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.

Takamatsu and Naoshima Island.

After leaving Kobe, we sailed overnight and got into the port of Takamatsu, which is in an
area of small islands, right at the Southen tip of Japan. The town
has a reasonable population, and there are some good beaches,
but we had booked a tour to one of the smaller islands, so that 
took up most of our time.

On arrival at Takamatsu, the greeting party was
a gun salute by some warriors in traditional garb.

The area around Takamatsu is a little bit like sailing in the
Gulf Islands.  More mountainous, but lots ot saling and 
lesiure activities, and everyone had a bike!

The view of the town from the ship.

The tour we booked was on a fast boat to a little island called
Naoshima.  The trip took about 30 minutes, and we were 
there from about 10:30am to about 6:00 pm.

The town of Naoshima is a little fishing village, however it
has become a very prominent Modern Art project, which includes
three museums all designed by the same architect,
and several of the small houses in the village, that
were repurposed by various artists.  This used to be a dental office!

The architect for these three museums, was Tadeo Ando.  He was born in 
Japan in 1941, and the vision for Naoshima Island was to
"turn the island of Naoshima in the Seto Inland Sea into an island of nature and culture that we 
can boast to the world".   

Each of the art museums that Ando designed were for a 
specific artist.  This one was built for an artist called Lee
Ufan.  The design is very stark, and meant
to blend in with nature.

It is quite breathtaking to see this museum in
it's natural environment, as it seems to blend
in with the surrounding area, and yet is concrete, so
one would think it would be very ugly.  Not so.

There are several art installations around the island, such as this one, that moves with
the wind.  Quite effective.

This is another installation, on the roof of the Benesse, 
another of the separate museums Ando designed.

The area itself is breathtaking, and the sky is like a work of art.  

There is a hotel on the island, and about 400,000 people visit 
the island a year.  Mostly local (Japan), but 
it is gaining international acclaim, and there
is now an art festival there ech year.

This was on the wall of one of the bus stops.  Transportation around the island is
by local bus, but the stops as you can see are not ordinary.

One of the museums was built specifically for three artists.  One of them houses five Monets, which are all of scenes of Lily Ponds.  On the way to that museum, they have built an escalating series of lily ponds so you are well in the mood by the time you arrive at the entrance!

One of the most impressive features of Japanese food is the presentation.
Amazing!

A very Japanese lunch.  Not everything was suited to our
Western palate, as you can see!

On the way up to the gallery and museum.

This is one of the exhibitions which are outside, and then there is another inside
the museum.  You can see how the architect used cement and other
raw elements to show the work.

This is the little restaurant where we had the Japanese lunch.
Clean lines!

The entrance to one of the galleries.  

A view of Naoshima from the top of the Benesse gallery.

It has been such great weather.  It was about 80 degrees,
and the water looked soooo inviting!

Leaving Naoshima and Takumatsu.  Just loved the architectural design.  So simple, and it
really reflected the natural environment.
We are trying to stay ahead of a Typhoon which is approaching the coast, so we are off tonight
to Hiroshima, and may have to cut that short to head to Korea.  Stay tuned.

Kobe and Kyoto -

We came into the port of Kobe in the daytime, which was nice, as there was
a welcoming committee!  The reason was that we were docked 
beside a hotel, literally looking into the hotel, so they had a good look at us, 
and we 
 had a good look at them!

Also receiving us was a lovely school band.  Very up tempo,
 very un-Japanese
but it made the arrival all the more exciting!

This is the Kobe Merikan Oriental hotel which we docked beside.  You can see someone
holding the 
Japanese flag on the balcony, waving away to us!

The ship on the dock.  I am living (for the moment) on the second deck
down, just beside the little cabin protruding at the end of the ship. 
 That is 
the little bird's nest look- out which is part of the "bridge".

The view of Kobe from the apartment.  The wonderful "arty"
looking structure is the marine museum.

I couldn't help myself!  Took a picture of some people on the balcony of
 the hotel next door.
Nosy parker looking at nosy parkers!

The city of Kobe is squeezed into the land available between the mountains and 
the sea.
There are about 1.4 million people in the city,and there are two cities of size close by. 

Kyoto which is about 1 1/2 hours by bus, and Osaka which is about 20 minutes away. 
 Kobe is more modern, and was rebuilt after an earthquake.  
Kyoto is the more charming 
city, and famous for
the "geisha" district of Gion, where there are still ladies who entertain
 men
 ( though not in the way we tend to think).  They learn to sing and dance, 
and the area is full of little clubs for men to go and be entertained by the 
traditional geisha, which they now call "maiko" and "gaiko".

This is one of the "Geisha" places where men go to be entertained by women. 
 It is quite rare to see "geiko" as they hurrying along the narrow streets.
  The architecture is mainly traditional, and  the neighborhoods are dotted with
 teahouses and old townhouses which are well-preserved and very attractive. 
 The alleys are very narrow between the houses.

One of the old temples.  Quiet, well kept, and very zen like.

One of the traditional houses in the Gion district.

As I was walking behind Alison I saw two "maiko's" coming along.
I wanted to take their picture, so I just waited in the doorway until they
came along.

 It is a great treat to see a "geisha" ( maiko), and I did not want to be
rude and take a picture of this one, so just took it as she was hurrying away.

This was a young woman that we talked to in our stroll
around the city.  She is an art curator and going to Brisbane in Australia soon
to do some work there, so Alison taught her to say "G'day mate"!

I was lucky enough to get these two to stop while I took a picture. 
 The one on the left is in training as she has no make-up on,whilst the one on the right
 is a "maiko" who is still pure, as she only has the lipstick on the bottom lip.  
They were very obliging, and I felt very honoured to have them stop for a picture.

Kobe had a big festival, I think more of a competition, where dance 
groups from every region in Japan sent a group to do a dance in 
their traditional costume.  The dances went on all day, and 
were judged by a group of judges that seemed very severe.  Not 
sure who won, but they were all fabulous!

My beautiful "maiko's".  The one on the left has the more elaborate kimono,
 and the face
paint, so she is established.  The kimono and lack of face paint on the girl
on the right shows she is in training.

Lots of practice went into the performances.

Another of the many adorable little cuties!  I am sucker for "kid pics".

Oooops. Should have turned left.  Can't watch you if I'm turned around!

This little girl was so precious.  So was the whole group.  So feminine and pretty.

The costumes on this group were so colourful, and the women were very pretty with  
little patterns on their faces.  Loved it.

Another one of the group.  They were great dancers.

Another group,and they sang the whole time!

This group had three guys in wheelchairs that were moved in time with the music. Pretty touching.

Fierce and beautiful! 

My favorite group.

Too bad I couldn't vote.  They would have won hands down.

These girls asked me to take this "woman power" picture!

Butterfly hunter!

One of the shrines had this little place to take one of the pieces of paper
and then put your wish on it and hang it up.  The gods
are supposed to read and grant the wish.

The temple and shrine where you 
could leave your prayers and wishes.

One more
pic of my favorite costume!

A river runs through Kyoto, and along the river, there were little groups
of people fishing or just thinking.  I think this lady was either selling
goods, or contemplating life (or both!)

This was our last view of Kobe at night from the ship!

Ali and I took a little cable car up to the mountain top on the last
night to see the city at night.  Bye Bye Kobe
Next stop Takamatsu!