Here are some of our thoughts and observations on Japan and cruising.

We like Japan! We like their metro/train service. But their cities ar huge. On a 45 minute train journey from Tokyo to Yokohama there was not a single break or piece of open countryside. It is a true megalopolis.

The country consists of 4 main islands and 70% of the country is made up of mountains and still has 126m people.

There is a lot of bowing involved - it also seems to be the fact that the older person has to stop first otherwise it could go on for some time.

Japanese have to prove they have a garage in order to buy a car! A single leaf on the back of a car signifies a new driver. 4 leaves signifies any driver over 70!!

Hiroshima translates as ‘large island’. It doesnt have a metro due to very wet ground and high water table but it does have trams.

Rusty old ferries make good museums - apparently!

Cruising is OK. It worked for us on this trip but we are not keen to rush back. It became apparent that that is not the case for many of the people we spoke to as most are multiple cruisers.

It was annoying to have to pay $36 per day for ‘housekeeping’. Surely that should be included in the price.

Americans are really quite annoying - but we knew that anyway!

If a tour states it is not suitable for disabled people why do they still book it?

So apart from a few niggles and problem with over zealous bank security systems, it all went pretty well. So I think that is over and out from A&L.

Until the next time …..