| May 11, 2009 |
In Pictures II – Crossing the Indian Ocean |
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After departing from China, participants were treated to a very special performance whilst heading towards Singapore. As part of the official opening ceremony for the onboard swimming pools, a 66th Global Voyage participant whose nickname is ‘Dolphin’, and actually works as a dolphin trainer in Japan, treated the other participants to her own style of ‘dolphin show’. |
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Montessori programme participant Miku takes the ceremonial first kick at the Peace Ball Championship, an event held to raise awareness for Peace Boat's “Sport for Peace” programme. Peace Ball holds friendly soccer matches with local communities around the world, utilizing the positive power of the world’s most popular sport to foster friendship across cultural and language barriers. The project also involves collecting soccer goods for donation to troubled communities visited during the global voyages. During the 66th Voyage, the Peace Ball team will play against a team of Palestinian refugees in Jordan. |
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Giving participants an opportunity to display their hidden talents, the onboard variety contest ‘A Star is Born’ witnessed some amazing feats and stunning performances. At the end of the night the audience was asked to vote for their favourite performer, with Ocarina virtuoso Horata Mitsuzo taking the prize. Another entrant, Takeuchi Ichiro, wowed the crowd by balancing balls and mallets on his head before successfully attempting a chair, in what he assured us was his first try ever. Other entries included jugglers, musicians, singers and dancers. |
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In an effort to raise awareness of environmental issues in the world, the Peace Boat eco-team discusses ways we can reduce waste onboard and implement other eco-friendly ideas. There is a strong focus on things participants can change or do differently in their daily lives to affect change on the ship. Thus far, the eco-team has already installed recycling bins all over the ship and is currently campaigning for participants to use less water. |
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We often hear and read about the conflicts that occur throughout the Middle East region, yet they can seem far removed and difficult to imagine. Participants were asked to represent the affected and influential nations of the region, and try to imagine their feelings towards others in a role-playing workshop aiming to raise understanding of the region's 2,000-year history. |
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As well as attending lectures by experts to better understand the political situation of the region and become more aware of the realities faced by local people every day, participants also have the opportunity to learn about the cultural side of Arabic life.
Luna is a Japanese professional oriental dancer and has her own studio in Japan where she teaches dance and encourages her students to become performers. Onboard Peace Boat she has held a variety of workshops, teaching the basics of belly dancing to both male and female participants onboard. |
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In celebration of Constitution Day on May 3, a range of events were held on the importance of Article 9 of the Japanese constitution and why it should be retained. Staff members and participants voiced their opinions on what Article 9 meant to them and why they thought it relevant to the contemporary political environment. Pictured are GET teacher Matt Koenig, International Director Emilie McGlone and Project Co-ordinator Goda Shigehiro. |
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In support of Palestinian refugees living in Israeli occupied lands and neighbouring countries, Peace Boat sells onboard and throughout its Japan based centres homemade goods from Palestinian refugee camps. All money received from the sale of these goods goes directly toward the local communities that produce the goods. The 66th voyage was successful in fundraising more than $4,000 USD to support the Sanaa Project, which is now in its fourth year. |
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After visiting Singapore, participants were treated to the tropical delights of the region at a fruit party. The ship's Japanese chef delighted participants with his fruit creations as they sampled a multitude of exotic fruits and sipped chilled Lassie. |
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Between Xiamen and Singapore, a group of 15 participants travelled overland through Cambodia to learn about the history and current state of the region. The group visited the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and the Angkor Association for the Disabled (ADD). Landmines leftover from the Pol Pot era are still abundant throughout Cambodia and continue to wreak havoc on its populace, as witnessed by participants at the ADD. At CMAC, participants helped to clear land of this scourge as well as donate approximately $1,000 USD raised onboard the ship to help clear the landmines. To clear 1m3 of land from landmines costs approximately $1 USD. Peace Boat has been involved in supporting landmine clearance since 1997 through fundraising, study tours and awareness-raising campaigns throughout Japan. |
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