South West China and Luang Prabang(followed by a cruise from Shanghai to Japan). Another trip within a trip.

[woodyren]

We had one more day in Kunming so caught the metro and then walked to Kunming Old Town.















Obviously purely decorative.














Telcom tower.

















As a lifetime railway worker I am amazed how they manage to sell individual pieces of ballast in China.

 

[woodyren]

Early morning flight from Kunming to Shanghai. Our friend flew out as well but she returned to Shenyang as we headed to Shanghai to do a cruise to Japan the following day.

From Pudong airport we traveled by three different metro lines for around 90 minutes to our hotel in the Boashan area of Shanghai which was around 1 klm from the cruise port.

We were to be met later at the hotel by the son, daughter in law and grand daughter of our friend from Shenyang. It's always a pleasure to organise some travel for our Chinese friends who show us so much hospitality whenever we are visiting China.

After our cruise companions arrived it was off to a local eatery for dinner.





























Airline snack.





Kunming Airlines.

 

[woodyren]

After returning to the hotel I took a walk to scout out the cruise terminal area in preparation for tomorrows boarding. We had disembarked in Shanghai previously but never embarked from there.

It was a balmy summer night and the area around the port was a hive of activity with locals enjoying the evening outdoors.





Many flying kites.











Also a number of musicians.














Wusongkou cruise terminal.

 

[woodyren]

We were among the first to board Spectrum of the Seas.
Just a few random photos of the ship and boarding.


Our Crown & Anchor status allowed us to receive priority boarding. Shanghai terminal has a lounge for suite and Pinnacle access in a different area with check-in done inside the lounge and then a short walk from there to immigration inside the terminal. Very well managed process.














Suite and Crown and Achor lounge. Always uncrowded on Cina sailings.


Silk Road production show.

 

[woodyren]

First Japanese port was Fukuoka.

 

[woodyren]

Fukuoka Castle and the surrounding parks and gardens.

 

[woodyren]

Second port stop was Nagasaki. A great port stop where you can just walk out from the cruise terminal and find interesting areas or access their tram system.

We had a look around within easy walking distance of the ship initially.

 

[woodyren]

It was a hot day and Mrs Woodyren returned to the ship for lunch. I headed off to walk to the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum.


















































An eye opening, interesting and confronting day all in all.

 

[woodyren]

To hot and I had walked to far to attempt the walk back to the ship. So I ventured back by tram. Price is about 150Y for a single journey or you can purchase an all day ticket for 600Y.

I hopped off the tram half way back and checked out the famous "spectacles" bridge and surrounding areas.

 

[woodyren]

Final port stop followed by our return to Shanghai and flight later that day back to Shenyang.

All in all another special few weeks and a chance to visit what was for me a new and lesser known part of China along with our first trip to Laos and a little bit of feet up comfort on board a familiar ship where we are always well looked after.

We still manage to continue to squeeze a lot into our travel budget.

Cheers. Woodyren.

 

[VPS]

Another great TR - enjoy the cruise