Slow boat to Japan

September 30th

Earlier this evening we departed Qingdao in China for Shimonoseki in Western Japan.

We are on the mighty `Utopia 2` which could not be any more Japanese. The signs are there; unnaturally hospitable and helful staff, tatami matts in our cabin, Karaoke in the bar upstairs and a rather communal bath/shower (see pic).

Additionally, I haven`t heard anyone shouting for at least a couple of hours, so we must be clear of China.