Category Archives: Ports of Call

Golden Dragons and Grey Heavens – Xingang/Beijing – [10/12/2012]

The ride from the cruise ship terminal to central Beijing is almost three hours, and prior to that we all had to go through a somewhat disorganized feeling immigration process at 6:30 in the morning. This after the Murder Mystery … Continue reading

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Hot Ginger and Dynamite – Nagasaki – [10/09/2012]

I had not intended to take a tour in Nagasaki, in fact I hadn’t really ‘planned’ to do anything at all. I was thinking I would just wander around in town for a few hours, perhaps visit a museum – … Continue reading

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Thunderous Farewells – Kobe, Japan – [10/07/2012]

I always feel vaguely guilty when I spend a day ‘off’ in a foreign port doing nothing more exciting than sitting in my cabin watching movies and sewing. And occasionally sleeping. But sometimes I am in deep need of recharging … Continue reading

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Crowded Serenity – Kobe, Japan/Nara Temple – [10/06/2012]

I had no big plans for Kobe at first. As interesting as a new country is, sometimes you really just want to take advantage of a non-IPM day to rest, especially since I had a really long couple of days … Continue reading

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Right Down the Middle – Yokohama/Tokyo – [10/04/2012]

I’m walkin’ right down the middle of Main Street USA, You know it’s no illusion it’s a dream that’s here to stay The place was made with a magical plan And right around the corner is a fantasy land I’m … Continue reading

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Dry and Land and Smooth Seas – Hakodate, Japan – [10/02/2012]

Welcome to Asia. At last. Sometimes it takes like the crossing to get here takes forever! And along the way we’ve even gone so far as to dodge typhoons! But finally last night we saw the lights of the Japanese … Continue reading

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Mush! – Skagway – [08/28/2012]

For three Alaska seasons I have told myself “this year I’m going to see the sled dogs”, and every season something happens to prevent me from doing so. Money, lack of slots on the tour, simple lack of time – … Continue reading

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Above It All – Ketchikan – [08/16/2012]

On the days when it gets to be just too much, you find yourself just desperately needing to get off the ship and do something, anything, that’s different from your routine. In my case, I just decided to fly. With, … Continue reading

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Enshrouded – Glacier Bay – [08/08/2012]

Since we’re nearing the end of the season the weather has for the most part started to turn on us. We always joke that Alaska gets 363 days of rain a year, I don’t know the exact statistics but perhaps … Continue reading

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A Day For Picking Daisies – Ketchikan – [0726/2012]

Blue skies, sunshine People smiling everywhere that you go What a day for picking daisies And lots of red balloons… At long last (and honestly it feels like forever) my health seems to have balanced out and returned to normal. … Continue reading

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