Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Things to do in Japan: Shinkansen, Miyajima, Hiroshima

We traveled by Shinkansen on Labor Day weekend with family friends, Tamsen & John, to visit Miyajima & Hiroshima. The Shinkansen is Japan's famous "bullet train" with row seating similar to an aircraft, travels just as fast, and has ample foot and reclining space.
Breakfast before Bullet Train.
Moth friend.
We're going on a trip on our favorite bullet train, Bella & Evan, on the Shinkansen.
Bella, Mayla & Caden eating cereal from a cup.
Here comes the Shinkansen into the station!

Evan's leg on the diaper bag makes me laugh!
Catching a Ferry to Miyajima Island.
Bella, Caden & Evan enjoying the breeze.
Sweet face!
We're going on a trip on our favorite ferry, there's so much to find, deer, torii & shrine.
Itsukushima-jinja Shrine and Torii at low tide. Also known as the "Floating Shrine," built on stilts, at high tide the shrine appears to be floating over the water.
Bella postcard.
Picturesque Powells.

Pagoda
Japanese Wedding.
The twins.
The kids had so much fun together.
Checking out the deer surrounding them.


Deer Brother and Sister.
Dear Brother and Sister.
KANI "chok chok chok" - CRAB "snap snap snap"




Hiroshima before and after scale models. Red ball denotes Hypocenter. Notice the (upside-down) T-Bridge. This bridge was the target for the bombing.
Actual photos, notice people walking along the streets.
T-Bridge 65 years later.
A-Bomb Dome
Memorial Cenotaph holding names of victims, housing the Peace Flame that will continue to burn until all atomic weapons cease to exist.

This is the actual location of the Hypocenter.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr is based on Sadako Sasaki, age 2 at time of bombing, died from leukemia at age 12. She is a figure of Peace.
Hiroshima Castle
Our Tour Guide/Interpreter, Yoko-san, and Driver, Kobayashi-san. Yoko-san's ancestry in Hiroshima dates back 1000 years! Her father is a survivor at the age of 95.
Feather fun! Bella and Evan were blowing a feather around and having a good laugh.
Good sleep after two days of adventure.
Good morning, lovebugs! Time to go home!
Expending time and energy as we wait for the Shinkansen.
Yabba dabba doo! Traveling home Fred Flinstone style!
"I'm the mommy," says Bella.
Sayonara, Hiroshima!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

San Francisco Beach

"YAY! We're at the beach!" Bella was just a few months old when we were in Florida - our last beach experience.
This actually came out better than I thought, the wind started to blow sand in our faces soon after I sat down. So we stood up - see picture below.
Deliriously happy. Ros: "I could live at the beach!" Marie: "You did! For two years!" Ros: "And we thoroughly enjoyed those two years at the beach." (I'd pick Will home over living at the beach every time. Miss you sweets)
Evan, Marie, Bella - beach wonder/wander.
'S fun: sand! sealife! saltwater! shells! seaweed! surf! sun!
* sand dollars * kelp * jellyfish * some fantastic beach finds *
Bella chasing seagulls along the shoreline, occasionally splashing in the waves.
Princess building a beautiful sandcastle.
Evan took to walking in sand like a crab! He enjoyed splashing his feet in the water
Ros, Bella and Evan loving the beach walk and collecting sand dollars.
daughter-mother-son, makes me think of God's love and strength from the poem 'Footprints'.