I can see Russia from my window.

[Sprucegoose]

Great TR drron keep it up!

 

[drron]

Monday morning and an early breakfast-no mangoes!Now we are both a little Type A so off to the airport at 0730.Got there in 20 minutes.The tax refund office wasn't where it was last time we used it.Found the spot on the airport map and a sign saying it had moved again-about 50 metres from where we had walked in but to the left when we had turned right.Short wait at checkin.Through Immigration quickly as no lines.
To the CX lounge at D/E-much quieter than the CX lounge at D/G and I thought brighter than the QF Flounge.
CX708 BKK-HKG.ETB-0945. ETD-1020.ETA-1415.Seats 12A,14A.
Actual-boarding 1055.Push back-1015.TO-1025.At gate-1405.
Lunch waas a pretty poor selection.A very fatty chicken dish which mrs.dr.ron had and 2 Indian curries.The one I had was quite insipid.At least I enjoyed the Billecart which flowed freely.This was a 777 with the awful herringbone J seating.I dislike it-narrow,no good when travelling as a couple and if I do recline feet stick into aisle and get knocked.CSM talks to 11D for a while then introduces herself to Mrs.dr.ron and I.

Watched a couple of episodes of the Big Bang Theory during and after lunch and then i fall asleep.Wake as we touch down.First out and the nearest transfer point brings us out right at the Pier Flounge which we enter.Didn't feel like another meal.
A long hike to Gate 25 for our next flight.Boarding takes a while as they are boarding a Korean wheelchair sporting team all of whom are sitting in the bulkhead seats at the front of Y.Most had no legs.

CX416. HKG-ICN. ETB-1600. ETD-1630. ETA-2105.Seats 14A,D.
Actual.General Boarding-1600.Push back-1620.TO-1630.At Gate-2050.
Another herrigbone J set up.CSM only speaks to 11A,D.The fellow in 12D was another QF WP-from the NGCI tag on his carryon.Both sectors though had full J cabins.Again watch Big Bang-had seen all the movies that I would watch.Dinner-A starter of tuna Nicoise.

I then had the Bibimbap-

Mrs.dr.ron had the sauteed prawns flavoured with lemongrass and roses-thought it was very bland.Washed down with a good chablis though.Really not impressed with the CX service or food on these sectors.Standards appear to have slipped.

A walk to the train for transfer to Immigration.Unfortunately another flight had lasnded before us and so long queues.Despite that when we got to carousel there was no activity.A 15 minute wait until some bags appear-ours with their F tags are next to last off.Straight through Customs and get an International taxi to the Sheraton Incheon.No traffic so there in 20 minutes.31000 Won(1113 won per $A).

Upgraded to suite 1812(first stay at the SGS was in suite 1812).Review here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ences-and-reviews/sheraton-incheon-30516.html

Next-around the hotel and boarding the Silver Shadow.

 

[drron]

We enjoyed our stay at the Sheraton Incheon.Service was very good.After breakfast in the lounge I took a walk around the surrounding area.It is obviously reclaimed land and this process is on going.New businesses are now opening around the hotel and if it remains about a third the price of hotels in Seoul it is worth considering.
So across the road is Central Park-

Looking back to the Sheraton-

The Sheraton is the smaller building in the middle-

The trees are obviously brand new in this position,all supported-

Next-Religion in the park.

 

[drron]

We could not work out what was in one half of the park.When I got close it was obvious.

Egypt and the plague of giant locusts.
Then a forest of crosses-

And the shepherd tending his flock amongst the skyscrapers.
And some nice Kinglish-this is the life of Juses-

And a bl**dy huge Ark-

Next-boarding the Silver Shadow.

 

[drron]

First the last of photo's from the Sheraton.Instant landscaping-

The Convention centre next door,vaguely familiar-

And the smoking space at the Sheraton-

Ordered a taxi for 1230.And right to the second it pulled up at 1230.The driver had been told where we were going-just as well as he spoke no English.25 minute ride,20000 Won.Luggage taken by the Silverseas staff as we pulled up.Through Immigration-called KISS,Korean Immigration Smart Service.It certainly was quick.
Then bussed to the ship.Boarding was a bit of a shambles-not as well drilled as when we cruised the Arctic with them.Soon though to our suite.
This cruise was impacted by the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.We were meant to visit 2 Japanese ports after leaving Tokyo but now departing Incheon and 5 sea days before reaching Petrapavlosk in Russia.

This cruise was meant to be a test of whether we could take ordinary,all be it upmarket,cruising-previously they have all been Expedition cruising.The Silver Shadow can carry ~ 380 pax but today only 96-32 are Australian.
So the first few pics of our accommadation-

The bedroom.

With it's own TV.

And a welcome bottle of champers with choccies.You could also stock your minibar with beer,wine,spirits or liqueurs-but seeing all standard drinks were complimentary we saw no point in this.
Next-more pics of the suite.

 

[drron]

More pics of our suite-

All of the bathroom with a good size bath and separate shower.
The dining room where we had a few brekkies-

The sitting area-

and the work desk-

There was also a walk in dressing room so it was a very comfortable home for 2 weeks.
Next-leaving Incheon.

 

[drron]

We could watch it all happen from our balcony-

Not that Incheon harbour is all that scenic-

Behind us was a ferry to China-

Which left before us-

I then had my nanny nap whilst mrsdrron went for a walk and found that afternoon tea was served.Every time you sat down food was placed in front of you-

I was awakened by the tug coming alongside-

 

[tgh]

Every time you sat down food was placed in front of you

Welcome to cruising.. we hav vays off makkink u eate..

Enjoying the report.. keep it comin'

 

[drron]

The sun went behind a cloud as we left-

and we passed the South Korean Polar Research vessel-

There were some rust buckets-

Then we had to negotiate a lock to exit the harbour-

There were literally thousands of cars awaiting shipping-

Then the gates opened-

 

[drron]

Yes tgh they certainly had their ways.A waitress,Wei,led a one woman band in trying to fatten me up.She succeeded!
But back to our leaving port.The ship then entered the lock-

all the way in-

And even more cars-

Then the lock opened-

And said goodbye to the Port of Incheon-

And prepared to sail into the sunset.

Next-days of eating,drinking and sleeping.

 

[TonyHancock]

That lock looks pretty narrow.

The photos are awesome, many, many thanks for sharing.

 

[drron]

Yes the lock certainly did appear narrow but the Shadow fitted easily.
Rather than bore you with endless pictures of food I am assembling an album of Silver Shadow food which I will give a link to when i have finished.
Of course on passing through the lock the first thing to do was go to dinner.Across the hallway was a retired surgeon and his wife from Louisiana.Mrs.dr.ron had communicated with him through Cruise Critic.We hit it off and had dinner with them in "The Restaurant".A 4 course dinner every night.Started off On the right foot with Foie gras as part of the appetiser.

The complimentary wines for the night were from Chile.The Sauvignon blanc was quite acceptable but the red could definitely be described as a rough red.Enjoyed a port and a long chat before retiring to our cabin ~ 2230.The sea was calm but only slept fitfully.Forced ourselves to brekkie in La Terraza their Italian restaurant.A magnificent buffet and I re aquainted myself with marinated herring that I got to enjoy in Norway.

One of the waiters looked familiar so i went up and asked if he had been on any other ship-Yes Drron I was on the PA 11 with you-they certainly have good memories.After eating we went for a walk around the upper deck but the wind was very strong so we headed back to the cabin and broke out the kindles-really worth the investment.
It was of course now time for lunch.8 of us in a restaurant that can seat at least a couple of hundred.The wine today was a South african Sav blanc and again quite acceptable.

After lunch a nanny nap,afternoon tea and we decide to at least exercise our minds by going to the Team trivia-only 2 teams-ours is mainly Aussies.At least we have to come second!We are cruising up the Korean coast and there is a lot of traffic-up to 8 ships at a time visible.After afternoon tea we go back to the cabin to discover our butler has left some afternoon snacks-just what we need.:shock:

That night was a formal night.More of that in the next report.

 

[drron]

Now this is what I had thought was going to be the low point of the cruise-The Formal Night.Not only that but my dinner suit had been hanging in the wardrobe for at least 5 years unused.And it had shrunk!
Dinner suits are very hard to find in Queensland.Fortunately we had a trip to South Australia and in the little Barossa Valley town of Nurioopta I found a new dinner suit and formal shirt.In Bangkok I picked up a selection of colourful bow ties and I was now suitably attired.I found I actually enjoyed the experience.

For this first night we dined in Le Champagne-the formal restaurant that does incur a premium.Dinner here with wine pairing is $US200 or $US150 if bought before boarding.We had pre paid for this night.The dinner theme was lobster.It really was good and the paired wines were very good.We thoroughly enjoyed the night.
There were only 2 other couples dining that night-a young American and his wife .he proceeded to announce everything that was wrong with the food.the other couple were Australian and seemed to want a private dinner.No worries.We got on very well with with our Portugese hostess and the Canadian and French waiters-a great team.

The others left before us so we had a long chat with the staff.We were given a very nice Cognac and the Sommelier is called to chat with us.The chef came and chatted with all the diners earlier.finally back to our suite after 2300.
I have now collated the pictures of our food-didn't take down all the names and forgot to pull out the camera on occasions but still plenty of pictures here-
https://picasaweb.google.com/ron.dolton/SilverShadowFood#

 

[drron]

So now we settled down to another 4 sea days.Lots of eating,drinking,reading,playing trivia,doing soduku.However there were other pleasant interludes.Two guest lecturers were aboard.A Biologist and an international lawyer-both were interesting.Interacting with other guests-at least 3 CLs onboard.So we were never bored even though the pace of life is rather slow.
Day 3 and we are buzzed by a military plane with no markings-we are off the coast of North korea.Day 4 and spot a seal just of from our cabin.That night we pass through the La Perouse straight between Sakhalin and Hokkaido.this night and next hundreds of birds are flying alongside us.Looking at the bird book ?fork tailed shearwaters.
Day 6 and we are blessed with a nice day-clear skies for a change.Luckily the seas have been very smooth-barely a ripple.Passing the snow covered Kurile islands.more wildlife and see some Stellar sea lions.Unfortunately the pod of Orcas passes our cabin whilst I am listening to a lecture from the biologist.but mrs.dr.ron gets some long distance pictures.

I did say long distance!
The Kuriles-

always more birds when closer to land-

We are still winning at Trivial pursuit-small things....
Day 7 and we awaken as we are approaching Petropavlosk.It is quite a distance into Avacha bay.The pilot boat comes alongside-

they come on deck and start taking photos of us.fortunately there is no activity from the nuclear submarine base and so we head straight for the anchorage.
Petropavlosk next.

 

[Hvr]

Dr and mrsron thanks for the photos and TR. Looking forward to the rest as it unfolds.

 

[TonyHancock]

I have always thought that a cruise wouldn't suite me, but the more I read your TR, and see the photographs, the more I think I might like the experience. Really enjoying this.

 

[drron]

Tony we certainly had no intention to cruise.We started in 2006 on an 8 pax boat in the Inside Passage out of Petersburg,AK.Loved it.
So graduated to a 16 pax boat in the Galapagos.Loved it.
Graduated to ~100 pax ships.twice on the Orion and once on the PA11-now silver explorer.loved them.But those are Expedition ships so a totally different experience.This was our first "real'cruise,but only 96 pax instead of ~400 it could take.anyway we are booked again next year BGI-BGI with a week on the Amazon river.
Ok back to the TR.Now I really can see Russia from my window.Unfortunately an overcast day so we dont get a view of the Volcanoes that dominate the skyline here-the Shadow does the reverse trip in early September which is supposed to be better weather.Heading into Avacha bay-

the Shadow anchors out from the port and we go ashore by tender.All the pax fit in one tender.We leave the shadow-

The sun came out and we thought you beauty.unfortunately 2 minutes later it decided to hide again and we still didn't see the volcanoes.The tender came alongside the wharf next to several fishing trawlers.Impressed by the Cruise ship terminal-

There were 2 city tours-one going to the Cultural museum,one to the Military museum-i talked mrs.dr.ron into this one.There was also a tour to dog kennels and one to a volcano in a suitable 4WD-

first we were taken to a scenic overlook though visibility was not good-

Petropavlosk to be continued.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Apart from anything else, a gastronomic delight!!Enjoy!

 

[drron]

There was a problem with rubbish at the overlook-

good russian brands too-

with health warnings too-

Then it was off to the military museum-

where we were welcomed by a bear-

More of the museum to come.

 

[drron]

We were taken around the museum by a local guide-typical Russian babushka who spoke very little English.Her words were translated by the guide from our bus whose English were reasonable.By the way only 12 passengers on this tour.Not surprisingly it was a very Russian view of history.Explaining the 1904/5 war with Japan when the Russian navy was defeated it was because the Czars spent money on themselves rather than the navy.Then went on to say the gallant sailors of Petropavlosk sank 2 Japanese warships before being defeated-that is the Japanese lost 2 Ptbs and the Russians 2 cruisers.this was one of the cruisers-

The English caption under this model says it was built in California but launched in Philadelphia!
I did learn however that the Crimean war came to Petropavlosk.A diorama of the superior English and french forces being defeated by less than 300 Russians-

There were also lots of Patriotic posters from WW2-

with a more human touch from local kids-

But then it was time to leave-

and off down the main road-

Past some typical Communist era developements-

To our next stop-a Russian Orthodox church.That next.