Friendly Shimizu Makes Up for Dreary Weather
Day 16, Grand Asia 2017
Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017 – Shimizu, Japan
Do you see Mount Fuji here? No? Neither did I. Today we docked in Shimizu, Japan, a beautiful port considered the gateway to Mount Fuji. But it was another cold rainy day with low cloud cover. It isn’t unusual that views of Japan’s tallest mountain are obscured by clouds, so I had not planned to join one of the shore excursions that advertised close-up views, “weather permitting.” This seemed like a good port to explore on foot, especially after two longs days of touring.
Despite the rain, the city welcomed the Amsterdam with a ceremony that included a gift exchange between local officials and the Captain. Translators greeted us as we left the port to head into town, providing maps and directions to a shrine and museum. But the rain was heavier, so we headed to a nearby entertainment and shopping complex. The food court tables quickly filled with free WIFI seekers, and I finally got my Fitbit to sync and update its clock to local time. The stores were interesting mixes of Japanese food specialties and handmade craft items – a step above the typical souvenirs booths.
The surprise of the day came when we departed around 3 p.m. Dozens of school children gathered on the pier to send us off with a drum performance, machines blowing thousands of bubbles, fireworks and enthusiastic waving. Their farewell touched us all.
Before we go ashore, the ship provides us with a wallet card containing local contact information, currency exchange rates and a few handy phrases to use. By the end of the cruise I anticipate I will acquire quite a collection.
Tonight I attended a private reception for fellow travelers on an upcoming four-day overland China trip. Cruise Specialists, my travel agency, organized the trip as well as the reception so we could get to know our fellow travelers. Some are on the China overland trip and others are going to Cambodia a little later on the cruise.
One thing I have discovered is that the vast majority of passengers on this cruise like to eat dinner early. I shouldn’t be surprised. If I go to dinner much after 7 p.m., the dining room host might not have many other people arriving at the same time for me to join. Tonight, after the reception I went to the dining room after 8 p.m., and the hostess said she had no one for me to join. I decided to just order room service instead. I must say that for the first time on this cruise I was disappointed in a meal. My club sandwich was just slapped together, oozing with mayo and with only a hint of bacon. Oh well – I ate the potato chips and will survive. Tomorrow we will dock in Osaka and I am on a full-day trip to Kyoto.
Thank goodness HAL provides the language card! We were thinking we’d need to learn the basic phrases. You are providing valuable information for us. Maybe you’ll get some better weather tomorrow.