Fukuoka, Japan - Oct 07, 2014

We are in the midst of five ports in a row, late nights with early mornings combined with maximizing days touring the cites usually means the blog may have little delay getting out. This is also complicated with the amount of photos I choose from to place in the blog. These ports are so picturesque and we visit so many sites that I need to pick out the top so many for each blog. In short Jan is now up to taking close to 900 pictures a day (very glad we do not work in the film world here) and I go through them all and flag the ones deemed to blog quality (this of course is my definition), these are the ones you see posted. So as mentioned each of these Japanese ports have been absolutely amazing, friendly, helpful people that very much respect their environment all combined with beautiful cities have made our visit to Japan exceptional.

Dinner, a couple nights ago we had a Japanese theme, so we begin with a few photos of our dinner from this theme night. We then sail into Fukuoka under blue skies and much warmer temperatures, we has a high of about 22 degrees celsius, just perfect. A quick history, after building their castle at the outset of the Edo period, the ruling Kurodo clan gave the name Fukuoka to the samurai quarter newly dominating the plebeian and merchant harbor-town of Hakata. The local people, many of which are descended from commoners rather than the samurai preferred to the city to be called Hakata. This can cause some confusion as the main train station is called JR Hakata and not Fukuoka. From ancient times this port had many exchanges with China and Korea and was instrumental in fending off Mongol emperor Kublai Khan's attempt to invade Japan.

With our Fukuoka Tourist City Pass in hand off we went for a full day adventure to explore this city. At the subway station Jeff, Ellie, Jan and I were joined by the birthday boy, Larry with wife Carol, Bruce and Sandy with another cruise guest Jim. So playing tour guide we all paraded over to Nishi Park to view the Terumo Shrine, we then found out a local bus route to take us to the Fukuoka Tower which took us up for a birds eye view of this beautiful city. Buses and subway ride later we were in the Ohori Park with it amazing lake, Japanese Gardens and neighboring Fukuoka Castle ruins. Back to the subway and over to the Gion area to visit the many temples this city has to offer.

This was a full day we all arrived back to the ship catching the last shuttle at 4 o'clock, so safely back o board by 4:15. A quick snack and then the drums of a local group beat their way as we departed at 5:00. An amazing day as the sun set giving us a perfect close to this adventure here in Fukuoka.