We've still been working exceptionally hard to make sure we're ready for anything before we leave port. One piece of news that made our hearts beat a little faster yesterday was a report of a tsunami warning from Japan, but it seems to have been lifted. That one made us run out of herbal "Relax" tea pretty fast.

The locals have been very welcoming, to the point that I think I might have a better inkling of how it feels to be some kind of B-Grade movie star who doesn't quite know how they got there or how exactly everyone knows who you are. (The good side is that I feel very tall, which is a relief after living in Holland for so long and feeling decidedly height-impaired).

We have also been popular with the kids - the Open Boats have seen
enthusiastic crowds of children having a whale of a time (pardon the
pun, I just couldn't resist it, promise it won't happen again, at least we got it out of the way early) being entertained by crew members. Phil, the bosun, and Neil, the radio operator, seem to have alter-egos as children's television presenters, demonstrating fire hoses, boat driving, clowning in wetsuits, and other essential ship skills for children. The kids just loved it. We also had a professor from a local organisation called Love Whales painting directly onto children's t-shirts as mementos of the day.

Last night Matilda, press officer extraordinaire, and I went to the
nearest convenience store (charmingly named "Sweet Buns") to stock up on ship essentials (including, but not limited to, copious amounts of
chocolate). The guy behind the counter shyly asked us where were from. "Australia and England," I said. "Green... peace?" he asked. I quickly inspected my clothing for any tell-tale Greenpeace logos but found none. Puzzled, I nodded. He immediately pulled out a digital camera and requested snapshots with us, and we succumbed to a surreal paparazzi experience in the middle of the snackfood aisle. I later found out that Phil, the outboard mechanic, had a similiar experience in the same store, and even received a gift-wrapped traditional Korean mask. It turns out that the Sweet Buns clerk is a Greenpeace member (and dare I say, fan) and had visited the Rainbow Warrior earlier in the day. It was very encouraging - so if you're reading this Sweet Buns clerk, thank you!

After our press conference on Friday, we have received some amazing
media coverage, splashed on the front pages of many of Korea's
newspapers and featured on tv news. However some of the media coverage hasn't been quite so flattering - namely the picture of our Oceans campaigner Jim that appeared in one of Korea's papers yesterday. (He's going to keelhaul me for mentioning it I'm sure).

Adele's nautical notes: keelhaul (v.) 1. historical - punish
(someone) by dragging them through the water from one side of a boat to the other, under the keel. 2. humourous (we hope) - punish or reprimand someone severely.