The Purple Penguin

YEA! WE MADE IT! We are in Japan and I’m sitting in a tiny little cubical trying to deal with an unusual keyboard layout. Any mistakes are due to the keyboard. No honest, they are.

The ferry crossing was fine. It was interesting going up the Huangpu River out of Shanghai. Our room was quite comfortable and there were very very few people on the ferry. Joe reckons no more than 15 people. So very quiet except for the infant in the next room. We could see Japan from the afternoon of the second day so spent some time on deck and a lot of film got used. Got to watch the docking this morning as well, then sat and waited and waited and waited to leave the ship. Got to watch Mr Bean though so it wasn’t too bad. Immigration was easy, but customs was tough. We got loads of questions about our travels and then our small bag was searched. Joe has been saving loads of those little plastic zip lock type bags for some reason – you know, the ones that drug dealers use to sell their product? So that was a bit interesting. We also had to show our airline tickets, but he evetually let us loose in Osaka! Where we promptly got lost. Headed out in search of the shuttle bus and found a train station instead. Managed to figure out where we were and where we were going but then couldn’t figure out how to get the ticket. Finally a woman stopped to ask if we needed help and showed us that we had to put the money in the machine first, then chose the ticket. Oh. She was heading our way, at least through the two stops where we would have to change trains so she went with us and showed us where to go. Very nice. Then gave me a lovely fan.

We have found in general that the people here are much nicer than in China and it’s much easier, even just to walk around. Much more relaxed.

So we are checked into a hotel for a couple of nights, have seen Osaka Castle, are now walking around the hang-out area of Osaka looking for a celebratory drink, and generally enoying ourselves. Tomorrow it’s the aquarium and more looking about and then we are off again on Saturday. Hopefully will continue to find Internet places and keep everyone informed!