Asia trip Day 22 - Hiroshima, Japan

Sunday March 19

We docked in the morning but could not get off right away. Our tour was supposed to start at 12:15 pm but everybody had to go through mandatory face-to-face immigration. It was not in the terminal but in the Nautica Lounge. 

We had a tour booked for today. Ours was the first to leave at 12:15 pm but everybody had to go through immigration on board first. We had lots of time so went after breakfast to Horizons and enjoyed the incredible view.

If you can't see what we saw in the first photo ... black and white ... slightly to the right from the middle closer to the coast ....

... here is a zoomed photo. We all thought it was moste likely a Japanese submarine.

So many dream islands. And the fisheries were interesting too.

We have docked. From our balcony.

We already had port stops in Japan before South Korea and it had been quite a drama with the electronic visa which then turned out to be a non-event. Today was in-person and was as if we had never been here just 2 days before. We were asked to be in the Martini Bar (just before the Lounge) at our tour start time. Ours was the first tour to leave but independent had been given an earlier time. Oh my, the line went along the casino, around the bar, forth and back corridors. People were getting really upset. We heard that somebody had even fainted in the line. 

Being in the first tour to leave we were after a while all taken out of the "common" line and made into a separate line to be taken care of first. We finally started our tour 1 hour late. We wondered whether the tour would be cut shorter or the ship would leave later. But not really our worry!

While driving to the ferry our guide started with introducing herself. I think she was Nobu for short. And of course she gave us a lot of information about what we were going to see.

Our new roaming plan was working on my phone. The blue dot (see arrow top right) is were we were in the bus having left the harbor. The arrow on the left is the ferry area and the x of course the island.

This is part of the tour discription:

Take the ferry to Miyajima, a small forested island known for its stunning natural beauty and ancient shrines. Upon arriving, you will first notice the giant red torii gate that rises up out of the ocean as if it were floating. The revered primary shrine is also built over the water and together these iconic attractions have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, as they illustrate the Japanese concept of scenic beauty, in which nature and human creativity harmoniously combine. At high tide, the gate and the 12th-century shrine seem to be floating on the water. To alleviate friction from the rising tides and more severe water conditions, the shrine’s wooden floors have spaces between the planks and were constructed without metal nails that would restrict the planks from moving with the tides. 

I have no idea how many people can get on one of the ferries but it was packed full with people. It was Sunday of course and we were told that it was the beginning of spring break too. So many young people.

Our guide had told us to be on the right side of the ferry because that's how we see the Torii gate best. The ferry would go straight first and then swing over to the left.

From the stone: 

Near the summit of Mt. Misen 530 meters are the Main Hall of Daishoin Temple, established by Kobo Daishi in 806 A.D., and the Hall of the Sacred Fire, where a flame has been continuesly burning for almost 1200 years since Kobo Daishi first permormed his rituals here.

The Itsukushima Shinto Shrine World Heritage Site is the jewel of the island of Miyajima. The island, with the Mt. Misen Primaeval Forest' natural monument, is a masterpiece of nature set in the Seto Inland Sea, itself an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The shrine buildings were constructed by Taira-no-Kiyomori in 1168, in a distinctive style of architecture in which the buildings appear to float on the surface of the sea. 

 

Through the hole you can see the red gate, red of course being the color of holiness.

We are so greatful for this wonderful weather too.

 

Most people were congregating in the most famous area and the shopping street. Our guide asked us whether we wanted to go a little further and see another shrine.

This street was almost empty and so nice to walk.

And yes, the protected deer where everywhere.

The fierce two guys left and right were minding the bell, which you were supposed to ring if you had arrived for prayer. James only pretended since we were not praying here to buddha.

And not enough time to walk these steps.

But we were lead to the left and here ...

How many little buddhas were there? And every one had a knitted cap on, done by local people. There names were recorded on this map showing where their little buddha was.

(there would have been a way prettier/cuter photo but there was always somebody in front of me)

All our guides on this whole trip were always talking about the cherry blossoms. It seems so important in Asia. Finally here is one already in full bloom. Yes, so beautiful in front of the blue sky.

We had a few more free minutes and were so thirsty. We had not taken any water because before Japan we had always been given water in the buses. What did James spie with his little eye?

Yes, local beer. 500 yen each. Since we still had a paper 1000 that was just right.

Finally, sitting down, I could find an answer to my question. I had asked the guide about the tide. The said next high tide was midnight. That just didn't sound right to me. But I was wondering about the tides because yes, it would be so different looking if the shrine was "floating". 

While enjoying our beer we saw the world walk by. Nice.

Back at the ferry in a mass of people again. But it went surprisingly smoothly.

Looks already a bit more "floating", doesn't it?

Driving past the baby oyster beds which are closer to shore.

As soon as we were back James remembered hearing that the speaker's time for his talk had been changed because of the morning spectacle. We had missed the beginning but at least enjoyed some.

Busy times. Right after in the Horizon for "happy hour". We have to be more quiet playing our game than at home. Should not laugh so loudly. 

For yesterday and today there had been a special meal announced: buffet at the Terrace Caef on Deck 9 (where we usually go to have breakfast and lunch). We forgot yesterday so went today. Most servers had changed into dresses from their country. We can't say enough about how nice the crew is. Servers go out of their way to make us happy without being asked most of the time. They beam when you say something nice to them. When I asked whether I could take a photo, she did a happy-dance.

Just a couple of photos of the buffet.

Miso Glazed Seabass in banana leaf.

The waiter took the mini clothpin off and put it on the edge of my plate (not in the photo).

Another happy-dance.

Tonights main entertainment is the Japanese pianist Tomono Kawamura. So nice and so talented. She was on stage in the middle and her hands were shown left and right on the big screens. You didn't quite know whether you should watch this gorgeous person, or the huge screen with her hands playing like magic or close your eyes to concentrate on the music. Of course we are not supposed to do recordings or flash photography but I like to sneak a photo to remind me.

We went back to the room too late for St. Martin's 10 o'clock service live. 

But just before turning off the light I jumped out of bed to see what the lights where outside because there was mostly just water. Perfect timing for this:

Night night.