More on 1988 in Japan #1

Scan11084, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. From Scott Riddle We loaded the elephants in Oakland, Calif. on a container ship, The Alligator Hope owned by a Japanese Co. called Mitsui. We loaded them by twos in a metal container lifted by a giant crane,white knuckle stuff, but they all stayed calm and loaded without incident. The Japanese carpenters had made us a wooden platform on level with deck so we had a picket line set up and we could turn the elephants loose and exercise them. We had containers full of hay and grain and the trailers for the elephants were special made to be legal on Japanese roads. It took us thirteen days (counting going over the intern. date line) to sail into Tokyo Bay-- the voyage was an adventure but killed any fantasies I might of ever have about being a sailor. We were well fed and the elephants never showed any signs of discomfort. In Japan we were well treated and they seemed to love the show--although they saw no humor in the clown car. I spent a lot of time with Johnny Herriott over there and enjoyed our talks. Johnny is not only a great trainer and showman but also a great guy. His whole family as well as Buckles' is what it's all about. If you are interested, I will try to find some pictures and more info on the tour as I remember it.