Niseko, Japan 2017

During December 14-23, 2017 Dear and I went to Japan, mainly for Dear's skiing (snowboarding) in Niseko. We flew to Sapporo, spent 2 nights there before taking a bus to Niseko where we stayed for 3 days. After an exhausting ski activity we then took a bus back to Chitose Sapporo Airport and flew to Tokyo. We enjoyed 3 more nights at Tokyo before going home.

After snowboarding at Niseko, it's now time for a little meditation. We went to Aoyama Cemetery which is a very beautiful cemetery in the heart of the city, perfect for photo taking,

We took a bus to  Niseko and stayed at Hilton Niseko Village for three days. Dear enjoyed snowboarding  very much because the snow was very soft, like powder,  due to heavy snow during December and March every year.

On the second day we went to Hokkaido-Jingu Shrine, said to be the resting place of four gods who watched over the reclamation of Hokkaido.

                                 

In the afternoon we went to Sapporo Beer Museum and enjoyed tasting varieties of Sapporo beer there.

Sapporo

                                   

We enjoyed the first meal at Sapporo - Sashimi lunch at a nice restaurant in the middle of the city.

The dinner was the Yakiniku style, which was also very good.

Cruise Trip on board Oceania Riviera from Athens to Rome during April 29-May 6, 2017

Rome

We debarked from the ship and checked in to stay at Hotel Albergo del Senato, which is next to the Pantheon. We usually stay at this hotel because its location is very convenient and the service is very good. 

Lunch at a restaurant near the hotel.

Granita de cafe at La Casa Del Caffe Tazza D' oro

Dinner at Taverna Cestia Roma, our favourite Italian restaurant.

Sorrento, Italy

We had lunch at a nice Italian restaurant in Sorrento.

Time to pack for debarkation tomorrow.

Taormina, Sicily

Actually we had booked with Viator for a private Godfather Walking Tour in Savoca and Forza d'Agro, I was very excited because I was a true Godfather fan and have seen the movies for several times. Unfortunately after waiting for some time for the viator guide and nobody showed up, we tried to call and were informed that the guide had a road accident and the tour was cancelled. We ended up walking along the shore, had coffee and returned to the ship.

Nice Italian Food Lunch at the Grand Dining Room

Dinner at Jacques