Chasing the perfect Fuji shot

[drron]

 

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The last of Hirosaki Castle.








The sakura festival had started and there were quite a few food stalls on the way out.




Then we walked back down the road to the museum and our bus.





Before I got back on the bus I bought myself an extra spice curry bun. Delicious.

 

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A few shots from the bus back to the ship.

 

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Aomori is known for it's apples. The Fuji apple was first grown by the Agriculture research Station at Fujisaki, Aomori in the 1930s but wasn't commercially grown until 1962, now the largest growers are China and the USA. Any apple imports we have are from China. We do export 300K tonnes of apples but New Zealand exports nearly 500K tonnes. Japan imports of apples are nearly all from New Zealand.
So this are one of the extensive apple orchards in Aomori.




Back on the ship for lunch which we had at the Grill. Mrsdrron had her Caesar salad and I had a burger. Much improved from the one on the first sectot probably because of many more Americans on board for this sectot around Japan. J am aware some did complain about the terrible burgers.


Some views from the ship.






There were some mosaics on the wharf.

 

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Two more of the mosaics.

 

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I had a long afternoon walk on Deck 11. Sunset was quite early so I watched it progress.

 

[drron]

That night it was our trivia team dinner in Indochine so a lively night of discussion. Only took one photo of the Tom yum soup as it was excellent.


We awoke the next morning docked in Hakodate next to a Museum ship.










Lots of fishing vessels.

 

[drron]

More of Hakodate harbour.






Mt. Hakodate.




Two of the rarely seen deckhands doing a great job on the hand rails - sanding then varnishing. Only got to see them as our excursion was moved from an 8.30 start to a 1.30 start.

 

[drron]

Time now for the excursion to the Trappistine Monastery and Goryokaku Park. From the bus -




And we arrive at the Monastery.

 

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They do have large grounds which would be colourful in late April or beginning of May.

 

[drron]

The last of these gardens.








The first sakura buds.


We stopped at the store and had an Hokkaido ice cream.

 

[drron]

We then got the bus to Goryokaku park and first walked to the Magistrates house which is a reconstruction.

 

[drron]

We did get a tour of the building but basically it is empty apart from a few displays. Looking at the work and watching a video on it was fascinating but again this bit could be shortened. Some photos from the building.












They covered any joint with these. Several different designs.

 

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Now we walked to the Tower.


Past a magnificent old tree being treated tenderly.


We waited while the guide bought our tickets.

 

[drron]

So I looked around and there were displays talking about the last stand of the Shoguns which was in Hakodate.












And looked around the shop. Some Japanese chocolate which i know some on here like.

 

[drron]

Then it was up to the viewing platform by fast elevator. great views. First the lay out of the fort,








And over the town.

 

[drron]

Good to see our ship is still there.














And the obligatory car park view.