Ruminations from the Silver Muse.

[drron]

Dinner was in Atlantide.




The wines.




We both started with the Crab 3 ways.

I then had the pumpkin soup followed by the Fillet. Mrsdrron again had the lamb.






Then we both had dessert. Sorry I keep forgetting to take the dessert menu picture.

 

[drron]

Sunset that day.












And sunrise the next day over Incheon.

 

[RooFlyer]

drron, if you don't mind a bit of a tangent.

If you do a long, say RTW cruise, and a pax needs a visa for, say 5 of the countries, is it up to them to get their visa beforehand in the normal way (as if they were flying there)? Or are cruise ship pax given a 'special process' where visas are granted to those that need them on arrival, on board the ship?

In either case, do you need to register your visa (in the first case ) or need for a vias (second case) with the vessel before sailing?

 

[Quickstatus]

Some interesting sea creatures!

If I may,

it's aptly called cough fish but it's not a fish but a worm

@drron how long are the shore excursions?

 

[drron]

In some instances it is better to get the visa for yourself such as Indonesia as it will be cheaper. The cruise line can do the visas for you but they are usually more expensive though exceptions. No charge for Taiwan to get a ship pass -but basically a copy of your passport with a Taiwan stamp on it. You had to have it on you but mine was never looked at.
For Vietnam the cruise line provided us with a ship card for the 3 ports we will be visiting. The cost was exactly the same as a single entry visa done online so a no brainer to let the ship do it.

It is obvious why the worm is called a cough fish especially when they are alive as the ones pictured were. I have no desire to taste one.

 

[Pushka]

@RooFlyer - we had to get visas for Oman, Jordan and Saudi Arabia and they were checked before we could board. The cruise line did Egypt, and the Israeli stamp. On another cruise we had to get a Visa from China for Shanghai. That was very expensive. So, it depends.

 

[drron]

Today I was on the Ganghwa island all day tour. I can say now this was one of the best tours on this first segment and I would recommend it. It does start with a long bus drive to the Peace Museum and lookout over North Korea. So pictures from the bus. first up the massive number of high rise apartments around Incheon.




Gradually giving way to agricultural land.






And through small towns.

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

Looking out to North Korea.





Finally at the car park.



But a fairly steep climb up to the Peace centre.

 

[drron]

First I walked around the Peace building.

 

[drron]

At the entrance they had a special plaque of the contribution of the Australian forces in the Korean War.












Inside the building are a series of photos of the salvage of a South Korean corvette which sank in 2010
with many Koreans feeling it was due to North Korean activity but there is a lot of controversy.
ROKS Cheonan sinking - Wikipedia

 

[drron]

And interesting sign on the elevators.


A display of North Korean Propaganda.








And a room for people to put their wish for reconciliation. Though most older Koreans don't want to see an united Korea.

 

[drron]

A map of the island and it's surrounds.

At the top is North Korea. in the centre of the bottom of the map is Ganghwa Island and the tiny red dot of it in the middle of the picture is our position.

Views across to North Vietnam.

 

[drron]

There was a little general store at ground level I thought they mave have some snacks. Nothing I would like. A big display of mushrooms.






I could have bought some choccie biscuits.


Another walk around outside waiting until we could return to the bus.

 

[drron]

The steep path down to the bus was lined by South Korea's National flower. but only 1 was flowering.


We now set off for the lunch venue.

 

[drron]

It is rice harvesting season.


Now to the restaurant for lunch. They appear to love their dogs.






Now there was a bit of a mix up as our guide had told the restaurant that we all wanted beef but some of us preferred pork. This totally confused the serving staff. As well each bowl of beef or platter of pork was meant to be shared by 2 people but if you were solo you got the same bowl just for yourself. Han't realised how many solo passengers were on this excursion. The servers became totall confused so I ende up with a serving of beef as well as a serving of pork.



There were sides.




plus self serve salad and pickles.

 

[drron]

And you got 1 drink. So I had a local beer.


This is the restaurant taken as we walked back to the bus.


Other pics on the walk back.




Next a drive to a cultural village and an old Christian church.

 

[drron]

glimpses of autumn.

 

[drron]

Old Korean buildings.

 

[drron]

Steep and rough stairs with no railing presented a bit of a challenge.