{"id":61295,"date":"2025-10-09T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/?p=61295"},"modified":"2025-11-25T10:56:40","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T15:56:40","slug":"sailing-japan-voyage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/destinations\/sailing-japan-voyage\/","title":{"rendered":"Sailing Japan: A Voyage of Friendship and Discovery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n        <section class=\"hydra-container\">\n\n\t\t\t                <div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AdobeStock_82102570-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"hydra-image disable-lazyload\" alt=\"Sacred red Torii and Itsukushima Shinto shrine on the shore of the island of Miyajima, Japan. View from the Hiroshima gulf.\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AdobeStock_82102570-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AdobeStock_82102570-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AdobeStock_82102570-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AdobeStock_82102570-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AdobeStock_82102570.jpg 2000w\" \/>                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n            <figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">The sacred red torii gate marks the threshold between the human world and the spiritual, a timeless symbol of Japan\u2019s deep cultural heritage.<\/span>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">kekyalyaynen\/stock.adobe.com<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t            <\/figcaption>\n        <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n<p>Our 1969 Cross 46 trimaran, <em>Migration<\/em>, was assigned an extra-wide guest dock at Fukuoka\u2019s Odo Marina on the island of Kyushu. Strong northwest winds were in the forecast, so we began tying lines together to reach 65 feet across to the opposite finger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe id=\"gkstfcayky\" src=\"https:\/\/cruisingworld.dragonforms.com\/gkstfcayky\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"width:100%;height:165px;border:none;overflow:hidden;\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s when Choichi-san wandered over. He\u2019s a classic salt we\u2019d met months earlier in Yakushima, where we shared a quay while waiting out a gale. He\u2019d wasted no time showing us tricks for mooring to the barnacle-crusted walls of Japanese fishing harbors. And now, here he was again, appearing as if by magic to lend a hand\u2014this time with a brand-new, \u00be-inch braided line, long enough to keep <em>Migration<\/em> clear of the dock.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the blow had passed and we offered to return the line, Choichi-san declined, saying, \u201cNo, no. For you.\u201d We think of him every time we use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That mooring line was the first of many gifts we received with no expectation of anything in return. In fact, we soon discovered the difficulty of giving thank-you gifts in Japan, often finding ourselves on the receiving end of a thank-you-for-the-thank-you gift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But it was the friendships, not the gifts, that made our time in Japan so memorable. We\u2019ve met all kinds of people during 20 years of cruising in 28 countries, but the Japanese were the epitome of hospitality. Their friendship, generosity and excitement for our visit overwhelmed us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n        <section class=\"hydra-container\">\n\n\t\t\t                <div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Bruce-with-Yoshi-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Bruce and Yoshi in Japan\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Bruce-with-Yoshi-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Bruce-with-Yoshi-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Bruce-with-Yoshi-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Bruce-with-Yoshi-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Bruce-with-Yoshi.jpg 2000w\" \/>                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n            <figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">At a hillside temple, Bruce shares a moment with our good friend Yoshi, whose unfiltered enthusiasm for sailing made every reunion in Japan a celebration. <\/span>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Bruce Balan, Alene D. Rice<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t            <\/figcaption>\n        <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n<p>Both of us had dreamed of sailing to Japan, especially because <em>Migration<\/em> was built there 56 years ago. She was shipped to her first owner in California, where she was berthed in Alamitos Bay Marina\u2014on the same bay where a 12-year-old Bruce was learning to sail dinghies. During a two-year refit in Thailand, we stripped away her delaminating fiberglass (polyester resin doesn\u2019t age well on plywood). Underneath, we found handwritten kanji, a system of Japanese writing that uses Chinese characters. Photos of this delighted nearly everyone we met in Japan. A boat like <em>Migration<\/em> was a rare sight, and the idea that she was a product of decades-old Japanese craftsmanship fascinated many people we encountered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In early June, we arrived in Ishigaki, at the southern end of the Ryukyu Islands, after a 28-hour sail from Taiwan. Eleven officials from six departments processed our arrival, a long but impeccably polite affair. We spent the next 10 days getting our bearings: securing a SIM card (a multiday challenge), completing paperwork, diving with manta rays, visiting nearby islands and savoring our first exceptional Japanese meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eventually, we set sail for Teramajima, 35 nautical miles to the northeast, where we met our first <em>tomodachi<\/em>, or friend. The island has just 1,000 residents, and the sun was blistering as we walked through farmlands toward the village. We spotted a man with a group of children and asked in basic Japanese where we might find ice cream. To our surprise, he replied in English. Yoshi-san, from Kobe, turned out to be the only other tourist on the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n        <section class=\"hydra-container\">\n\n\t\t\t                <div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Migration-at-Yakushima-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Yakushima\u2019s Isso Ko harbor\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Migration-at-Yakushima-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Migration-at-Yakushima-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Migration-at-Yakushima-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Migration-at-Yakushima-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Migration-at-Yakushima.jpg 2000w\" \/>                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n            <figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">Riding out a gale in Yakushima\u2019s Isso Ko harbor, <i>Migration<\/i> rests as wind and spray sweep the rugged island. <\/span>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Bruce Balan, Alene D. Rice<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t            <\/figcaption>\n        <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n<p>His warmth and enthusiasm were instant. When he told us he was taking the ferry to Miyako-jima in two days\u2014the same day we planned to sail there\u2014we invited him to join us. \u201c<em>Sugoi<\/em>!\u201d he shouted, jumping up and down and making the kids giggle. It was, indeed, amazing. We\u2019d never seen such unfiltered excitement after an invitation to sail aboard our boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 30-mile sail was lively, with 25 knots on the quarter. Yoshi-san patiently answered our endless grammar questions until, mid-sentence, he leaned over the coaming, threw up and turned back to finish his answer. A true trouper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We moored in Miyako-jima\u2019s fishing harbor, and Yoshi headed to his friends\u2019 guesthouse, promising to return later. When we arrived that evening, we were greeted by birthday decorations, food, new friends and a cake\u2014a celebration in honor of Alene\u2019s recent birthday. The beer and awamori flowed late into the night. It was an unforgettable (and slightly soused) introduction to Okinawan hospitality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n        <section class=\"hydra-container\">\n\n\t\t\t                <div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Shrine-Shiraishi-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Japan Shrine Shiraishi\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Shrine-Shiraishi-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Shrine-Shiraishi-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Shrine-Shiraishi-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Shrine-Shiraishi-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Shrine-Shiraishi.jpg 2000w\" \/>                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n            <figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">A shrine beside our anchorage on Shiraishishima glows in the golden light of sunset, its torii gate and lanterns a tranquil welcome after a day under sail.<\/span>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Bruce Balan, Alene D. Rice<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t            <\/figcaption>\n        <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n<p>As we sailed north through the Ryukyu Islands, the snorkeling proved superb. Tokashiki and Zamami had stunning coral, colorful fish and tranquil anchorages. At Kakeromajima, after snorkeling a small reef, we swam ashore to a beach that was deserted, except for three people lounging on a blanket. They waved us over, and though our Japanese faltered, we understood they wanted us to wait. Soon, the fourth of their party arrived.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nob-san is a tall man who carries himself with an almost regal elegance. Thankfully, he also speaks English. His wife, Keichan, was born on the island, and they often returned from Yokohama with their friends, Kiyoshi-san and Mieko-san. We were invited to a picnic, which turned into a sail and snorkeling trip aboard <em>Migration<\/em>. That first meeting blossomed into a decade-long friendship full of rich political and philosophical conversations through email exchanges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We continued into the Seto Inland Sea via the narrow, bustling Kanmon Strait, just as the Setouchi Triennale art festival was underway. The chance to sail from island to island, taking in installations both quirky and profound, felt like a stroke of luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>New friends marked nearly every port. One of the most surreal encounters occurred in Hiroshima. We\u2019d met Mitsugi-san, a surgeon, in Fukuoka. He told us to call if we ever sailed to Matsuyama, his hometown. When we did, he hosted us for a tour of a historic mountain village and told us he hadn\u2019t sailed in years. Naturally, we invited him for our next leg: a 35-mile hop to Hiroshima.<\/p>\n\n\n\n        <section class=\"hydra-container\">\n\n\t\t\t                <div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Migration-with-Coast-Guard-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Author with the Japanese Coast Guard\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Migration-with-Coast-Guard-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Migration-with-Coast-Guard-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Migration-with-Coast-Guard-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Migration-with-Coast-Guard-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BalanRice-Japan-Migration-with-Coast-Guard.jpg 2000w\" \/>                <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n            <figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">While waiting out a typhoon in Iki Shima, an expired port permit brought an unexpected but friendly visit from the Japanese Coast Guard.<\/span>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Bruce Balan, Alene D. Rice<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t            <\/figcaption>\n        <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n<p>It was a brisk, cold sail, but Mitsugi-san relished every moment, especially steering between islands. Upon arrival at Hiroshima\u2019s Kanon Marina, we assumed we were off to enjoy local <em>okonomiyaki<\/em>. Instead, we sat in a dentist\u2019s waiting room for an hour. Enter Misato-san, a whirlwind of energy and conversation who whisked us away on a series of cryptic errands in her enormous Cadillac, music blaring. Eventually, we got our <em>okonomiyaki<\/em>. Then, after dropping off Mitsugi-san, we picked up her husband and a stack of towels. Off we sped into the mountains to a beautiful <em>onsen<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These public baths fed by hot springs are a cornerstone of Japanese life. We adored them. That night, Alene received an enthusiastic, nonstop tutorial on bathing etiquette from Misato-san. Bruce, meanwhile, enjoyed quiet soaking time with her husband.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the time we returned to <em>Migration<\/em>, well past midnight, we were exhausted and dazed. What began as a routine day sail had become a full-blown, unforgettable adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p style=\"font-size:30px\"><em>Japan is breathtaking. But more than anything, the friendships shaped our experience and made each moment feel dreamlike.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Every port held surprises: In Kobe, we reunited with Yoshi-san and spent nights in his favorite bar, playing music and making friends. In Sh\u014ddoshima, we sang Christmas carols with Maya, Yuki and her rabbit, which was dressed as Santa Claus. In Nagasaki, Tatsuo-san and Keiko-san insisted we join them for a beach day the moment we tied up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Japan is breathtaking: misty cedar forests, turquoise seas, snowy pine-covered peaks. Its architecture is graceful, its food sublime, and its culture intricate and endearing. But more than anything, the friendships shaped our experience. They lifted us, carried us and made each moment feel dreamlike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Migration<\/em> was welcomed back to her birthplace. And we were embraced by friends who touched our hearts and continue to call us back.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Bruce Balan and Alene D. Rice have been sailing full time aboard <\/em>Migration<em> since 2005 and are the creators of <a href=\"https:\/\/chartlocker.brucebalan.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TheChartLocker.com<\/a>. They are in New Zealand and plan to return to Japan in 2027. Follow them at <a href=\"https:\/\/migrations.brucebalan.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">svMigration.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for Cruising in Japan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Respect the CultureJapan has many social nuances. One example is chotto muzukashii, which means \u201ca little difficult.\u201d Usually, if someone says something is a little difficult, my response is, \u201cWell, let\u2019s figure out how to do it.\u201d But in Japan, the phrase means \u201cit cannot be done,\u201d as it\u2019s considered rude to say a direct no. \u00a7 Being considerate, polite and respectful will take you much farther than being loud or pushy. We cannot stress enough how important this is. Already, several marina operators are considering excluding foreign boats because of bad behavior. In Japanese society, you must avoid inconveniencing others, even unintentionally. Your actions will affect how all future cruisers are received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Language<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It can seem an insurmountable challenge to learn a language as different from English as Japanese. But since many Japanese people are shy, learning a little will help break the ice. Everyone we met was extremely grateful for our attempts to speak the language. \u00a7 There are three alphabets used in Japan. We recommend learning Katakana first, as that is the alphabet used for many foreign words that have been assimilated. It\u2019s pleasing to be able to sound out \u6387\u8bb9\u80aa\u975e\u5ce8\u6076\u975e\u5c14 (gasorin sutando) and know that it means gas station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bureaucracy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Though bureaucracy can be exasperating, we actually enjoy navigating the paperwork ourselves. It offers the opportunity to immerse oneself in the culture and meet locals. Thankfully, the antiquated closed-port rules that required visiting yachts to receive permission for all but a handful of harbors were eliminated in 2018. But there is still plenty of paperwork, plus visits with local officials. If you are in a hurry or don\u2019t want to deal with the red tape, Konpira Consulting is happy to help. Remember, patience and politeness are essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Assistance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No gaijin, or foreigner, has done more to promote cruising in Japan than Kirk Patterson of Konpira Consulting, which you can find at konpira-consulting.com. After sailing to Japan in 2013, he became the first gaijin to circumnavigate the country. Realizing what an unusual destination Japan is, he created Konpira Consulting to assist cruisers and encourage cruising in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weather<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One reason many boats don\u2019t visit Japan is a fear of hurricanes, which are called typhoons in this part of the world. It is not an unsubstantiated fear. West Pacific typhoons are powerful and plentiful.<br>The good news is there is excellent tropical storm tracking available from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, a division of the US Navy with a solid interest in protecting its regional bases. Also, there are thousands of fortified harbors. This country has been dealing with destructive typhoons for centuries. \u00a7 That said, a direct hit from a Category 5 storm is always a risk. Monitoring the weather daily and having a typhoon preparation plan is essential. West Pacific typhoons are rare in the winter months, but they can occur at any time, with August seeing the most frequent occurrences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to Go<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Japan is affected by monsoon winds: northwesterly in winter and southeasterly in summer. If you are planning to sail through Japan and onward to Alaska in one season, it\u2019s best to arrive with the first of the spring southerlies. You\u2019ll want to depart for Alaska in early June, when the North Pacific gales weaken but before the typhoon season gains momentum. If Alaska isn\u2019t on your itinerary, you can use the monsoon winds to visit Japan from the south, sailing north in spring and returning in winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Navigation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There is a remarkable amount of shipping in Japanese waters, and it\u2019s dangerous to sail at night in some areas because of aquaculture farms. \u00a7 There are many options for good electronic charts. TheChartLocker.com offers free coverage of the entire country with three satellite views in MBTiles format. For phones and tablets, the navigation app New Pec Smart is available. It\u2019s in Japanese, but Konpira Consulting can help with the licensing and provide an English-language guide. The major charting companies all offer coverage as well. As always, the prudent sailor will have multiple charting sources and not rely on a single company\u2019s products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Moorage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Marinas can be expensive, while the concrete walls of fishing harbors are usually free if you ask permission. Tying up to walls is a skill one must develop quickly. Fender boards are useful, but sometimes ride up over the fenders. Konpira Consulting recommends using Polyform A5 fenders. Short loops of chain that hang over a wall\u2019s rough edge help to avoid chafing your mooring lines. Tides can vary between 1 and 20 feet; a 3- to 4-meter collapsible ladder is extremely useful in some harbors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Go Soon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2016\u201317, there were perhaps 15 to 20 foreign boats actively cruising Japan. Except at the check-in and check-out ports of Ishigaki and Hakodate, we met only three of them. If you have a social cruising style, you may want to join one of the rallies that are increasingly popular. Remember, though, that setting out on your own can lead to wonderful encounters with locals. Sadly, YouTubers and bloggers are discovering Japan. Misinformation and hyperbole seem to go hand in hand with social media, and that is bad for everyone\u2019s reputations. If Japan is on your horizon, we recommend going sooner rather than later. <em>\u2014BB\/ADR<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A classic trimaran returns to Japan, where her crew is welcomed by unforgettable kindness and adventure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":61296,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"BS_author_type":"BS_author_is_guest","BS_guest_author_name":"Bruce Balan and Alene D. 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