Pacific Odyssey - Leg 5

You no longer need to envy us our warm weather: today could have been any cold, wet rainy day in a Victoria winter. We awoke to 15 degrees Celsius which felt absolutely freezing to us. We wore hats, scarves, mittens, and layered clothing under fleece and down, and covered it over with our rain gear. The wind picked up strength during the night and the seas increased. It was an unsettled night for most of us. There was a lot of shipping traffic and skipper was up for much of the night with the watch officers. By 1000hrs we were tied to the dock in Naha. About 10 Japanese officials and our shipping agent were waiting for us. They all boarded and joined skipper in the after cabin. There were several men with white gloves inspecting the ship but they seemed more interested in just having a good look and admiring the grace: they were all very friendly. Jordan was able to communicate with them, though the shipping agent speaks English. It took until 1700 hrs before we were allowed to go ashore. Rachael and Amanda helped Gillian make pizza for supper and then nearly everyone went into town for their first look at Japan. Skipper and I walked with the boys into a food market nearby and were fascinated with everything, especially the fish section. We saw squid, octopus, bags of tiny dried minnow-like fish, fine strings of white dried fish, small 3cm diameter dotted eggs beside the chicken eggs, exquisitely displayed and sliced fish in packages for sushi, whole fish sliced thinly but still in it´s shape etc . . . so much to look at and 90% of what we saw, we weren´t quite sure what it was, plus we couldn´t read the labels, it was fun. The crew spent a wet and cold afternoon tightening the rig: this job will continue for a few days. Trainees spent the afternoon below decks, sleeping, playing cards, writing and reading. There are big plans for tomorrow, Naha is a big city. Until then, good night, Bonice.