Random thoughts from the sea
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Day 51, 2024 Grand World Voyage Friday, Feb. 23, 2024; Ishigaki, Japan Konnichiwa, Japan! Having missed this most-southern Japanese port of Ishigaki in 2018 due to weather, I was eager to explore its beautiful beaches. The watercolor painter in me longed to see the many shades of color for which
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Day 47, 2024 Grand World Voyage Monday, Feb. 19, 2024; Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands With my visit to Saipan today, I now have set foot in the five populated outposts of the United States – its territories and commonwealths. Frankly, I hadn’t even thought of the concept, but late today
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Day 46, 2024 Grand World Voyage Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024; Guam After eight days at sea, many on the Zuiderdam were happy to set foot on land today in Hagåtña, Guam. We’ve crossed the International Date Line and set our clocks back repeatedly, an hour at a time. So now
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