September – October 2017 Japan!

Today is our first full day at sea.  Activites abound around the ship so there is no shortage of things to occupy one’s time.  However, given the miles we have recently subjected our feet and legs to over the past few days, this seems more an energy conservation day than anything else.  That said, I … Read more

Welllll….not sure what happened this morning but I actually didn’t wake up til 8 A.M.  Certainly a nice change and couldn’t happen to a nicer guy! 😉 This is that kind of day that is both boring and exciting.  Boring in that after breakfast, we simply pack up our bags (making sure nothing is left … Read more

As strange as it seems, even though we’re on a relaxing vacation (despite the walking) we still can’t seem to sleep past 7 A.M. I normally get up at 6 A.M during a regular work week so I kinda feel ripped off by not being able to enjoy a longer state of unconsciousness. Oh well, … Read more

Yes…I’m still a day behind. So sue me. 🙂  This is the day we meet up with our walking tour guide.  Janet is her name and she is a recent university grad.  As it turns out she is also Chinese (who, fortunately is also fluent in Japanese) has only been in Japan a fairly short … Read more

Our first stop Thursday was the shopping district of Ginza.  Really just to see, once again, how people with too much money can spend it.  Every brand name worth its salt is here (naturally).  Yet despite the prices that simply make your jaw drop and your eyes pop, there is no shortage of people.  True, … Read more

Today (Friday) is a new day and with it comes the sun!  Although yesterday was warm (23 C) and Very humid, it was also very cloudy and threatened rain all day.  It actually did pour quite heavily before we got up, but we were fortunate for all the time we were out and about that … Read more

Another adventure has begun and it’s only been a year in the planning.  Anticipation is supposed to be half the fun, but I’m not convinced.  Now that we’ve actually landed, the ‘fun’ of waiting for it has been far outweighed by the actuality of its arrival. The first plane was on time both leaving Edmonton … Read more

This is IT!  Finally the month of our departure has arrived.  In fact, we are down to 3 weeks (as of today) before we leave.  The only real, potential drawback is that as much as our excitement and anticipation grow, so do tensions between North Korea and the US.  Much like the rest of the … Read more

So…here we are.  Now not only less than two months to go, but literally, NEXT Month.  Our excitement is escalating!! However…I guess reality must set in as well.  A couple of years ago we had a different cruise to Asia planned and it did not materialize.  The ship was re-booked (in its entirety!) for a … Read more