Views of Kochi

Today we were in Kochi. Port clearance was given about 9:50. We didn't have a tour planned and many of the places to see were a good distance from the port. Angie had some work to catch up on so we stayed on the ship. While Angie worked, I went to the gym. Yes - ships have gyms. Did a combination of elliptical and weights. It wasn't crowded so I had access to all the equipment.  

After my workout we went to lunch. The pool deck has an alternating special buffet with either a taco bar or noodle bar. We tried the taco bar on embarkation day. So today we tried the noodle bar. You had choices of three broths (chicken, beef or miso) along with different proteins (chicken, beef, tofu or shrimp) and so many veggies. It was really good and satisfying.  

For dessert they have been having special flavors of soft serve. Yesterday was matcha which they had run out of. Today they had Ube and I nearly screamed when I saw it. It's one of my favorites. I first had it on Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady. It's made from a purple yam. It isn't overly sweet. The texture of the yam can allow the "ice cream" to be vegan. I am not sure if this version was. But it was delicious!!

After lunch we headed back to the cabin. I was planning on catching up on a couple of podcasts (the fascinating Piketon Massacre), but instead took a two hour nap. We then got ready for dinner. We stopped by the Pinnacle Bar to see Alfred and Freddie. Dinner was in the main dining room. We started with a very flavorful garlic chicken spring roll. 

 Angie also got a very tasty Thai Shrimp soup and I had a piece of lasagna as another starter. We both got the Coconut Curry Chicken as our main. I was expecting a creamy and spicy coconut broth. Instead it was more of a red curry sauce that had shaved coconut on top.

 Even though it came out differently than expected, it was still an excellent dish. Flavor and well seasoned with crispy vegetables.   

After dinner we went to the Rolling Stone Rock Lounge. We had yet to see this band play. They played some blues as well as other favorites from Tommy James, Tina Turner and Barry White. Definitely a band we'll come to see again. We stayed for one set and decided it was time to head back to the cabin.  

Tomorrow we will be in Fukuoka. We don't dock until about 2PM. We have some scenic narrated sailing starting about 7:30. We have to traverse a very small channel near Kitakyushu and go under a bridge when the tides are at a certain level. The captain came on earlier today explaining it in more nautical terms. It's apparently very complicated. We'll be out on deck - or at least our balcony - to see what we can see during the sail in.  

We have a private Tours By Locals excursion tomorrow once we dock. We've had to change it a few times since originally we were supposed to dock at 10. Then it was Noon. Then one o'clock. And now 2PM. We are supposed to leave by 10PM.