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Cherishing the Gift of Time to Sketch, Paint, Read, Write

Posted on March 17, 2024 by Jo Johnston

Day 71, 2024 Grand World Voyage Thursday, March 14, 2024; At Sea, East China Sea. I’ve been given the gift of a string of mostly unplanned days on the ship. My injured toe is healing nicely and with my sisters traveling overland in China, I’m pretty much alone – well,

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2024 Grand World Voyage
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Viewing Chinese Port of Dalian from Cruise Deck with Injured Toe

Posted on March 13, 2024 by Jo Johnston

Day 67, 2024 Grand World Voyage Sunday, March 10, 2024; Dalian, China. Trivia can be a dangerous sport. I seldom play on board, but yesterday I joined a team that was short one person. We won, and they wanted a photo. As we gathered, one member adjusted his chair, and

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2024 Grand World Voyage
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Shanghai Still Ranks High Despite Distant Cruise Terminal

Posted on March 9, 2024 by Jo Johnston

Day 65, 2024 Grand World Voyage Friday, March 8, 2024; Shanghai, China. When I first visited Shanghai in 2017, I wrote “what Shanghai does have in spades is a spectacular waterfront, and the MS Amsterdam docked front and center.” I couldn’t believe my experience would be topped, but it was

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2024 Grand World Voyage
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Thoroughly Modern Journey to Ancient Chinese Capital of Hangzhou

Posted on March 8, 2024 by Jo Johnston

Day 64, 2024 Grand World Voyage Thursday, March 7, 2024; Shanghai, China As a native-born Texan, I’ve always heard that “everything’s bigger in Texas.” Of course, it’s not true, except perhaps some Texas egos. But traveling the world sure puts any Texan bragging rights to shame. Today I traveled faster

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2024 Grand World Voyage
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Rain Catches Up to Zuiderdam at Final Japanese Port

Posted on March 6, 2024 by Jo Johnston

Day 62, 2024 Grand World Voyage Tuesday, March 5, 2024; Fukuoka, Japan Today’s forecast was for rain most of the day. Fukuoka didn’t offer a shuttle bus to the center city. And I am feeling stressed about catching up on blogging and preparing for six days off the ship in

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2024 Grand World Voyage
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No Lack of Mouth-Watering Food Options in Kobe, Japan

Posted on March 5, 2024 by Jo Johnston

Day 60, 2024 Grand World Voyage Sunday, March 3, 2024; Kobe, Japan. When you think of Kobe, your thoughts might immediately go to Kobe beef. According to strict rules set by the Kobe Beef Marketing and Distribution Promotion Association, only beef from the Tajima strain of Japanese Black cattle raised

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2024 Grand World Voyage
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Kyoto Offers Glimpse Into Lives of Shoguns, Geishas

Posted on March 4, 2024 by Jo Johnston

Day 59, 2024 Grand World Voyage Saturday, March 2, 2024; Kyoto, Japan. Kobe, like many Japanese ports, goes out of its way to welcome cruise ships. As we sailed in this morning, a fire boat welcomed us with streams of water that changed from clear to yellow, green, pink and

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2024 Grand World Voyage
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Finding Shogun History By Walking Ancient Paths of Tokyo

Posted on March 3, 2024March 3, 2024 by Jo Johnston

Day 57, 2024 Grand World Voyage Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024; Tokyo, Japan. Today we immersed ourselves in ancient Tokyo, going north from the skyscrapers and bustling streets of the center city. The historic Yanaka district escaped fire-bombing during World War II and destruction from the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.

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2024 Grand World Voyage
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Konnichiwa, Mount Fuji! I’m Thrilled to Finally See You!

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Jo Johnston

Day 56, 2024 Grand World Voyage Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024; Tokyo, Japan What a thrill to see Mount Fuji appear off my balcony in the dawn light, with its snow-covered peak high above the city as we sailed into Tokyo harbor. The third time is the charm for me, as

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2024 Grand World Voyage
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Castle, Gardens, Ramen, Shopping And Grand Fair In Okinawa

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Jo Johnston

Day 53, 2024 Grand World Voyage Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024; Naha, Okinawa, Japan. As we were seated in individual booths, separated by partitions and facing a wall with a bamboo shade, I was composing this blog in my mind. I asked my sister Eloise how she would describe this seating

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