Finally, Some Lazy Days

Day 23, Grand Asia 2018

Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, At Sea:

After six straight days in five ports, we were ready for two lazy sea days. Yesterday we sailed among South Korean islands for much of the day, passing between Jeju and the mainland and eventually heading northwest toward Tianjin, the port city for Beijing.

Now, we are between North Korea and China.

We won’t be leaving Japan behind. After an overnight in Beijing, two sea days and then an overnight in Shanghai, we will return to Japan and the island of Okinawa.

The immigration procedures for most of these countries can be complex. Before leaving Fukuoka, we each had to pass through a Japanese inspection confirming that our faces matched those in our passport photos. Tomorrow in Tianjin, everyone on the ship must pass through Chinese immigration before anyone is allowed back on the ship. As I recall, the Chinese were particularly detailed in the process. Those who are traveling overnight or on a train will take their passports with them. Others, like me, who are taking day trips will leave our passports at the ship’s office and take a stamped color photocopy.

It’s easy to fall back into a sea day routine. For me, that’s an early breakfast at the Lido and watercolor class at 9 a.m. Last year we could linger in the watercolor room as long as we wanted, but this year the instructor’s husband loudly announces, “Class is Over” promptly at 10 a.m. and clears the room. I spend a little time with the stitch and knit group and then go to the America’s Test Kitchen demonstration or a lecture and lunch. Afternoons vary more, depending on the speakers and other scheduled activities.

We have new speakers who both are talking about China. Ambassador Krishna Rajan, a retired Indian diplomat, has spoken on “How China Sees Itself and the World” and “Rise of China, What it Means for the World.” Capt. Thomas G. Anderson’s topics thus far have been “China and the Geopolitics of Inland Waterways” and “Coastal Megacities of Southeast Asia.”

Somewhere I find time to catch up on my blog writing and organize my photos. Our new book club selection is Crazy Rich Asiansand I hope I can get it read before our discussion.

Today at the suggestion of a passenger we had a meet-up of writers on the cruise. There were four of us. We shared our backgrounds – a writer of fantasy and historical fiction, a newspaper columnist, a writer-in-residence at a college and me. Three of us write blogs. We know there are other writers on board so we will try meeting together again in a few days. It’s hard to schedule because there are so many activities.

I had two more calendar entries for the day. First was a brief meeting with the small group that is touring Tianjin tomorrow. We ironed out the details for meeting to pass through immigration together. Then I enjoyed a reception hosted by my travel agency. After a couple of gin and tonics there, I almost fell asleep before dinner. I know I will sleep well tonight and hope to be rested for two days in China.