Hiroshima - Just ahead of a super Typhoon .....

The peace symbol right next to where we docked in
Hiroshima

The skies on the way to Hiroshima were amazing.
Probably because of the big storm on the way, but
there were so many
 small islands in the south of the country, and
the silhouette
 was just so beautiful at sunset.

To the left, the captain checking out the
scene as we dock. The port was on our side, so it
was  fun to watch this huge big ship
coming in so gently.  

Waiting for their ship to come
in! 

The sunset was spectacular after our arrival in Hiroshima!

The modern girls, and the
high shoes.  It's the same
the world over!

Since we only had 1/2 day in Hiroshima, and the ship
was about 30 minutes away from the town, we decided
to go in on the bus and just see the "A-bomb Park".  We walked from where the bus dropped us, and the whole
town of Hiroshima is quite modern, with the
contrasting kimono.  So feminine.

This structure was the only thing remaining after the Atomic 
blast in August 1945.  It was once the city's Promotion hall, 
and
 they have preserved it in the exact state that it was in
directly after the bombing.

The site is symbolic of the most destructive force constructed by man, and also serves as a
symbol of hope for peace, and the elimination of nuclear weapons.

There is something haunting about
the shell of the building that is still standing.

There are symbols and memorial 
plaques all around the area, which has 
been made into a public park.

Hard to imagine the destruction the
bomb caused, until you really look at this
shell and try to imagine people
inside of it.

It is amazing that so much of the 
building survived.

The original building.

There is a peace bell at this monument, which is 
a Children's Peace Monument.  He wanted to 
ring it and ring it, and his sister was not pleased 
with the noise!

There are dozens of origami cranes here,
which commemerate a 10 year old girl (Sadako),
 who got leukaemia after exposure to the radiation
and thought if she made 1000
cranes (senbazuru)  her cancer would go away.  She
died before she finished, so her friends finished it for her.
Children still make them and send them here from all over.

Another memorial, and lots of the
monuments have very bright
colours adorning them.

The statue commemorating
Sadako, the little girl who made
the paper cranes.

It is moving and haunting, and it makes me
wonder what we have learned, if anything.

Hiroshima had to be
rebuilt so it is all modern
high-rises and clean lines.  

Hirohshima Castle.

Leaving Hiroshima a day early to race ahead of the typhoon.

Another great sunset.

We had to leave Japan early.  I love it now even more than I did when I 
first visited.  Very unique.  The people are so polite, and it is a fascinating culture.
We are going to cross over to Korea, but the winds are high, and we will 
be waiting out the storm at sea.  Rock and roll and on to Busan in South Korea.