Breakfast at Regency -
We thought we could have some nice finer-dining western breakfast, but the disappointment was great. Just take a look at the pictures below and you can get an idea of what I mean. That egg which looks like a "Tutu kuey" is actually what they call poached egg?! That is basically eating a hard-boiled egg that is flattened.
The congee did not look appetizing as well and was only mildly warm. The taste is so so only with the ingredients all served cold. I feel that at least the braised peanut could be warmed up before serving.
Still feeling unsatisfied, I ordered scrambled eggs and hashbrowns. What came out were some really dry eggs and fries that were not hot. Really, this is the standard of food at the dining room? The presentation of the food was bad as well.
At least the coffee there was considered good. The Horizon Court serves really horrible and diluted coffee which taste nothing like coffee.
The congee did not look appetizing as well and was only mildly warm. The taste is so so only with the ingredients all served cold. I feel that at least the braised peanut could be warmed up before serving.
Still feeling unsatisfied, I ordered scrambled eggs and hashbrowns. What came out were some really dry eggs and fries that were not hot. Really, this is the standard of food at the dining room? The presentation of the food was bad as well.
At least the coffee there was considered good. The Horizon Court serves really horrible and diluted coffee which taste nothing like coffee.
We would only reach Okinawa around noon and so we just walked around to pass time. We went to Horizon Court to check out the food, and I took away a box of cornflakes to munch while looking forward to lunch in Okinawa. Breakfast was a major disappointment.
Naha Cruise Terminal -
We made our way down the ship with all the necessary stuff. Our passport copy was printed and provided to us, suddenly appearing at our door. They slipped in the copies under the door. It is quite funny, but I am fine with that anyway.
We pasted some immigration sticker behind our passport copy and went through the checks. I remembered filling up some form after that as well. It is important not to bring food stuff like fruits, livestock and etc into Japan. I don't remember we had any passport copy when went down to Vietnam on the previous cruise. The room card and an immigration card stamped by the authorities represented our identity.
Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping Street -
Looking at the map, it seems like the shopping street was within walking distance. I believe the walk was around 30 mins but it was still manageable. On our way there, we came across a drug store. The staff was giving away free samples of chocolate and sour plum snacks.
In we went for our (my) shopping spree. Spending above a certain amount, we were able to get back our tax rebates on the spot. My Biore sunscreen lotions was already cheaper in Taiwan, and was half price in Japan compared to SG! Japan's Biore ma. Buy buy buy!
I bought the signature purple sweet potato tart and it is quite good after I refrigerate it. Although the tart is not crispy, you can taste the realness of the sweet potato filling. I even bought a pack of bittergourd tea to try.
I found the type of candy that my mum was asking me to search for. She say it is good for cough/ sore throat. We found a blackcurrent flavoured one and it is so nice! Although it has a bit of the medicated taste, it taste pretty good coupled with blackcurrent. We shall buy 5 packs each if we see it when we visit Japan in Jan!
Lunch at 焼肉と沖縄家庭料理 うるま-
I tried to locate this restaurant on the map for ages! When I found it, google maps does not seem to suggest any name for it. I tried to type the Chinese characters and it finally gets located. lol. It is opposite this shop called Kid House 7.
We all went for the lunch sets of a different combination. Having watched Running Man try the Okinawa Soba, I was excited to know what it tastes like. My set came with the soba, multigrain rice and some sides.
The soba is more like ramen and taste like yellow noodles! It's like eating fishball noodles in a way. In fact, doesn't it look like it! The soup is light and pork bone based, but the noodle taste was integrated into it (like the yellow noodes). I preferred my bowl of rice to the bowl of noodles. The bowl of rice is very tasty, partly like a healthy multigrain rice, and partly like a hearty fried rice.
The soba is more like ramen and taste like yellow noodles! It's like eating fishball noodles in a way. In fact, doesn't it look like it! The soup is light and pork bone based, but the noodle taste was integrated into it (like the yellow noodes). I preferred my bowl of rice to the bowl of noodles. The bowl of rice is very tasty, partly like a healthy multigrain rice, and partly like a hearty fried rice.
We also tried Umibudo (sea grapes) - another must-try in Okinawa. It has a saltish taste which really tastes like the sea. As you bite down, you hear the clear crunch sound as the juice "burst" out. It is comparative to eating Ikura (red caviar/fish roe) which is of a similar texture. The umibudo came with some yuzu sauce, and it is really appetizing when paired together.
Another speciality in Okinawa is the Goya Chanpuru. It is basically fried bittermelon, with sliced pork, egg and tofu. Their bittermelon is not the same as our usual Chinese bitter gourd. It is greener, has a crunchier texture and slightly more bitter in a way. But when all the ingredients come together, I must say that they really complement each other. It is really delicious, possibly enhanced further with Japanese seasoning.
Blue Seal Ice Cream -
Blue Seal is their special brand of ice cream. There are many different unique flavours like yam, purple sweet potato, sugarcane, milk tea and etc. My choice of the sugarcane flavour tastes nothing like the sugarcane drink we know and is too much on the sweet side.
They also have soft serve and it comes in purple sweet potato flavour as well. It is surprisingly really good and refreshing.
Some fruit juice please -
Some fruit juice please -
We walked along the street after our dessert and came across Daizo Juice Stand which was just opening. The lady staff just literally crawled in because the door into that box is at the bottom! It was shocking and interesting at the same time.
I ordered number 3 as I preferred that combination. The ingredients came out from a plastic pack and it seems that all are already pre-packed. Regardless, I got a large cup of healthy tasting drink which not many will appreciate. You can still taste the ginger bits. 3/4 down the cup and I was super stuffed. It indeed provided a "solid feeling of satisfaction like eating a salad" (as described on their store). My bf accidentally paid in Taiwan dollars and it was a little embarrassing especially with the language barrier 😆.
(The juice is very effective. A few hours later and a visit to the toilet, I feel so internally cleansed lol.)
I think we barely explored the shopping street but we had to go off to catch our ship by a certain time. We took the taxi back - the taxi with the automatic back door. The driver did not want to accept big notes, and we had to give whatever small notes we could and he collected slightly less than the fare. O.O.
The staff on board did not seem very welcoming to the passengers who were coming back. In fact, they were rather rude and rushed us to move on quicker. Really annoying.
Dinner at Regency Dining Room -
You know what is so weird and irritating is that our table number reflected on the room card only means something on the first day? It was claimed that they do not go by the designated table numbers on the days with stopovers. Tables are planned as and when the customers walk in. This means that you do not sit in the same spot and you have different people serving you every day. It has both good and bad points, but I definitely prefer some personal experience in which my attendant knows what kind of tea I would like after a meal.
Speaking of tea, it seems that there is no such thing as tea/coffee after our dessert on Princess Cruise. They do not ask you about it at all. On our Royal Caribbean cruise, I drank peppermint tea consecutively and then subsequently, he knew what to get me.
I was looking for something sour and appetizing. Minestrone seems like the thing, but what was served looks more like vegetable soup, the Chinese style. The pasta was bad. I cannot remember the reason why but I know I did not enjoy it. On the other hand, the sirloin steak that day was really delicious. Very juicy and tender. The french fries at the side was of a pathetic amount though.
The dessert was satisfying. The Portuguese egg tart is created perfectly. The hazelnut chocolate pudding is great too, albeit the half-melted vanilla ice cream. The cream puff swan was beautifully served but the puff taste too hard. And the last dessert was a melty bowl of 3 flavours.
What followed was a singing show at Vista Lounge, a Magic show at Princess Theatre which I escaped from, and a relaxing session listening to the pianist at Crooners.
We had a lovely supper at the International Cafe. I can never resist a toasted crispy croissant.
Speaking of tea, it seems that there is no such thing as tea/coffee after our dessert on Princess Cruise. They do not ask you about it at all. On our Royal Caribbean cruise, I drank peppermint tea consecutively and then subsequently, he knew what to get me.
I was looking for something sour and appetizing. Minestrone seems like the thing, but what was served looks more like vegetable soup, the Chinese style. The pasta was bad. I cannot remember the reason why but I know I did not enjoy it. On the other hand, the sirloin steak that day was really delicious. Very juicy and tender. The french fries at the side was of a pathetic amount though.
The dessert was satisfying. The Portuguese egg tart is created perfectly. The hazelnut chocolate pudding is great too, albeit the half-melted vanilla ice cream. The cream puff swan was beautifully served but the puff taste too hard. And the last dessert was a melty bowl of 3 flavours.
What followed was a singing show at Vista Lounge, a Magic show at Princess Theatre which I escaped from, and a relaxing session listening to the pianist at Crooners.
We had a lovely supper at the International Cafe. I can never resist a toasted crispy croissant.
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