Chasing the Perfect Fuji shot.

[drron29]

The next morning we were in Hiroshima.

 

 

 

 

Rojaan wasn't up to an excursion. We had chosen Hiroshima castle and the ShuKKeien Gardens. We have been to the Peace park several times. The first time in 1984 we could walk through the Dome.
We have also been to the castle and this garden before but this will be the first time in Sakura season. So off I set.

 

 

 

 

And when we reached the castle we first went around it in the bus.

 

 

 

 

The reason is that the best view of the Castle is from outside the grounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

The bus has been parked and we now walk to the Castle Entrance Gate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the famous Eucalyptus tree. it survived the bomb.

 

 

 

The koi all waiting to be thrown a morsel.

 

And another famous bomb survivor though this one apparently is on it's last legs now.

 

 

[drron29]

Coming around the to the temple there was a surprise bonus. A junior Kendo tournament.

 

 

 

 

 

The gear.

 

I ended up watching all of this match up. The aim is to strike various target areas including the wrists, top of head and to the sides of the body armour. each competitor has a ribbon on their back. Either red or white. The judges have a red and a white flag. they raise the appropriate flag if they believe a strike has been made. Two of the three judges need to raise a flag before a point is awarded. The winner is the first to get 3 strikes. The two quite young contestants in this were both aggressive and loud.

 

the start position.

 

 

 

 

The fellow with the red ribbon won. I happened to be standing beside his father. the youngster ran to his ddad and high fived but then burst into tears and lay on the ground. He was not expected to win but this win got him into the semi final of his age group.

 

Then to the temple.

 

Donation boxes for the December Noto earthquake and the recent Taiwan earthquake.

 

 

 

 

 

The site of the bunker where some high school girls survived the blast and got a message out as to what had happened.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Started to walk towards the castle though diverting for the cherry trees.

 

Some lads and a girl getting some Kendo practice in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the new soccer stadium. Hiroshima has a home match today and a steady stream entering the stadium. Hiroshima was sitting second on the table.

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

When I got back to the temple the Kendo was still going. These two were really having a ding dong battle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But it was now time to get back on the bus to go to the Shukkeien Gardens.

Once we were inside the Gardens I told the guide I was going off on my own and would catch the shuttle bus back to the ship. I had done this excursion from the Muse in October 23 so no need to do it again. Blossom chasing again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing to see what this garden was like nearly 79 years ago.

 

 

Edited April 24 by drron29

[drron29]

 

 

 

Even a wattle flowering.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[silkismom]

Amazing, when we were on the Muse around Japan Apr 6-26 last year, only some cherry blossoms blooming in the far north.

[drron29]

8 hours ago, silkismom said:

Amazing, when we were on the Muse around Japan Apr 6-26 last year, only some cherry blossoms blooming in the far north.

Our cruise was 3 -18th of April and the cherry blossoms were later than expected. Not nearly peak in the north and about 3 weeks off in Hokkaido.

 

We went also in 2016. Started in Kyoto 28th March and ended in Hirosaki Castle on 26th April and most places were in full bloom. We were extremely lucky.

That’s the problem with the blossoms they are dependent on the weather.

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Although Hiroshima had been declared at 3-4 days before we arrived viewing is usually excellent for a week after the peak. We are certainly finding that is certainly true.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

Another bomb survivor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Finally the last of the gardens. I really enjoyed the show that nature put on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now I set off to walk to the shuttle bus. Some lovely trees in the back streets.

 

 

How often do you see stacked police cars?

 

Crossed a main street on my way to the shuttle bus. Saw 3 different tram types.

 

 

Near the shuttle bus stop I came across another couple from the ship. He was in bad shape with back spasms. they were unsure where the shuttle stop was. They had been helped by 4 young fans of the local soccer team who had gone out of their way to help them. They didn't think I was rightv wh I recognised so I signalled to them to comeen I said I knew where it was. So I got them to sit at the corner whilst I went to see if there was the shuttle stop. I hadn't gone far when I saw a sign -Shuttle Bus stop and a couple of crew so I signalled to them to follow me. Just as well I was a good Samaritan as they turned out to have the suite across the hall from us.

A couple of shots from the shuttle on the way back to the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Back in time to have lunch with Mrsdrron in Atlantide. I had a vegetable soup and fish and chips with mushy peas. Nice.

 

 

Rojaan had the marsala chicken and the Japanese cheese cake. She liked both.

 

 

After lunch Rojaan and I took a walk around the small park at the port.

 

The locals were enjoying their Sunday and sakura viewing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great to see that smile again.

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing basically inside this construction apart from a mini version.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going back on board it was obvious a send off was being prepared.

 

[drron29]

Indeed they were giving us a send off. Unfortunately sail away was at 5.30pm and I had my golf. About 20 players so I had a bit of time to pop up to 5,watch and listen then back to the golf.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaving a Japanese port is unlike any other. Some wonderful send offs.

And they really do mean what they say. The younger ones ran to keep up with the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And as the sun sinks slowly in the west we say our final sayonara to Hiroshima.

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

The sun sets as we sail away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Then back to Atlantide for dinner.

 

 

 

 

I started with the foie gras terrine. Not the best. The Prime Rib though was excellent.

 

 

Rojaan had the beef tartare again and the lobster tail which she felt was better tonight.

 

She is also expanding her wine selections and not just sticking to the Sauvignon blanc.

 

And I had a reasonable wine from the South Australia.

[drron29]

The next morning was Fukuoka. The day didn't look the best. I was feeling much better about deciding not to take an excursion here. Nothing really sounded suitable as we have been here before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

I caught the 1130 shuttle into town hoping to have a lunch and go to 2 cherry blossom parks - The ruins of Fukuoka castle and Nishi Park if the weather allowed.
Along with the cherry blossoms tulips were everywhere in street plantings.

 

 

 

 

The shuttle dropped you at the Town Hall. A nice park across the road with a few cherry trees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

 

I now walked down the main street towards the castle. The rain was intermittent and light.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At every traffic lights a tune played when the pedestrian lights went green. At the main intersection that meant a long excerpt of "Coming Through the Rye". Loved it.

[drron29]

I was getting hungry and came across an upmarket Convenience store with some nice looking take out meals. The sushi looked nice.

 

 

They have a small eat in area.

 

 

Which says if eat in is busy please get up and leave when you finish eating.
Back to the walk and I reach the castle ruins. I pass by the Lotus ponds.

 

 

 

 

 

The rain is starting to get a little heavier. A pity because their Sakura Festival is in full swing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lincslady]

Everybody in Japan seems to be having bad luck with the weather at present.  Hope it improves soon.