Rose Palmer

As I write new content about my trip to Japan, I am also updating my old content. One of my most memorable winter day trips from Tokyo was going to see the snow monkeys as they enjoyed the hot spring bath. The link to my story is in my profile via Linktree. . . #patchworkofexperiences #visitjapan #snowmonkeys #snowmonkeypark

I started my 6 week tour in Japan with a special cruise on the Heritage Adventurer. My blog post about this wonderful Adventure is now live on the blog. You can access the post via the link in my profile through Linktree. . . #patchworkofexperiences #hosted #visitjapan #smallshipcruise #traveljapan #expeditioncruise

I loved my visit to the sacred island of Miyajima and I was thrilled to have the chance to see it again on my cruise with @heritageexpeditions. My latest story on the blog is all about my visits to Miyajima. Link is in the profile via Linktree. . . #patchworkofexperiences #visitmiyajima #miyajimaisland #visitjapan

I've updated my original story about Hiroshima with info from my visit a few weeks ago on my cruise with @heritageexpeditions. Read the story to find out why it was recognizes with a North America Travel Journalists Associiation award in the Historical Travel category. Link is in my profile via Linktree. . .

I had a wonderful time during my recent 6 week trip around Japan. I've updated my post about "My Favorite Japanese Experiences" with some of my favorites from this trip (see the Linktree link in my profile). Some of the highlights from this trip in no particular order: - the Takayama Inari Shrine - eating the freshest sushi - trying my hand at making some of Japan's textile handicrafts - the many teamLab digital installations - Geisha performance in Kyoto - seeing the red crested cranes My favorite aspect of Japan though is the general cultural experience. The Japanese are polite, friendly, helpful, honest, reserved, quiet, orderly, and very, very clean. The transportation system is efficient, widely available, and clean. It's the only place I would consider using a public bathroom in the train station. And it's a very safe destination. All this adds up to an unparalleled travel experience.  This was my fourth trip to Japan and I can't wait to go back. . .

Each of my Japan cruise circuits included a stop in South Korea. On this circuit, we stopped at Jeju Island. I learned that Jeju Island has been a popular tourist destination for Asians for a long time. That was pretty obvious as our tour took us to well developed tourist sites on the south side of the island, not far from the cruise port. First stop was the Jejy Yeomiji Botanical gardens with its massive Conservatory and outdoor gardens. The Korean and Japanese gardens certainly fit into the scenery but I was a little surprised by the formal French and Italian style gardens ( photos 1 to 4). Next up was a couple of waterfalls with viewpoints easile accessible from a large parking area by wide paths and lots of stairs ( photo 5). From there it was a quick drive to the coast to see the cylindrical volcanic pillars which are listed as a national monument. ( photo 6) My favorite stop was the beautiful and peaceful Yakcheonsa Temple ( photos 7, 8). After a less than stellar buffet lunch, the final stop was a local market that sold all manner of foods, especially the local tangerines. ( photos 9 and 10). All that, plus going through immigration at the beginning and end of the day, and we were back on the ship by the required 3:30 PM all aboard time. Whew! Google maps is not allowed in South Korea so I either had to get a private guide again or do a group tour since going off on my own would have been challenging. I am not particularly fond of big group tours, but sometimes they are the best option. . . #Patchworkofexperiences #heritageexpeditioncruuse #visitjapan #japantravel #japantrip #japantraveler #ilovejapan #explorejapan #japanadventures #expeditioncruising #traveljapan #cruisejapan #japancruise #cruising #cruiseaddict #cruisevacation #lovecruising #cruiseblogger #princesscruises #princesscruise #diamondprincess #ilovethis #theloveboat #cruisesouthkorea

The red crowned crane is Japan's symbol and is also a conservation success story. At the turn of the 20th century, it was believed that these cranes had gone extinct in Japan due to hunting and habitat loss. Then, in the 1920's, a small population was discovered in the marshes near Kushiro on the northern island of Hokkaido.  Since then, intense conservation efforts and breeding programs have increased the number of the resident population to just over 1800. While this is good news, more work remains to be done. On my @princesscruises stop in Kushiro, I felt privileged to see and photograph these beautiful birds at one of the local sanctuaries.  . . #Patchworkofexperiences #heritageexpeditioncruuse #visitjapan #japantravel #japantrip #japantraveler #ilovejapan #explorejapan #japanadventures #expeditioncruising #traveljapan #cruisejapan #japancruise #cruising #cruiseaddict #cruisevacation #lovecruising #cruiseblogger #princesscruises #princesscruise #diamondprincess #ilovethis #theloveboat #cruisejapan #redcrownedcrane

After visiting the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Park, I was interested to also visit the Nagasaki Peace Park. Nagasaki was the second city bombed with an atomic bomb on Aug. 9, 1945. The epicenter was marked in the Peace Park with a black stone memorial surrounded by circles of stone and grass ( photo 1). Surprisingly, a few things survived the blast. A few blocks from the Peace Park was a one legged Tori gate which I actually found to be more moving than all the official monuments. (Photo 2). Nearby were two huge trees that somehow also survived the scorching heat and have continued to grow ( photo 3) - one has a diameter of over 8 meters ( 24 feet) and the other has a diameter of 6 meters ( or about 18 feet). Near the epicenter, the pillar of a church also still stands ( photo 4). There were also a variety of other memorials, many bedecked with chains of origami paper cranes which have come to symbolize peace. Nagasaki was one of my port stops on my @princesscruises Diamond Princess cruise around Japan. The port was near the center of the city which made it very easy to use the local tram system to get to the Peace Park on my own. . . #Patchworkofexperiences #heritageexpeditioncruuse #visitjapan #japantravel #japantrip #japantraveler #ilovejapan #explorejapan #japanadventures #expeditioncruising #traveljapan #cruisejapan #japancruise #cruising #cruiseaddict #cruisevacation #lovecruising #cruiseblogger #princesscruises #princesscruise #diamondprincess #ilovethis #theloveboat

Can't go to South Korea without eating some Korean BBQ. Mine was a little different in that it included octopus and abalone along with the thinly sliced beef and the 12 different side dishes. I had this wonderful meal in the seaside town of Gijang Haenyeo, also called the Women Divers village. I got there too late to see the divers, but I did see the fruits of their labors at the many small stalls selling all sorts of fresh creatures from the sea, many which I did not recognize. These stalls were also staffed by women. Nearby, more women were squatting on the ground, harvesting and cutting up dried seaweed. I spent most of the day visiting two beautiful temples - one was located on the coast with views of the sea, and the other was high up in the mountains surrounded by green forests. I love the beautifully painted colorful details on the Korean Buddhist temples. . . #Patchworkofexperiences #heritageexpeditioncruuse #visitjapan #japantravel #japantrip #japantraveler #ilovejapan #explorejapan #japanadventures #expeditioncruising #traveljapan #cruisejapan #japancruise #cruising #cruiseaddict #cruisevacation #lovecruising #cruiseblogger #princesscruises #princesscruise #diamondprincess #ilovethis #theloveboat #cruisesouthkorea

From the port of Fushiki, Japan, I had a lot of great options for sightseeing, but not much time unfortunately. I was able to book a driver ahead of time and with a 7:30 AM start, he got me to all the places I wanted to see. I started with the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Shirikawago and Gokayama which preserve the traditional gassho-zukuri style farmhouses. These towns get a lot of snow in the winter and the steep, thatched roofs were designed to handle the weight and the moisture. No nails are used to build the roofs and it was fascinating to see how the supporting roof beams were all just tied together with ropes ( photo 4). The other sight I really wanted to see was the Toyama Glass Museum with its impressive Dale Chihuly installations. I am a big Chihuly fan and am always on the lookout for his artwork when I travel. . . #Patchworkofexperiences #heritageexpeditioncruuse #visitjapan #japantravel #japantrip #japantraveler #ilovejapan #explorejapan #japanadventures #expeditioncruising #traveljapan #cruisejapan #japancruise #cruising #cruiseaddict #cruisevacation #lovecruising #cruiseblogger #princesscruises #princesscruise #diamondprincess #ilovethis #theloveboat

It was a fun day exploring the sights and interacting with the locals in the town of Sakata. Photos 1 to 3 - At the traditional rice warehouses we were greeted by a group of 3rd graders practicing their newly learned English skills. Each would run to a tourist and greet them with "hi, my name is ___, welcome to Sakata" and then hand out a small colored hand drawing. I dubbed one litte boy and girl Ron and Hermiony. Hermiony nudged Ron to say something as he looked at me blindly. Then he looked over to Hermiony and she would whisper in his ear. He then repeated three words to me in English and then looked at her questioningly again. She whispered and he repeated. This happened about four times before he got the whole welcome message out. So funny and sweet. Photos 4 to 6 - Lunch was a traditional Japanese meal at the Somaro Maiko Tea House followed by a music and dance demonstration by two Maiko in training and ther Geiko ( we call them geisha) teacher. Photos 7 to 9 - I finished the day with a class learning to sew a Kasafuku doll at the Sanno Club, an old building that was once a restaurant and now functioned as a museum. These are ornaments that represent everyday objects and are hung from red umbrellas. One of the rooms in the museum presented a huge display of these local Kasafuku dolls. . . #Patchworkofexperiences #heritageexpeditioncruuse #visitjapan #japantravel #japantrip #japantraveler #ilovejapan #explorejapan #japanadventures #expeditioncruising #traveljapan #cruisejapan #japancruise #cruising #cruiseaddict #cruisevacation #lovecruising #cruiseblogger #princesscruises #princesscruise #diamondprincess #ilovethis #theloveboat

It was a full day of sightseeing in Aomori, my first stop on the Diamond Princess. I booked a driver for the day to take me to the specific sights outside of the city that I was interested in seeing. 1 hour outside of Aomori was the beautiful Takayama Inari Shrine. Similar to the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, this shrine was significantly smaller. It was also made up of a lot of Tori gates marching up a mountainside and the secluded setting was stunning and beautiful with no other tourists in sight. Another hour drive took me to the Hirosaki Castle, one of the historic castles in Japan that is still standing. The Aomori prefecture is known for growing apples and I saw many apple groves (as well as rice fields) as we drove through the countryside. A mid morning snack at a local tea house of apple tea and apple pie seemed appropriate. For lunch I tried the local dish of Nokke-don at the Forrokowa fish market in Amori. After buying a bowl of rice I walked around the fish market and pointed to the fresh fish pieces I wanted with my rice - yum. I finished the day with a visit to the Nebuta museum right by the port. Amori is known for its huge Nebuta festival every August in which groups of men carry huge, colorful floats meant to drive away evil spirits. It was a great day exploring off the beaten path Japan. . . #Patchworkofexperiences #heritageexpeditioncruuse #visitjapan #japantravel #japantrip #japantraveler #ilovejapan #explorejapan #japanadventures #expeditioncruising #traveljapan #cruisejapan #japancruise #cruising #cruiseaddict #cruisevacation #lovecruising #cruiseblogger #princesscruises #princesscruise #diamondprincess #ilovethis #theloveboat

Here I go again! My explorations of Japan are not over. I just boarded the Diamond Princess for a 20 day cruise around Japan. I will be circumnavigating the islands of Honshu and Hokaido twice, each time exploring different ports in locations I have not yet been to. There will also be two different stops on South Korea. After a much needed restful day at sea enjoying some of the antics on board ship, I am ready to experience more of Japan. Stay tuned. . . #Patchworkofexperiences #heritageexpeditioncruuse #visitjapan #japantravel #japantrip #japantraveler #ilovejapan #explorejapan #japanadventures #expeditioncruising #traveljapan #cruisejapan #japancruise #cruising #cruiseaddict #cruisevacation #lovecruising #cruiseblogger #princesscruises #princesscruise #diamondprincess #ilovethis #theloveboat

Day 8 - Sacred Japan and South Korea cruise with Heritage Expeditions - on Sado Island, Japan My last day on this cruise ended with a big bang - literally ( see my stories). We visited a Taiko drumming studio where we had the chance to learn hands on how to do this ancient art form. Pounding my drum as hard as I could and trying to match the rhythms the instructor demonstrated was a blast. Wish I could do this at home but I think my neighbors might complain. Discovering the rest of the treasures on Sado Island was also a real treat. We were met by a group of lovely ladies in traditional dress that demonstrated a local dance. This was followed by a short boat ride in a traditional round boat that looked like we were floating in a sawed off barrel. We finished with a walk through a historic village where people still live in traditional style wooden houses. There was also a museum here with a beautiful reconstruction of a wooden ship that was built with age old Japanese joinery techniques that did not use any nails. This visit to Sado Island was a perfect example of the unique experiences that Heritage Expeditions goes out of its way to find for their guests. . . Media partnership with @heritageexpeditions and @shebuystravel . . #Patchworkofexperiences #hosted #heritageexpeditioncruuse #visitjapan #japantravel #japantrip #japantraveler #ilovejapan #explorejapan #japanadventures #expeditioncruising #traveljapan #smallshipcruise #expeditioncruise #smallship #smallshipbigadventure #smallshipexpeditions #cruisejapan #japancruise #sadoisland

Day 7 - Sacred Japan and South Korea cruise with Heritage Expeditions - in Kanazawa, Japan Eating ice cream covered in gold leaf is THE thing to do in Kanazawa. It was another full day exploring the many historic and traditional sites in Kanazawa, including the Kanazawa Castle grounds and the adjacent beautiful Kenroku-en garden. I could have happily spent a whole day just exploring the nooks and crannies in this huge garden. And besides gilded ice cream, there was also more yummy sashimi for lunch. Yup, another great day indeed. . . Media partnership with @heritageexpeditions and @shebuystravel . . #Patchworkofexperiences #hosted #heritageexpeditioncruuse #visitjapan #japantravel #japantrip #japantraveler #ilovejapan #explorejapan #japanadventures #expeditioncruising #traveljapan #smallshipcruise #expeditioncruise #smallship #smallshipbigadventure #smallshipexpeditions #cruisejapan #japancruise