A Gift Of Memories

We had three full days in Tokyo before we boarded our ship in Yokahama for a 32 day cruise of Asia and Australia. That first full day in Tokyo, we woke up to a nasty weather report that a typhoon named Vong Fong was making landfall that afternoon in Japan.

Our plans had been to travel by bullet train that morning, then by private car, from Tokyo to Hakone, where we would stay one night in Hakone and then return to Tokyo. It was all part of something very special that had been in the planning stages beginning months prior. Looked like the typhoon was going to change things. But...before I go any further, let's turn back the time to those few months of planning prior to this trip and let me explain the significance behind Hakone. 

Osaka

Ahoy! It was landing time in Osaka, Japan.

Okinawa

We were in the East China Sea. The Diamond Princess made berth at the port of Okinawa just before 7:00 a.m. Unfortunately, this would be another short day in port due to the domino effect from the typhoon in Tokyo. No tour that day - we were venturing out on our own.

This Diamond Sparkles

Typhoon Vong Fong caused our ship to delay boarding by a day. However, on Thursday, October 16th we embarked onto the beautiful Diamond Princess in Yokohama, Japan and set sail on our 32-day voyage to new and exciting places.

  

Tokyo - Part 2

After a much needed night's rest, we headed downstairs for a complimentary breakfast buffet included with our room. The hotel restaurant was designed in warm hues and natural lighting. Everything seemed intentional for the purpose of creating a relaxing, healing and regenerating effect. Even the hallways of the hotel were filled with the sound of softly chirping birds through the speaker system.

Tokyo - Part 1

This was exciting to see...a "pinch me" time when reality set in and we were finally headed to Japan. Wow!