Fukuoka Japan

As soon as we arrive in Izuhara  all the officials  are welcoming us;12 people and a lot  of   forms. Customs ,Immigration ,  Quaraintine,  Japan Coast Guard  ,name it     .Again  asking us  names,  passport numbers, …Just a few weeks ago we gave them all the same information , …

In that time we departed ,now we  are arriving ,that’s the difference . Forms are very important in Japan .  The more the better .

I think , in our wake are tons of paper!!

We have learned to handle it with a big smile ,we do not give any comment or  do grumbling   .  Asking “Why” in not done in Japan ; moreover ,  nobody will  an answer anyway.  The committee was there because  we send an email for our ETA ,You are obliged to do it 24 hours in advance we made an extra one 8 hours before arriving  . They like it.   Despite all this :officialdom” we enjoy Japan. We are wondering that everybody is friendly  helpful  and   complaisant,                                                                                                  The rest is not bordering is anymore.                                                                                                              After a few days in this nice spot we have to go and leave in the early evening-late afternoon. We will do the crossing to Fukuoka in the night , so we can arrive     in daylight.   The  night is splendid with the full moon ,no wind ,    The sea is like an oilpan. .

                                                                                                                                                                 We decide not to go to Odo Marina ,but  to the former fishermen harbor  – now Public Harbor- Nagahama.  Jaap from “Alishan “ is waiting with the mail ,we expected from Holland .Nagahama is a good place ,close tot shops .public bath, coin laundry and so on. It is also the place for the dogs to play and…..                                                                          All people are running behind the animal with a plastic bags and  little  spades      You do not  find  any droppings……

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, build in 1591

Junji Nishida- San helped us with translation English- Japanese

We are  dazed  , surprised and   astonished we   by the fact that a  a lot of people who are walking around . come to the boat and asking  “Where a you from ? : Sailing together ?.   “ How many days from Holland to Japan “ ? The language is difficult but we can manage  the situation it by paper and  pencel …..                      They bring    little presents  like , fruit ,bread. muffins in tins, cake  , small towels , biscuits  and even an original Hakkata Doll       . These are    made  out of  a kind of  gypsum and hand painted .    Ours  depicts a geisha with a beautiful    kimono. Hakkata is the name of  the old town centre from Fukuoka.  Soon we are well  known in the shops around us .Sytske goes on her bicycle in town shopping and to the coin laundry. In the evening we have lots to read in the Dutch newspapers  which Corry sent us. We are running short in time

We need a new sailing permit because the old one is out of date.Due the typhoons we are much later than planned. Simple make a  note on the existing permit,,,,? No.no. we have to apply for a newe  one ! It looks it should give some troubles but again  as I told ,,also people from” Ministry of transport “are friendly.. They copied the old  Permit ,made new schedule  and sent the new permits  the next day by email !!

On  Friday  23e of Agust all the paperwork is done ,we have cleared out and   …can go!!