I understand that we don’t necessarily have a say in where our stateroom is located on the ship when we sign up for a cruise. Half of the passengers will get starboard cabins, and the other half will be on the port side. It rather has to be that way, otherwise we might run the risk of tipping over, no? I also know that ‘port’ only means ‘left’ in nautical-speak; not every berth in every port is set up so that you disembark on the port side.
With all that having been said, however, we seem to have found ourselves with a port side cabin, and thus far, we’ve been overlooking the goings-on ashore wherever we’ve been. So I thought I ought to share a few sights with you.
As we were about to leave Akita, we heard shouts and drumming from outside. We pulled open the veranda door to see this team of lantern dancers performing for us. Every so often, a new dancer would relieve the one balancing the pole on their shoulders. It was really quite an impressive feat. Imagine what the Sparks would think of this; they’re amazed when I bring the basket of awards in on my head.
Just across the terminal from our cabin in Niigata, we saw a large Japanese style house, (or maybe a place of worship – I noticed a number of stone pillars in front of it that suggested it might have a cemetery located on the grounds, like an old time country church). Daniel saw it as a backdrop for an anime, come to life.
Pulling into Kanazawa, we passed by this interesting building, with a lighthouse situated behind it. I’d like to think of it as a visitors’ center of sorts, but we kept floating right on past, so I don’t know that I’ll ever find out.
It was about this point that I realized we were actually on the starboard side of the ship; My confusion came from the fact that our cabin was on our left side as we made our way to it from the elevator. But when the cabin is further back from the elevator back, you’re heading aft, and left when you’re facing that direction is right when you’re facing forward. Nevertheless, most of our ports could be seen from our window, so… which one is the port side again?
After our long sojourn in Sekaiminato, we actually went topside upon returning to the ship. i’m going to have to say that the banner displayed on their port terminal seems a bit optimistic on their part. Not that we didn’t have a good time, exactly, but the likelihood of getting back here, we’ll have to admit, is fairly remote.
I will admit to the fact that both of us slept in a bit on our journey to Busan; however, I got up early enough to get this view of us passing under the Busan Harbor Bridge.
Before we leave Kitakyushu, our mascot friends return with a local high school’s drum line to give us a serenade (complete with fireworks) as a rousing late-night send off.
Six p.m. in Hiroshima, as the last shuttle bus arrives. We’re looking out over Ujinahatoba Park; that spire to the left is called Paradise Tower, if you can believe it.
There are just so many islands out here in the Seto Inland Sea. I had to look this one up; the best I can tell is that this is Kosei Island, with a shrine (Yamakami, or ‘mountain god’ shrine, to be specific – kind of odd for an island, when Japan also has so many mountains to put a shrine by this name on, but whatever) off on the right. Beyond it and to the right is Sei Island, which is actually a peninsula (go figure; perhaps there’s been a causeway of sorts that has been built since it was first called an island, not unlike Catawba) leading to the town of Sakaide.
And this is Kozuchi Island, with its lighthouse out in front, along with several fishing boats. Daniel comments that we’re close enough to land as to hear birds.
And on our way out from Takamatsu, I woke to take this picture of the receding city, with the islands (I believe) of Inage, Kabuto and Yoroi in front of it, haloed by the city lights.
As the sun set over Shimizu, Daniel was proven right about the place – especially the ferris wheel – lighting up in the night. Wonder if there were any couples in those cars, and what they might be saying and doing together.
The park even shot off some fireworks as we were leaving – or maybe that’s something they do every night here.
And, as our parting shot (literally), this is one last look from the cabin after getting back from breakfast, with the Tokyo cruise terminal right outside our window.
I need to get going now, honey. So keep an eye on us, and I’ll keep in touch. Wish us luck; we will need it.
Letters to Rachel 