Japan.It's Bloomin marvellous.

[drron]

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That's how the trees get their shape.Really labour intensive.

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[drron]

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Back on the bus and back to the ship-

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I had time to walk around the port area where there were 2 of the sculptures from the art triennale-

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[drron]

I had originally wanted to spend a day going to a couple of the islands participating in this art event.Our late arrival into KIX put an end to that but it urned out to be for the best.There was so much to do in Kyoto and I did get to see some of the show anyway.If anyone is interested here are the details-
Place | Setouchi Triennale 2016

Now here is the piece that was my favourite-

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A great use of rubbish.

 

[drron]

That night it was the Captain's Welcome coughtail party and dinner.At least for this the pre dinner drinks were on the house.Lobster also on the menu.Service was still disorganised.
Stayed in port overnight and the next morning awaoke as we left for the short run to Takamatsu on the island of Shikoku.It was just on sunrise.Interesting sailing amongst the islands of the Inland Sea.One passenger made the priceless comment-"I didn't know Japan had islands."So a few pics-

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[drron]

Into Takamatsu port.

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A formal welcome by the mayor and tourist officials-

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[drron]

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Then onto the bus bound for Kurashi bonsai village.A couple of cafes with unusual names on the way-

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As well as bonsai the village grows olives-

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[love_the_life]

Doesn't it just amaze you the comments that some people make? We were on a short cruise out of Singapore in February. The ship had made some changes for the Asian itineraries and clientele (meals in the MDR had Asian dishes, there were more upmarket shops etc). It was around Chinese New Year so by far the majority of the passengers were Asian. A woman (from the US) at our table one breakfast asked me how many white people there were on board. I mean, seriously? I started to tell her what the CD had said the night before about the numbers from various countries and she interrupted to say that no, she meant people like her and us. There were also others we heard complaining that the food was far too foreign. Actually it was a pleasure to reply that we enjoyed it as often cruise food was far too bland for our taste. They shut up pretty quickly.
Wonderful photos drron. Sounds like the ship is no Silversea though.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Doesn't it just amaze you the comments that some people make? ...............Wonderful photos drron. Sounds like the ship is no Silversea though.

You can say that again !! Our one and only APT/Caledonian cruise. With our previous encounters with Captains Choice ( another APT company) - this cruise confirmed I will never go on another APT vessel.

 

[tgh]

A very sad but useful observation from well travelled travellers….
One might have hoped that apt would have improved the product rather than joining the race to the bottom

O/T for this thread perhaps ; Silversea is still a good product , but It seems that only Hapag Lloyd offers anything resembling "luxury" cruising atm

 

[drron]

It is not that the ship is below par just the organisation and service.Obviously not everything perfect with the ship such as a very cluttered lounge but quite acceptable none the less.
Our problems were that both Noble Caledonia(ship's owner) and Botanica(who chartered the ship) are both 50% owned by APT.So if you discussed any problems with the Cruise Director or assistant they would say but we are employed by Noble Caledonia not APT or Botanica.The only Botanica employed person on the ship was the botanical guide not a full time Botanica person so he could not help.No APT people anywhere.Karma came on the Farewell Dinner in Tokyo which was attended by the founder of Botanica and another employee who mistakenly sat next to mrsdrron.To give her her due she did stay there until desserts.

As I said previously we probably were in the youngest 25% of passengers.There were a few that obviously had problems with cognition.The one who was amazed that Japan had islands was also responsible for one of the highlights as she looked out over the inland sea with binoculars."...these things are f........ useless.I cant see anything."Her long suffering husband came over and turned the binoculars around.

 

[drron]

Now back to the bonsai-

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Now this is one tree-

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A family business so whilst grandpa repotted grandma was doing the pruning-

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[jojen]

Drron, once again you have excelled. Your photos are AMAZING. This report has made us think about making our trip to Japan next year in time to see the cherry blossoms. We will be in Tokyo and Fukuoka in late June this year, this will be our third visit in 3 years. Hope to meet up with our Japanese friends that we met in Singapore nearly four years ago. We love the the serenity and politeness of Japan.
Our first visit was inspired by one of your trip reports !!

 

[drron]

Thanks jojen for your kind words.I am delighted that people do get ideas and inspiration from the TRs.I enjoy doing them nearly as much as the travel.OK,not that much!
So more bonsai-

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It was now time to walk to the second nursery.Even the walk was interesting.

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Peas,broad beans and onions-I could eat them all raw.But also wildflowers and shrines-

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[drron]

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Now it was off to the Ritsurin gardens.Started in 1642 but completed in 1745.Japanese courtesy shown at the entrance-

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And inside.Well obviously blossoms and brides-

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[drron]

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And a famous tree.Crane sitting on turtle-

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[drron]

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[drron]

The shapes of rocks and trees is a wonderful element of the Japanese garden-

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[drron]

Pruning time at Ritsurin-

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Another example of Japanese hospitality.The bride was having several photos taken.The groom noticed us and came over to his bride and motioned to us to take photos.Cant think of many places where this would happen.

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[drron]

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[drron]

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