"Welcome to... The Thunderdome"
I haven't had a chance to write up an update for the second visit to Japan(by far one of the best parts of the trip) because I've been swamped with qualifications to complete. This is crunch time, the patrol is nearing an end and I have some tests to take. I promise pictures are coming!
On another note, and somewhat in theme with the title, today is the beginning of a nautical tradtion with a very long history. You can call it a rite of passage, an initiation, or just a great seafaring tradition. I am a "pollywog", someone who has not passed the international date line before, and therefore I must go through the motions to become a member of the Order of the Golden Dragon. This will last for two days, in which I will be subjected to many awful ordeals until I proven myself worthy to the great King Neptune and his Court. If you want to read a little information about this, and other line crossing traditions(I will go through a few more in the future) you can check out this entry on Wikipedia. Wish me luck!