While on a Regent Seven Sea cruise from Vancouver to Singapore, our ship, Mariner, stopped in several Japanese ports. On each occasion, official delegations swapped plaques and speeches with Captain Felice Patruno, while welcoming cruise passengers with dance performances on the docks, fireboats saluting the ship with sprays of water as she entered harbors, even a performance of Madame Butterfly in Nagasaki.
Sendai, the second Japanese port, was our introduction to the shrines and temples of Japan. Alan and I joined The Many Sights of Sendai excursion for a 4.5 hour exploration in the area. At the first stop, Zuganji Temple, I experienced a Shinto purification ceremony. Later we walked the cedar-lined lane to Shiogama Shrine.
Today, our hearts go out to the residents of Sendai and Japan as they recover from this week’s devastating earthquake. This article from USA Today explains how you can help the victims.
