Friday 23 August- Yokohama

Sad news last night that Barry O'Sullivan, my ex Telstra boss and colleague, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday. I had only emailed him 10 days earlier to wish him well with a new round of radiation therapy.
A slow start into Yokohama with some drizzle and the non-arrival of Pat's room service breakfast (we later learned that two attempts had been made to deliver it to our neighbours - strange!!). Soon fixed, we were on our way - and the drizzle had cleared, but a bit slow battling those who had finished their cruise). Short shuttle to the local station, then subway train to Yokohama Station, which is another huge station (and busy, busy, busy) with multiple entrances, around 12 lines running through (including the city's own Metro network), as well as many shops and department stores. Time in one of the big ones - particularly its food hall. All the attendants in uniform (many staff and many uniforms), perfectly presented products, ready smiles and considerable bowing make shopping so civilised.
Located an Optometrist in the Station complex, and a very pleasant and professional young man was able to repair Pat's glasses - and refused any payment.
We wanted a coffee and as we entered one shop, the young attendant told us it was a "smoking shop" (interesting that it was underground and within the Station complex). We moved on, had our coffee and went for another subway line to go to the Red Brick Warehouses on the waterfront. A train was in, so we jumped on, only to discover it was a limited express and overshot our destination station. There was a train on the opposite platform, and wanting to be sure it was the correct one, I asked one of the platform attendants. He spoke no English (or at least, could not understand mine) but immediately whipped out his tablet, accessed Google Translate, and had me speak into it. Somehow my question translated into "am I a boy?" - so we all had a good laugh before establishing that it was the right line for the right destination.
Walked down to the Red Brick Warehouses (old complexes that have been rebirthed as cafes, restaurants, galleries etc). One floor of one Warehouse was given over to cats - a gallery and a huge shop selling every item imaginable, all with a cat theme). Yokohama is a very modern and pleasant city. Like everywhere it is spotlessly clean (even at 1.30pm there is not a scrap on the train floor) and, like everywhere else the inner city streets seem remarkably free of traffic (not so people).
A wander back along the waterfront to re-board and a late light lunch before we set sail again - just made it back before the drizzle returns.
Pleasant dinner as is usual - good company, good food and good wine.
Show tonight was a repeat performance by the very energetic pianist - disappointingly it was identical to his earlier show, same script, same music - not even a couple of substitutes.
I expect this situation will continue as 40% of the ship turned over yesterday (doing just a 9 day cruise). I expect we will be looking to some of the lounges rather than the showroom for the balance of our time. Australians remain the second largest group on board (500+), with the Japanese numbers having increased to 1400+.