Well, I did actually make it to bed before midnight but the ship was rock and rolling, so assistance was needed to make it out of the bar, indeed just to stand up. Thank you Giuseppe! Yes, I was slightly alcohol-affected but mostly it was the ship. 🛳️ Everything was tied down in advance, maybe they need to tie me down as well?

Up at 6 to get cracking on what will be a huge day, but first, breakfast of champions. I was booked to rehearse in the theatre, such a beautiful piano in there, but alas my singer was working his shift and couldn’t attend. He doesn’t even know which key I’m playing in, lol. We need to rendezvous before tonight at least once!

I was keen to attend the Ponant Destinations Quiz as the prize was a €250 ship credit - if a cruise is booked while on board! It was actually very difficult, and my two wild guesses fell flat but voila, I came second with 15.5/20 and scored the credit anyway, and some Ponant merch. This is my ninth cruise with Ponant so I’d been to many of the destinations but struggled with photos of French explorers after whom all the ships are named. Just in case you’re wondering…

But honestly, I cannot fit another cruise until 2028, and while I hope to cruise on Charcot that year I’m not ready to book it yet. But, wait, madame! You called Australia last week and booked an Atlantic crossing, surely that counts. 

Yuko is our guide today, she is on the ship, one of four Nihon-jin travelling with us. Large bus for just 10 of us, very comfortable, and front row blocked off again, merci. I am so spoiled by everyone, lucky me. I wouldn’t be seen dead on a bus in Australia, but it is extremely useful downtime for me to complete transactions, book flights, apply for arrival document, update blog, etc. And actually relaxing. Our driver today is extremely polite to other traffic, only in Japan!

An “alternative” farm is our first destination, owned by Katsuya-san, a former engineer who quit his job to become a farmer to help preserve the charm of Miyako Island that he loves so much.

Sugar cane represents 40% of agriculture here. The geology is mostly limestone, it can’t hold water but they get 2000mm rain annually. Not today, fortunately.

It was interesting enough but I don’t have a sweet tooth so not keen on all the samples. We did get to create our own confectionery, that was kind of fun. I skipped the banana presentation in favour of an air-conditioned bus. Atsui desu ne!

A quick stop at the beach for a swim, the water was divine but I can’t muck up my hair ahead of tonight. Yonaha Maehama Beach is considered one of the best in Japan. Hopefully the weather will co-operate tomorrow and I can visit the beach club in Ishigaki.