5th of November 2024 –Mount Fuji and Atami

This morning we visited Mount Fuji, Japan's tallest peak.  On our way out of Tokyo I managed to get a picture of the Tokyo Tower which I had failed to do the day before.

Our visit to Mount Fuji started with a visit to the Fujisan World Heritage Centre from which there was a lovely view of Mount Fuji.  Mount Fuji is an active volcano located on the Japanese island of Honshu with a summit elevation of 3,776.24 metres.  Mount Fuji last erupted from 1707 to 1708.  We were very fortunate to have a clear view of Mount Fuji as Fuji is said to be notoriously shy and is most often wreathed in clouds.  This was the case on going up to the Fujinomiya 5th Station which is the highest of the 5th stations at 2400 meters above sea level.

 

We then travelled by cable car above Owakudani, a volcanic valley with active sulphur and hot springs known as the Great Boiling Valley then down again by cable car for a cruise on Lake Ashi.

 

In the evening we stayed at a hotel in Atami.  Atami literally means "hot ocean", a reference to the town's famous onsen hot springs.  Our hotel had an onsen spa which provided bathing facilities in the hot springs.  The only drawback was that one had to enter the onsen spa naked which a few of us did either before or after another Japanese banquet for dinner.  Taking photos in the onsen spa naturally was not alowed.

4th of November 2024 –Tokyo

Today started at Tokyo Tower, an Eiffel Tower-inspired lattice structure standing 1,093 feet high, for views over the city.

 

The Tokyo Tower's Skywalk had sections of glass in the floor on which we could stand and look down.

 

We then had a photo stop near the Imperial Palace, the main residence of the Emperor of Japan.  Sadly the Imperial Palace is not open to visitors.

 

Our next activity was a rickshaw ride round part of the city.  I found getting in and out of the rickshaw quite a challenge.  Our rickshaw puller spoke reasonable English and pointed out traditional food establishments offering food such as Wagyu beef and matcha, a finely ground powder of green tea leaves.  The Japanese use match to flavour many food items from ice-cream to beer and even tequila.

We visited the 7th century Asakusa Sensoji Temple which is the oldest temple in Tokyo.

 

There is a giant urn in front of the main hall of the temple where people can light sticks of incense to make wishes.  The smoke from the incense was quite thick.

My lunch was yakatori chicken from a street vendor.  In Japan the tradition is to eat the street food next to the stall you buy it from and give any wrapping back to the stall vendors.

In the evening we had a dinner cruise on the Sudima River on board a traditional Yakatabune boat with beautiful views of the Tokyo's illuminated skyline.  Yakatabune originated during the Heian Period as a form of entertainment for the aristocracy.   We had to remove our shoes before entering the dining area where we were served with a traditional Japanese banquet including sashimi and tempura.

3rd of November 2024 – Arrival in Japan

Today we arrived in Tokyo.  For me this was after 25 hours of travelling.  The hotel is lovely and beautifully decorated.

 

In the evening we have the chance over a traditional Japanese dinner to meet fellow travellers.

 

There was a lovely view of Tokyo at night walking back to our hotel.

 

The hotel is on Tokyo waterfront.

2nd of November 2024 – En route to Japan

Today I am flying from London Heathrow via Hong Kong to begin a ten day tour of Japan beginning in Tokyo.

20th of July 2024 - Bordeaux

Today we caught a tram to the Place de la Comédie in the centre of Bordeaux which has been designated as a UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.  The buildings are mostly made of honey-coloured stone.  We walked from the Place de la Comédie to the Cathedral sampling some local pastry specialities on the way.

We returned to the ship on another tram.  I was very impressed by the tram system in Bordeaux.  The trams were frequent and also very clean.

Tomorrow I travel home so this will be my last entry for a while.

19th of July 2024- Libourne and Art Workshop

Today the temperature was up in the nineties so I decided to miss the delights of the Libourne farmers' market.  Instead I took part in a watercolour workshop on board the S.S. Bon Voyage.

18th of July 2024 - Saint-Émilion

Today we visited the hilltop town of Saint-Émilion which has both exceptional architecture and historic vineyards.  The Romans were the first to plant grapes here and this was the first vineyard region to be protected by UNESCO because of its history.  The town itself has medieval ramparts, steep cobblestone streets and many wine shops.

 

I was then part of a group that visited Château Beauséjour Bécot.  We were taken on a tour of the property including a massive network of quite dark underground cellars.  I was surprised to see large pottery receptables being used for part of the wine production process..  Another surprise was seeing vine roots growing through into the cellars.

 

Our tour ended with a tasting of four red wines including two that were designated as Grand Cru.

Roses are planted at the end of rows of vines as an early warning system for the winegrower.  They attract insects like aphids before the vines.  They also get fungal disease like black rot and mildew before the vines do.  The strain of mildew that roses are susceptible to is not the same as for vines but if the conditions are good for mildew on roses then almost certainly are good for downy mildew on vines too.

After the Château tour we went back to the town of Saint-Émilion for free time and lunch.  I found a delightful terraced restaurant where I had a meal of veal tartare with potato salad.