Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series in Fukuoka.

Well, indeed it is a bummer not being on board of SHOGUN making waves towards the Caribbean as what was the original plan for this time of the year.

But the very sunny side is of course to be at home with Marijke, Nori the Cat, Alishan and my Fukuoka Friends.

AND......

Being able to crew on board of Team BAR out of GB..

Nope, not on the race boat it self,

but on board of their VIP boat.

Marijke and camera friend having a wonderful time 

at Odo Yacht Harbor..

At least these birds don't move around so much as they are   moored to some serious ground-tackle.

Friday was a sunny & little wind practice day.

Hmm....

looks like Schick Razor Blades isn't a sponsor of this event.

Very special VIPs from Hong Kong.

Welcome on board!!

A shot of the Kiwies for our NZ-connection.

With Fukuoka Tower in the background.

  Mr Oracle brought his private sail-tubby over from the USA.

And indeed, he was on board that day (as we were told).

Happy bunch of VIPs from Tokyo that joined us on Sunday.

Just of the middle at the top...

see that black hulled cruiser?

Yep, That's us.

At the end of race-day 1,

Sir Ben came especially to our boat

to thank the VIPs for the support.

(must have been about the $$ into the campaign...).

And click HERE to zoeff to Marijke's blog

and see her amazing pictures of the event.

Salute.

Sumie Maru: Catching and selling the Catch

   A short video, posted at YouTube 

about  "Go Fish Life" in Fukuoka, Japan.

See the YouTube, click  HERE

Salute.

Shogun is on its way to Japan.

Report from Setubal, 

Portugal.

Shogun got loaded onto the deck

 of mv Heemskerkgracht 

(Shipping company Sevenstar).

And will arrive in a few weeks time in Yokohama, Japan.

Awaiting the Waiting.

Unfortunatly the heemskerkgracht got delayed by over 1 week.

But...first at Lisbon and later at Setubal (Troia Marina),

those are comfy places to "fill in" time.

  AIS proof of upcoming arrival of the Heemskerkgracht.

Shogun is located in the middle of this screen-shot.

Heemskerkgracht is steaming into the bay...see her AIS left-bottom corner.

Yep,  looks like there is a parking spot open for SHOGUN.

  Getting the rig ready.

Luckily the weather is perfect and there is 

zero wave/swell action in the bay.

  The Dive-team gets instructions.

They had to wait for slack-tide what would be around 1700 local time.

 Ouch...that beam was just not clear of the anchor-light and weather/wind sensor.

 Due to miscalculations of the location of the lifting points @ the hoist in relation to sling locations @ SHOGUN...

she was not "sitting" comfy during the first lift-attempt.

And...to relocate those lifting points...would take too much time & so, the slings under water would have to be re-checked...

Oops.. by then the tide would be screaming again!

Hence it was decided to call it a day 

and finish the lifting at next DAYLIGHT slack time.

 SHOGUN stayed alongside the Heemskerkgracht for the night...all strapped-up with slings and tie-downs.

Luck was with us as we were able to join the ship's-crew for a Yummy Nasi Goreng dinner meal.

And a boat-workers breakfast next morning!!

Thanx.

No-Way the crew will allow SHOGUN to make a move while on the deck.

Sitting high and dry at first row seat.

Bon Voyage SHOGUN 

and HEEMSKERKGRACHT.

See you at Yokohama.

To go to the video, 
click  HERE

Salute.