Happy Holidays: Hiroshima

Hiroshima or "Broad Island" was where my wife and I went from January 11-14, 2018. We flew direct from Hong Kong and return, and took the convenient Airport limousine bus to and from a downtown hotel that offers natural hot-spring baths. From the hotel, we just walked to see the Atomic Bomb Dome, and soon learned at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum that Hiroshima was the top target city for the atomic bombing in 1945.

On our day 2, we took the iconic Hiroshima streetcar to the Hiroshima (railway) Station to take the rail to Kure to see the Japanese naval base that built Japan's largest battleship Yamato during World War II. My wife was not content to see just the display of a 90% shrink-sized fake model of the Yamato. From the historical information made available, I believe battleships built in Kure contributed to Japan's naval warfare as early as the first Sino-Japanese War 1894-1895.

On our day 3, we researched on the tidal times at Itsukushima (or Miyajima) before using a one-day pass (street car + ferry) to get there to see the Great Torii - part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We initially walked right under it to examine its concrete support at low tide and then waited for hours until sunset, hoping to capture some colourful photos of the "floating" shrine at high tide. Not only that we were unable to see anything colourful, we also missed the opportunity to try more oysters there as restaurants began to close from 4:30pm onwards!

On our return day at the Airport and before passing through the immigration check points, we were pleased that we could have another Hiroshima Winter oyster meal. If we had gone to Hiroshima in Spring, we might see Sakura blossoms; in Summer, Japanese fireworks, and in Autumn, red Maple leaves. Meanwhile, let us in our own ways: "See, hear whatever that excites you, smell, taste whatever that delights you..."

#HappyHolidaysHiroshima