23 Apr Family Time
The hardest part of going long distance cruising is missing our family and friends back home. Sharry and I have spent most of the COVID years in Hawaii, which has made visiting our two sons, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter particularly difficult. When our son Brooke, his wife Shannon, and our granddaughter Kat expressed interest in joining us in Japan for spring break, we were thrilled!
They arrived in Fukuoka after a long travel day from Seattle. The first hugs for Grandma were particularly special!
Hugs for Mom!
We last saw Brooke, Shannon, and Kat in Seattle this past March, but had been a couple of years since they were last on board Starr. It was so nice to have them back aboard.
We arranged for Kat to meet Yuma-chan, an 14yr old Japanese girl who spoke English.
The girls went to Nobolt, an athletic activities center which included rock climbing walls and an indoor zipline and burnt off some excess energy. Watching Kat play with a new friend was enjoyable.
Kat high up
Shannon and Kat on ferris wheel in Fukuoka
Kat is 12 years old and is interested in all things related to anime and gaming. She really enjoyed using her new iPad (our birthday present to her) to pass the “boring” time aboard.
After spending time in Fukuoka, we ran through the Kanmon Kaikyo passage into the Seto Inland Sea to Miyajima.
Starr at Miyajima with torii gate
Kat loves Japanese food. No Kraft dinner and hotdogs for her! Sushi, sashimi, tako (octopus)…she loves it all, just like her grandpa! She wandered around each day at Miyajima, mixing visits to cultural sites with trips to food stalls.
Brooke helping Sharry with her stretches…it’s been a long winter in Seattle for Brooke’s legs!
Sharry has been taking the Fukuoka doctor’s recommended steroid prescription and now can walk up to 7000 steps. Brooke was very helpful with her exercises. Hopefully this sciatica will resolve itself over time so more complex treatment will not be necessary.
Kat and Grandma at the Miyajima Aquarium
We took Kat to the Miyajima Aquarium one day. We all enjoyed watching porpoise show. We also enjoyed the sea lion. We haven’t seen seals or sea lions in the wild since arriving in Japan.
Daddy’s girl
Brooke is an excellent chef and he cooked all our meals on board. We’d visited Costco in Fukuoka to stock up for the trip. The chuck roast was like a tenderloin in the USA.
Their seven days aboard flew by. Time for them to go to Tokyo for more exciting experiences for a few days before returning to Seattle.
We miss them already and we’re really hoping they can join us in Alaska later this summer!
Beverley Desmarais
Posted at 05:54h, 23 AprilNothing like family time! What a great memory.
Luuk Oleson
Posted at 06:33h, 23 AprilHow absolutely wonderful for you to have Brooke and his family vist. Hope they join you in Alaska! How can they not? You don’t get many invitations like that.
Chris Clothier
Posted at 06:40h, 23 AprilSo delightful to see you all together !
Jack Peters
Posted at 08:51h, 23 AprilFine Five Flourishing Afloat & Ashore
Domo arigatou for sharing your joy !
Milt & Judy Baker
Posted at 12:35h, 23 AprilWhat a great Stabbert family rendezvous . . .the smiles in your pictures say it all! And something we all know about grat cruising boats like Starrr–no matter where you are with your boat, you’re at home.
Mike and Colleen
Posted at 15:10h, 23 AprilFamily, the best!
Frank and Carlene
Posted at 23:21h, 23 AprilGreat memories.
Karen Sakuma
Posted at 00:11h, 06 JuneKat is such a beautiful young lady. . So glad
For all of you in this family reunion. Hula lessons with Grandma S in Honolulu seem like yesterday. Hope there are many more handholding moments and hugs around..
love watching all the Stabbert adventures.
Thank you for including us.and sharing your journey. I am grateful and send wishes for
Safe travels and more fun and “Starr”adventure.