time it decided to pour, I was inside.
Visited Kiyosumi Park, a traditional Japanese park with beautiful
landscaping, paths and places to stop and just enjoy the peace and quiet, in
the middle of this very populated city. This park was made possible due to
the purchase, renovation and donation to the city by the Iwasaki family
(founder of the Mitsubishi Group).
Made it to the Tokyo Edo Museum just as the clouds opened up and walked
through the life size models and exhibitions of what life was like in
Fukagawa Saga town. This area is also where the sumo stadium and sumo
stables are located. There were no sumo wrestling matches scheduled for
this month, so I had to settle for a picture of one of the wrestlers.
Stopped at the Nezu Jinja Shrine in the Ueno area before making it over to
the Ameyoko shopping street. This local market runs beside and beneath the
train tracks South of Ueno Station. No high heels, dresses or suits here,
this was a typical Asian street market where one could purchase everything
from fish to jewelry (and I am sure, knock-offs).
Heading back to the ship our timing was perfect, the bridge we were taking
had been closed due to high winds, and re-opened only minutes before. Had no
idea what was to come and that the authorities would be closing the port. In
2014 I could not get in, this year the ship could not get out, finally got
to sail thirteen hours late at 9AM the following day. The winds have reached
upwards of 55 knots since our departure, and the captain says that it may
not be possible for the pilot to get safely off the ship, and that he may
have to remain on board until our next port. Heading through the channel
back out to the open sea, it is like a parking lot of ships waiting to come
into the ports.
Always an adventure!
