Two Countries, One Day

Yesterday morning we stopped in Japan on an island chain called the Ryukyu Isles. Because of relations between China and Taiwan, it was best that we made another stop in between and didn’t go directly from one to the other. We watched the Japanese Coast Guard over the side of the ship. As we ate lunch, they strapped into their wetsuits and dive gear to go down and get a buoy out of the ship’s propeller. The islands around us were sandy and small, and the water was a tropical kind of blue. It was sunny for the first time in a long time,, so many of us spent some time replenishing our vitamin d stores.

We pulled into Taiwan last night to a strong drizzle and chilly winds. We went through immigration early, so we could get off the ship right away in the morning. On top of the nearest mountain sits the letters “KEELUNG”, just like in Hollywood. Looking around through, this is nowhere near the same. We’re planning on hiking the mountains and waterfalls for three days, but aren’t sure how the bus system will be working as there is a major festival going on for the couple days we’re here.

Three days in Taiwan, eleven at sea, two in Hawaii, and then only a couple before it’s back to real life. Woah.

And I think I’m going to have to go with Butler tonight.