Far East and Philippines
01-02-2025 to 02-03-2025
Puerto Princesa
19th February
Today we are in Puerto Princesa, Philippines. The rain started when we left the ship and after we had walked a little way we had to take shelter under a tree. The gutter is running with water.
The rain seememd to easy and I took this photo of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral.
Then it started raining heavily again.
After a while the rain stopped and we were able to continue our walk.
Colleen out side Plaza Curatel. An outside park that was once a Penal Colony in WWII.
It was closed so we could not go in.
Photos of our walk through Puerto Princesa.
The spires of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral from the ship.
Our walk through town ended here at the Bay Walk which we walked along back to the ship.
Manila (Philippines)
21st February
The first stop of our Manila tour is at the American Memorial Cemetery.
There are approximately 17,000 graves and 36,000 names on the 'Walls of the Missing'
Looking from the Walls of the Missing to part of the cemetery.
Looking down to some of the graves.
A view of graves looking up to the Walls of the Missing.
We had an early lunch at the Diamond Hotel.
After lunch we were taken to Rizal Park.
The remains of the country's National Hero, Dr Jose Rizal, lie within the Rizal Monument.
After the Philippine Rebellion broke out he was executed by the Spanish colonial government for the crime of Rebellion. Though he was not actively involved in its planning or conduct he approved of its goals which led to Philippine Independance.
From there we went to the old walled city of Intramuros, built during the Spanish colonial period.
This is the Plaza Moriones in front of the entrance to Fort Santiago.
The gate to Fort Santiago built in 1571
The centre of the gate is not original as the US. tried to drive a Sherman tank through it.
Through the gate of the Fort is the Plaza de Armas.
There is a another statue of Dr Jose Rizal here. He was imprisoned here before his execution.
From Fort Santigo we walked to San Agustin Church.
It is the oldest structure in the Philippines, dating back to 1571.
Like Dresden and Berlin, Manila was reduced to rubble during WWII and had to be rebuilt.
This is one of the few buildings to survive.
There was a wedding at the church so we could not go in.
The guide implimented 'Plan B'.
Which was to go through the museum to the choir loft and look down into the church.
The choir loft.
The monastry adjacent to the church.
Keelung (Taiwan)
24th February
Our first stop was at the National Palace Museum one of the world's largest collections of ancient Chinese objects and art. Spanning more than 8,000 years.
Ivory nested concentric balls.
Up to 17 concentric balls have been counted.
A drinking vessel with projections to poke you in the eyes if you drink too much.
Carved jade.
Pottery Pillow.
The Grand Hotel, built in 1952 in the decadent style of classic Chinese architecture.
Here we had lunch.
Inside the hotel.
The dining room.
We forgot to take a photo at the begining of the meal. So here is what remains on Colleen's plate.
I remembered to take a photo of what I chose for dessert.
Lemon Tart. Mango and Raspberry ice cream and Blood Orange Mousse.
These are some of the desserts we had to choose from.
Here is Neil photographing the front of the hotel.
(Colleen's photo)
Martyrs' Shrine
A stately monument constructed in 1969 to honor the 330,000 brave men who sacrificed their lives in key battles.
Changing of the guard.
(Colleen's photo)
Tidying the sentries after the changing of the guard.
(Colleen's photo)
The Martyrs' Shrine.
Taoist Temple Lungshan.
The Lantern Festival is a one-day celebration that takes place on the 15th day of the first lunar month. It marks the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations.
Offerings left for the needy to take.
A shrine.
Temple courtyard.
Gate to the Chiang kai-Shek Memorial.
The next stop was the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall a regal monument paying tribute to the former President. With its brilliant blue glazed-tile roof, gold apex and white marble.
A display in the Chiang kai-Shek Memorial.
At the end of our excursion we had a photo stop for the Taipei 101.
From 2004 to 2010 it was the world's tallest building.
Ishigaki (Japan)
25th February
Ishigaki from our balcony.
Today we took the shuttle into Ishigaki and had a walk round.
A couple of photos of one of the alleys
(Colleen's photos)
In the afternoon we went for a walk in the port area.
We returned to the ship just as the tour coaches returned. So as it was a nice afternoon we decided to sit and wait till the end of the queue.
While we waited I went and took some photos.
The water was nice and clear.
Bow mooring lines across the wharf.
We are due to leave shortly and the men have just arrived ready to cast off the lines.
Sunset after our day in Ishigaki.
Naha (Japan)
26th February
Our early morning views of Naha.
No tour today just a walk into town and a couple of photos for the record.
Osaka (Japan)
28th February
Our tour today is called 'Kyoto the Ancient Capital'. Our first stop was at Nijo Castle completed in 1603, with a 'nightingale' floors deliberately designed to squeak to warn the inhabitants of intruders.
Gate house to Nijo-Jo castle.
The castle moat.
The gate to Niomaru-goten palace.
We were not allowed to take photos in the palace.
Colleen was not allowed in because she could not take off her shoes.
Visitors in national dress.
(Colleen's photo)
Our next stop was at the Heian Shinto Shrine.
Kyoto's 1,100th birthday was celebrated with the construction of this shrine.
Surrounded by gardens, this two-thirds-scale model of the Heian Imperial Palace features a Chinese-style bridge.
These are barrels of Saki. Donated to the shrine by the producers. It is good advertising for them.
Photos of the gardens of the shrine in winter.
We were told that within a month the cherry blossom would be out.
Lunch at a mountain resort.
Our Lunches. Rice, Soup and other dishes.
Our final stop was the Kinkaku-ji Temple.
Originally built in 1397 as a retirement dwelling for Shogun Yoshimitsu.
It was then reconstructed in 1955, faithful to the 14th-century design.
Abbot's quaters.
Golden Pavillion.
It is covered with gold leaf.
At Sea
1st March
The last night.
There is a parade of dining room and kitchen staff, to allow passengers to acknowledge them.
The muscians for the parade.
Video of the of the parade.
The theme of the song is "Goodbye, hope to see you again".
The two waiters who turn to wave at the camera were ours.
Tokyo (Japan)
2nd March
Backing up to our berth in Tokyo.
At the end of the runway at Narita airport.
And we're off!
Just under 10 hours till we land in Auckland at 4:50am.