Miyakojima and Ishigaki Japan (Day 34 & 35)
Two small islands that are positioned on our way to Taiwan which have been added to our itinerary at
the last minute to substitute for the two days in Shanghai. Taiwan is tomorrow.
Yesterday we landed in Miyakojima, a small island that is part of Okinawa prefecture (we would call
Okinawa a state).
the last minute to substitute for the two days in Shanghai. Taiwan is tomorrow.
Yesterday we landed in Miyakojima, a small island that is part of Okinawa prefecture (we would call
Okinawa a state).
Piloting a cruise ship into a port and then parallel parking it is an exciting and often taken-for-granted
procedure. One needs to be on an upper deck looking down in order to witness this excitement that is
sometimes treacherous. As we near any port, it sends out a sturdy boat with black rubber bumpers just
above the waterline that completely surround the craft. The passenger on the deck of this vessel is very
important as he is the one who will pilot our cruise ship into his port. But first, he must be transferred
from the deck of the bumper-car pilot boat onto the deck of our cruise ship. As you may surmise, this
maneuver is either slick or not depending on the sea conditions. Quite often there is a small group of
observers with cameras to witness this event. Yesterday, most of our upper echelon crew in white
uniforms (captain, and entourage) were on two levels watching. That raised my antennae so I
meandered over with my cell phone camera and joined the watch. The pilot boat wastes no time
approaching our ship then mostly cuts its engine as it gingerly pulls close, starboard to aft with 3-4 foot
waves bouncing, churning, and trying to cause havoc. But these guys have seen it all and their ability to
nimbly vault from deck to deck seems effortless. I think I was the only one who wasn’t breathing as I
tried to focus my camera lens between ship and railing. As soon as the pilot was aboard, the men and
women in white vanished to their stations. Upon further thought, perhaps the show of white force from
our ship was a sign of respect to the port authorities since this was perhaps the first time our ship has
landed here.
sometimes treacherous. As we near any port, it sends out a sturdy boat with black rubber bumpers just
above the waterline that completely surround the craft. The passenger on the deck of this vessel is very
important as he is the one who will pilot our cruise ship into his port. But first, he must be transferred
from the deck of the bumper-car pilot boat onto the deck of our cruise ship. As you may surmise, this
maneuver is either slick or not depending on the sea conditions. Quite often there is a small group of
observers with cameras to witness this event. Yesterday, most of our upper echelon crew in white
uniforms (captain, and entourage) were on two levels watching. That raised my antennae so I
meandered over with my cell phone camera and joined the watch. The pilot boat wastes no time
approaching our ship then mostly cuts its engine as it gingerly pulls close, starboard to aft with 3-4 foot
waves bouncing, churning, and trying to cause havoc. But these guys have seen it all and their ability to
nimbly vault from deck to deck seems effortless. I think I was the only one who wasn’t breathing as I
tried to focus my camera lens between ship and railing. As soon as the pilot was aboard, the men and
women in white vanished to their stations. Upon further thought, perhaps the show of white force from
our ship was a sign of respect to the port authorities since this was perhaps the first time our ship has
landed here.
Two separate shuttle buses are required for us to get to the market area in this small city. The market
turned out to be about two blocks of shops and restaurants, some of which were open and must have
known that we were coming at the last minute. Jerry and I wandered off the main streets and found a
mini-mart of sorts where we could try to spend the remaining Japanese yen in our pockets. Found a few
bottles of wine from Chile and California for $5, loaded them into the daypack and happily proceeded
back to the ship for informal bridge playing, dress up supper with two couples as tablemates from
Australia, and a performance by a sarcastic magician.
turned out to be about two blocks of shops and restaurants, some of which were open and must have
known that we were coming at the last minute. Jerry and I wandered off the main streets and found a
mini-mart of sorts where we could try to spend the remaining Japanese yen in our pockets. Found a few
bottles of wine from Chile and California for $5, loaded them into the daypack and happily proceeded
back to the ship for informal bridge playing, dress up supper with two couples as tablemates from
Australia, and a performance by a sarcastic magician.
Today we landed in Ishigaki, another small and picturesque island with some nice shops and some small “Family Markets” where the crew went to load up on snacks like salty chips or crunchies—tastes and textures they can’t get on the ship.
Jerry and I walked the small downtown area, stopping into stores and looking around when it caught
our fancy. Then we headed back to the shuttle bus that took us back to the ship.
A&Ws are everywhere in Okinawa. Perhaps remnants from American occupation. Note that the prices and the content appear to date back to........ sometime.
There is usually something in bloom wherever you look. Especially lots of Hibiscus.
Today we had Japanese customs officials come to the ship so that we could show them our passports
and get the final Japanese stamp before we leave for Taiwan, then Hong Kong where this current
segment of the four ends. The next segment begins in Hong Kong where some passengers will depart
and others join us and ends in Singapore. The last segment then takes us all along western Australia and
ends in Sydney on Dec. 21. Jerry and I will then stay and drive through New Zealand and return home
January 12, just before George’s 101st birthday. Probably more than you need to know. But oh well.
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