Hikari Market 1/23/11

It's about 9 AM as we drive through Iwakuni on Hwy 188 toward Hikari. It's the 4th Sunday & market day!


Driving along the Seto Inland Sea & local train track, run by overhead power lines. That's the Oshima Island Bridge up ahead in the distance.


Stopping at McDonald's for potty & coffee. They always play beautiful classical music in here - very peaceful!


Oh - look at this. I'm guessing this "new" burger will have potatoes on it somewhere . . .

I love this drive along the sea on Hwy 188!


Oh look Sherri! "Real" serious bikers . . .


Rock formation along the highway.


This road follows the curve of the Seto Inland Sea - I never get tired of this drive!

Perspective shows how narrow this highway really is!


We're at the Hikari Market & I've fallen in love with these miniature flowers. I will have to buy some of these! They are all very fragrant.


Look at these beautiful wooden animal puzzles! I've never seen these before.


And this is the artist who created them. What a delight!


Looking around the market on these temple grounds.

I love this sumo plate - I should have bought it!


This elderly man is pushing a little stroller that many elderly use here. When you get tired of walking, you simply sit on it's (albeit very tiny) seat & rest! Most Japanese wouldn't think about just staying in!


Under a beautiful old tree . . . There were lots of vendors today. It was cold but sunny.


After we left the market, it was still too early for lunch, so we drove further to the beach near the Boathouse restaurant. There's a great place to walk on the beach nearby. We did see Betsy & Paul there, having pizza, but we're holding out for something else. I'm guessing this sign says "No Dogs on this Beach" . . . ? (He looks so sad!)


Stan walking on the beach.

Lots of goodies washed up . . . This is where I picked up lots of sea glass & sea china last time we were here.


In a closer view, you can see tiny bits of colored glass, among the pebbles & shells on this beach. Don't know why so much cool stuff washes up here, but it's just full of surprises!


And a small starfish.


We've driven on & stopped at our favorite restaurant in Yanai. Don't know it's name, but it's a stand-alone near the fire department on Hwy 188. Inside, this Grampa holds up his grandson to see fish inside a deep tank. All the seafood here is still swimming when you order it. VERY fresh & delicious!


Looking in one of the stone tanks inside the restaurant.

Stan's fish set includes (clockwise top left) miso soup, pickles, rice, lotus, egg custard, bean sprouts and the fish he picked out - salted & fire grilled.


Closer view of this beautifully-prepared & presented fish.


My kaki furai (fried oysters) set included most of the same side dishes, but my oysters came with a salad. The rice tasted like it might have been cooked in jasmine water. Delicious!


Fresh local oysters are still in season!


Stan eating from the succulent fish head, but he passed on the eyeball.

This is our bill (clipped to this upsidedown holder) and a wireless "call" button. Push & we will get immediate service. Otherwise, we are left alone to enjoy our fabulous meal.


One of the small serving bowls is "Made in Japan" by Soga.


Stan's fish - "After" ( BURP!)


Hey look - it's Yoda!


Racing the local train along Hwy 188, returning to Iwakuni. It's going the same direction we are (the front & back look the same so it can go either direction) but it's leaving us behind. The Seto Inland Sea is on our right.

Old stone torii gate across the street from the Beach in Yuu, along Hwy 188.


We've stopped at the "new" beach area for ice cream. Mine's chocolate (of course) and Stan's is caramel. I love Japanese ice cream - it's actually made from real ingredients & tastes like it. Yum!


Back outside the Monzen Gate entrance to MCAS. Lotus fields waiting for their new crop . . .


I bought a few pots of miniature flowers to remind me that Spring is on the way. It's working . . . and the tiny roses are SOOOO fragrant!


And after I emptied my pockets of sea glass & sea china that we picked up on the beach, I added it to my existing collection. Beautiful! One day, I'd like to use the flat pieces to create a table top or counter top . . . Won't that be amazing???

First Pancakes of the New Year - 1/3/11

We don't eat pancakes very often anymore, but Stan still makes the lightest & fluffiest - EVER! No initial pancakes today, but friend Steph noted (when I posted this on FB) that these could easily have been arranged as "2011" - so true, Steph!

1/15 - It's snowing like crazy!

Late afternoon, looking from our BR balcony across the street.


Yikes!


Beautiful clouds over the "new" bowling alley - looking north, as the sun begins to drop into the sea.


And looking toward the south - the new flight tower and golf course to the right side.

Early morning 1/16 - View from our 5th floor balcony - WOW! It snowed more overnight.


Parking lot.


Across the street - jets in snow . . .


Beautiful full moon 1/19.

Christmas Eve Day 2010

Since it's just too lonely to spend Christmas Eve & Christmas morning home alone, we're off to Hiroshima to spend the next two days at an onsen (spa) hotel. We usually take the train, but we're driving so we can take our bikes. ITT told us there's a great place to ride around the hotel. Here we're driving along the Seto Inland Sea as we head north & east on Hwy 2.


There's the turnoff for Miyajima, but we're staying on Hwy 2 today. It's only about 30 km to Hiroshima, but a little further to the port area.


These roads through a town feel very narrow when passing large vehicles, but our car is very narrow & easy to drive. That's my white fur scarf in the bottom of the picture. It's REALLY warm when the weather is this cold.


We're approaching Hiroshima now & the traffic is getting much heavier. Those are sound baffles to protect citizens from too much highway noise. How considerate.