WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 SHIMIZU, JAPAN

1. Mt. Fuji from the Serenity as we sailed into Shimizu. We were so lucky to have a clear view (somewhat rare, we were told).
2 & 3. We had a hero’s welcome from the townspeople and port authorities. The 4th graders performed their phys-ed routines while the adorable younger kids looked on. A brass band played Sousa marches too!
4. Ed and the Major of Shimizu – it just happened – they were gracious and happy hosts.
5. Mt. Fuji is snowless in the summertime, so I think this was the perfect time to see it. It is an active volcano, but the Japanese people deal with volcanoes, earthquakes, typhoons (and North Koreans) as part of life.
6. God’s art (Fuji, cherry blossoms) was complemented by our visit to the Shizuoka Prefecture Museum of Art and its collections made by man.
7 & 8. Some cherry tree varieties are still blooming.
9 & 10. People gathered to wave good-bye and we snapped one more shot of the magnificent mountain.