We go ashore to visit the market. The market is disappointing and tiny but there are two ladies at one shop and we have our Japanese speaking photographer, James with us. We spend a delightful 20 minutes making purchases and chatting up the women. One is a real character and she speaks a bit of English. Spam is apparently huge in Japan.
We are treated to a cultural exchange experience. This event is outstanding! In addition to the performance shown and the flute player in the event and little girl watching, the event begins with a cultural exchange. We enter and are seated. At each place is a bottle of tea and two local food items. The members of the troupe and other locals meet each of us one-on-one and introduce the food products. One of them, a sweet wrapped in a huge leaf wrapper, would never have been opened properly without local knowledge.
The performance is a very good expression of the ancient culture.
Is she not precious?
We visit a second lighthouse point. This one has a special breed of horses particular to the island.The next stop is a weaving factory. We both purchase shirts. Too bad the kimonos were not for sale.These are squirrel monkeys. Some members of our group were given food and then attacked by the monkeys. There are photos of three or more monkeys crawling on some fellow passengers. CJ was in the sanctuary alone and the monkeys paid him zero attention.We have another glass bottom boat experience. The water isn't as clear. The feature is the giant clam seen below, and more fish.The boats are lined up on a beautiful beach in an even more gorgeous surrounding. Nearing the end of the cruise, it is time for the staff show. These are our room stewards dancing. The show on Orion set the gold standard. This show was better than the one on our first Resolution cruise.We have made it to the western most island of Japan. Taiwan is in view from high points.Another sake brewery, more tastings, more purchases. We are at 7.7 liters of sake.
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