Jeff's Log ~ Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Ishigaki, Japan

Boy was I wrong about not needing fowl weather gear! The first thing that happened after going on watch was a large wave that broke just as we approached it and I got completely soaked. The wind was blowing hard enough that I dried out quickly and I put my jacket on to stay warm. We arrived in the dark and navigated the entrance to the port of Ishigaki like the professionals we are paid to be. There are many breakwaters that we had to work our way around without a detailed chart. Tracy was down below trying to communicate on the radio while Scott, Mark and I picked our way through the maze of lights, anchored ships, and barges, as well as a dredge in the darkness. It all worked out, and we ended up tying up to a breakwater next to the Japan Coast Guard station. We spent the night there and everyone slept very well.

This morning, we had to get up early to put the boat where she needed to go. The wind had us pinned on the sea wall, there was a boat in front and a raft behind, and springing the bow out would not quite work. We launched the dink, and used it as a tug boat to get the bow clear of the boat ahead. We then proceeded to the yacht marina area and shortly after getting tied up, were met with a barrage of officials. Immigration came with two men. Quarantine officer had to come on board first. After he cleared us, immigration boarded. Customs came with eight men; coast guard came with six men. Vegetation quarantine boarded and told us to keep whatever fruit and vegetables we had on board to ourselves. Immigration took us in two carloads to be photographed and fingerprinted. It was a whirlwind of activity.

Scott had arranged to meet a fellow by the name of Mike who is from Texas but is a permanent resident here. Mike gave us some basic knowledge to help us get started. He gave us a map of the city with some places of interest marked and labeled. Then we were off to the post office which has the only English ATM’s in the city. The machines will only give you 10,000 yen, about a hundred dollars. It is now Friday, and I have found out that 10,000 yen doesn’t go very far. Things here are definitely more expensive than the previous countries. Laundry was the next item of importance, because Manila was the last time it got done. There was lots and lots. When we got to the laundry place, the girl was surprised by how much we had. I was surprised with how much it cost. 364,000 yen! I had to give her a down payment because I did not have enough money.

Mike recommended a fellow sailor’s restaurant and bar as a good place to go, so we went there for lunch and introduced ourselves. His name is Cury, and his wife is Fusi. Their place is very cute, with lots of nick-nacs sitting on the bar. Mark and I really like the people and the place, so we stayed out very late last night and had a good time with the native crowd. There was a singer from Tokyo who was visiting Cury and she sang a couple of songs for us. We sat around with her and her girlfriends, and they asked us questions nonstop. Cury kept mixing up what we called “dangerous drinks” made from some rice liquor. Cury has been a big help to us, and called in some friends that have been sailing around Japan for years to help us pick out safe anchorages along our path in case they are needed.

I took Scott’s computer and re-downloaded the sky mate software while I was there. The evening’s fun ended at about 2:30AM. Cury called a couple of cabs, and we all went home happy. This morning, Scott, Tracey and Renon went on the ferry to a nearby island for some sight-seeing, so Mark and I could sleep in a bit. He’s still sawing logs, but I am wide awake, bright eyed and bushy-tailed. I am going to try to find a working telephone.