Ruminations from the Silver Muse.

[drron]

Another example of social distancing at a traffic light. I wondered though why they can be so good at it and then on a train, an elevator or shopping mall when it really counts they try and sqeeze as many in as possible. Just like the mask situation. More common with youngsters and not so much with the elderly. And at least 95% are simple surgical masks,




Another little temple.


Another lovely bit of footpath.


And some more Shinkansen watching before I got back to the hotel.

 

[drron]

That evening went down to the Hudson Bar for drinks and to share another salmon roe and whitebait pizza.


We really didn't want a donut burger.







And our pizza.



Whilst there a bride walked outside but was back in a few minutes. Presumably for a couple of photos.

 

[drron]

I awoke early the next morning as the sun was about to rise.








A little later they were loading stuff from the trucks into containers.



Then it was time for breakfast.

 

[drron]

More comings and goings when we got back to the room from breakfast.



Turns out the barge was here to refuel a ferry.

 

[drron]

I was trying to catch up with the TR when I heard trumpets. looked out the window and it was a wedding. seemed to be just for the photos but they had a red carpet and rose petals were thrown.


And where else would you see the bridal couple do this.

 

[drron]

We checked out just before 1400 and caught the shuttle to Hamamatsuucho station. Unfortunately I had not looked up details of the station and we were dropped about 100 metres away on a stretch of road with a fence between it and the footpath so had to walk down the road and then cross over the road. Unfortunately the entrance we were closest too had no lift or escalator. It turned out we needed to go around the corner.
I struggled with the suitcase up the stairs and managed to get my shoe caught on the lip of a step causing the sole to come adrift. Fortunately a young Japanese fellow came to the rescue and took the case up.

Then it was a local train on the keihin - tohoku line which was supposed to take us to Sakuragicho. However about half way it terminated and we had to cross the platform and catch the next train. We had wondered why it was emptying rapidly.
Made Sakuragicho without further hassle and got a taxi to the Intercontinental Yokohama Grand. just over a km and 800 yen `$9. Now the IC here is not as nice as the Tokyo Bay IC but significantly cheaper. There is a newer IC here Pier 8 but it is nearly 3 times the price.

Upgraded from king City view to King Harbour view. No club access and took breakfast as the amenuty and got a 1400 check out though we will probably be gone by 1300. So here is the room.

 

[drron]

And the views from the room.




The ship is the Akusa 2 which is locally owned and does cruises for locals so doesn't appear on the cruise terminal movements, it sailed that evening. It was built as the Crystal Harmony. It caught fire on it's maiden voyage in 1990. It was sold to the NYK group in 2006. It again caught fire in 2006 whilst docked in Yokohama.



That is the Hikawa Maru a Japanese built ship now a museum. It was the only NYK passenger ship out of 36 to survive WW2,

 

[drron]

A couple more shots of the view. down below is Pier 21 which was the hotel's seafood restaurant, it hasn't reopened after covid neither has their 31st floor bar.



I went for a little walk to check out the area. Found a Daiso (100 yen ) store to take Mrsdrron to in the morning. just a few pics on my walk.



As you enter the Queens mall not far from the IC there are some murals of local birds and other animals.





And even a Disney store.


We weren't very hungry so went to their Marine Terrace which is a bar and some food. Mainly an afternoon high tea and desserts. Very limited other items. We shared a club sandwich. A bit strange.

 

[drron]

Whilst we were having our meal a dinner cruise went by.

When we got back to our room there was an orange moon rising. The colour shows up on theiPhone shots but washed out on the camera even though better photos.








.

 

[drron]

Another early rousing and another good sunrise.


And overnight the Diamond Princess had arrived.


Then time for breakfast. A reasonable buffet.

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

My plates.

 

[OZDUCK]

And the views from the room.
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The ship is the Akusa 2 which is locally owned and does cruises for locals so doesn't appear on the cruise terminal movements, it sailed that evening. It was built as the Crystal Harmony. It caught fire on it's maiden voyage in 1990. It was sold to the NYK group in 2006. It again caught fire in 2006 whilst docked in Yokohama.
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That is the Hikawa Maru a Japanese built ship now a museum. It was the only NYK passenger ship out of 36 to survive WW2,
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I had to admit that my eyes immediately went to the freighter rather than the ugly passenger ships. My first thought was that the funnel markings looked familiar and NYK came to mind. The stern shape was worrying me until I read your explanation. I was onboard a number of NYK vessels in the 1970's and think that I still have a NYK keyring floating around somewhere.

 

[Seat0B]

Once again the care of the trees is inspiring.

We usually travel in the winter for skiing, and I can confirm that they take the same care in winter to protect from snow and ice, and to shape and prop the trees whilst they are free of leaves. It is very lovely to see the pride taken in doing this work.

 

[Seat0B]

Another example of social distancing at a traffic light. I wondered though why they can be so good at it and then on a train, an elevator or shopping mall when it really counts they try and sqeeze as many in as possible. Just like the mask situation. More common with youngsters and not so much with the elderly. And at least 95% are simple surgical masks,

I'm surprised they are still wearing masks as much as they are in your photos. When we were there in Jan/Feb 2023, it was still compulsory indoors and on public transport, but most people wore a mask everywhere, including quite a few to ski! But then the requirements were relaxed, I thought about May, so I do find it surprising to see so many masks around. Still, mask wearing is part of the culture.

 

[drron]

Actually the mask wearing is not too different to pre Covid. But the Japanese have always been ready to follow authorities. Sometimes with terrible results.

And we are going back in December to experience winter. Will be going back to Kanazawa and the Kenrokuen gardens. We are there at the end of December when snow usually starts.

 

[drron]

So a bit of drama has created a bit of anxiety at the start of our cruise. It was an absolutely miserable day so we decided to board late as well as making a taxi essential for the transfer. Fortunately then not out in the open apart from a few seconds getting out of the taxi. Mrsdrron was in good spirits and was happy when we went to the restaurant and ate her first course and then watched me have my soup. She had 1 or 2 mouthfuls and suddenly her expression changed and she looked fearful. I asked what was wrong and she said she could see 2 of me. Then felt really funny and she agreed I should take her back to our suite.

She could hardly walk. I had to change her into her nightie. She kept saying what is wrong with me every 3 minutes or so and bursting into tears.
My examination didn't show anything abnormal but I called the doctor. BP was 120/80 and glucose 5.1. She then went to sleep. I had none. When she awoke she was basically back to her old self but upset she had no memory from the time we sat down in the restaurant until she woke up. She then developed a left sided headache and nausea with some photophobia. She does have a history of migraine so a migraine with a prolonged aura.
She had an episode back in December when she fell and hit her head. Everyone put the headache and memory loss as due to the head injury and being knocked out. however her behaviour when she came too was exactly the same as last night's so I am hopeful we now have a diagnosis and don;t have to abort the cruise.


So now back to normal programming. On the first morning in Yokohama it was time to try and get my shoe fixed and buy a new computer mouse. got the places from the concierge but they weren't open until 11 am. So after a couple of shots out the window -



it was time to do a little reconnoitre of the nearby mall. It turned out to be a series of malls going back to Sakuragicho station. I was able to find a 100 yen shop to bring mrsdrron back to.

Just after 11 we set off for the shoe repairer.




Found the shoe guy and with a combination of broken English, broken Japanese with a bit of sign language we got there and he told us to come back at the same time tomorrow -Sunday.
Seeing we were in the building which contains the Landmark tower Sky Garden we thought we would go there. On the way we saw something I never knew I wanted - A Swirkle.


Out side of the mall was an old dry dock.


and an interesting building across the street.

 

[bPeteb]

Glad mrsdrron is ok

 

[drron]

Also just over the road is the Nippon Maru which was a training ship Put it on the list for the afternoon.

Then up to the 69th floor. No need for reservations. Walked in , bought the tickets and 2 mins later in the lift rising at 750 metres per minute.
Great views.







We had been joined by the Diamond Princess.
And over a bit further the Hikawa Maru.

 

[drron]

A ship going up to Tokyo.




And that dear friends is our latest unsuccessful attempt at seeing Fuji. You can just make out a faint line leading up from the second peak on the left.