We are getting ready for Geisha on the Explorer sailing March 28. Have a super group of people so really looking forward to this cruise and I always love Japan. Last time we were in Japan the cherry blossoms were in bloom and they are beautiful. Lets hope they are in full bloom this year also.

Doing some things different on this trip!

We are also going in for the Regent 3 days pre tour, and lots of people in the group are doing that also. All at the same hotel. Been to Tokyo on a ship but always straight to or from the airport. So really looking forward to actually seeing Tokyo.

Ken snagged some first class Singapore Air tickets with miles a long time ago from LAX to TOKYO so we are very excited about enjoying that experience.

Shipping one large bag with Luggage Free. We have to collect our bags in LAX and then recheck in another terminal. I do not mind flying at all but dragging bags around airports is something I have to come to avoid when possible. If this all goes well we may do it more often. The paperwork was pretty easy. Traveling with one carry on and a small checked bag for all the toiletries that we cannot carry on and are not allowed in the Luggage Free bag either.

Will post pictures along the way of course.

We’re in Tokyo now. Unfortunately the weather forecasts are not the greatest. Rain is forecast most days before the cruise. Hopefully it will be light. This morning was nice and clear. Here’s the view from our window this morning, although the photo does not look as sharp as the live view we had:



Looking forward to seeing everyone on GEISHA.

Hi Dave,

Great view love seeing the mountain in the background. Been to Japan many times but never been into Tokyo. Always ship to airport so looking forward to finally seeing Tokyo.

Is that blooming cherry blossom trees I see in the forefront of the picture?

We are at DFW after getting up at 3.30 am to catch our 6.00 am flight. From LAX we are flying Singapore Airlines first class to Tokyo.. Ken nabbed those tickets with miles a long time ago. Have to collect bags and recheck but you do what you have to do!

See you soon.

Ngaire, those are flowering, cherry blossom trees in the picture. They are in Shinjuku Chuo Park, which is diagonally across from the Hilton. From what I’ve read, the cherry blossom trees in the Tokyo area are in full bloom. Enjoy your Singapore Air flight.

Okay I LOVE First Class Singapore Air. Only four seats in first class so no line at checkin and very speedy. Then and we were escorted to security to the “celebrity security” at TSA pre-check. After pre check another hostess escorted us to the lounge where we had a private room, nicely furnished and a nice menu. Served in our private room. I need to be wearing my LIFE IS GOOD TEE SHIRT.

Certainly startimg this trip in style.

The first class seat really wide.

We arrived last evening. Flew TUL-DFW-HND. AA business class in the 787 which is one of the most comfortable business class seats I have encountered. String through customs took an hour. We are staying at the other Hilton, which is very nice.

Actually by the end of the flight I prefer the Qatar business seat to the Singapore first class seat. The Singapore seat may be wider but not as many comfortable positions as the Qatar seats offer.

We enjoyed the Singapore experience but once on the plane I will take Qatar any day.

Looking forward to getting on the ship today.

Been so busy since arriivng in Tokyo. First day was not great as it was raining all day. So the tour would have been good as we went up a tower for a view but with the weather could not see much and then to grounds of the Imperial Palace but not fun in the rain. Second day the weather improved but we decided to do our own thing and took the hotel shuttle to a mall that was 10 minutes away. The food hall on the bottom floor was absolutely amazing. Food of all types and beautifully presented. One level down they had a grocery department, a coffee bar with incredible pastries and a Granny Smith Apple store with everything that can be made with apples.

The entire mall, clothing, watches, jewelry was immaculate and very interesting. Items were not as expensive as I thought they would be. I always picture Japan as very expensive. I liked it so much we went back again the next day with other people.I will post a few pictures.

So fantastic to be back onboard again. Staying in a hotel makes you really appreciate the ship. We have Andreas as the General Manager and it has been a long time since we have seen him. Plus many of our favorite crew as well.

First night we went to Prime 7 and then we were invited to join Andrea DeMarco for dinner in Prime 7. We were delighted that June and Ralph and Carolyn and Don were also invited. So it was a table for 7 people and we had a fantastic evening. She is a lovely person and it was an incredibly comfortable dinner with lots of conversation and laughter. I think she will be an outstanding President for Regent.

First port of call was Nagoya which is the birthplace of Toyota. it was a beautiful sunny day. Ken went to The Technology Museum he said it was amazing, primarily about Toyota. I will post pictures that show some of the things that he saw. I walked so much in Tokyo I have a sore knee so i decided to stay onboard and give it a rest. I played scrabble with sister June and then we went to trivia. VERY few people in the room and we were proud to come second with just the two of us playing. I think trivia is going to be pretty much a "non event" as this cruise is to busy with lots of longer afternoon tours that seem to be getting back late. I think the KLT team may be who shows up first.

We are at sea this morning and arriving in Kyoto around 12 noon. I love the Kyoto area and looking forward to our tour today.

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The Toyota Technology Museum.

This was the first commercially manufactured vehicle in 1935.

Next port we did an excursion but once on the itinerary we realized we had done this before. Visiting a sake museum and going up Mt Rokko. It was a misty day but no rain. Not good day for pictures.

Last night we had our cocktail party and Andrea DeMarco attended. I had her draw all the winners for the free cruise. Only five people I have not met yet so it was a fun night. Ken May have pictures not had time to check his them yet. Be back soon.

Today in Beppu we took the shuttle. Lots of activity as it was Election Day. Took a picture of one of the groups blowing whistles below. Not much else but a very nice western style mall and in contrast across the street an entirely local alley with small shops.

We were greeted by a monster that was featured in one of their movie theatres we saw the poster. Picture below.

Back onboard we won trivia today. So many afternoon tours no set team just the first six people to arrive. We just had five today.

Tomorrow we are having a private lunch for the group with a special guest Andrea DeMarco new president of Regent. Same time as the big Sunday brunch in Compass Rose.

Enjoying your reports; looking forward to our trip next April.

Marc

Yesterday we were in Busan, South Korea. Fantastic Mall and a big fish market were the highlights. Don and Carolyn took an eight hour tour, something I would not do but said it was great. They had a lunch in a fancy hotel that had all types of food, including lots of really good western dishes. The weather was good, in fact since leaving Tokyo the weather has been sunshine, temperatures in the 50's to 60's and nice. I have some pictures but we are having internet issues and I cannot get them to load but will try again later.

Food has been very good, last night in Compass Rose I had a lobster tail and prime rib. Lobster tail was quite large and yummy and the prime rib was tender and cooked perfectly.

Today we are in Juju South Korea and a group of us are taking the Women Divers tour. I have done this before and reallly like it. The women are "not young" and still diving, quite interesting. Afterwards you go to a small park that is really lovely with stunning trees and foilage. Also they serve the best cappuccino, which I intend to get again. Unforunately today there is a chance of rain, I hope it holds off because that would not be good.

Really been enjoying this trip, seas pretty good, one swelly night. Food excellent, staff outstanding.

Andrea DeMarco, the new Regent President was on this trip and it was so nice to get to meet her personally. She gave an excellent presentation, including plans for internet improvement. I was fortunate enough to have a dinner and lunch with her and she was very focused wanting to know from my point of view (which is also the guests point of view) the things that could be improved. She was very receptive and I think she will make some excellent changes. Always hard to change Presidents and we have had some super stars in the past. Jason Montague is going to be missed but I think over time Andrea DeMarco will do an excellent job.

Marc, it did not feel appropriate to ask your questions at my first meeting with Andrea.

The worlds tallest indoor music fountain according to the Guinness Book of Record.

First stop on the tour today was to see the Women Divers




Daughter Cindy watches her friend Cheryl eat sea urchin just gathered by the women divers.

Second stop was a bonsai garden we have been to before sunny day. Today was overcast but still wonderful to visit.





Pictures below of daughter Cindy taking a shot of Dick and Kate.

Wow!

Sounds like you're having a fabulous cruise....love seeing the photos too. Keep enjoying !!

Hello, I haven't been on LCT in many many years, I doubt any of you will remember me. 😉

I was scrolling through this fabulous cruise journal and spotted your excursion to see the women divers - and as it happens, I'm reading a fascinating book about them right now! It's called The Island of Sea Women, by Lisa See. It's a novel about the women divers on the island of Jeju in South Korea, beginning during WWII. I'm only about halfway through it, but it's wonderful! And beautifully written. If you want to learn more about the history of these amazing women divers, I urge you to read this book.

Enjoying your travelogue!

What you don’t see in the photo of Cindy taking our picture is that she was standing on a bridge over a pond (full of the hungry fish you see in the last photo). She kept telling us to smile, but we kept worrying about what we would tell her mother if she fell in! The woman is fearless! 😉 😘

So we have had internet problems. A major component failed and they got it replaced last night so we are back in business.

Had fun in Kochi, it was a nice sunny day, This is a great port and everyone enjoyed their tours, the gardens and the Kochi Castle are the highlights. We have done both a few times before. So we just took the shuttle into town and there was a "Sunday Market" which was basically for children. They had a bouncing tent, all types of things for children and kids everywhere. It was delightful. Sister June purchased a few tee shirts and we had a fun time with the lady that owned the shop. She said "where from" we said Texas and she started to name Texas towns. We gave her a Geisha pin and she was thilled.

Just arrived in Shimizu and it is another spectacular day. Mount Fuji is in full view and we are about to depart on our scenic tour of Mount Fuji.

Beautiful day, sun shining brightly, great view of Mt Fuji.