ASIA!

Hello hello friends and family!
I’d like to start off this post by apologizing for not having written to you all in quite some time. It has been a busy couple of days with schoolwork and such but now I am smooth sailing! Well, not smooth at all actually. When we turned north to make our final approach to Yokohama, Japan, we hit some very rough waters and our ship was forced to a crawl as we battled 15-20 foot swells slamming against our bow. I only heard rumors as to what was causing the rough seas, my favorite one being that a submerged volcano off the coast of Japan had erupted. While I am not sure of the validity of such a claim, I am sure that whatever happened was causing some unpleasant travels. It was only bad for yesterday afternoon and all night and was back to calm seas by mid-morning today. Actually, bad isn’t even the right word! Once you get used to being tossed side-to-side it’s pretty fun. However, I am sad to say that our arrival in to Japan has been delayed. We were told initially that we would lose an entire day but our captain took advantage of this morning’s weather and opened up the Explorer clipping along at 20 knots (we don’t normally go higher than 13). With the extra speed we are only being delayed about 2 or 3 hours for a 9:30am arrival, which doesn’t sound like much, but given Japan’s rigorous customs procedures (including being scanned for viruses) we won’t be able to disembark until noon (assuming all goes smoothly).
        Every student on board takes a class called Global Studies and Sunday (Saturday US time) was our first exam. It was a nice and easy 50 multiple choice test which was the only thing standing in the way between Japan and us! Today was “Asia Day” which consisted of all sorts of lectures and activities from morning until night all having something to do with the Asian culture and/ or history. As far the entire ship is concerned, we are all beyond excited to disembark and be standing in Japan. What a wild thought. I cannot believe that in just hours I’ll be in a part of the world I’d never thought I’d see. I have a feeling it’s going to be incredible.
        I plan on checking out Yokohama with a good group of friends for a good part of the day tomorrow then hopping on a train to Tokyo in the afternoon. After two nights there, I’ll be heading up to Hiroshima all day Thursday. I’ve heard from many faculty and staff that it is one of the most emotionally moving cities to see in the entire trip. After that we’ll cruise on over to Osaka for one night, Kyoto another, then Kobe early on the 14th for a Kobe beef lunch then a quick 2 day sail to China! The next couple of days are going to be mind blowing.
        While I’m soaking in the first of my Asian experience I most likely will not post again until we are in transit to China so let me apologize in advance. It has been a wonderful sail from Hawaii to Japan but after some heavy school work and rough seas I think even our dean is ready to jump ship! The only sign of life we’ve seen in the past 10 days was a small ship that came pretty close to us this afternoon. I don’t really know what it was doing but after slowing down and passing behind us it quickly disappeared in the horizon. It was refreshing a sight, however.
        Anyway friends, that is all from me tonight. I’m doing well and feeling great! I promise to post again as soon as we are back on the ship for China. I’ll have tons of photos and updates to share so be sure to check back soon. I send my love and hellos to all back home and hope that everyone is safe and sound! Take care.

- Chris