Kochi

Woke this morning to singing and rain. There was a welcome for us as we came into berth. Kochi apparently is the wettest place in Japan. A drum session followed the signing, very cool. While there is drizzling rain it is warm and slightly humid.

We are on another ships tour and again it is well organised. We are on our way by 9 am. Our guide today is Okaey. He also gives us a lot of history of the Kochi prefecture, feudal lords, shoguns and the restoration from feudal lords to democratic government.

He also sang a local song for us about a forbidden romance between a Bhuddism monk and a girl as we drove past the Harimaya bridge where it is claimed he bought a hairpin and this started rumours that led to their being caught. They were both banished to different parts of Japan and were never able to get together again.

We then went to Kochi castle, building of the castle first commenced in 1601 with the main citadel completed in 1603. A third citadel was completed in 1611, then most of it was destroyed by fire in 1727, restoration of th castle was completed in1753. The castle is high on a hill and has great 360 degree views over the town. After the castle we move on to a museum and then we go to Katsursahama beach. We get back to the ship at 1 pm. 

Tomorrow is our last full day of the cruise as we head overnight to Tokushima. 

So far the cruise has been busy, have not gone to trivia at all - too busy. It has been a very smooth cruise and weather overall has been great. Send some more photos next blog.