KAGOSHIMA, JAPAN

Arleen buried in very marm sand. It was wonderful.Can you find Duane? (Duane's head anyway)

this what we looked like walking around. We were buried in these komonos

This is the tent that the hot sand are in.
When we arrived in Kagoshima this is what we saw

When we left, we were given a great drum show that lasted about 1/2 hour

Didn't expect this here. It is not that big city

Another smoking volcano. This is the most it did. Still we loved it (after Rabaul we are getting picky)

When we left even the taxi driver and his taxi said goodbye. wonderfully friendly

February 29th

Last nite we were told that we would arrive late to Kagoshima since the bad weather had slowed our progress the last day, so most tours were either cancelled or shortened. Luckily ours was only shorted. Instead of leaving at 8am we left at noon. As it turned out, we arrived in Japan at 10am.

Kagoshima is on the southern tip of Japan. It sits in a large bay with a volcano at its tip. We were told the volcano only gives off ash, but no steam or other activity. As you can see from the pictures, we were lucky enough to see it sending significant steam and ash into the air. It was not steaming as we came into the bay but built up steam during the morning and the then stopped right before we left. Pretty cool, again.

This stop was the first time our ship had been here, so there was a ceremony on board. We did not go to it, since we were on shore already checking out the bathrooms (one squat and one western style toilet in the lady's room)

Our tour was really nice. We rode in a nice bus, with a wonderfully talkative guide, for about 1 hour to a resort near a geyser field (which we didn't see). There we had a traditional Japanese dinner for lunch. We had at least 8 courses including sashimi, miso soup, tempura and pork and vegetables that you cook in hot water at your table. Those were the courses I know how to describe. Our guide said that we would be 80% full after the meal. As it turned out, we were 100% full after 80% of the meal.

Then we went to the Sand Bath. You put on a cotton Kimono and lay down in a ditch dug out of warm moist sand. After settling in and getting comfortable, 2 guys with shovels come over and cover you from chin to toes in more warm moist sand. It is surprisingly heavy. It feels wonderful. You lay there for about 15 minutes, and when you are ready you get up and, with your Kimono on, get into an outdoor hot pool. Some of the sand stuck to you comes off there, the rest you wash off in the next stop, the shower. There you get another dry Kimono and go to the roof where there is a nude hot tub, with a beautiful view of the ocean. No, unfortunately, these were not the coed baths we have seen in movies. They were divided by sex. Only 4 ladies went up to the bath. We didn't really have enough time to fully appreciate the luxury of the spa.

So back to the bus we went and back to the ship. When we got to the ship, we say 4 women standing by drums. One was the largest drum in the world (OK so that is only my opinion.af) We had a show form these women and 2 men that lasted about 1/2 hour. It was terrific. (we saw a show like this one in Telluride, tho I am not sure weather that was from Japan or China) It was great

The people here seemed very glad to have us there. They played old American music from the 40's or so on our arrival. When we left, besides the show, the waved us off and even the taxi drivers stayed to wave goodbye (even the taxis waved - see picture, wherever the computer decides to put it)

The evening show was a hypnotist who didn't really hypnotize either Duane or Arleen, both of whom volunteered to be subjects. It was not one of the better shows.

All in all, this was one of the best days. Love to all and talk to you later.