we stopped in Chinatown, but it was so busy, we decided to walk toward the ship.
    On our way we saw an inviting restaurant and stopped there for lunch. It happened to be International Culinary School of Kobe, Japan. All cooks are student. Very good cheap meals.
    We got a beautiful good-buy from local kids playing drums during our departure from Kobe.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman
    2

    Shimizu, Japan

    June 19, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    This port is a gateway to see Fuji mountain. We have been in this port in 2019 in March and had a wonderful tour and the sky was clear. We have seen Fuji in full glory. Today was cloudy so mountain was not visible. We decided to stay in the city.
    First, we visited fish market. It is the cleanest market we ever seen. The variety of fish is amazing. There are many restaurants on the second floor of the market serving sashimi. We had huge sashimi lunch of the freshest fish for less then $18 total for two.
    Happy and full, we traced our steps back to the port and visited big shopping center.
    After that we walked to the Buddhist Myokiji Temple. There is a bell that was taking by US during WWII and then returned in 1997. We were the only visitors. The temple was closed, but they opened it just for us.
    Few minutes walk from that was Minowa Inari Shrine with a history of 400 years . There are 83 small red tortillas gates lined up. Again, we were all alone in this place.
    We got back on the ship just on time before the rain.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Tokyo, Japan. Day 1

    June 20, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    We arrived at 8:00am, but decided to wait at least 9:30am to start our day to avoid morning rush hours.
    We took a personal shuttle (that was a surprise) from cruise ship terminal to the subway station.
    Our original plan was to go to the park and then to Tokyo Tower, but we met friends and they talked us to go to Tower before park.
    We took monorail, then transferred to a subway and then arrived to the Tokyo Tower by 11:00am.

    The Tokyo Tower is a communications and observation tower, built in 1958. At 332.9 meters (1,092 ft), it is the second-tallest structure in Japan. The structure is an Eiffel Tower-inspired.

    The two-story Main Deck is at 150 meters (490 ft), while the smaller Top Deck reaches a height of 249.6 meters (819 ft).
    We purchased tickets to go to the Top Deck.
    After visiting it, we walked to have nice lunch. After lunch we walked to the park. It was a long 36 min walk. The park is beautiful, but the pavement is loose stones and it was hard for Boris and me to push a wheelchair.
    Back on the street, we walked to the subway and came back on ship.
    After two hours of rest and light dinner, back to the city.
    We wanted to be in the city at night. It took us 40 min to get to Shibuya crossing.
    It is the busiest intersection in the world.

    At the peak times upwards of 3000 people – cross at a time, coming from all directions at once.
    So much fun watching people. We walked around for another hour to experience night Tokyo, then back on subway.
    From subway, another 20 min walk to the ship. At 11:30 pm the shuttle was not available.
    That day I walked over 26,000 steps.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Tokyo, Japan. Day 2

    June 21, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Yesterday was a hard day. Today we wanted to take it easy and not to face a sea of people.
    The area close to the new International sea port looked beautiful and peaceful to us.
    We decided to stay in the Waterfront City of Tokyo.
    We walked to the nearby Shiokaze Park, then through the park to see smaller version of Statue of Liberty, which was given to Japan by France in 1998.
    Then to Fuji Television Headquarters building with a spherical observation room with panoramic view of the rainbow bridge and waterfront.
    We walked to Aqua city Odaiba with lots of stores and restaurants where we had lunch in Ramen Street.
    We walk to Deck Tokyo Beach and Tokyo Joypolis.
    The weather was just perfect for walking.
    On the way back we spotted an interesting monument that called Flame of Liberty.
    There were so much more to see in this area, but we were very tired.
    We returned to the ship by 3:00pm.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Aomori, Japan

    June 23, 2023, Bering Sea ⋅ 🌬 43 °F

    Since we have been in Aomori before, we decided to venture a little further from the city.
    Interesting fact- the area gets more snow then any place on earth.
    Today we walked to the train station, took the train to a Mather town (about 45min on the train) Hirosaki and then taxi to Hirosaki castle, build in 1611 and park.

    The surrounding Hirosaki Park around the castle grounds is one of Japan's most famous cherry blossom spots. Unfortunately, it’s not the season for cherry blossom. Still the park is beautiful!

    After few hours in the park, we took a long walk back to the train satiation and then back to the ship.

    At 6:00pm we met with our friends, Frank and Delak and took a taxi to a local Onsen for a hot baths experience,
    After soaking in multiple baths, we had a nice dinner in a tiny restaurant.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Hakodate, Japan

    June 24, 2023, Bering Sea ⋅ ☁️ 45 °F

    We have been in Hakodate in 2019, so we decided to take it easy today. Especially after long day yesterday.
    The Harbor of Hakodate was one of the first to be opened to foreign trade in 1854 after Japan era of isolation came to an end. As a result many traders from China, Russia and Westerners moved to Hakodate.
    Our destination for today was
    Goryōkaku, literally, "five-point fort". The fortress was completed in 1866. It was the main fortress of the short-lived Republic of Ezo.
    Today, Goryōkaku is a park declared as a Special Historical Site, being a part of the Hakodate city museum and a citizens' favorite spot for cherry-blossom viewing in spring. We were lucky to see it in 2019.
    We also visited art museum.
    We extended our day by walking all the way to the port.
    Near the port, a wonderful fish market. By now we were too tired to find a place to eat at the market, so back on the ship for late lunch.    Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Koshiro, Japan

    June 25, 2023, Gulf of Alaska ⋅ 🌬 48 °F

    Not much to see in this port, except incredible fish market.
    That is where we went and had a marvelous early lunch.
    In addition to that, the weather was perfect.

    This is our last stop in Japan. Thank you Japan for hospitality, we had a wonderful time.Read more

  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Dutch Harbor, Alaska

    June 29, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F

    After some rough five days at sea crossing Pacific Ocean, we are in Alaska.

    It met us with a very cold rainy day. The tender boat ride was 30 min and windy cold. To hide from that, we piled into one so called “taxi” and went to a WWII museum.

    Dutch Harbor is a harbor on Amaknak Island in Unalaska, Alaska. It was the location of the Battle of Dutch Harbor in June 1942, and was one of the few sites in the United States to be subjected to aerial bombardment by a foreign power during World War II. It was also one of the few sites, besides the attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, in incorporated U.S. territory to be bombed by the Japanese in the war.

    From the museum, we took the same taxi and vent back to the tender boat and back on the ship.

    It was an educational port.    Read more

    Trip end
    July 13, 2023
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