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What a pleasant surprise!
Breakfast was fabulous - but sorry no pictures of food . . .
But I loved this little bin of bibs for the babies to use!
One of the elaborate chandeliers in the dining room.
We've walked outside now to feed the bunnies. The hotel has thoughtfully provided everyone with clean white gloves to wear . . . of course. And Hiroshi-san and Eiko-san brought a bag of fresh cabbage and carrots. What a great idea!
OMG! They're everywhere! Reminded me of the deer at Miyajima, but of course the bunnies are MUCH smaller, and more polite . . .
Stan feeding a carrot to the bunnies.
And they were very excited!
Margie feeding a carrot to bunnies.
They are amazingly fast with their sharp little teeth! And I think they like carrots best . . .
Looking back at our hotel with the bright blue ferry bus outside.
Some of the holes the rabbits have dug in the grass.
Hiroshi-san is feeding bunnies a large sweet carrot on the end of hashi (chopsticks). What a great idea!
Eiko-san and Hiroshi-san feeding the bunnies.
Once our bunny food ran out, we decided to take a walk around the left side of the hotel - toward the seawall.
Remains of storage areas from when this whole island was a poison-gas factory.
This storage facility reminds me of Fort Morgan!
The bunnies are very tame and seem to love to pose for me!
Eiko-san and Hiroshi-san under a large sakura.
And Margie & Stan. We're all still wearing our white gloves . . .
Looking closer at the blossoms. The leaves are just coming on.
But the sakura are still opening and buds are very pink.
A cute pair.
Hiroshi-san and Stan have found a fisherman on the seawall.
YIKES! Look where he's standing!
Remains of a storage area for poison gas canisters.
Historic markers all over this island referring to the once active, but now abandoned poison gas factory.
Beautiful azalea in bloom.
Bunnies and more bunnies!
Don't drop cigarette butts - it will confuse the rabbits!
Walking back to the hotel - this is the area with the rental bikes.
Inside the large lobby, looking from the gift shop end, toward the restaurant at the opposite end. Above us is an ornately decorated barrel ceiling with lights.
Children's play area near the massage chairs.
Closer view of the noren (curtain) painted with bunnies.
Very organized recycle center near the stairs. Do you think Americans would have the patience to do this in a public place? Hmm - maybe if they had an opportunity . . .
Now it's time to tour the museums that tell about the top secret poison gas factory that used to be on this island. Hiroshi-san and Stan walk near an abandoned building that is now used for storage.
This sign says "Remains of the Laboratory" - I was not allowed to take photos in the main museum, but it was very interesting and told a very sad story of how the residents of this peaceful island were forced to leave when the Japanese military took over the island to create poison gas for wartime. Workers were at risk and many were severely injured and even died as a result of the poison gas. Now no one lives here but the bunnies . . .
Another museum that featured the nature of this island had a tree stump "growing" through the window to the outside.
The wood is so beautiful! I would like to live here . . .
The giant tree root from inside the building.
This museum employee was very friendly and helpful.
There were many bowls of water outside for all the rabbits, but I like this heart-shaped one best.
Another bunny posing for me.
This side of the museum faces the sea.
White lighthouse in the distance as we're walking near the sea.
Beautiful cherries and other blooming trees alongside the sea.
Rabbit ears facing the sea.
Eiko-san said she could hear the sound of the sea inside.
Black bamboo outside the mseum.
And beautiful flowering quince.
One last look up at the tall palms and our hotel as we return to catch our bus for the ferry.
Driving to the ferry landing in the hotel bus.
That's our ferry boat!
Stan on the ferry.
Another boat along our trip. It's a 15-minute ride.
Hiroshi-san and Eiko-san are enjoying the ride.
Margie on the ferry.
Looking out into the Seto Inland Sea from inside the ferry.
Red lighthouse at the opening to the harbor.
Pulling into the ferry landing at Tadanoumi.
Looking out the large window as we dock.
Lots of nice boats in this harbor.
Looking back at our ferry as we walk away. Much prettier day today!
Hiroshi-san told me this ancient lantern was the original lighthouse here.
Walking over the train track - looking over a river.
Walking back from the ferry landing toward the station.
Beautiful flowers and shrubs in someone's yard.
Beautiful streetlight decorated with white paper decoration.
Walking into the local festival looking for lunch. That's Eikoi-san and Hiroshi-san in front of us. We wanted to park our bags at the station, but there were no lockers.
Hiroshi-san had stopped and asked several people where the best okonomiyaki restaurant was & here we are!
Hiroshi-san told us okonomiyaki was created after WWII when there wasn't much food to eat in Japan. This makes a VERY filling, but economical dish. And it's a complete meal. This style is Hiroshima style, which includes noodles. Our chef starts with a large portion of shredded cabbage and pre-cooked noodles grilled on the hot grill in front of us.
Then she scoops and smooths an amount of the "pancake" batter onto the grill.
The cooked noodle & shredded cabbage mix is divided onto each of the four pancakes - one for each of us.
Thin strips of pork (like bacon) are laid across each one, and more batter scooped on top. Her hands were moving so quickly, they're blurry in every photo!
Then she adeptly flips each over (and they're HUGE!) to cook the other side's "pancake" and quickly breaks an egg onto the grill, deliberately breaking & spreading the yolk.
Then each serving is flipped over on top of the cooking egg. Sugoi! (amazing)
She quickly paints on the sauce and after a few more decorations, lunch is ready!
Our happy and competent chef.
Each person's okonomiyaki stays warm on the grill, while you cut off a few bites at a time & move to your plate to eat. Yum!!!
I did my best, but was able to only eat about half . . . of course I also enjoyed a small cold beer. Kampai!
Outside of the small shop where we had a delicious lunch. Now we're going to walk around the local festival. We were lucky that this was going on today!
Beautiful blooming trees.
Cherry blossoms on a small tree for sale.
Stan wanted to pose with Hiroshi-san in front of these sake bottles.
As a remembrance to the sake they drank last night on the island, while Eiko-san and I talked about all the national parks they had visited, and the ones they want to visit.
Colorful booths lined both sides of several streets.
Bonzai!!!
Tiny, perfect plants!
Beautiful flowers for sale all around this neighborhood temple.
Wow - gorgeous peony blooms on this potted plant.
We arrived just in time for a taiko drum performance by local children.
I'm enjoying sitting under the dappled shade of this large tree.
Listen and watch this brief video that Stan shot:
Cute little boy in front of me was dancing to the taiko drums!
Look at all those eggs at this food booth!
Wow - a complete AND pretty meal. Too bad we're still SOOO full from lunch!
Hiroshi-san outside the okonomiyaki restaurant where we had a delicious lunch. The owner generously agreed to hold our bags for us while we toured the festival, so now we've returned to collect them, and head back to the station. This house has two floors above the restaurant. What a nice way to live & have a business . . .
Fancy, ruffly tulips.
On the platform at Tadanoumi Station. It's time for our train to take us toward home.
Cute sign!
Hiroshi-san & Eiko-san waiting on the platform.
Riding on the Kure Line toward Hiroshima.
Bidding Hiroshi-san and Eiko-san farewell just before Ajina Station. Until next time . . .
Wow - look at this cool train stopped in the station! Maybe we'll have to take that one next time?
Sunshine makes the water very blue as we ride along the Inland Sea toward Iwakuni. It's after 5 PM but still very light. Thanks so much to Hiroshi-san and Eiko-san for planning and organizing this fabulous trip. What a great weekend!
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