Hello again.

When we last left you we were in Tokyo so to pick up from there, here goes. Our last day there was extremely wet but the next day dawned bright and sunny. Leaving the hotel at 11 am we made our way to the station to catch the train to Yokohama where we were to board our cruise ship. Although we were on the right platform, doubt crept in but a local confirmed all was well.

The train took us on the 50 minute trip and on leaving we met an Australian couple from Melbourne aiming for the same place! As we were early we stopped off for a coffee and chat before walking down to the cruise terminal where the ship awaited.

It is big!

We went painlessly through check in and immigration which, bearing in mind there are 2500 passengers was no mean feat.. Found our stateroom (cabin with balcony) which is a decent size Later, one of our bags was delivered - but the other remained missing. It arrived eventually after we had sailed!

Dinner was very good in the Tuscan Grille and, bearing in mind we were still jetlagged, we tried to turn in early. However, we were informed that the wonderful HSBC Global card had been declined!! We had been using it all the time in Tokyo but they decided that a payment to the Cruise ship was a step too far. I was given a complimentary phone call to HSBC where, after 15 unfruitful minutes, I achieved nothing and have now switched to another card,!

The following day (a day at sea sailing to Kobe) that card was declined as well! AAAGGHHH! However, after an automated chat via the app this was resolved and, as of yesterday we can now pay for drinks on board. Phew!

Yesterday we took a tour ot Kobe. On a coach! We went to a Sake museum and saw how they used to make sake in the old days. Quite interesting as we had had a sake tasting experience on the ship the day before.

We then took a funicular railway up to the top of Mt Rokko where there were fantastic views over the city of Kobe.

And then it started to go wrong. On the way to our next stop off, we got stick in a traffic jam. This was caused by the fact that it is a bank holiday weekend and everyone was going to the mountains for a day out! It lasted 2 hours - sat on a coach! And then, at the stop off- garden terraces- we found the view very similar to the previous one and the gardens really quite poor! We could have well done without it. Arrived back at ship about 4pm, having only had an ice cream all day. However lunch was still being served so we had a snack.

Today (which is Sunday) we have moved on to Osaka - all of 20 miles - and are visiting Kyoto. A report on this will follow.

Love to all (esp Viv)

A&L xx