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China Japan 2019China Japan 2019
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Terra-cotta warriors, Great Wall and then cruising to Japan
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  • Kerry Newdick
    Day16

    Tokyo

     November 29, 2019 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C

    We dock in Tokyo at 1 pm so a sea morning sees us take advantage of the spa and pool and solarium for general relaxation and reading. We try the main dining room for lunch and no vegetarian options but the head waiter produces a delicious Singapore noodles. Very helpful! The Tokyo trio turns out to be fantastic with a bus ride to Tokyo a look at the Gonzaga crossing , a stop at the imperial palace for a photo ( bit of wasted time) but then a 2 hr free time at Asukasaki a market , restaurant, old town temple place. It is fabulously interesting. It’s freezing and we find a small cozy udon noodle restaurant filled with locals and we really enjoy our tempura and udon meal set. A wander to pick up some treats and we find an owl cafe and go on however we don’t have enough cash for the entry but we get a good look at baby owls on the counter and the whole place looks amazing. So happy with our Tokyo tour. We see the lights of Tokyo from the bus - a great night view. We get back in time for some free drinks 🍹!Read more

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  • Kerry Newdick
    Day15

    Kobe

     November 28, 2019 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Life onboard the Spectrum of the seas is delightful. The ship is beautiful, the dining is delicious and the staff are helpful. The special dining area and free drinks every evening is an added bonus. Kobe shire excursion is to Osaka castle and a Buddhist temple. The guide is very confusing and a bit all over the shop and the excursion is not the one we planned as they rushed us through to the wrong bus. We are in a more expensive excursion but with not the free time at Dotunburi area which is disappointing. However we grab some yakatori, sweet potato chips, custard buns and Ramen and the view from Osaka castle is worth it. We still don’t feel we have experienced Japan. Hopefully we will get a more authentic experience in Tokyo.Read more

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  • Kerry Newdick
    Day13

    Travel goals

     November 26, 2019 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    To the early morning stretch class in the sea plex before another delightful brekky in the silver lounge. Asian and western food and lots of choice.
    To the solarium and the spa is open ( after some hassling by me) and we relax in the bubbling warm spa watching the boat sail into Japan.
    New travel goals - to drink champers in infinity spa pools overlooking the ocean!
    Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    I think I’ll have to add a caveat- no whining children ( one just walked by) and no people shouting into their phone( one Chinese lady behind my sun lounger ) they have both gone now!
    We dock in Osaka today and everyone has to get off and do a 1-1 immigration check . Expect delays they said!!
    However we were off the ship and in a taxi and before we know it we are in Hogwarts!! Universal studios - quick entry and straight to Harry Potter - a wand at Olivanders and then the forbidden journey ride and a stop for butterbeer before visiting jaws.    Read more

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  • Kerry Newdick
    Day12

    Life on the high seas!

     November 25, 2019, East China Sea ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Boarding was a little confusing, we managed to skip some queues and then got stuck in a couple of bottle necks. It wasn’t too bad though. On board and straight to silver dining room - much quieter, lovely food. Plenty of choices for us! The solarium area is peaceful and quiet and we are very happy. We explore the ship get the 3 restaurant dining package, make our reservations. Dinner in the silver dining room is relaxed and there are some ala carte choices and buffet.
    Our room is spacious and has a lovely balcony with 2 deck chairs and a BATH to soak in - fabulous! Our first night is a bit rocky but we sleep.    Read more

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  • Kerry Newdick
    Day12

    Sea daze

     November 25, 2019, East China Sea ⋅ 🌬 19 °C

    Breakfast in silver dining and the simple delights of soy cappuccino! We wander the ship , go to the international jewelry show while R explores the casino. So many $100 US notes. Lunch a big rest and reading afternoon. Dinner at Chops Grille uses the first of our dining packed coupons. Plenty of delicious food and wine and a beautiful atmosphere - fine dining experience!
    We see the Silk Road show in the 270 lounge which a spectacle and full of amazing technology. To the headliner show - too busy and to bed after a very relaxing sea day.    Read more

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  • Kerry Newdick
    Day10

    Shanghai again

     November 23, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    After breakfast to the bus to take us to the Bund along the riverside. We see the old and new sides of Shanghai. Such an amazing city! We walk through the fairmont foyer and to a hostel coffee shop - very cute place. To the Shanghai museum and view the ceramic antiquities. Walk to Nanjing road to see Sofitel and rest in a French bistro beer garden for western food and wine and beer. Walk to yuyuan gardens and old Shanghai market for shopping and catch up with group. We over order dumplings after waiting in long queue watching them being made. To the river for everyone spectacular light show. So so pretty. We pay the extra to sit right at the front for the best view. Very special. ⭐️Read more

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  • Kerry Newdick
    Day9

    Shanghai

     November 22, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Hangzhou is brand new - well where we are anyway! A beautiful restful nights sleep in a huge comfy bed. Breakfast has all the deliciousness and nutrition you could ask for. The shopping mall restaurants across the road provide a wide variety of food.
    To the tea plantations in the mountains for beautiful tranquil scenery and a tea ceremony with a hard sell for the benefits of polyphenols and armed with some fresh green tea we head for a cruise on west lake for some more Chinese relaxation. Lunch is some boiled lettuce ( better than it sounds) , spicy seaweed and tofu mushrooms soup which we believe had some pork in it!
    To Shanghai and we marvel at the wide highways, busy traffic and billet trains that whizz past. A long afternoon drive brings us to Shanghai and the most disappointing hotel of the trip - holiday inn express. Guide says it’s a central location. We beg to differ when trying to find somewhere to eat. We finally find a restaurant that looks half decent and share a surprisingly nice dinner with Ross and ? From Wollongong and swap travel stories. Fried fish, cauliflower, bok Choy and beer. A chardy in the room and to bed! Such an adventure!    Read more

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  • Kerry Newdick
    Day8

    Suzhou to Hangzhou

     November 21, 2019 in China ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    A morning wandering in the lingering garden is delightful! So tranquil ( once we left the group and wandered on our own). Then to the silk factory where I am entranced bb the silk foo as and pillows and the talk of health promoting properties so of course I buy the whole set and a LV scarf! Royce did not enjoy this part of the tour 😐. To the canals for a tour of the little houses built in the canals and the local markets. Frogs of all sizes, eels and half dead fish! A colorful and interesting look at life in Suzhou. We eat at a local restaurant - vegetable sandwich and tofu vegetables and noodles washed down with local beer. On the bus for the 2 hour drive to Hangzhou. The hotel is great again- huge bed , so comfortable and an enormous shopping mall across the road. Such rapid advancement in such a short time.Read more

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  • Kerry Newdick
    Day7

    Traveling day

     November 20, 2019 in China ⋅ ☀️ 5 °C

    So busy at breakfast they open an overflow room. We meet 2 lots of travelers, a couple from Bolivia and 2 women from Miami. All just arrived in China. A pleasant meal swapping stories and information. Breakfast is Chinese and Western and lots of plants available for us plant eaters. To the bus to visit Traditional Chinese Medicine Centre( different from last visit). We are offered a consult and I am told my yin yang is out of balance , lack of sleep and a predisposition to high blood pressure and cholesterol. I am damp ? And my skin is dry and inflamed. She prescribes 2 types of herbal remedies and I buy them to give them a go. Why not? We have sushi for lunch (again a bit confused as to what country I am in). And to the second bullet train experience . Frank our guide has been very informative . Again we are impressed with the infrastructure . Huge train stations, many trains, so fast and modern. 1200 kms to Suzhou just outside Shanghai - small town 11 million people. Lots of canals bridges and lakes. Too late for dinner on arrival. Royce and I split up on the train - tickets not together. I sit with a well travelled nurse and her husband who are interesting company. Luckily on arrival we are first to get our keys and there is a huge wait for lifts after us. The hotel has a more traditional Chinese decor and is gorgeous. Room is really spacious big bed nice bathroom. We explore outside for some snacks and then to sleep. A big traveling day.Read more

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