Author Archives: Sparky
TP1 Day 23: Bitung, Indonesia
The original itinerary had us arriving in Bitung on Day 24. But because we skipped the Philippines, we arrived in Indonesia around 4 pm on Day 23. More on that early arrival later. Marlene and I again started the day in the casino. The slots were unforgiving this time. I lost $50 (down $200 for … Continue reading
TP1 Day 22: At sea
We slept in later than usual, getting down to “crafts” at 8:30 am. This is a freebie gift of some little craft package that some people actually do as a way to pass time on sea days. But more people stow them away to give to their grandchildren when they get home. I got a … Continue reading
TP1 Day 21: At sea
I was very happy to wake and find the seas were calm and the day was sunny. I didn’t need another nasty day at sea. Marlene and I started the day in the casino. She did fine but the machines were unfriendly to me: I lost $50 and am now down $300. After breakfast I … Continue reading
TP1 Day 20: At sea
A nasty day at sea. We sailed to the east of Typhoon Koinu but felt the effects of its recent passage – 8- to 10-foot seas, After breakfast and some (poorly performed) trivia contests I was feeling nauseous and went up to the cabin. And slept most of the afternoon. I skipped lunch entirely and … Continue reading
TP1 Day 19: Naha, Okinawa
My father was stationed in Okinawa for a time near the end of WWII so the island was interesting for personal reasons. But I suspect that the Okinawa I experienced was very different than the one he experienced. As usual, we had no excursion planned so we just took the free shuttle to the center … Continue reading
TP1 Day 18: At sea
This was a very quiet sea day. Until it wasn’t. After breakfast, I spent some time in the casino (just long enough to lose $30, down $200), and played some cards, then returned to the cabin and spent several hours blogging. That took me to dinner (filet mignon – very good but not as good … Continue reading
TP1 Day 17: Hiroshima, Japan
The original itinerary for this cruise included both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the only two cities to ever experience the horror of a nuclear bomb. Nagasaki was dropped from the itinerary but Hiroshima remained and we docked there Sunday morning. It was a beautiful morning – bright and sunny – and I couldn’t help but think … Continue reading
TP1 Day 16: At sea
By now you should be familiar with our typical sea day: breakfast, cards, casino, dinner (Marlene was initially disgusted by the look of the fish dish served at dinner, but decided, after tasting it, that it was quite good) and show. We did all of that (won $45 at the casino, down $170) but also … Continue reading
TP1 Day 15: Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is the largest city in the world – about 39 million people in the urban area. So there was no chance that we would be able to sample all of the sights it has to offer in a single day. But we – Marlene and I, along with new buddies Deb and Evie – … Continue reading
TP1 Day 14: At sea
Another quiet day at sea. Breakfast, some cards, enough time in the casino to lose $40 (down $215 now), some blogging, dinner and a show – a musical revue by the Luminosa singers. This is a very talented group. We then danced to the Luminosa Rockband. Also a very talented group.