Saturday September 7. Hot! 36 C.
We received an email early this AM from the *Canadian Government advising of an impending tropical storm, equivalent to a Category 1 Typhoon, in the area we were supposed to go tomorrow. So this afternoon the ship announced a change in itinerary in an attempt to avoid the effects of the storm, to 'Stay ahead of it' as the Captain said.
*[We registered with the Government to keep on top of the Hong Kong situation.]
** . ** . **
This morning we were on a ship's excursion for 4 1/2 hours. It was a good one as it turned out. About 20 of us went to the Tokyo Tower, a more civilized tower that afforded great views again of the City of Tokyo. We then went to the Edo-Tokyo Museum, ending up at the Kiyosumi Japanese Gardens. All were of great interest to us and, much less crowded than any tours we have been on in Japan.
I think that the main reason it was less crowded today on the bus was that there is that many of those 800 new passengers that joined us yesterday are suffering from Jet-lag. This new batch of guests however seem to be a different species than the previous passengers, they appear to have larger vocal chords. It is a mixed bag of new passenger, most are Americans.
At lunch we observed the deck crew taking in the outside chairs and tables, possibly in preparation for some rough weather when we sail early this evening. We are heading south on the Pacific side of the main Island of Honshu. Tomorrow evening we will be in Osaka instead of Shimizu where we were to be for two days, so tomorrow is an unexpected sea day.
The ship had a little get-together for 110 of us who are still on board who boarded in Vancouver 24 days ago. A nice gesture and a lovely place to be: on the top deck up front as we sailed away with a drum band playing as we pulled away. The temperature had cooled down to a nice tropical evening feeling. Then to dinner and prepare for a rocky sleep around midnight.
The ship had a little get-together for 110 of us who are still on board who boarded in Vancouver 24 days ago. A nice gesture and a lovely place to be: on the top deck up front as we sailed away with a drum band playing as we pulled away. The temperature had cooled down to a nice tropical evening feeling. Then to dinner and prepare for a rocky sleep around midnight.
The Tokyo Tower, more than 1000 feet high, we went to the half way point.
Another picture of my lovely and the sprawling mass that is Tokyo.
The museum was brilliant. That is a full size replica of a building in old Tokyo, [Edo] and those are real people walking down there. The picture was taken from a full size replica of the bridge that still exists.
Now those are miniature people, about 1 inch high, of Old Edo, [now Tokyo], around 1889.
A Shogun, [Head Samurai] and his concubine.
The Gardens were an oasis of tranquillity in the heart of a built up city.
It was stifling but peaceful.
Free umbrellas while visiting the gardens.
Last shot before heading back to the ship.
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