Walking and More Blossoms

24-04-24

Otaru

We have nothing booked for today and really have no plans. (P:- As an early riser each morning I wander toward the bow of the ship to the Gym. (Don’t even attempt to laugh at the thought of me in a Gym!) Cranking up the rowing machine thing to full resistance and “rowing” 5-7000 metres passes the time and I am advised could be actually good for me! “Paddling” away on the next machine is my new friend Fred. A few years older than I we strike up a bit of a conversation as we “pull on the oars”. Fred, from Illinois, USA is a Veteran fighter pilot and after leaving the Air Force continued his career as a pilot with American Airlines. The Rowing distance soon passes as we chat away. (Seems much more sociable than all the others running and biking in their Lycra looking bored out of their brains). Fred is an interesting guy and we enjoy sharing stories).

As we step out of the Cruise Terminal this morning we decide to grab a taxi and head to the Mt Tengu Ropeway and head up the cable car to the top of the mountain. Very few people about so no waiting in line. Disembarking at the top we are faced with snow still on the ground although the main paths are clear. Some great views down over the city and port area. Our cruise director this morning told us it would a very cool day so we rugged up with warm coats but even at the top it’s not really cold and the sun is out.

As it’s a downhill run we decide to walk back to the ship. Should take us an hour or so. It’s quite a pleasant walk through local neighbourhoods, looking into gardens, schools and fronts of homes.

We eventually reach Sakaimachi Street, one of the main tourist streets and check out some of the attractions.

Durning the development of Hokkaido in the late 1800s and early 1900s Otaru thrived as a port city. Many trading companies built impressive western style buildings in the city to house their offices and shops. Many of the buildings along Sakaimachi Street have been converted into restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. Several of which still have tram lines in their floors for the trolleys to run down to the canal where small boats offloaded from the larger boats in the ports.

Sakaimachi street also offered some great street food, which we had to sample. Tasting some lovely beef and cheese croquettes, crab croquettes, sausages, tempura chicken, honeycomb icecream and crepes. (P:- All diet “lite” of course. Surprisingly to me Japan has presented us some incredible “Street Food” as expected, all the stalls are immaculately clean and the foods sold are packed with flavour).

After our tasting sessions we wandered along the canal looking at the old warehouses with some pretty impressive doorways and eventually back to the ship. A very full day considering we started out with no plans.

25-04-24

Hakodate

Today started out at 6.30 with an ANZAC Service held at the Westerdam’s World Stage. It was a lovely service, way over 150 Australian and New Zealand Guests and few ring ins attending. (P:- Fred, whom I mentioned previously, was asking me about Anzac Day. I told him and he, like myself sacrificed our “fitness” session and attended the Anzac Day Dawn Service). As a USA veteran he was quite moved by the service and was pleased he went. It was a great service to help us remember those who have served our countries.

A light breakfast before preparing to go ashore. Weather today is cool and rainy. Right at the pier is the Morning Market. (We heard one passenger several days ago ask when the morning market was on and was promptly laughed at. A case of not putting his brain into gear to think about things before asking questions.) Anyway, we wander around the market for a while, fish and fruit and veggies mainly. 1 scallop, no roe, individually wrapped was $2.30. 8 White strawberries $35.00, 6 Red Strawberries $15.00. 1 apple $3.50 and a hand of crab legs was $86.00.

From here we walked down to the Red Brick Warehouses which are now filled with glass shops, chopstick shop, restaurants and cafes and souvenir shops. As we leave the drizzle has stopped so we decide to take a taxi out to Goryakaku Park to see even more Blossoms, Japanese name for them is Sakura. For many Japanese the flowering of the Cherry Blossom symbolises human life, transience and nobleness. The taxi drops us off outside the Goryokaku Tower and for a different perspective we take the elevator to the top floor for a view looking down and across this lovely park. Quite a different view. As we take the elevator down we stop at treetop height and look through the blossoms before heading down to the ground level and into the park. Although this park is not as architecturally beautiful as Hirosaki, the blossoms are still pretty amazing. I think I’m about blossomed out now. We haven’t done too bad though considering we booked this trip over 600 days ago and we have struck the blossoms at peak time. ( given the blossoms only last 3-5 days).

We return into town and find a small local cafe for lunch. Some more lovely tempura prawns, sashimi bowl with rice, miso soup, grill squid legs and deep fried Camembert. It’s now cold and raining so back to the ship for a hot drink, a session in the Thermal Suite, hot spa pool, sauna and heat lounges (Part of out cruise package, all somewhat private and restricted access, most of the time we have it all to ourselves). before relaxing in our room before “Dressy” (P:-dressy as in good clothes NOT Phil in a dress)! Night and dinner later this evening.