Location: Kyoto, Japan We checked out of the hotel and traveled to the Golden Pavilion, which we skipped a few days ago due to rain. Wow, am I glad that decision was made. On Golden Pond The views were spectacular. The upper two floors of the building are covered by gold leaf, and its reflections … Continue reading Kyoto: Day 3

Location: Kyoto, Japan After visiting the temple seven buses of world cruise guests descended upon The Sodoh restaurant for lunch. It was the best meal I had during the 3-day Kyoto event. Everyone was divided into four small buildings and were served a Western-style fusion meal. My first vision was of the centerpiece, with floating … Continue reading Kyoto: Day 2 (part 2)

Location: Kyoto, Japan In the morning I walked downstairs and saw that the hotel had a kimono on display. It tells you how a people feel when they display clothing as art. Kimono We boarded buses and traveled to the Konkaikomyo Temple. We had the option of scaling the stone stairs to the main gate … Continue reading Kyoto: Day 2 (part 1)

Location: Nara and Kyoto, Japan On the second day in Osaka, I went on another field trip, this time to Nara and Kyoto. Silversea organized this three day / two night "land adventure" for the world cruise travelers - at no additional cost to us. Which is nice. So, of course, it was bucketing down … Continue reading Kyoto Field Trip

Location: Osaka, Japan For the first time I scheduled morning and evening tours booked thru Silversea. After visiting Osaka Castle and Sumiyoshi-taisha Shinto shrine I returned to the ship and changed clothes for dinner. Tea But first the ship was visited by a tea shop. There we were entertained by a koto player. Koto Essentially, … Continue reading Osaka Evening