Embarkation day in Vancouver. I left Canada without leaving Canada. The ship was in port until 5 PM while I officially entered the United States at 11:30 AM.
Author: Aaron Boltman
2023 Alaskan Cruise – Day 1 [Flight to Vancouver]
Yet another unmitigated disaster on United Airlines on the way to Vancouver, British Columbia,
2023 Alaskan Cruise – Day 0 [Check In]
Check in for the flight to Vancouver and the two Alaskan cruises on the Norwegian Jewel.
Germany June 2023 – Day 5 [Cologne to Frankfurt]
A scenic drive along the Rhine River to Frankfurt for the return flight.
Germany June 2023 – Day 4 [Cologne]
A relaxing day in Cologne. I walked over to the Catherdral despite the fact I have been inside many times before. For something new and interesting I visted the Michael Schumacher collectrion which was brilliant as it showed a significant progression of technology in the F1 cars.
Germany June 2023 – Day 3 [Mainz to Cologne]
Starting off from Mainz I first drove to Cochem on the Moselle River to visit a wonderful castle. On my way to Cologne I made a detour to drive on the ‘Green Hell’ – otherwise known as Nurburgring.
Germany June 2023 – Day 2 [Stuttgart]
A visit to the Porsche museum in the morning and Burg Hohenzollern (castle) in the afternoon. And a lot of driving.
Germany June 2023 – Day 1 [Stuttgart]
After flying to Frankfurt I took the opportunity of a long weekend to visit the Stuttgart area for the first time. I visited the Mercedes Benz museum, Gottlieb Daimler memorial and the breathtaking Lichtenstein Castle.
2023 Diamond Princess Asia Cruises – Day 26 [Kyoto, Japan to Muscat, Oman]
End of the line. Time to leave Kyoto. I took the Haruka train from Kyoto to Osaka Kansai airport to fly to Oman through Thailand.
2023 Diamond Princess Asia Cruises – Day 25 [Kyoto, Japan]
Last day in Kyoto. A visit to Njo-jo Castle and Fushimi Inari with the thousand torii gates.
Japan 2023
Videos from Japan in 2023
2023 Diamond Princess Asia Cruises – Day 24 [Dismbarkation in Kobe / Kyoto]
Disembarkation from the Diamond Princess in Kobe Japan before taking the train to Kyoto. As I have been to Kyoto before I decided to go to the train museum before heading to the Gion district and more temples.
Japan
Visa stamps for Japan
2023 Diamond Princess Asia Cruises – Day 23 [Sea Day]
Sea Day and final day on the Diamond Princess
2023 Diamond Princess Asia Cruises – Day 22 [Sea Day]
Sea Day and Formal Night on the Diamond Princess.
2023 Diamond Princess Asia Cruises – Day 21 [Keelung, Taiwan]
The last port day of the third and last cruise on the Diamond Princess was a stop in beautiful Keelung, Taiwan. This port is nearby Taipei, but I used my time to explore Keelung rather than see a big city. Today’s adventure included Zhouzheng Park, Zhupu Altar, Heping Island Park and the night market.
Taiwan (Republic of China)
Taiwan (Republic of China) visa stamps
2023 Diamond Princess Asia Cruises – Day 20 [Ishigaki, Japan]
Two islands for the price of one – Ishigaki and Taketomi. Ishigaki had a 400 year old temple and Taketomi had water buffalo.
2023 Diamond Princess Asia Cruises – Day 19 [Okinawa, Japan]
Today the Diamond Princess arrived in Okinawa Japan where I took a monorail to the Shurijo Castle Park (castle burned down in 2019) and walked to the Shikinaen Royal Gardens before walking back to the ship through the market.
2023 Diamond Princess Asia Cruises – Day 18 [Sea Day]
Another relaxing sea day on the Diamond Princess, complete with a Champagne fountain.