11. Yokohama

After five ports days in a row it was nice to have a day at sea before returning to Yokohama. On the plus side, the temperature was some 15 degrees lower than previous days and therefore much more pleasant and the sea was flat calm. On the minus side, it was thick fog and for much of the morning we couldn't see the front of the ship from our balcony, but it did clear as the day wore on.

Being the last day for the majority of passengers, it was time to say say sayonara to many of the people we had met on board. Jen and Lawrence from Newcastle had been our dining companions for the week and were returning home but Hilary and Barry, the other couple on our table (South Africans but now living in Sydney...no offence), are staying on with us. 

We also had to say farewell to our trivia team of Simon, Denise and Sophie although not before Sophie had entertained us all with a karaoke version of "Somewhere over the rainbow".

Upon arrival, we had a few hours to spend in Yokohama, but didn't want to do too much walking as the stifling heat and humidity had returned. So we just took a short walk to the Yokohama Marine Tower and then went up to the top. At over 300 ft high, the observation floor gave us a great all round view of the harbour although a thick haze obscured any distant landmarks. It also had a small glass panel floor which we could stand on and peer at the street below.

Back at ground level we caught the train for the short journey across the city to the air conditioned malls of the Minatomirai area and did a little shopping before a break for a coffee and a cinnamon bun. It was fascinating watching the locals going about their daily business...the guys are all dressed, without exception, in dark trousers, a white shirt and carrying a man-bag. A tie appears to be optional. The girls seem to have a little more leeway when it comes to their attire, but whatever they wear it is always cool, airy and above all, stylish. Jeans are very rarely seen on either sex.

We were back on board with an hour or so to spare before sailaway time. When we pulled away from the berth, a large crowd of locals were there to see us off, many of them waving yellow flags. I assume that is something symbolic, but will have to research later.

As I alluded to earlier, it is a big changeover day and unlike the first 8 day voyage where westerners were the majority, on the second leg, two thirds of the passengers are Japanese so it will be interesting to see how the entertainment programme and the ambience of the ship changes.

The ship is now heading south towards Japan's tropical islands and there are rumours  of a typhoon in the vicinity. Could it be a case of here we go again? Watch this space!

*****

An update since I wrote the above.

We were sitting in the theatre listening to a presentation about our next port of call, Okinawa, when the captain announced over the pa that tropical storm Amphill is due to hit the Island over the weekend, so the port is being cancelled and we shall spend the day at sea instead. Oh, the irony! (As it begins with an A, I assume that this is the first storm of the season). Like last year, every guest is to receive USD50 in compensation and we are now scheduled to arrive in the following port, Ishigawa, a few hours earlier than originally scheduled. So yes, it is a case of here we go again!, but at least our disappointment was somewhat tempered as we have visited before. Many guests aboard have not.