Day 6 Nov 5 - Miyajima and Etajima

Today started with another shinkansen journey – this time to Hiroshima.  At the station, we stuffed our packs (which are putting on weight) into a locker and caught the train to the ferry port then the ferry to Miyajima.  The weather was really pleasant and we spent some time wandering around Miyajima with the deer and competing with the other tourists to get photos of the famous red torii gate.

Miyajima - with torii gate

 

Deer having a tasty suit for breakfast

Our original plan was to visit the A-bomb Dome and Peace Park but in the afternoon, but as time was running out, we postponed these activities till tomorrow to take the pressure off.

 

After retrieving our packs, we picked up our hire car and headed for the Hiroshima Port to catch the ferry to Etajima.  We dropped into the You Me Shopping centre on the way to have lunch in the Food Hall.  We also squeezed in a visit to the stationery shop as Erin is creating a journal to record her first trip to Japan.  We also admired the bakery which offered an amazing array of buns including santas, reindeer and snowmen in readiness for Christmas!  Despite the very small number of Christians in Japan, they do like to ‘do’ Christmas!  We heard ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ being played in one of the shops.

Christmas in Hiroshima bakery

Finding the ferry terminal proved a little difficult, but we finally made our way there and headed for Etajima.  My Japanese came in very handy in negotiating our way through this exercise, which boosted my confidence to cope on Etajima.  I was really feeling apprehensive and under pressure to perform as the proprietor of the accommodation had refused to take our booking until I pleaded in Japanese.  Having convinced her to accept our booking, I started to worry that she would regret her decision if my Japanese skills made it all too hard.  I knew that she spoke no English, so it was all up to me.

Pension Wada - our accommodation on Etajima

Once we arrived and met our host, I was able to relax.  We had quite a reasonable conversation about dinner time, bath time etc. and had some general social chit chat.  Yes!  I can do it!!

 

We settled in to our lovely tatami room then walked down to the beach.  We watched the sunset and surprised the locals with our presence.  The beach area was swarming with cats as it’s a fishing area and the cats know where to find the best meals.

Beach on Etajima

Cats waiting for dinner

Erin



Fishing boats - Etajima

A heron / crane thing

An unexpected find

 

We went back to our accommodation for dinner which was truly amazing. The meal consisted mostly of local seafood, mainly raw, including a few fish that were looking at us as we ate.

Dinner at Etajima

After dinner, we took turns to use the bath which should have been called a swimming pool.  It was about 2 metres square and probably would have fitted the entire cast of The Last Samurai had they all needed a bath at the same time.

We spread out our futons and spent the rest of the evening having a much needed rest.  I amused us all by using the moisturising face mask which had been given to me at one of the hotels.  It was supposed to be a soothing relaxing experience, but caused Erin and me to have hysterics instead.

The futons are calling!