The process of Japanese
immigration was very slow. We lined up for about an hour before being
fingerprinted and having all our documents examined. Eventually, though, we
were cleared to go ashore, and board busses. It was a nice, cool day, just
right for walking. Our first stop was the Kushiro Wetland, about a 40-minute
drive out of the city.
The two-lane roads are narrow, and have downward
pointing arrows above the outside edge. Our guide explained that in winter, the
snow blocks all signs of the edges of the road, and this is how drivers know
where it is. There are also very elaborate snow fences along the highways,
which apparently can be closed to entirely block blowing snow. At the wetland
park, we climbed down many steps to the paths through the park. It is huge, and
at this time of year, not very colourful. We saw many dragonflies and a few
birds, but for the most part the flat grassland and woods were still. Larry and
I did the biggest loop, while the rest of the busload of people contented
themselves with a much shorter walk. Some people even objected to walking at
all and stayed at the visitors’ centre. We had to really hoof it to get back to
the bus in time, so were very warm and damp by the time we got there. We
proceeded to the Tacho Japanese Crane Reserve,
where Red-Crested Cranes are
raised. The population had sunk to
almost zero, but there have been great efforts to bring them back and now there
are about 1000 of these cranes in the area. We actually spotted 2 pairs in the
fields near the highway. At the reserve we saw several pairs, including one
where the male was extremely protective. Because he was agitated, his red crest
was large and bright. On most of the others it was barely visible.
Our third
stop of the day was the beautiful, and wonderfully informative, Kushiro City
Museum. Its design represents a crane with outstretched wings. Inside, the
displays are imaginative and very attractive. We enjoyed displays representing
the natural and cultural history of the area. Our guide and the museum’s
director gave us a tour, and we were free to wander with sheets giving English
translations of explanations. It really is one of the best smallish museums I’ve
ever seen, well worth the visit. By the time we left the museum, a few drops of
rain had begun to fall and the sky was darkening. Many people on the bus wished
to skip the visit to the market, so we were dropped at the ship while the rest
went on there. There was a beautiful rainbow across the harbour, and by the
time we’d eaten and rested a bit, the sun was out again. Our trivia round didn’t
go very well, so we’ve dropped to third place again, 6 points out of first.
Just a few more rounds to redeem ourselves! There’s certainly lots of laughter
involved, though. Before dinner, we enjoyed a lecture on the life and work of
Cole Porter. He certainly lived a wild and crazy life, and created some of the
best music of his time. Dinner was, as always, delicious and beautifully
served. Our server, Alex, is kept very busy with all our special requirements,
and does a great job. The eight of us are really enjoying this trip together.
During the day we usually go in several directions, then at dinner, we have
adventures to share. After dinner was a second magic show. This magician is
pretty good and entertaining, but the first show was more fun than this one.
Fortunately we’re done with time changes until we head back toward home, but
unfortunately we’re without internet connections for much of the time we are in
and around Japan on the ship so these posts will go up whenever we can connect.
Click forward to Hakodate, Japan
where Red-Crested Cranes are
raised. The population had sunk to
almost zero, but there have been great efforts to bring them back and now there
are about 1000 of these cranes in the area. We actually spotted 2 pairs in the
fields near the highway. At the reserve we saw several pairs, including one
where the male was extremely protective. Because he was agitated, his red crest
was large and bright. On most of the others it was barely visible.
Click for other photos of the day
Click forward to Hakodate, Japan
