Shimizu is a nice little city with a small downtown area and big port. We toured around the business district, then grabbed some lunch at a ramen noodle house. I had smoked eel and buckwheat noodles that were fantastic! The eel was so good. Later, we met some folks and went hunting for a place to grab a drink. We ended up down some little alley in a TINY place - honestly, and I'm not exaggerating when I say this - the place was MAYBE 3 feet wide and 5 feet long. It had a bar with 4 bar stools and one Japanese "sitting table" in the corner. We sat in there and drank a couple of Sapporo beers and watched the Japan v Italy volleyball match (which was very exciting actually) while trying to carry on a conversation with the owner/bartender. That was like...well, like an American who doesn't know any Japanese talking with a Japanese person who doesn't speak English. I have now become quite proficient at charades.
Sunday morning, we caught the bus to the ship about 6:15AM. The ship took off about 8:30AM and the weather could not have been better. It was cool and very windy, but blue skies and calm seas. As we pulled out of port, you could see Mt. Fuji lurking above the clouds. I'll have to say that is one of the most stunning and beautiful things I've ever seen. You understand why the Japanese revere it so - it looks like its not of this world. We had a great afternoon being entertained by a jazz band playing on the deck and a "steel beach" cookout with burgers, hot dogs and BBQ chicken on the deck as well. It was a really good time - and it was fascinating watching them bring the ship into port here. They "back" the ship into the dock using tug boats - quite a site to watch.
Sunday morning, we caught the bus to the ship about 6:15AM. The ship took off about 8:30AM and the weather could not have been better. It was cool and very windy, but blue skies and calm seas. As we pulled out of port, you could see Mt. Fuji lurking above the clouds. I'll have to say that is one of the most stunning and beautiful things I've ever seen. You understand why the Japanese revere it so - it looks like its not of this world. We had a great afternoon being entertained by a jazz band playing on the deck and a "steel beach" cookout with burgers, hot dogs and BBQ chicken on the deck as well. It was a really good time - and it was fascinating watching them bring the ship into port here. They "back" the ship into the dock using tug boats - quite a site to watch.
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