At Sea we forget to count the days....

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." -Lao Tzu
Hello All! We are currently over 500 miles from the closest point of land, Midway Island, which we’re told is essentially a military base / fueling stop. We are about five days into a ten day crossing from Japan to Hawaii. People young and old are starting to get a little cabin fever! It’s hard to believe that when we arrive in San Diego on December 13th, we will have been traveling one week short of four months – one third of a year!
It is true that the days blend into one another at sea. Especially since while we’re sailing, every day is a school day and we’re just as busy on weekends as we are on weekdays! It is no exaggeration that most days we have no idea what date or day it is! Time is another strange phenomenon. Although our days are fairly structured, especially in regards to meals (8am, 11:30am, 5:30pm), we have been losing an hour every other night! Yesterday we had our own version of “Groundhog Day” in that we added another day because we crossed the international date line! So yesterday was our second November 27th – pretty wild, huh! Two students actually got to celebrate their 21st birthdays twice!!!
The kids continue to thrive at sea and in this unconventional living and learning environment. Today they were treated to a hot dog lunch in the faculty/staff lounge! They were served hotdogs, hamburgers, French fries, milk shakes, followed by ice cream and cookies! They danced to Disney tunes and frolicked in bubbles with their shipboard friends – all the while floating out in the middle of nowhere! They have five more days to work with their beloved tutors. We have been so fortunate to have 20 young women help us with individualized tutoring with the girls, and 2 hours of care for Declan over these four months! Their help has been invaluable! John and I wonder how the kids will ever return to a conventional classroom. Then we remember how resilient children are and how they adapt so much quicker than we do. I was talking to my boss Sue, the Executive Dean of the voyage today. She has a son and a daughter who have sailed with her for a third time this voyage – her son is a student, and her daughter works in the field office. She told me that her daughter who was eight the first time they sailed, told her recently that her experience on this ship shaped her into the person she is. John and I think that it will probably be years before we can truly appreciate the impact that it has had on our children – especially the girls.
This is the last week of classes for the students. After Hawaii, they will have exams. As a result, it has been extremely busy this week. We had the shipboard auction the other night. They did a silent auction during the day for smaller items, and then a live auction at night for larger items like rental properties. John’s placemats created a bidding war and earned a sizable donation for the Semester at Sea foundation – as always, I was very proud to have so many people recognize one of his many hidden talents. Last night, I was a participant in a career panel focused on healthcare professions. I have truly loved all of the interaction and mentoring of students throughout this voyage. Tomorrow night is a talent show, followed by a choral concert, then a comedy night. I never went to summer camp, but I imagine it feels something like this! There is always something going on! Life will feel quite monotonous when we return, but hopefully we’ll be ready for a little break…
Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving! Thinking of you all, Traci

Long Pacific Reflection

Hi All,

It has been such an amazing journey. Because of my status on the ship (basically Dad) I've enjoyed being able to write a little something and show pictures about where we have been and what it was like for us as a family. We have tried to learn from each country and culture we have encountered. I think Traci and I were able to clear our minds of preconceived expectation's of the destinations we had in store. This was good for two reasons , First, it kept the research and excitement high all the time and secondly we were open to except what ever came our way.

I have to tell you we were often surprised. For example I really had no idea what to think of Vietnam. I'll I knew was movies and documentary work on the US involvement in the war . I was born in 65' I wonder what my parents thought at the time? Going to Vietnam we found the people very friendly and happy to show you their world. I think they want to get past that time in history. They are an ingenious and industrious people.

Traci and I could come up w/ so many examples of experiences that en lighted us about another part of the world. It has been so special to "free the dock lines" and explore how some other people live, work and interact . The US is certainly not the center of everyone's world.

It also helps me appreciate how America has achieved so much since all people started making way to the new land.

This voyage has also given us a perspective of a new generation born in 1990ish. It is great to see the dreamers, those idealistic and passionate kids who honestly want to make a difference. The professors on the ship encourage everyone to learn, share, care. Sustainability of our plants resources , energy , water, the oceans have been on the forefront of any discussion about how one country or another gets it done. It never changes , education is the one thing in this world that will help us carry on and bring us closer to peace w/ each other. I don't have to be Buddhist or Muslim(fanatic's aside) to respect their choice and on the other hand I don't want to be told how I should live or pray.

Archbishop Desmond TuTu has experienced so much in his long life of caring and I don't think he could be definded by a religion. He believes in the good in everyone , and karma . we all can try a little each day to begin to make a difference . Nothing gets done w/out taking the 1st step.

Well that's it for today

best j

latitude 26' 7' N

longitude 171' 051' E

course 105'

sea swell 8 feet

sea condtions 3 feet

depth 19029 feet ( did you know the ocean greatest depth is 7 miles!

1700 nm to Hawaii

closest point of land ( 598 miles to Midway Island (USA) ) ....longtime since the closest point of land has been US soil !

Tsujiki Fish Market

"They sicken of the calm, who new the storm" j Harrison-
Toyko Japan
This was going to be a dream day for me. To actually see a Blue Fin Tuna auction take place at the heart of it all ,Worldwide…. One problem a national holiday – Closed. I learned a bit researching it before I went. The Blue Fin arrives at market (Flash frozen from all over the world) at 5:00 pm they get sorted and marked w/ a red character. Then at 3:00AM the buyers get to look over the stock. At 5:30 AM the auction begins (lot # X, how much will you pay? And so on) The buyers (thousands of them) are allowed to cut a small piece from the tail section to thaw in their hands , inspect and taste.I can imagine how excited and loud it get’s w/ the Japanese language often sounding like shouting to my untrained ears. The word for “yes ,that’s it” is HEY! So everybody sounds like they are shouting HEY . They only let in 140 visitors to this auction daily because its business and not a tourist attraction. I’m told ,people do not have the right of way the Fish do! So get out of the way of the forklift carrying the Tuna or else!! This process can generate $22,000,000 a day in revenue!! It is said to be the kitchen for 12,000,000.
On the bright side I didn’t have to get up at 3:45 to get in. We had something to eat and wondered down to the market and many of the outlying stalls and storefront spaces were open. We did see a demonstration of a 400 lb Bluefin being flitted and sectioned into Sushi .The demonstration was being filmed by some kind of Japanese morning show crew. We were even given free pieces to try. It was perfect! The knives used were actually huge swords -think Samurai for real!
All in all it was cool to be in the Landing Zone of the Tuna I have been part of catching back home on Cape Cod.

We set sail from Yokahama Japan to Honolulu Hawaii a couple days ago(it's a 10 day crossing!) and the Pacific gave us a dose of big sea. 10-15 feet the 1st 24hrs . The ship and anything not battened down was getting tossed. We had two sea sick little ones along w/ half the student body. Dec did a nice job of hurling on his breakfast plate not on himself. He was good to go in about 5 minutes so it was really nothing. Layne actually was seasick for the afternoon but felt better by night time. Anna was staying clear of any of that business.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, but it really didn't feel anything like it until dinner. The chef and crew did a special dinner for extended families. I think I told you we "adopted" a student to share meals w/ and generally see around, she plays w/ the kids , etc.. Her name is Heather and she's great. We had our Turkey dinner w/ her and talked about what traditions we each have at home on T-Day. It was fun. We are going to meet her Dad and a brother in Hawaii they are flying to see her..

We are all thinking of home . It has been an eyeopening adventure all the way. The ports of call

, the people we have met and lived w/, life at sea, the closeness of family, the cultures we have walked in, and just reflecting on what is important in life.

Seek out a way to help out someone else when you can , even in the littlest way and you know your thinking is on the right course.

Keep dreaming

ps I have to thank Z and Trudi for keeping FishAye Trading on the Map at Wellesley Market Place . I know what a big effort that is , so thankyou and everyone else who helped (Bummper , Ty, TD , Annie) I have certainly come away w/ some great ideas on this voyage and maybe even a fish rubbing or two.

Capt J

Latitude- 29' 56'N

Longitude 150' 020' E

sea depth - 20,098 feet deep!!!

sea water temp 77'f

wind 28 knots

sea swell 12 feet

sea contitions 13 feet

distance to nearest land 565 NM east north east from Muko Shima (Japan)

distance to Honolulu 2782 NM

Disney Sea- Tokyo Japan

Hi All,

Well we navigated our way from Yokohama to Toyko to Disney via walking plus four different trains. You would think we should get a medal for that! The trains are quite confusing and you have to really search for English which sometimes isn't much of a help.

Disney Sea is kind of a park with a "around the world kind of theme" . If its hard for you to understand why one might go to fantasy park like this while you are experiencing the real thing, think of how Traci and I felt. Of course it's for the kids and it was nice to see their excitement.

As you might imagine it was crowded, I don't think they have a shut off point based on how many people were in there. The Japanese really seemed to like it , we noticed it was a place where we saw allot of couples on dates! The lines for any ride were very long - Disney does lines two ways. 1. You can just stand in one 2. you can get a fast pass and when your time comes up you go to the front of the line. Example to ride the roller coaster the wait was 3.5 hrs! the fast pass 9 hrs !

We had a good look at a city made to look like a casaba or old Medina in Morocco. The girls thought it a bit phony since a couple months ago they were riding a real donkey wearing traditional scarves through a truly crowed Medina in Fez w/ all the real smells and sounds that go along w/ it.

We were all surprised and happy to see a whole area themed after Cape Cod! We couldn't believe it . They probably had a section for each continent and Cape Cod was North America! Alas it was Disney, but thanks for the effort and recognition.

We rode on a submarine 20,000 leagues under the sea which was neat.

Finally it was time to go to our Hotel (thanks Bump) . We all took showers or bath's and put on our Kimonos to settle in for the night.

Best

JD

Now all my kids have been to Disney ... I am officially done w/ that business

Kids are ready for Tokyo Disneyland!!

Hi All,

The picture is of the kids cabin and Layne being told we are going to Disneyland!

Save me....

j

Kobe and Kyoto Japan

Man get's tired

Spirit don't

Man surrenders

Spirit won't

Man crawls

Spirit flies

Spirit live's when man dies

Man seems

Spirit is

Man dreams

Spirit lives

Man is tethered

Spirit free

What spirit is the man can be....

Michael Scott

Hi All,

We have had a busy couple days in Kobe then Kyoto Japan. For anyone who has been here they know travel is confusing. Of all the countries we have been in we found Japan a challenge. Many Japanese don't speak English much to my surprise. It does make some sense when you take into account that 125,000,000 people live in Japan that is made up of 6,000 islands!! and is a little smaller than California! Of this huge population almost all are Japanese w/ a very small immigrant population made up of mostly Koreans.

It is a country steeped in traditions some marvelous some terrible. The marvelous are the clothing , the ceremony , the Geisha , the plantings , the food , the architecture and so much more. The terrible tradition of whaling and killing bottlenose dolphin are an outrage! It is mind boggling this continues despite the world , the UN and IWC condemning it. It tarnishes Japans government as a whole in my opinion.

On to other topics, did I mention it's crowded. We took a 1 hr train ride to Kyoto and it was packed only to become more packed w/ every stop. At one point Traci thought the wave of new arrivals squeezing onto an already FULL train were going to topple the carriage and start stepping on the little ones. At that point I picked up little Dec and blocked for Layne. While Traci kept Anna close and glared at people letting them know she was not pleased. I simply leaned Declan on someones back to take some of the weight off my arm, they couldn't turn around or move to see what was happening plus I'm a bit taller than most and could breath just fine.

It is also the most expensive place we have been by far. Everyone is on a mission , all the businessmen are so serious in there dark suits. I can honestly say you don't here that much laughter or see many smiles . We were smiling at a Susi restaurant we went to around 4:30 one day. Of course we couldn't read the menu and everyone but one person spoke only Japanese. He informed us it was a crab only restaurant. So we will have crab. The kids started in on the typical destruction and antsy behavior. The nice hot towels they gave us pre-meal were all over the place then Declan tipped over a glass of water. You would have thought we lit the place on fire , about 6 people in tradition kimonos came running w/ looks of horror on their faces. The kids then started to walk around in the wooden flip flops they provide so you don't wear your shoes in the joint. We thought it funny they - no so much. We ate , we paid , we kissed , we left.

On to Toyko and the Marriott courtesy of Terry and Trudi's Marriott points (Thank you so Much)

We will keep you posted

We are currently sailing up the east coat of Japan.

Bye for now

J

Shanghai China

Hi All,

I apologize for the delay in a new post. We have had a major computer issue. So I will do my best to patch some info on the rest of our voyage. Shanghai was an interesting place , it's a city of 17 million people. Some of our highlights were shopping in a truly magnificent market place. The old architecture you would think of when you think of China. Interesting roof structure , and intricate wood work detail . The markets were full of all kinds of things from dried bat (food!) to all kinds of knock off name brand clothes, watches, bags , etc.. The bargaining was relentless!! Not rude but relentless. We typically paid about 30% of the starting price or we walked away.

We did find some very cool artwork in a different location the 2nd day.

We attended a Chinese Acrobatic show that was amazing!

One of the great things about China was that we stayed on the ship from Hong Kong to Shanghai , only 160 travellers were on the ship for the two day voyage. It was excellent. They did dress up meals w/ a menu and wait staff for us!



We are all doing well . Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.



Best Capt ron

Latitude 34'41 N

Longitude 135'012 E