Friday, 5 April 2019
At Home in Tucson, AZ
My laundry is done and put away and I am busy doing final editing of the 1500 photos from the trip.  Obviously, only a small selection of pictures made the cut for the blog.

Friday, 29 March 2019
Kagoshima, Japan

The final port of call before disembarkation in Yokohoma is Kagoshima another large Kyushu metropolitan area.  The city is a popular place for beach crawlers and vacationers wishing to explore the surrounding volcanic islands, including Mt Sakurajima, a still-active volcano at 3665 feet (about 1/3 the height of Mt Lemmon, outside Tucson).

This morning's brief (2 hours) shore excursion is a panoramic bus ride around the city, with one stop atop Mt. Shiroyama, noted for its views of the city, of Sakurajima, and of the surrounding bay.  Without much fanfare we are back at the port and on board Westerdam in time for an early lunch.

A Local Greeter Welcomes Passengers to Kagoshima

Our Tour Guide Starts Us Off on the Bus Ride

A View of Sakurajima from the Tour Bus

 Views from Mt. Shiroyama

Souvenir and Snack Shops Line the Short Path from the Parking Lot to the Lookout Point

Views of Kagoshima City Center

Vending Machines to Satisfy (Almost) Every Craving Crowd Urban Landscapes

The Path Back to the Shops and the Waiting Bus

Tram System in Downtown Kagoshima

 My next posting will take readers on a tour of ms Westerdam and the end of the cruise in Yokohama/Tokyo.