day 58, at sea, we're back online!

Hi everybody,

Yesterday we arrived in Osaka, Japan. What a change in the weather! Three days ago we were swimming in the warm sea at Guam. That was really fun-hope you see some video (dad-you will). We did not take a tour-although Karen and Jim said that tour was lovely and it reminded them of Hawaii. We took the shuttle bus to the Hyatt hotel which was very nice and spent the morning on the beach. The water was great. There was quite a strong current so we could wade out to waste depth and then float down the beach and then walk back against the current so we did get a little leg exercise. We got out of the sun before noon but even so we got a slight burn.

Osaka, on the other hand, was freezing. It was sunny, thank goodness, but at high of only 45°. That probably sounds pleasant to you "Northerners" but I guess we had got used to a tropical environment. We did take a morning tour here. We were quite disappointed in it because we spent way too much time at a Shinto shrine and we felt very uncomfortable because it almost felt like our guide was trying to convert us! There was no way we were going to ring the bell, clap our hands, bow twice and pray to the particular God of that shrine. Dad told me he heard they have 8 million different gods! This particular place had shrines to four of them. I just hung back and said the Lord's prayer under my breath. I realize I am not an evangelist because there was no way I could go up to people and talk about Jesus. I guess I can at least pray for the people who do feel called to do this. We have pictures of this area.

After the shrine we went to Osaka Castle but we didn't have enough time to see this properly. We were hungry at this point so we did take time to eat a sort of dumpling thing with minced pork in it-rather bland but nice. We did see a special show they put on for us and news people were there filming us. It is the first time the Queen Mary has come to Osaka and it seems like that is a very big deal. Unfortunately, as I said before, this took up time allotted to actually seeing the Castle. Also, the bus was parked a mile away so a lot of time was taken up just getting to the Castle. The picture of the woman and man in Japanese costume was a real wedding that was taking place that day.

We got back to the ship about 1:30 PM, had lunch and a bit of a nap then headed out again on our own. There was a huge Ferris wheel-the largest in the world before the London Eye was built-right beside the peer so we took a ride on that and had great views of the city. It was neat to look down at the ship as we were really close to it. We also did a little shopping in a mall that was just steps away from the gangway.

There was quite a show of singing and dancing in a square close by. This was in honor of the Queen Mary two being in port. Unfortunately we did not bring our cameras as we were in a rush to get shopping done before the stores closed.

Today we are at sea on our way to Nagasaki (tomorrow) but we can't use the Internet when we are in Japanese waters!

Still no word on any changes to our itinerary due to the unrest in the Middle East.

I forgot to tell you about Ash Wednesday. I knew the Anglican minister had got off the ship so I asked Bob, who I knew was a Catholic who attended mass every morning, if he could ask the priest if we could receive the ashes. We happened to meet the priest, father Michael from Alberta Canada, while we were playing cards with Bob and Kathy and he assured us we were very welcome not only to get the ashes but also to receive communion! According to him if you do not have access to a priest or minister of your own Christian denomination you are welcome to receive at the Catholic mass as long as you understand what it is all about. Whether you do understand is left up to your own conscience. I wonder if the Pope would agree with him? However it was nice that all Christians were able to worship together on this first day of Lent.

Dad has gone to the gym while I am writing this. Yesterday I did 3 miles uphill on the treadmill before the tour not realizing how much walking there would be on concrete and I am paying for it today with shin splints and achy legs. Dad has been much more faithful about exercise and I have been and it shows. We have both gained about 5 pounds but his is all muscle while I am getting fat and flabby (dad-an exaggeration!) I can still fit into my smaller size close, thank goodness, but I don't think that will last much longer. My intent is to give up desserts for Lent-just dessert after dinner not be yummy cakes at teatime so don't be too impressed-

Oh, one last thing-another quiz question for you grandkids. A nice couple on our trivia team got on the ship in New Zealand and left it in Osaka to fly back to New Zealand. Can you guess how long their flight was? Going by ship has made us realize how big our world is and how much of it is water!

Will write again after nagging Sakae, Nagasaki!, -That should be very interesting but sad and disturbing.

Pictures and videos later, too many people on internet.