The weather charts all looked OK for a Go-Go-Go!
After paying the bills, fueling the tanks, filling the fridges and saying Goodby we left Ginowan Marina Wednesday at 10 AM.
We: Mr Konami, Mr Tobaru and Yours.
Last shot of Ginowan Channel Red Marker that leads us out
and waves us a safe trip.
That First Day we made it to Iheya Island, just to the NW of Okinawa Island. The wind had increased and moved a little too much to the North and so we had nasty waves on the nose, resulting in slow and an uncomfy Go-ing.
Time for a stop.
Here we are leaving Iheya Island at 5 AM.
After a soundful (squeaking fenders and snoring crew) but refreshing sleep (it was a few degree cooler than in Ginowan !!)...the wind had turned back to the SE.
Not much to report about the second day
or it must be this double rainbow......,
..... or Amami Ohshima's Most SW Point at sunset,
(A location i would not mind having a small cottage......One Day....)
.... or this Sunset View from that point..
We arrived at Daikuma Port @ Amami at 10 PM
(same place as were Fu Kyo had stayed a few weeks before).
That same night !! we managed to make it to Iseya:
Fu Kyo's favorite restaurant in Naze.
(tell you one day WHY).
Again we got a Great Welcome and were fed and "watered" plentyful.
Next day was Early Up and Shopping for the Boys.
Also got the fuel truck along side for an other 150 liter of diesel, good enough for the rest of the trip to Fukuoka.
Big surprise when Mrs. Ise came to Fu Kyo and took us for lunch and loaded us with more food and fruit.
Thank you so Much!!
Friday 3 PM, leaving Amami Ohshima for ...
Somewhere North.
Sea and wind conditions were perfect so
the Going was Good
and the Crew Happy.
Here Mr Tobaru on watch.
And...an other Amazing Sunset.
By Saturday Morning we had Yaku Shima abeam to the East and these islands to the West...
Mango and Passion Fruit.
Mrs. Ise had made sure we wouldn't suffer from scurvy.
Breakfast, No Complains from the crew...
At the most southern tip of Kyushu
it's a High Way for Big Boats
Coming from ...
Going to...
And traveling very fast..
So a good look out & timing is needed when crossing the "road".
While those Biggies themselves have to look out for these Smoking Islands..
Feasting Blue Footed Boobies...
Sorry to disturb you.
(this driftwood probably comes all the way from the Philippine Island thanks to the Kuro Shio, the strong current that flows from that part of the world, up North along the shores of Japan. And the same current that helps us moving along at a solid 7~8 knots, all the time).
Oh, just some lunch Out At Sea.
Ikura domburi & Rooibos chilled tea;-)
It was Tuff Out There.
Oops, an other Biggy to look out for.
Cruising along the West coast of Kyushu with the Kohshiki Islands dancing in the Sunset.
Boring You?
Sunday 5 AM, we are entering Nagasaki Port.
The plan was to stay here for a few days...
but the harbor master told us the Pond was Full.
(some sort of harbor festival was going on that weekend
and thus the marina was booked out).
After a quick breakfast, a freshwater hose down...
we were on our way again.
It was an other 80 miles to Fukuoka, the condition were still perfect so once again
Go-Go-Go.
That night at 8 PM Fu Kyo arrived happily in Marinoa Marina.
End of a 3 month trip.
(ha, that first week after being back in Fukuoka, there were 3 T-bags playing around Okinawa Waters. Haven't we not been lucky).
What's next?
Well remember the Onan Hick-up.
Fu Kyo will be on the hard-stand for at least a month (or 2) until the Engine Boys have fixed that thingy.
By then it will be autumn. Any more cruising this year?
Salute
