Yesterday, we landed in Hakodate. We are now moving towards the north of Japan and one can tell the difference with the flowers being later - especially the azaleas and even some cherry blossom!

We didnt havea tour booked here, and so we made our own way via a rather circuitous route which took in the Tourist Information Office to Mount Hakodate which wasn’t terribly difficult to find! We got to the cable car (ropeway as they call it in these parts) and took a 5 minute or so ride up to the top. It was a beautiful day and the view down over the town and out to sea was really good. Having descended, we walked back towrads the ship stopping at a ‘beer hall’ for a bite of sushi and a beer. Most of the other cruise oassengers seemed to have had the same idea so they were doing a roaring trade! It would appear that, even on a Saturday afternoon, the town would have been almost dead without the cruise people.

Overnight we sailed from Hakodate to Aomori - a trip acrooss the bay - which according to Google the ferry does in 40 minutes. Our skipper managed to slow things right down and make the trip last all night - docking at 7 am!

We left the ship at about 9 am, walked to the station and took a local train about 20 minutes up the line. We thought our swipe cards would work until we tried to get off the train and were told by the conductress that we needed to buy tickets. So, on the platform, while the train waited, she tried to take our money and give us change while, at the same time constantly dropping lttle trinkets out of her bag. It seems that selling these to passengers was a sideline! As soon as she or Andy picked these up and gave them back she managed to drop more and the whole scene was repeated. Constantly! Much to the great amusement of the remaining passengers!!

We then walked for a further 30 minutes along narrow country roads until we reached the Great Seated Buddha. This is over 21 meters high, 15 meters wide, weighs 220 tons and is the largest bronze buddha in Japan. It is quite impressive! We also went into the temple hall where two ladies were playing the laying down harp things! Or Japanese harps!

We then walked back to the station. When the train arrived, the same conductress was on it - and much to her amusement we showed that we had bought tickets this time! After a couple of minutes she brought a tablet over which showed she had got an English translation saying ‘I am very sorry about earlier’!! We all had a good laugh!

On the way back to the ship we stopped at a museum which showcased the incredible floats which are made for the annual parade. One winning float had, apparently, cost £100,000 to make. But it had won!

Tomorrow is another day at sea but we are now nearing the end of our time in Japan.

And & Lin xx