Author Archives: Sparky
TP1 Day 15: Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is the largest city in the world – about 39 million people in the urban area. So there was no chance that we would be able to sample all of the sights it has to offer in a single day. But we – Marlene and I, along with new buddies Deb and Evie – … Continue reading
TP1 Day 14: At sea
Another quiet day at sea. Breakfast, some cards, enough time in the casino to lose $40 (down $215 now), some blogging, dinner and a show – a musical revue by the Luminosa singers. This is a very talented group. We then danced to the Luminosa Rockband. Also a very talented group.
TP1 Day 13: Aamori, Japan
Our third port, Aamori, lies less than 80 miles due south of Hakodate. The ship could probably make the trip in less than 5 hours. But why arrive before midnight when you can go out beyond the 12-mile limit and let passengers lose money all night? So that’s what we did, arriving around 7am. Aamori … Continue reading
TP1 Day 12: Hakodate, Japan
Our second port in Japan was Hakodate. This city, like Otaru, is on the island of Hokkaido. It is also like Otaru in that it is a port of call that was added after our planned stops in Alaska were canceled. It is about twice as large as Otaru and was, overall, more interesting. We … Continue reading
TP1 Day 11: Otaru, Japan
On Day 11 we set foot on land for the first time since we left Seattle. The port was Otaru. We got off the ship, after a lengthy process of officially entering Japan (including fingerprinting). We then walked into what I believed was the center of the city. Only it was more of a main … Continue reading
TP1 Day 10: At sea, but land ahoy!
Yes, after 9 days at sea – most of them cloudy and cool and two of them very unpleasant – we finally had a beautiful day in calm seas. And we sighted land! We sailed through the Tsugaro Strait (and passed close to Fukashima, site of the 2011 nuclear plant disaster). The casino was unkind. … Continue reading
“Home” by Harlan Coben
Copyright 2016 by Harlan Coben. Published by Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, New York. This is the 9th Coben book that I have reviewed. Haven’t found a bad one yet. This is #11 in the series of Coben books that features Myron Bolitar, failed-basketball-star-turned-detective. As always, Bolitar is assisted in his endeavors … Continue reading
TP1 Days 7, 8 and 9: At sea
Three more days at sea, en route to Japan. We haven’t settled into a daily routine, but some common activities are casino, cards and eating. Can’t cruise without eating. Day 7 was notable for a number of minor emergencies. First the captain informed us that “everything was under control” which, of course, begged the question … Continue reading
TP1 Days 4, 5 and 6: At sea
Yes, 3 more days cruising the Pacific Ocean. And there will be 3 more before we set foot on land, in Japan. Or maybe 4 – the International Date Line comes first and that confuses the heck out of everyone. Day 4 was a no good, very bad, terrible day. Sunday and we went to … Continue reading
TP1 Days 2 and 3: At sea
There will be a lot of these “at sea” days to start the TP1, thanks to the storm in the Gulf of Alaska that prompted Carnival to cancel our Alaska ports.. As Alaska is the only state that I have never set foot in, the loss of those ports was deeply disappointing. But I am … Continue reading