Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn

Embarkation January 12, 2024. Traveling through Japan, China, Singapore, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Africa, Portugal, Spain, France, England, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland etc Read more

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Trip start
January 9, 2025
Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Overnite LA to Tokyo!
Jan 9–10, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 52 °F
Today we took a 11 plus hour flight to Tokyo, arriving January 10, about 3:00pm.
We were whisked away to the downtown Okura Hotel. Next day, we begin our 2-day private tour of Tokyo with Kenji!
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Tokyo, Day One
January 11, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 41 °F
First full day in Tokyo! We are starting with a private 2-day tour: Imperial Palace, Beijing Jingu Shinto Shrine, lunch at a Japanese soba noodles restaurant, local Buddhist temple, and the Shibuya Crossing!Read more
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Tokyo, Day Two
January 12, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 37 °F
Today, we are off to our second day on a private tour: Ancient Tsukiji Buddhist Temple, Hama-Riku Gardens, Yeno Fish Market, Ginza Shopping District, and Yushukan Shrine & War Museum.

This evening, we will be attending our Silversea Welcome Dinner at the Okura Hotel.Read more
TravelerLooks like you’re off to a great start. Where can I find your itinerary or map? Would love to see pictures of the ship. Have a wonderful time! ❤️
1/12/25Reply
I will see what can so about the itinerary. A picture of the ship will be up soon (besides the picture on the first page of this travel journal). [JON]
1/14/25Reply
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Embarkation Day!
January 13, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 41 °F
We had our final Okura Hotel breakfast buffet today, got our luggage out for the porters, and met downstairs for a coach to a fabulous venue - Happo-en - for a wonderful lunch which was to be accompanied by 20 children, together playing xylophones and drums meant to launch us with excitement and enthusiasm into our embarkation on the Silver Dawn, (it worked!).Read more
Bon voyage! [Carl]
1/13/25Reply
Japan has been spectacular. We are now on the Silver Dawn, sailing south-west for more stops (next is Osaka) in Japan, then on to China. [JON]
1/14/25Reply
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
At Sea, So Coast, Japan
January 14, 2025, Philippine Sea ⋅ 🌬 50 °F
Up at 6:30am, ready to join the day beginning with an egg white panini, yogurt parfait, and a veggie smoothie.

As we exited the Tokyo harbor, we had a great view of Mount Fuji from the Pacific Ocean. Good luck for the rest of the year!

We enjoyed the gym and yoga, incredible brunch, and dinner at the Italian LaTerazza restaurant, and it was formal night!

Tomorrow, we arrive in Osaka, where we have two excursions, including a beautiful dinner attended by geishas.Read more
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
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Osaka, Japan
January 15, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 45 °F
We took a morningl excursion to Osaka Castle, Weapons, Armour, Artefacts; Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, plus the Four Sanctuaries Shinto Shrine, built in the 3rd century.

(The Sumiyoshi Taisha is the head of approximately 2300 Sumiyoshi shrines throughout Japan.)

This evening, we attended the excursion, "Geisha Performamce with Local Dinner." Amazing!Read more
Traveler L
1/23/25Reply
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Osaka to Kyoto
January 16, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 37 °F
Today's highlights include the bullet train from Osaka to Kityo and visits to:
> Matsumyama Castle
> Kinkalu-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
> The Garden of Heian Jingu Shrine
Cool! [Carl]
1/16/25Reply
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
At Sea
January 17, 2025, Philippine Sea ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
JP started the day with a glorious massage; Cathy and I worked on updating our journey on FB and FP.
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Hiroshima, Japan
January 18, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 34 °F
Today, we took the "HIJ-Art of the Japanese Brush" excursion to Kumano, where approximately 80% of the brushes made in Japan are still made by hand. The tour included the Fudenosato Kobo Museum, which presents the history of these renowned brushes. This excursion included an interactive drawing activity where we drew Japanese calligraphy on a hanging scroll to bring home!

Following our return to the SD for brunch, we took the shuttle to the Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum in downtown Hiroshima ... ground zero for the first atomic bombing of people on August 6th, 1945.

Sad, so sad for the enormous pain and suffering of the Japanese people.Read more
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Beppu (Kyushu Island), Japan
January 19, 2025 in Japan ⋅ 🌙 34 °F
Upon our early morning arrival, we saw many smoky steam vents dotting the port village. By 8:30am, we were en route to our first 'landing' in Usuki Village to visit the castle ruins (built in 1562). We then walked through the Samurai District.

The next leg of today's journey was to a site of some 60 carved-into-rock images of Buddhas, (8th to 12th century carvings - over 1,000 years old). These figures are called Magaibutsu and are regarded as National Treasures. Magnificent.

In the evening, we attended the Sunday Night Family Dinner.Read more
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Kagoshima, Japan
January 20, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F
Another beautiful day in Japan. We sailed into a very nice port dominated by the imposing Sakurajima volcano. Our destiny today? A 60-minute coach ride ending in a tour through Chiran town where we walked through walled lanes, unique Japanese houses, ornate gardens, and more Samurai houses. Along our walk, we had such a unique experience walking beside a downtown Coi stream.

Then, we headed to the highly honored Chiran Memorial Museum where most Kamikaze pilots were trained and lived out their young lives before flying off to try and sink American ships off the coast of Okinawa. Some 1100 pilots died, having sunk approximately 30 ships. I felt sad for the young men, their mothers and wives.... and the many Americans who lost their lives.Read more
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
At Sea
January 21, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 45 °F
Today was both the US inauguration day and Martin Luther King Day. A big day in Washington DC.

The weather has finally turned warmer and I am out on our balcony drinking in the sounds of sailing through the magnificent ocean, smelling the fragrance...and standing in shorts and a long sleeve teeshirtRead more
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
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Okinawa, Japan
January 22, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Today, we have a panoramic coach tour including Umikaji Terrace (Amalfi in Japan), then returning to Naha City (capital), and finally, touring the Okinawa Prefectural and Art Museum for about 75 minutes. We took what turned out to be a personalized tour with John, our 78 years-young guide; then back to the ship.

Note: During the American invasion of Okinawa in 1945, approximately 240,000 military and civilians died (approximately 12,500 American soldiers; over 1000 Kamikazi pilots who sunk some 30 American ships.)Read more
Traveler Looking good!!
1/24/25Reply
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Xiamen, China
Jan 24–25, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 41 °F
Establjshed around 282 AD, Xiamen is a major Chinese city located on the Taiwan Strait coast. We toured the charming Island of Gulangyu. We were treated to a ride around the island in a little electric cart, each one carrying 10-12 people.

We walked through the starkly beautiful coastal Shuzhuang Garden, which also housed the Piano Museum, where over 100 magnificent pianos are available for public viewing.

Finishing the tour, we had free time within which we had lunch and walked through the narrow, crowded streets of Gulangyu.Read more
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Xiamen's Local Entertainment
January 24, 2025 in China ⋅ 🌙 63 °F
After returning from the Island, we were treated to a beautiful special onboard entertainment event: Xiamen's National Intangible Heritage Culture Show - consisting of two puppeteers, a singer, a dancer, and two dancing comedians.Read more
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Xiamen, Day Two
January 25, 2025 in China ⋅ 🌬 66 °F
Today, we were up early to tour two sites, South Putuo (Buddhist) Temple Heavenly King Hall, Laughing Buddha, and later the Xieman Museum, Valuable Atiquities

The temple was built more than 1000 years ago. It consists of 4 levels and truly inspired a sense of reverence as a mass of devotees flowed in there to celebrate Chinese New Year (Year of the Snake).

Next, we visited the museum where we walked with Liilio, our expert guide, who added much depth and context to the displays.Read more
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Xiemen Museum, Valuable Antiquities
January 25, 2025 in China ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
Xiamen Museum possesses a collection about 20,000 objects in which about 4,000 objects are certificated as rare cultural relics. Most of the collections are ancient ceramics, paintings & calligraphy, jades, stone sculptures, folk antiques and international souvenirs.Read more
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Hong Kong, Day One
Jan 26–27, 2025 in Hong Kong ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
Wow... I have never seen such a wall of highrises in my whole life! The city is teeming with life and so many, many people!

Today, we independently visited the Hong Kong Art Museum and then took a 1pm tour to the Peak, Stanley Market, and Aberdeen Fisherman's Village, where we took a sampan ride through the harbor.

In the evening, we stood out on the very cool deck to see the Hong Kong Bay Light Show

Wow!Read more
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Hong Kong, Day Two
January 27, 2025 in Hong Kong ⋅ 🌬 48 °F
Our World Cruise is divided into many segments; durations of 8 tp 25 days each. Today is disembarkation day for some passengers and embarcation day for many new, excited cruisers coming on the next segment. Things will be buzzin.

We took another 9am, four-hour tour, "Glimpse of Hong Kong:" we revisited the Peak Mountain, and walked through the Tin Hau Buddhist Temple and adjoining buildings (1865), Wet Fish Market, and the Yau Ma Tei Jade Hawker Bazaar.

Cathy took a ton of pictures in the market -- not me; I was just chillin.Read more
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Hong Kong, Day Two, Part 2 - On Our Own
January 27, 2025 in Hong Kong ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
After our excursion and lunch, we walked the Avenue of the Stars.... people, busy road, many buses, high-end shopping -- for billionaires!
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Sea Day
January 28, 2025, South China Sea ⋅ 🌬 66 °F
A nice, relaxing day. We both visited men's and women's groups after fitness.

Then... a great dinner and we enjoyed LIMELIGHT, a thrilling composition of Broadway Hits!
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Jan 29–30, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F
Happy Chinese New Year!

We landed at about 9am in this UNESCO World Heritage remarkable 1ocation.

2,500 limestone, jutting out of the shallow sea, limestone karsts!

Early in the morning, we shuttled about 20 minutes into what looked to be a ghost town and promptly returned to the ship--no shopping.

At 1pm, we took a six hour excursion, mostly driving by the sea on our way to a Zen monastery, Thiemn Vieu Truc Lam Giac Tam, a visit with a Vietnamese family, and a brief stop at a shopping site featuring pearls.

In the evening, we were treated to the Hoang Anh Traditional Music Band, which included extraordinary dancers musicians.Read more
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Ha Long Bay, Part 2
January 30, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
I blended yesterday's events with today's.

We are leaving Ha Long Bay at 1pm today, heading to Chan May.
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Chan May (Hue/Da Nang), Vietnam
January 31, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
This morning, we had the opportunity to partake in the "Hue Heritage, Culture & Traditions" tour.

Cut in half by the Perfume River, Hue is home to a spectacular crawling citadel. Hue served as the capital of unified Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a significant historical and cultural landmark in Vietnam, representing the country's last royal dynasty.

The complex includes various structures like temples, pavilions, a library, and a theatre, all protected by impressive ramparts and gates, modeled after Beijing's Forbidden City.Read more
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Tokyo/NY, 2025 Silver Dawn Traveler
Chan May, Part 2
January 31, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
This afternoon we took the "Ancient Hue & Perfume River" excursion.
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