Mark is guest writer today – making his come-back some six and a third years after the last time he wrote the blog.
Overnight we have travelled the 150 miles south east through the East and South China seas back to Japan and the island of Ishigaki part of the Yaeyama islands in the south of Japan.
After breakfast on the patio we have our fourth mandatory immigration inspection in four days. To be fair these have so far been pretty painless and well organised by both the Taiwanese and Japanese, although today is not quite so speedy. We had tried to be tactical in the choice of timing to attend but unfortunately there was a pretty long queue.
After 20 wasted minutes we are off on our pre-planned walking tour which is perhaps a little over zealous given the early departure from Ishigaki at 14.30.
Rather than lose the furthest point, the Emerald Sea Observatory Deck which is 8km away and uphill, we take the courtesy bus from the port into the town and are then soon on our way walking uphill. It’s a lovely bright morning and not too hot and positively without the humidity we have experienced in Taiwan the last two days.
The walk is lovely. Firstly through town and then into the countryside passing forests and banana plantations. It’s feels like home, with many plants we recognise. The views from the observatory are worth the uphill walk with stunning views across our island and the several adjacent islands.
Our second destination is Banna Park. It turns out that the whole area is part of Banna Park. We take a pleasant stroll through the forest across several bridges before emerging alongside a memorial for Malaria victims of the Shiroyama war in 1877.
We had intended to pay a quick visit to the Yaeyama limestone cave but as we approached it there was a notice (in Japanese) saying closed for electrical maintenance.
We moved on to our final destination the Ishigaki Stalactite Cave. This was an excellent 650 metre meander through a beautiful fantasy land of stalactites, also stalagmites and columns. Probably one of the best examples we have seen around the world. Is it slightly spoiled by the Disneyfication in one short section where you can get your photograph taken for 1500¥? We took our own!
Then it’s a 6Km walk back to the ship, mostly on the same track but we vary it slightly to see different streets, and happen across a school with gorgeous marigolds on display.
We stopped off en route at one of our favourite places in Japan – Family Mart – where an ice cream helps sustain the rest of our journey back to the ship 30 minutes ahead of curfew.
Interestingly we have not seen or visited a single temple or shrine today!
Back on board lunch is enjoyed on the patio as usual before the ABBA sail away – one of Seabourn’s regular events. Sitting out in the sunshine seems to be an acceptable way of listening to the music of ABBA and the quartet are excellent.
The afternoon passes speedily with a cocktail (or maybe two) and swim and jacuzzi. We do a camera piece with the Hotel Director who is filming for the BBC. Of course it is unlikely to appear! Neil does a FaceTime tour of the ship with his cousin Anne, and before long it’s time to dress for dinner.
Tonight we are dining with our friends Diane and Cliff, our third visit to Solis, the small restaurant on deck eight.
The meal and company is excellent. Between us two Provencale herb crusted red tuna loins; one risotto al funghi; one lobster ravioli; three fillet mignon; one red wine braised veal osso buco confit; one Jaffa scented red berries; one poire belle helene and two vacherin glacés were consumed plus copious amount of wine. All and all a delightful evening.
