Diva falls in the Land of the Rising Sun.

An exciting day as TSH and Diva visited Japan for the first time ever. They saw both 2018 Japanese Crane Reserve chicks, as well as a number of adult birds, some of whom were carrying out a noisy display. They named one of the chicks Travis.

It was at the next visit - the wetlands walk - that the problem occurred. The route was along a wooden boardwalk, with plenty of wet leaves and also a fine growth of slippery fungus. Diva's feet just went from under her and she landed flat on her back. A helpful guest retrieved the specs which flew into a nearby ditch but which were fortunately unscathed. As was Diva in any serious sense, although her soreness is increasing. Within a couple of minutes, another guest also fell, this time banging his head, although he too seems to have escaped without serious consequences. The guide and most of the walkers, including TSH, continued to the viewpoint (where they saw little of any interest), whilst Diva and the other walking wounded returned to the visitor centre.

The guide photographed the spot where the accidents occurred and the Silversea representative filled in a form. Both fallen guests accepted the offer of a complementary consultation with the ship's doctor, but refused treatment on shore. The Captain and Staff Captain are no doubt cursing at the extra paperwork.

The excursion continued to the City Museum of Kushiro and the local fish market.

The weather had started bright, with the temperature in the mid to high teens but by the middle of the day there was dense mist and it felt cooler.

On return to the Silver Shadow, TSH and Diva had burgers by the pool (her first, his second, of the holiday), Afterwards it was a hot bath and ibuprofen gel for Diva.

This is a picture of Travis the crane and his parents: