(Naha is what the Japanese call it)
Despite 10 foot waves and 40 knot winds we managed to dock in Okinawa--Yay Captain Dino! We boarded the elevated monorail mass transit system and went to the end of line, then walked a kilometer to Shujiro Castle. A 15th century castle--now a replica because it was destroyed in WWII. Wandered through the King's work area and home--Japanese screens and tatami mats and beautiful wood everywhere. It is 4 buildings with a square in the middle--the square (about the size of a football field) is made of coloured bricks arranged in rows, so that the bureaucrats and visitors (think thousands) could be properly arranged in rows. There was entertainment--Japanese opera and dancing and Geisha. Back on the monorail to the downtown area, where the main street was blocked to traffic for about 2KM for the Sunday afternoon. It was filled with street performers, kids and oldies and their dogs, vendors, and the like. It was wonderful and fun to walk down the street--even did window shopping and got Laurel's glasses fixed.
Back to the ship for dinner and then the Crew Talent Show. It is always excellent and we enjoy it very much. Last night's highlights were the Phillipino and Thai dancers.
(2 things: Satellite communications--Internet and phone and fax service is cut off while the ship is in Japanese waters, per their regulations. Wierd, can't think of a good technical reason, but there you go. And they have a very onerous and time consuming immigration screening. They started at 7AM and we weren't last and didn't get off the ship until about 2PM.)
Sea day today, will blog after Shanghai.
Is anybody reading this? Please comment or email us...
Thanks to Linda for your comment. Congrats to Ed on his winning at Pool!
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