Trip Index
- Days 1-2 in Tokyo: Planning, JAL business class, Hyatt Regency, Meiji Shrine, Tokyu Food Hall, Don Quixote
- Days 3-4 in Tokyo: Asakusa, Tokyo National Museum, Imperial Palace, Robot Restaurant, conveyor belt sushi/ramen/blowfish
- Day 5 in Tokyo: Mt. Fuji Shibazakura Festival, Standing Sushi Bar
- Days 1-2 of Celebrity Millennium transpacific cruise: Embarkation, day at sea
- Days 3-4 of Celebrity Millennium transpacific cruise: Hakodate, day at sea
- Days 5-6 of Celebrity Millennium transpacific cruise: Bridge tour, Petropavlovsk (Siberia)
- Days 7-13 of Celebrity Millennium transpacific cruise: crossing the Bering Sea, two May 4ths, Qsine
- Days 14-15 of Celebrity Millennium transpacific cruise: Victoria, disembarkation, Miku; Ruby Princess 1-night cruise Vancouver to Seattle
***
The first port of our 14-night transpacific Celebrity Millennium cruise was Hakodate, located on the northern island of Hokkaido in Japan. No shore excursions were booked - Kaleb and I planned to explore the city on foot.
There were complimentary shuttle buses from the port to the either the Hakodate train station (near the Morning Market) or to a cherry blossom viewing spot. Signs were posted to help navigate. Kaleb and I boarded the bus to the train station.
The coach dropped us off at one of the bus stops at the Hakodate train station, where it would also pick up.
It wasn't too hard to find the Morning Market as there was a large sign (though mostly in Japanese) pointing out the locations.
There was lots to see at the market - abundant live seafood and plenty of delicacies for purchase. The trays of uni were very tempting.
More food stalls and restaurants were in an adjacent square.
Kaleb and I stopped into a restaurant tucked in the back and ordered seafood bowls (kaisen-don), which were fresh and delicious. It was a strange set-up, in which we ordered from a server, but paid the bill at the market across the street.
Afterwards, we walked towards the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway, happening upon some cherry blossoms!
At the ropeway station, we used cash to purchase tickets at the vending machine. (the ticket counter accepts credit cards)
It was a smooth ride to the top.
The peak offered splendid views of Hakodate and the sea. It is supposed to be lovely at night as well.
360 degree photo atop Mt. Hakodate, taken with the Ricoh Theta:
We rode the ropeway back down, then continued sightseeing around town.
For lunch, we found a kaiten-sushi (conveyor belt sushi) restaurant - can't get enough of it! Everything was so fresh. The price was also nice.
As we were walking back to the ship, I saw a 7-Eleven and had to go in. This convenience store chain is very popular in Japan and supposed to have really good food, but we were too full to try.
When we returned to the train station, thankfully there was a sign indicating the bus stop to catch the Celebrity Millennium shuttle - so organized!
The daily hors d'oeuvres plate was already delivered when we returned to our cabin. It was a nice touch, but the offerings looked unappetizing. Presentation could be improved.
We headed to the Cosmos Lounge for mandatory departure immigration inspection. The customs official saw the tax-free receipts that were stapled to my passport but didn't ask me anything regarding the status of the items I bought in Tokyo; he stamped the visa page and that was it. Technically, you aren't supposed to open the sealed bags until you left Japan.
Beautiful sunset at sail away:
We were still full from lunch, so a small dinner at the buffet sufficed.
The next day was at sea. The time was spent relaxing, working out, and of course, eating.
We received an invitation for a complimentary tour of the bridge tomorrow (also at sea), courtesy of the concierge.
Dinner was in the main dining room, the Metropolitan restaurant. The dress code was "evening chic" and most people seemed to adhere to it.
Tomorrow, we'll visit the Celebrity Millennium bridge, then dock in Petropavlovsk (Siberia) the next day - stay tuned!
(Missed reading the first parts of our trip? Click on the Trip Index links at the top of this page. Don't want to miss any more? Click here to sign up for updates straight into your inbox...opt out anytime!)
If you came here from a Facebook or Twitter link, thanks for clicking the "Facebook Like" button at the top of the page or retweeting!
Don't miss a blog entry! Sign up for updates direct to your inbox here or add the blog to your RSS feed.
Getting excited reading about these trips and want to go? Contact me at yellowdogtravel at gmail d0t com with your ideas and I can help you plan it! Or if you've already put a deposit on a cruise through the cruise line, contact me to get more information on transferring the reservation to me to get bonuses like extra onboard credit or gifts. I have lots of happy returning clients - references always available.
Come check out my other blog "What in the world is Kat Kong doing now?", documenting things other than traveling...sign up for blog updates direct to your inbox here!
Another disclaimer: The intention of this blog was to remind Future Me in full detail about where I went and what I did. I could have made it private, but I frequently get questions from family, friends and internet folks about how I planned things, got deals, etc., so instead of repeating the story over and over, I direct them here. If you are offended by anything I say or do, save yourself the discomfort and kindly click away from my blog. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!
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There were complimentary shuttle buses from the port to the either the Hakodate train station (near the Morning Market) or to a cherry blossom viewing spot. Signs were posted to help navigate. Kaleb and I boarded the bus to the train station.
|
|
 |  |
The coach dropped us off at one of the bus stops at the Hakodate train station, where it would also pick up.
|
|
It wasn't too hard to find the Morning Market as there was a large sign (though mostly in Japanese) pointing out the locations.
There was lots to see at the market - abundant live seafood and plenty of delicacies for purchase. The trays of uni were very tempting.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
More food stalls and restaurants were in an adjacent square.
 |  |
 |  |
|  |
Kaleb and I stopped into a restaurant tucked in the back and ordered seafood bowls (kaisen-don), which were fresh and delicious. It was a strange set-up, in which we ordered from a server, but paid the bill at the market across the street.
 |  |
Afterwards, we walked towards the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway, happening upon some cherry blossoms!
 |  |
 |
| more cool manhole covers |
At the ropeway station, we used cash to purchase tickets at the vending machine. (the ticket counter accepts credit cards)
 |  |
|
|
It was a smooth ride to the top.
 |  |
The peak offered splendid views of Hakodate and the sea. It is supposed to be lovely at night as well.
360 degree photo atop Mt. Hakodate, taken with the Ricoh Theta:
Mt. Hakodate - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
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|
 |
| corn-flavored ice cream? |
We rode the ropeway back down, then continued sightseeing around town.
|
|
 |
| Lucky Pierrot, a popular hamburger joint |
For lunch, we found a kaiten-sushi (conveyor belt sushi) restaurant - can't get enough of it! Everything was so fresh. The price was also nice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As we were walking back to the ship, I saw a 7-Eleven and had to go in. This convenience store chain is very popular in Japan and supposed to have really good food, but we were too full to try.
|
|
 |
| this looks like "oden" |
When we returned to the train station, thankfully there was a sign indicating the bus stop to catch the Celebrity Millennium shuttle - so organized!
The daily hors d'oeuvres plate was already delivered when we returned to our cabin. It was a nice touch, but the offerings looked unappetizing. Presentation could be improved.
We headed to the Cosmos Lounge for mandatory departure immigration inspection. The customs official saw the tax-free receipts that were stapled to my passport but didn't ask me anything regarding the status of the items I bought in Tokyo; he stamped the visa page and that was it. Technically, you aren't supposed to open the sealed bags until you left Japan.
Beautiful sunset at sail away:
We were still full from lunch, so a small dinner at the buffet sufficed.
|  |
The next day was at sea. The time was spent relaxing, working out, and of course, eating.
|
|
|
|
 |  |
 |  |
 |
| working out |
We received an invitation for a complimentary tour of the bridge tomorrow (also at sea), courtesy of the concierge.
Dinner was in the main dining room, the Metropolitan restaurant. The dress code was "evening chic" and most people seemed to adhere to it.
|
|
 |  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| pina colada fro-yo, kiwi sorbet |
Tomorrow, we'll visit the Celebrity Millennium bridge, then dock in Petropavlovsk (Siberia) the next day - stay tuned!
(Missed reading the first parts of our trip? Click on the Trip Index links at the top of this page. Don't want to miss any more? Click here to sign up for updates straight into your inbox...opt out anytime!)
***
If you came here from a Facebook or Twitter link, thanks for clicking the "Facebook Like" button at the top of the page or retweeting!
Don't miss a blog entry! Sign up for updates direct to your inbox here or add the blog to your RSS feed.
Getting excited reading about these trips and want to go? Contact me at yellowdogtravel at gmail d0t com with your ideas and I can help you plan it! Or if you've already put a deposit on a cruise through the cruise line, contact me to get more information on transferring the reservation to me to get bonuses like extra onboard credit or gifts. I have lots of happy returning clients - references always available.
Come check out my other blog "What in the world is Kat Kong doing now?", documenting things other than traveling...sign up for blog updates direct to your inbox here!
Another disclaimer: The intention of this blog was to remind Future Me in full detail about where I went and what I did. I could have made it private, but I frequently get questions from family, friends and internet folks about how I planned things, got deals, etc., so instead of repeating the story over and over, I direct them here. If you are offended by anything I say or do, save yourself the discomfort and kindly click away from my blog. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!
