Shorewoods Photography-Boarding Group 2 Travel Blog

Today is our final port of call: Kochi. We are happy to visit Kochi, but sad it is our last excursion of the cruise.

We are welcomed into port with a flag performance that was quite impressive! I wonder how many steps that would count for, on an activity app?

As we disembark, volunteers help direct us. You must carry your passport with you at all times in Japan, and as in all our previous ports, we go through Japanese customs to enter. The cruise port is easy to navigate, and we are soon on our tour bus heading to one of our favorite places: the coast.

We arrive at Katsurahama Park with beautiful views of the coastline and Millennium. Seeing Millie, our home for the past almost 2 weeks, the entirety of our experiences come to mind and we are humbled. Humbled that we have been able to have these experiences, and that they were possible because of the work of many different people in so many different places. We spend some time walking the paths and taking in the ocean views along this coast, with a changing vista of clouds and sun and horizons. I want to remember these moments for times we are back in the busyness of the States, and sitting in traffic, to re-compass my energy.

We board our bus and head to Kochi Castle. The castle was built in the early 17th century and is 400 years old. The Castle Tower is the original, having survived fires, wars, and a myriad of other things that tend to destroy castles. There was no doubt as to the steps we wracked up climbing to the top!

The grounds of the Castle are relaxing and peaceful, even with many people about.

Our last stop on our tour was to Ryugado Cave, a limestone cave on Mt Sampo. The cave is actually composed of 3 caves with 24 smaller caves branching off the main ones. 1 km is open to the public. The caves were inhabited 2000 years ago, and remnants of pottery and tools have been found inside. While the temperature inside the cave is 15 C (about 60 F), the steep walk up through the cave felt more like the 80″s!

The path through the portion of the cave we visited had steep steps and walkways, and many times we needed to crouch down to get through an entrance or walk along a section. Those breaking trail would call back “duck!”, “Watch your head”, and “It’s slippery”! There were sections with water dripping about, making the stone walkway and the back our necks very wet. The first picture below shows one of the duck and crouch passages, and a closeup with a map of our location in the cave.

As we made our way through the cave passages, it was oddly, claustrophobic and comforting at the same time. Understandably the claustrophobic part, but feeling somehow safe inside this mountain, away from the outside world was most unexpected.

Our group exited the cave, happy to walk upright again, and began our descent back down the mountain. The trees around the entryway were beginning to change color, and everyone enjoyed stretching out our backs and shoulders after hiking up the inside of the mountain.

Our visit to Kochi did not disappoint. We met friendly, kind people and we really enjoyed our day touring. As we board Millennium for the last time this trip, we are truly sad to be at the end of our ports of call. It’s been wild and wonderful, and our hearts are full from all the things we have seen, experienced, and those we have met, even for a brief hello or sharing of a smile. Until we meet again….