Asia trip Day 18 - Kagoshima, Japan

Wednesday March 15

Today is Maren's birthday. Happy birthday, dear Maren!!! 

Our cabin was on the port site and we had view onto the terminal again.

This was another splendid day. We had an excursion booked and it started at 9 am. When I looked in the evening at all my photos I noticed that all the photos out of the bus were greenish. The windows must have been tinted. Mmhh, nothing I can really do. Not enough computer time to doctor them all.

It was not a very long ride and then we were at the port for the ferry.

We were very lucky because it is a first-come-first-serve situation. Buses are driving onto the lower deck but we could get out and clime the stairs.

We wandered around the different decks to get all angles of the view.

We took other peoples photos so they didn't have to be selfies. And of course then they reciprocated. 

This reminded me of the ferry to Bintan. It's a long time ago. The inside cabin and the TV. Some family members will remember this too.

Quickly back into the bus so it could drive off. 

Here is the discription of our tour today:

Discover the natural beauty of volcanic Japan by cruising to Sakurajima, one of the country’s most active volcanoes and the beloved symbol of Kagoshima. As you cruise across Kinko Bay, you will be treated to a unique perspective of the volcano, which smokes and erupts almost daily, although fortunately not in a major way. However, an eruption in 1914 was so massive that when the lava flow hardened it bridged the bay, connecting an island just off shore to Osumi Peninsula. Upon arriving at the port, you will visit the Arimua Observatory, which sits atop a volcanic hill formed by another eruption. It is one of the few places in the world where you can safely view a highly active volcano. There are numerous lookout decks that will offer a variety of viewpoints of towering Sakurajima. 

When we drove towards the observatory our guide Michiko explained that after the big eruption of 1914 the land was bare of course. The lava is acidic but after the acid washes out the land becomes quite fertile. Nothing was planted. Birds and wind brought in seeds.

Goverment made (and is still working on) these canals or trenches to prevent floods.

The guide talked about the very special agricultural things and one of it is this huge veggetable. Like a giant radish. To me it looked a bit like a kohlrabi. It was on display in front of the observatory. 

It is a bit strange to walk around so near to an active volcano but strangely enough it was very peaceful there and everything very nicely done.

At several places where there was a very large rock people had thrown coins all over it. Not sure why?

At this point our guide stopped and said this was the most photogenic place and surgested everybody had there picture taken which she did with our cameras after one by one people climed in. We participated too.

We had been told on the bus that we were very welcome to take away some of the volcanic dust and since there were little plastic bags in our seat pouches we took one. 

Here is for you, kids, in case you are interested!

She had told us that ferns were always the first plants to grow after an eruption. They were pretty.

Back on the bus to the ferry I tried very hard to take a photo of the other agricultural specialty. Sometimes you could see a large patch of white or beige dots over a field of bushes or little trees. First I had thought they were blooms but they are actually paper bags they tie over the fruit (unfortunately I can't remember which one it was ... Komikan? see Wikipedea!)

And then back on the ferry again. Interesting ... they secure every single car on it.

This was so cute. The mother very quietly was singing to her toddler. Must have been a song about a ship.

Back into our bus to be ready.

In the bus our guide told us that we had been very lucky with the ferries and had a little extra time. She had asked the driver to give us a little city tour. This is a statue of "the last samurai". James and I might have to watch that movie. There was so much talk about everywhere.

Komatasy Tatewaki Statue, I had to look him up on the internet. So much history!

Memorial to Saint Francis Xavier (S. Francisco X.), a missionary priest, who arrived there in August 1549 and founded a Catholic mission. On the other side of the street is he Cathedral of Saint Francis Xavier, also called the Xavier Church, is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kagoshima.

I just liked the flowers.

Back at the ship we didn't immidiately go back on board because we saw a lovely park right there. It was such a nice place. Locals, families, wandered about. Some old men sitting on benches and smiling at us. Couldn't help but have a good feeling. 

Selfies for greetings to birthday niece Maren in Germany ... with the vulcano in the back ...

... or the Nautica in the back.

Well, time for a late lunch. Pesto in your soup. Makes actually a quite nice taste.

And that cherry tart is worth sinning for. James added two special ice creams to it. Why not?

My last photo of the day: The puffing Sakurajima in the evening sun from our balcony. Life is good.

We had a dinner reservation for 6:30 pm with sharing in the Polo Grill. The trouble with making reservations in one of the specialty restaurants is that you have to watch the clock etc. But we did better this time and we were actually 3 couples at the table this time. And we had a great time. I must say we really had because we were a bit noisy laughing so much. 

A bit more entertainment and then we "fell" into bed. No problem falling asleep.