Sea days are wonderful when the weather is good, but rather less attractive if it’s inclement. After two dull and bouncy sea days we are definitely ready for some land time.
Firstly we wander up to the fishing port area, then visit the Amami museum to learn all about the region and its natural inhabitants, we have a lovely chat with an elegant Japanese lady who is keen to hear all about our trip, and definitely approved of the tour map we showed her. An old army house stands next to the museum.
I find some great Converse, but don’t by them as we’re not buying American things if possible.
The island was quite independent several centuries ago before being incorporated into Japan, and again after WWII the Americans wouldn’t let it return to Japan for about eight years, around 1953.
Although we have a plan for Amime, we know the town is fairly unremarkable, so when reviewing the map we notice a tunnel, we feel obliged to go there first before we commence.
The adjoining town has a small beach, and not wanting to stop, the next town through a second tunnel is quite residential with substantial building on what is probably reclaimed land.
We later realise we could carry on playing “what’s at the end of the next tunnel?” game in the opposite direction as well, but two is enough for one day.
As we return we pass a Family Mart and having only had 2½ courses for breakfast (I realise this is a troubled sentence … as you asked, we shared a banana muffin at the end) we decide to get a power bar as well as a drink.
We are enjoying greeting people on the street – everyone gets hello, good morning, a short sharp bow (or two) and the response is guaranteed. Today we get much more when an old man, after the standard greeting, responds by pointing at his legs, then ours, an unintelligible sentence and finally peals of laughter, presumably he said something like “you forgot to put your trousers on!” it was a delight to see him laugh so much at our expense.
Then we head along our intended route first to a shrine, nothing particularly special, and the around the town to the headland opposite where we’re parked. It’s a lovely walk and the first on this holiday where only one layer is needed.
After lunch we read, write and work a while before it’s jacuzzi and cocktail time – now the sun is out cocktails are allowed!
Dinner this evening is at Earth and Ocean, where we are now able to dine without the need for heating, although we’re the only ones, everyone else remains huddled under the infrared like eggs in an incubator. They’re not Yorkshiremen! It’s a fabulous dinner of meatballs, prawns, surf and turn, sea bass and finally a brioche and cherry pudding twice the size it needs to be!
Tonight’s wonderful performance by the Seabourn Six is Live and Wired, a new production for us. Starting with an a capella rendition of Toto’s Africa it goes from genre to genre and generation to generation encapsulating the fifties, sixties, eighties and more.
The band, choreography and staging are exceptional and a tribute to the talented team of artists, musicians and technicians onboard Quest
