A few hours until we return to Hawaii...

We have now spent 2 full days in Fukuoka.  Yesterday morning was the unloading of the fish.  This is a big deal in Japan and all of the parents and news crews were there.  We then got to see the dormitory where Sean and Mr. Tanaka would be staying for our time on land.  They took us to meet the Mayor yesterday and we also got to see two different temples.  Leolani, Reiko (our translator), and I did a home stay with a wonderful couple by the name of Kawakami.  Today was another very busy day.  We visited Suisan High School and got to experience multiple classes; these included diving, food processing, marine biology, and calligraphy.  We then went back to the dormitory where we had a tea ceremony where we wore kimonos. Tomorrow is a visit to the Governor, another temple, and a museum.  Then we head back to Honolulu tomorrow night.

When we got off the boat there was a wonderful welcoming ceremony.  All the students of the school were there, along with parents and family.  Sean gave a very good speech to the crowd talking about how honored he and Leo are to be in Japan and to have been a part of the trip.

 Unloading fish.

Tea ceremony.

Day 17:  Saying goodbye to the Kaiyu Maru

Today is our last morning aboard the Kaiyu Maru.  We will be unloading
the fish today and then headed towards the welcoming ceremony where Sean
will be giving a speech to represent Leo and himself.  It was a good
trip, and the students especially had a wonderful experience.
Hopefully, we will have access to internet in these next few days so we
will be able to update you on our journey through Fukuoka.  Please enjoy
the photos of the beauty we saw once arriving in Japan.

Leo: 

I am very sad to be leaving tomorrow because we won't be seeing the
students at school. Last night, we had a little party since it was our
last night together. We had orange juice, Japanese cheetos, and other
random candy. It was a great way to end our journey together. Im very
happy that I got to go on this boating adventure:).

Sean: 

Well, Its time to leave the Kaiyu Maru for the last time. Im a bit
sad to leave the ship but as I look back on the experiences that I had
onboard, and the people that Ive met I feel special and glad to have
been a part of this journey across the Pacific. It's my first time
traveling internationally and I finally have a stamp in my passport to
show that I've been away but when I look back on it I think of the
journey I went through to get to Japan. When I went in the bridge to
shake the Captains hand after he parked at the pier and congragulate him
on completing this leg everyone emphasized that "Its been a long and fun
trip" and I think they're all right it really was.

 Sunrise...

...and sunset.

Day 15:  Off the boat tomorrow!

We are now near Japan!  You can see it as we are anchored out to sea a
little ways.  We will be passing under one of the bridges this morning,
and then we will be officially docked as of 9am tomorrow.  Today is a
ship cleaning day and then tomorrow afternoon, after they get us though
customs, the Captain and his wife are going to take us shopping and with
them for dinner.