This summer we were blessed to have a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle (not to mention the heat!) of our life and ministry here in Tokyo. We drove up to the tip of Honshu,the main island of Japan and took a 4 hour ferry to the northern island of Hokkaido. In a country with over 6,000 islands, ferrying from one place to another isn't out of the ordinary. Our family isn't a stranger to ferries either. When the kids were little we took 10-14 hour ferries to visit Japanese friends or to go on vacation. Usually the ferries were overnight and we slept (or tried to sleep) in small berths or in huge rooms with dozens of others sprawled out on the floor. We used to drug everyone up with seasick medicine, but now we use MotionEaze. A few dabs behind the ear of this herbal wonder keeps your tummy happy no matter how choppy the waves. (I keep a small bottle in my purse for curvy road trips too.) Even with all the stress of traveling the high seas, our kids have fond memories of playing ping pong, dipping in the sloshing public bath and watching a movie in a big theater throughout those long ferry adventures.
The 4 hour ferry boats aren't quit so extravagant. We sat in one of several rooms, some with chairs and some with a bare floor where sleepy travelers could take a nap. Pictured below is the young woman we sat by. Tim was able to strike up a friendly conversation with her and in his warm and casual way share the Gospel. Even on vacation, his evangelist heart beats strong.
It's quite an experience to take your car on the ferry. It costs quite a bit, but it is worth it to have the freedom of getting easily to your destination on the other side of the sea. We like the shorter/smaller ferries better because loading and unloading of cars and trucks takes less time.
We lined up with all the other cars in the parking lot and took turns driving onto the ferry. There are a lot of trucks, as you can imagine. After parking our car, we walk up to the upper deck for the rest of the ride (Our dog, Cali, waited patiently, and comfortably mind you, on the forbidden, cushiony seat of our car.) On this ferry, most people ate their boxed lunch they had brought with them, but there was a machine that sold instant cup of noodles and a even a sink with boiling hot water. (I, of course, enjoyed a soothing paper-cup of tea).
The 4 hour ferry boats aren't quit so extravagant. We sat in one of several rooms, some with chairs and some with a bare floor where sleepy travelers could take a nap. Pictured below is the young woman we sat by. Tim was able to strike up a friendly conversation with her and in his warm and casual way share the Gospel. Even on vacation, his evangelist heart beats strong.
It's quite an experience to take your car on the ferry. It costs quite a bit, but it is worth it to have the freedom of getting easily to your destination on the other side of the sea. We like the shorter/smaller ferries better because loading and unloading of cars and trucks takes less time.
We lined up with all the other cars in the parking lot and took turns driving onto the ferry. There are a lot of trucks, as you can imagine. After parking our car, we walk up to the upper deck for the rest of the ride (Our dog, Cali, waited patiently, and comfortably mind you, on the forbidden, cushiony seat of our car.) On this ferry, most people ate their boxed lunch they had brought with them, but there was a machine that sold instant cup of noodles and a even a sink with boiling hot water. (I, of course, enjoyed a soothing paper-cup of tea).
