(From on board the Crystal Serenity in the Pacific Ocean) As a departure from my usual food related column, my next few offerings will be more like a travelogue, as I observe the "view from the bridge". After a long and fretful journey from Tampa via Honolulu, we arrived in Tokyo on February 14th and were met by Crystal representatives who relieved us of our luggage, shepherded us to a private mini-van and whisked us away to join fellow passengers at the Tokyo Imperial Hotel. Since our last visit, this city of 12 million has many new office buildings piercing the skyline and the frenetic energy of a thriving economy. Japan is always a challenge, as there are few signs in English and many Japanese customs can baffle the unknowing, quickly labeling one as a naïve "gaijin', i.e. foreigner. Although Japanese food is not high on my list of favorites, I do find their presentation exquisite and it is perhaps one of the healthiest cuisines in the world. Enroute to our ship in Yokohoma, we were treated to a Japanese style barbeque in an old inn set in a lovely winter-bare garden. Each table of 8 had its own chef, who prepared the meal on a grill set into the table top. As we watched, he prepared fire fish, which I believe was a type of snapper. Sea scallops, Kobe beef, pumpkin, peppers and onions, all served with a soy based sauce and an array of pickled vegetables that accompany most meals in Japan. Embarking at Yokohoma, we set sail for our first port of call, Shimizu. Shimizu was one of the post towns on the legendary Takaido Highway, immortalized by the artist Hiroshige in his famous prints. When we arrived at dawn the next day, the towering cone of Mt. Fuji appeared against a clear blue sky, auspiciously free of its usual veil of cloud and the pier below revealed the whole town there to welcome us. As my husband went off to seek enlightenment at a Shinto temple, I took to my bed seeking tranquility and balm for an unsettled stomach. Our next port of call will be Shanghai. One of the world's most vibrant cities, we eagerly return to witness first hand, its transition from a city of the past into a city of the future in today's high tech capitalist world. |
