Travel with a Ferryphobic

Day 8 proved to be even hotter than day 7. Our 93 % certainty of where we had to catch our ferry to Japan was to prove faulty. We like to arrive early for any of our departures and today was no different, leaving the hotel about 2.5 hours before our departure time.  It was only a 10-minute  sweaty walk to the International Cruise terminal. 

The international cruise terminal passenger area was pretty quiet, something that made us a little apprehensive as we had hoped to find signage indicating some directions to our check in point.  We were early, this is China so our stress levels were still in the green zone. 

At 90 minutes to departure, it was starting to move into the red. We had been told we would find the check in area in the parking area of the terminal. We tried to enter into an area marked as passenger waiting room only to be growled at by a surly guard at the gate.  Made several calls to the ferry company that went unanswered. At 60 minutes, our stress levels were clearly in the red. 

There was a new guard at the entrance to the passenger waiting area, so we tried again. This one was way friendlier. He listened and immediately walked us over to a partially  hidden driveway that led to down to more parking areas under the terminal. We walked down the dimly lit curving ramp and in a dimly lit area at the back was a small illuminated sign flashing “waiting area”. Stress returned to green.   

Talking Nonie into taking a ferry to Japan was a bit of a challenge. She has a healthy fear of water and had read to many stories of Asian ferries flipping over.  This was her vision I had to over come.  I told her that the head office for the Japan China International Ferry was in Osaka. Based in Japan gave Nonie some comfort that the ship, the Xinjian Zhen was Japanese and would be clean and well run. I may have not provided all the pertinent information.  

As we loaded the bus that would take us out to the ship's berth, I silently prayed that the image of the ship prominently pictured on their website was what we would find or Nonie may not want to board.  

It was, almost, at least close enough that she got on board. 

The Xinjian Zhen  travels between Shanghai and Osaka and alternately Kobe Japan hauling mostly freight and few if any cars. 

The trip took us down the very busy Huangpu River, into the Yangtze River out into the Yellow Sea, across the East China Sea, Sea of Japan and into the Inland Sea of Japan docking at Kobe two days later. 

I had booked the Special room

but in fact it was nothing special. We were joined  on board by about 30 passengers. Mostly Chinese vacationers, business men and one retired English couple about our age.  More about them later as they stayed mostly in their room, a VIP room and we did not get to know them that well on the ship. Perhaps I should have booked the VIP room. 

Day 9 was mostly uneventful. 

The seas were calm as we entered the Inland Sea of Japan through narrow strait where we caught our first glimpse of Japan.  

The food was standard Chinese cafeteria food.   I had suspected that so we did pack some snacks and ate noodle bowls from the vending machine avoiding the cafeteria. 

Breakfast was included in our ticket but lunch and dinner was at our cost.  As you can see, breakfast was very filling and very Chinese. 















The ship had free laundry machines so we took advantage of them and recharged our wardrobe, ready for Japan. 

So did the other passengers who filled the hallways with drying laundry. 

The last night on board was an evening of inexpensive drinks in the lounge and a dazzling display of karaoke by yours truly belting out one of my favourite Beatle's tune, Michelle to a packed crowd.  Standing O's all around. 

Tomorrow morning we land in Kobe, the start of our Japanese adventure.