Friday, 24 October

After a night spent at the Yanai Cruise Hotel, we transferred to Iwakuni. After a coffee in the hotel lounge, we were picked up by bus and several naval officers to go to the Iwakuni Naval Base of Self-Defence Forces. What followed was a wonderful day of access all areas tour of the Naval Base, which interestly, is shared between Japan and USA. 

After registering our passports and being issued with visitor passes, we started the tour, highlights of which included tours inside helicopters and seaplanes, the view from the top of the flight control tower, the famous Naval Base friday curry lunch, and the best of all, a chance to fly a rescue helicopter and a seaplane in the $40 and $30 million dollar flight simulators (with varying degrees of success). 

At the end of the all day tour, it was back to the hotel and then dinner with the very extroverted (and sake-loving) crowd of Iwakuni RC and Naval Base members. Of course, this was followed by a trip to a karaoke bar, with more sake and singing. A fun night was had by all!

The j-team