A contingent of 45 members from the Bailliage of Australia, led by Bailli Délégué Norm Harrison, who is a Member of the Conseil Magistral, visited Japan and South Korea marking Australia’s first official group visit to these overseas Bailliages.

This international gesture of bringing Asia together was warmly received by the destinations with three Bailliages hosting impressive events to welcome the Australian members.

The visits were the highlights for the Australian group whilst embarking on a 12-day food-focused cruise around the two countries, sailing on the Crystal Symphony.

Japan
The Bailliage of Tokyo hosted a dinner on the group’s first night in Japan. Held at the Hotel Cerulian, Executive Chef Nobuhiko Fukuyama and his team presented its famous multi-course seasonal menu, known as a Sakuragaoka Course (meaning blessings of the season). Matched wines were also served for the 150 local and visiting members.

Later in the cruise, the Chaîne Bailliage in Kobe welcomed our group with a delicious eight-course lunch and matched wines at the city’s Kitano Hotel attended by more than 100 members.

The Bailliage organised a bus to transport the group from their ship to the lunch. After which to a Shinto temple where a special blessing ceremony for the group had been arranged. The visiting members were surprised and delighted by the meaningful and very moving gesture.

South Korea
The Fairmont Ambassador Hotel in Seoul was the venue for the final Chaîne dinner at the end of the cruise. Executive Chef Andre Lee and his entire front of house and kitchen team received an enthusiastic standing ovation from the more than 100 diners after the meal.

At each of the events, Norm Harrison, presented the host Bailliages with commemorative plates to mark the visit. Norm said he was humbled by the warmth of the reception and the generosity shown by Masanaga Hikichi in Tokyo, Mr Kadokami, the Bailli Provincial of Kansai ( Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara) in Kobe, and Roland Hinni, Bailli Délégué South Korea who is a Member of the Conseil Magistral, and Magnus Scherr, Bailli Délégué Honoraire of Myanmar and a Member Honoraire of the Conseil Maigistral, in Seoul, and their respective committees and local members.

In his address at each venue, Norm said he hoped this visit would be the first of many. That local members would accept the invitation to attend reciprocal events in Australia, especially the 50th anniversary of the National Bailliage at its Grand Chapitre in Melbourne, April 15-17, 2027. By the end of the cruise, Norm was confident that the relationships between the countries would be long lasting.

“It was so evident that the visits reflected far more than just polite formalities. The welcome we all received in each Bailliage was deeply heartfelt and we all experienced the sense of camaraderie and fraternity that defines the Chaîne. There were friendships made that will obviously endure. Members swapped contact details, arranged visits and exchanged travel tips. Some arranged to meet at future Chaîne events; some even exchanged gifts. When you looked around the room at each event there was a sea of smiling, laughing, talking faces. Our visits proved that the Chaîne knows no cultural or language barriers.”

ANZAC Day and World Chaîne Day
Another significant aspect of the cruise was that it coincided with World Chaîne Day on 25th April, which is also ANZAC Day, Australia’s principal Remembrance Day.

ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day not only marks the Battle of Gallipoli in 1915 but has come to represent a day on which Australia and New Zealand remember all those who have served in all spheres of conflict.

The Captain and officers of Crystal Symphony planned an onboard ANZAC memorial service at 4.45 PM. However, because of the large number of Australians on board they agreed the Chaîne’s request to also have a traditional morning service. Chaîne members and cruise guests enjoyed a traditional gunfire breakfast of coffee, rum and ANZAC biscuits after the service.

Conclusion
Throughout the cruise, the Australian members enjoyed a wide range of onboard dining events as well as food experiences at all of the ports of call in Japan and South Korea.

Norm Harrison concluded that the cruise had been an outstanding success in every respect and said “Not only did we make a meaningful connection with our Asian neighbours, but the members of the group bonded strongly throughout the journey. Members caught up with old friends, renewed acquaintances, met other members, and formed strong relationships within the group.”

Deborah Mackie
Chargée de Presse