WHAT A WEEK!!

We left the LA Airport @ 8:30 AM on Tuesday, April 9th and arrived in KOBE, JAPAN @  3:20 PM on Wednesday, April 10 having crossed the International Date Line. 
We took a shuttle to KOBE,JAPAN and spent 2 days @ The Okura Hotel.
KOBE, JAPAN-CITY ON THE INLAND SEA
Our hotel was close to the thriving port of KOBE where through these waters pass 1/4 of all of Japan’s imports and exports.  As early as the 4th century, Chinese and Korean influence and inspiration filtered into Japan through Kobe.  By the 13th century, Kobe was a burgeoning port that just continued growing.  The events of WWII left the citizens of Kobe to rebuild anew, for their city suffered great damage.
Looming high above the city is MT. ROKKO, the highest peak in the Rokko Range which rises 3,058 feet above sea level.  You can see the entire panorama of the city and the nearby Awaji Island from this lofty perch.
Kobe beef, reputed to be some of the world’s finest was available for a hefty $100-$150 and that is the reason that we had a BLT sandwich in the Hotel bar!

 

                                                      ATOP MT.ROKKO IN KOBE

                                          THE VIEW FROM THE HOTEL OKURA BAR

VIEW FROM OUR HOTEL ROOM OF THE KOBE HARBOR AND CITY OF KOBE

EMBARKATION ON CRYSTAL SYMPHONY FOR OUR PACIFIC PANORAMA VOYAGE FROM KOBE TO VANCOUVER-APRIL 12, 2013


KYOTO, JAPAN-APRIL 13
Rich in tradition and imperial history, KYOTO is in many ways the cradle of Japanese culture, representing almost 11 centuries of Japanese heritage.  Even though KYOTO was the country’s capital for more than ten centuries, the real political center was often elsewhere. This power structure allowed the city to survive the devastation of WWII.  KYOTO now boasts some of the oldest wooden temples, pagodas and palaces in Japan.
Our visit to KYOTO included the Gekeikan Sake Brewery Museum, which celebrates the 350-year tradition of one of the most famous brands of Japanes sake. We learned the history and process of making the rice-based brew and also tasted the sake.
Then to the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, the head of some 40,000 Inari shrines located throughout the region. Founded in 711, the structure is dedicated to five Shinto deities and boasts more than 10,000 Torii gates straddling the 2 and 1/2 mile path that winds up the hill.  The red painted gates are a striking architectural feature.
Lunch was in a traditional Japanese restaurant with mini-courses and we were treated to a performance of 2 beautifully dressed geishas.
Our final visit was to the Gion District where we walked the quarter’s quaint narrow alleyways which are home to teahouses, shops and restaurants.  This district is where the Kabuki Theater got its start and where geisha girls have entertained and delighted guests since the late 1500’s.


Sunrise was @ 5:34 with this bright red sun.  Japan is called The land of the Rising Sun.  We also had a pt.6 earthquake @5:35!!!!!!!!




Breakfast in our room with Greg the Butler serving Don.











In KYOTO.
        
                 













GEKEIKAN SAKE BREWERY MUSEUM.











Typical set up for Sake.












Don listening to our Japanese guide near a shrine.

















Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.









Torii Gates.











Fan Shop













Geisha Girls.

















Cherry Blossoms.












Lunch.

CRUISE DETAILS

WE ARE ABOUT TO BOARD CRYSTAL SYMPHONY IN KOBE, JAPAN ON APRIL12 FOR 2 VOYAGES: PACIFIC PANORAMA AND PACIFIC COAST ESCAPE AND END UP IN LA ON MAY 6.

ROME AND HOME

We got off of the ship on April 15 and were picked up by a driver and taken to our hotel in Rome, where Barbara met us and we spent the next few hours seeing Rome and then back to the hotel and a walk to a neighborhood restaurante for dinner.
A pick up by our driver took us to the airport @ 6:30 AM and then Delta from Rome to Atlanta to San Diego.  A long day.

Crowds @ the Fountain of Trevi.

 The Fountain of Trevi.

 Statute of Christ by Michaelangelo

 Nancy in front of the Colesseum.

 Our guide, Barbara.

 We stopped for a pizza and a COKE for Don.

Beautiful wisteria.

 Barbara showing Don the antiquities.

 Hotel Paranisi near the Spanish Steps

View from our hotel room balcony.

Fried Artichole for dinner.

ELBA

The harbor @ PORTO AZZURO.
Interesting lady outside the summer residence of Napoleon.
Nancy and Don in the "predictable sunshine" outside Napoleon's residence.
Reception room where Napoleon received guests.
Villa San Martino-the summer residence of Napoleon Bonaparte during his exile.

ELBA AND THE PORT OF PORTOFERRAIO-APRIL 14, 2012

Back to the ship!!!
The vineyards in the countryside.
Don stopped for a Coke while I shopped.
The charming streets of Porto Azzurro.


We docked @ the Island of Elba in the city of Portoferraio Elba's major seaport, called a Napoleonic palindrome. The island is approximately 10 miles off the Italian shores of Tuscany and is one of 7 known as the Tuscan Archipelaago. Elba, it goes without saying, is the most famous. "Lucky Napoleon" was exiled to Elba in 1814 with full sovereign rights over Elba. He lived in exile from May 4, 1814 to February 26, 1815 when he escaped and returned to France.
The city of Portoferraio is the largest city and the island's capital, it is really the only city on the island. Fewer than 15,000 people call it home. There is much to see and do and some 2 million vacationers come here especially to enjoy the predictable sunshine and tourism has been the island's main industry following the steel mill closures at the end of WWII.
We went to the Villa San Martino, the summer residence of Napoleon and then onto the southern coastal road to PORTO ASSURRO where we strolled along this seaside community's charming streets and then a return to our Crystal Symphony ship