Tuesday September 3. 24 C, sunny and warm.
Sapporo.
Sapporo.
Yesterday was an 8.5 kilometre day for us, lots of walking so we were a bit weary and slept well.
Today we are on a tour that we bought rather than just wander aimlessly around. It again lasted about 4 hours and entailed walking down and back along an interesting mile long section of the city that was originally meant as a fire break in the wooden town, back in the late 1800's.
We toured around the town a bit then got off at the TV Tower which is a symbol of this city. Soon we were up and looking over the panorama that seemed to be endless buildings as far as we could see. However absolutely no smog! A credit to the Japanese.
We were free on our own for two hours to explore the area which we did, it seemed we walked forever. Finally we nipped down to the underground shopping complex that is very easy to get disoriented. We then went above ground and explored an upscale Department Store.
The quality and fashionable colourful merchandise for sale indicates to me that there are some very rich Japanese here. It syncs with my observation of the people on the streets who are all sharply dressed yet conservative. I never saw a beggar or a homeless person in all the parks and gardens we have been attracted to.
We toured around the town a bit then got off at the TV Tower which is a symbol of this city. Soon we were up and looking over the panorama that seemed to be endless buildings as far as we could see. However absolutely no smog! A credit to the Japanese.
We were free on our own for two hours to explore the area which we did, it seemed we walked forever. Finally we nipped down to the underground shopping complex that is very easy to get disoriented. We then went above ground and explored an upscale Department Store.
The quality and fashionable colourful merchandise for sale indicates to me that there are some very rich Japanese here. It syncs with my observation of the people on the streets who are all sharply dressed yet conservative. I never saw a beggar or a homeless person in all the parks and gardens we have been attracted to.
Next for us was a trip to the Sapporo Brewery for a lunch and beer, or two or... The lunch was interesting indeed. A table for four would share a small gas BBQ where we stacked the noodles, cabbage, onions and strips of lamb and let it cook until ready. You then took off what you wanted and ate it with a bowl of sauce. Of course a bowl of rice for some extra bulk. Quite different and very tasty. Good way to end the tour.
Back to the ship which sailed within a half hour of us getting on board. We grabbed a scoop of ice cream and a banana and then had an afternoon power nap. We took in the entertainment which was the Cruise Director doing a hilarious and amazing 45 minutes of Magic. We then had dinner a lengthy chat with a couple we met earlier and called it a day.
We have a sea day tomorrow as we sail south to Tokyo.
A very modern city on a beautiful day.
Up on the observation level a few hundred feet up.
When that green strip was planted all the building were wooden and the green strip was fire break.
Those plantings appear everywhere and add so much colour to the scene. It makes us homesick too!
This photo was taken by a cute Japanese girl.
That red and white tower is a typhoon, tsunami, air raid siren.
A Basket of Babies taken for a ride by a child carer.
The author at the Sapporo Brewery for lunch.
We all put those goofy bibs on for lunch at the brewery.
The Japanese Coast Guard ship moored close by flashed this message as we sailed out. Nice touch.
Goodbye Sapporo!
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