I simply love the phrase “to remember.” It literally means to bring back the picture back to your mind. When recalled, significant moments shared with special people become collective treasures to be experienced over and over.
Like a painter’s dream, the Costa Allegra cruise ship is a luxurious vessel where art and artistry reign. I recently discovered this upon the invitation of a dear friend Angel Ramos- Bognot, president of NAITAS, when the ship docked in Manila with over 500 European passengers on board. While the visitors disembarked for their shore excursion around Intramuros and the vicinity, our group toured this floating gem with a passenger capacity of 784 (double occupancy), with 410 well-appointed cabins, eight of which are handicap friendly. While I marveled at the peach and rose hand-cut Carrara marble and the glossy walls finished in the finest woods, Clang Garcia of Colors Publishing was mesmerized by the glass atrium three decks high and a dome that gloriously opens up to a 360 degrees view of the ethereal sky.
The ship’s panoramic windows weave a dramatic interplay of light and shadows. An impressive wall of glass provides the Flamenco ballroom and Montmarte restaurant with picturesque sea views. Contemporary style characterizes the interiors with eclectic colors inspired by icons such as Gaugin, Cezanne and Modigliani. Piazza Allegra, a spacious common area, leads you to the Murano bar and the Crystal Club disco for romantic evenings of dancing under the stars. After the epicurean degustation, health buffs can enjoy the well equipped fitness center with a swimming pool on the ship’s sun deck. A jogging track which is (approximately) 215 m. strategically surrounded three Jacuzzi hydro massage baths tempting everyone to test its healthful rejuvenating benefits.
After the inspection, we dined at the ship’s Italian restaurant and savored authentic dishes and fine wines. It was the perfect send off party for our dear friends Dr Nelson and Bids Gaba, Mel Martinez, Vernon Prieto and Makati Councilor Armand Padilla who sailed from Shanghai to Kagoshima, Japan, a popular route of the Costa Allegra.
It was one memorable morning queuing at the check-in counter at the historic port of Shanghai. Setting foot at the main entrance of this magnificent vessel cum museum, two dimpled Italian señorinas met the group complete with a welcome banner as they gamely posed for the first among many souvenir pictures. The gracious cabin attendant escorted the group to their cozy rooms, warmly assuring them of his dependable availability. As the ship steamed forward for Kagoshima, Japan, peals of infectious laughter were elicited.
Honeymooners seemed to have a refreshing start as they headed straight to the Aft Lido for a quick leisure dip at the pool. Mel and Bids wisely booked for a relaxing facial and therapeutic body massage at the Caracalla Spa near the Venus Beauty Parlor to cater to all their beauty and leisure needs. The Yacht Club Restaurant boasts of a variety of Continental and Asian cuisine and serves a lavish buffet four times a day. Not to be missed is its midnight buffet for those active nocturnal party goers. The Costa Allegra offers dance lessons, traditional Italian pasta preparation and a live Las Vegas style entertainment performed by both world class Italian entertainers and equally talented service crews at the Follies Bergeres Ballroom. For all the avid shoppers, the Monte Carlo Shop offers interesting gift items, accessories and other attractive finds. To experience more electrifying entertainment and non-stop dancing, the place to party is at the Amalfi Restaurant and Disco. An Internet café, a library and even a card room are private havens that one can retreat to any time of the day. Being an Italian ship, its serene art deco inspired chapel is a welcome spiritual sanctuary Holy Mass is celebrated daily.
After traveling at a cruising speed of 20.5 knots and spending one whole day at open sea, the Costa Allegra reach its next port of call, Kagoshima-Japan. The most convenient way to familiarize oneself with the territory is to join one of their shore excursions, particularly Kagoshima’s natural surroundings like its renowned volcano and landscape garden before its metropolis.
Kagoshima, the capital of Kagoshima Prefecture, is situated at the southwest tip of the Kyushu Island of Japan. It has been called the “Naples of Japan” for its bay location (Aira Caldera), hot climate and evidently its impressive volcano- the Sakurajima. The palm trees lined streets led to the St. Xavier Church- a reminder of the first Christian who came to Japan. The massive stone formations of varying shapes upon approaching the Kagoshima ferry terminal are a spectacular.
After reaching the other side of the island, a short leisure walk led to Nagisa Park. This coastal park boasts of nature inspired walkways lined with volcanic stones and lava fields perfectly crafted by past volcanic eruptions. Its crisp backdrop is pompously dominated by one of Japan’s most active volcanoes – Sakurajima, the symbol of Kagoshima. Sakurajima’s most recent major eruption occurred in 1960.
The next stop was the historical Senganen. Also called Isoteien, Senganen is a Japanese styled garden which is impeccably located at the foot of a wooded hill along the coast near Kagoshima. Inside the garden, one would notice old residential buildings which once belonged to the Shimazu family clan which ruled Kagoshima for almost 700 years until the end of Japan’s feudal age in 1968. Next to the garden is a small museum dedicated to the Shimazu clan. The museum is housed and located in a very old structure where Japan’s first western style factory once humbly stood.
Another interesting nature’s gift to Kagoshima is its rejuvenating onsen. Ibusuki onsen is a mixed, open air ‘sand steam hot-spring’. What makes Ibusuki special is that its hot spring doesn’t contain water. Those availing of this treatment are “buried” in the hot sand and experience the ultimate therapeutic relaxation wearing the traditional yugatu.
After exploring Kagoshima’s coastal landscapes, Mel and Bids opted to go shopping at Tenmonkan Street, the largest shopping district in Kagoshima. Within the arcade mall, there are dining spots featuring local cuisine. Many restaurants in this area features Satsuma regional cuisine utilizing fresh catch like Kibi, a kind of tiny fish found only in its coastal waters. Another specialty of the restaurant is the smoked eel. Armand, after indulging in an appetizing curry dish, took pleasure in the local Tonkatsu which featured caramel encrusted pork as opposed to its breaded version. One may also order the most highly prized pork in Japan, the Kurobuta. It is black pork named after the color of its hog and of course not to be bested is its black beef version where they serve only well marbled local beef. Karukan, a sweet cake made from steamed sweet potatoes and rice flour, is a favorite delicacy. Japanese fast food chains and coffee shops also provide delectable local treats. Almost at the center of the arcade, our dear friend Vernon delightfully discovered his favorite hamburger store called Mos Burger, where they serve mouthwatering juicy hamburgers. Everyone joyously savored the tropical fruits from Kyushu Island while Mel and Bids explored the souvenir shops, electronic stores, boutiques and even high fashion stores. Before the day ended, the group returned to the Costa Allegra, their home away from home with bags full of finds and hearts filled with warm, true life experiences that only the joy of travel and God given friends can undeniably provide.
Dr Nelson Gaba, gifted me with a special souvenir of their sojourn with a note of thanks for travel inspirations. He quoted Irving Pichel, an American actor and film director, who wrote: “There is neither fence nor hedge around time that is gone. You can go back and have what you like of it, if you can remember.”
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For more information about Costa Allegra, please call Pacer Travel at +632-5218884, 5218880 or Afro Asian Travel and Tours at +632-5237501, 5236537.
Email the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.