I typed all of this up offline before reading Jim's post so sorry about the repetition of info.

Yesterday afternoon we anchored off Miyake-jima, a small island about 100 miles south of Tokyo. There are lots of required formalities in Japan. The authorities came on board and reviewed everyone's passports. Then we picked them up from reception and had to take them with us, to be checked by officers as we loaded into the zodiacs for our short ride ashore. More officials were there with their red car lights blinking, supervising our arrival.

There are currently about 2,800 residents, mainly working for the government, fishing and farming, down from about 3,800 before the last volcanic eruption. It's a bird heaven, home to 225 species including some unique ones. And the volcano here is quite active, most recently erupting in 1940, 1962, 1983 and 2000. The residents all had to evacuate in 2000 and remain off the island for almost five years due to high levels of sulfuric gas. The zone in the center of the island is a prohibited area, and a wide ring of area around that is designated as a hazardous area due to high concentrations of sulfur dioxide.

There were two options today. The birders and ornithologist set off in one bus for their excursion. The rest of the passengers boarded two buses for a circumnavigation of the island (approx 24 miles) complete with a number of stops. Our first stop was for a walk on a volcanic beach complete with a new mountain created in one day by the power if the 1983 eruption; the second at a lava flow trail on a boardwalk next to a school which was destroyed by one of the eruptions, and then we had another stop along the coastline for a stroll on some hills and cliffs overlooking the coastline. Finally we drove up to the observatory for the sunset. On a clear day supposedly one can see Mt Fuji. Upon our return from the ship thee was a hot bubble bath waiting.

Despite the areas of lava the island is quite green and lush. There is daily passenger ferry service to Tokyo (6 hours 40 min.), an airport with flights in small planes to other islands. There is a hospital, but if you need surgery you must be transported by helicopter to Tokyo.

Yesterday was my birthday so I was queen for the day. We returned from breakfast to our suite decorated with balloons, a note from our butler and steward, and an adorable towel sculptured dog. They brought me a dessert with a candle in it at lunch, and the captain sent a card. Another larger cake arrived at dinner and when we returned to our cabin there was a birthday banner above the bed. After dinner Jerry entertained everyone in the lounge, doing several classic numbers such as a House of the Rising Sun, Achy Breaky Heart and the Beatles Today is Your Birthday. I am happy to have the spotlight off of me today!

Speaking of today, we were scheduled to spend the day on another island, but the swell was too high to land where intended. The captain took the ship around to the other side of the island where it was calmer and there was a nice fishing port to zodiac into, but the authorities, after much negotiation, would not allow us to land there due to the objections of the fishermen's union. So we went back to the other side and waited awhile hoping the seas and wind would calm down enough to be able to go ashore. Around 10:30 they pulled up the anchor, proceeded south and we settled in to another sea day...