How can a city make such an impression that you will never forget it? What is it about Nagasaki? The people? The setting? The history? It is all of these and more. We arrived here six days ago but we depart tomorrow. Our mooring is at the Dejima Marina located in one of the most vibrant areas of the city. This is a small marina with very few berths. Intimate in its proximity to the promenades and parks of the beautiful Nagasaki waterfront. Only foot traffic but not far from the trams that ply the streets of this city that clings to its hills and fills the narrow valley along the water. I really knew very little about the history of Nagasaki other than the obvious when we arrived, but on the first night, as John and I settled into the Crazy Horse bar on the main street for a late evening saki, the education began as I noticed the woman behind the bar wore a gold cross on a chain around her neck. I asked her if she was a Christian and she yes and told me that there were many Christians in Nagasaki. And so there are, as Christianity was brought here by the Portuguese in the 1600's. If you look around, there are almost as many churches as there are temples. And the population of Nagasaki is a mix of races and nationalities and has been for centuries. It was this port that was Japan's window on the the rest of the world. That long acceptance of foreign influences has obviously made its residents much more tolerant. You simply have a feeling of being welcome or at the least not invisible. And the marina staff of two has tried very hard to be as helpful as possible while the resident and visiting "Yachtos" have each made a visit to Let's Go! to introduce themselves with great warmth and enthusiasm. My wife Patty arrived yesterday for a few weeks and we will head tomorrow for the Goto Retto islands on our way to Fukuoka, our last stop on Kyushu before heading northeast along the west coast of Honshu. {Notes for Cruisers: Location 32 44.643N, 129 52.201E. Marina fees were approximately 25000 yen for one week for a 45 ft vessel. There is excellent wifi that can be received on the marina berth. 110V electricity is available as well as water. There are, however, no showers and the toilets are public at the top of the quay. There are restaurants at the top of the pontoon and a large supermarket in You Me near the marina along with various western fast food outlets. The marina recently received a very negative review on Noonsite.com from a visiting cruiser who suggested giving Dejima a miss. I would say that this would be a serious mistake. We experienced none of the negative aspects reported and quite the opposite, found the staff friendly and helpful and the government officials as efficient as any we have encountered thus far).(Photo taken by John from Glover Garden). xxx