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Houses & gardens outside the air station. Japanese neighborhoods are so quiet and peaceful.
Remember this azalea hedge that faces the seawall alongside the river? Last time we rode by here, it was just beginning to bloom.
But now it's in full bloom - gorgeous!
My favorite colors . . .
Stan beside the seawall just before we cross the pedestrian bridge. That's the car bridge behind him. We prefer this less busy bridge - our favorite shortcut!
Looking down into river. Straight ahead is the Seto Inland Sea, so it's tides ebb & flow here.
After our shortcut, we're back on Hwy 188. The happy "Sorry!" frogs are still out in force as construction continues on the Hwy 188 bridge.
Biking toward downtown Iwakuni. We love going to Hiroshima, but we've decided to support our local merchants more often. The yellow line on the sidewalk separates the bikes from pedestrians, but no one really pays much attention. We just all get out of each other's way.
Inside the shopping street. We had "big breakfast" earlier that finally wore off by 3 PM, so we're hungry for something light. How about one of our favorite coffee shops?
Look how pretty it is inside this shop. And each cup is made fresh when ordered . . .
I ordered a sandwich set - look at how well everything fits inside the wooden tray. The martini glass is holding my dessert - "coffee jelly" - which is sweet coffee-flavored jello with cream on top - yum - very popular in Japan. My thin sandwiches are combinations of ham, cucumbers & egg salad.
Stan's lunch: meats & veggies on toasted bread & a salad. He shared his salad & I shared some of my sandwiches. Of course, he always gets hot coffee & then complains because he's too hot. Go figure . . .
Two colors of crystal sugar in this pretty server that adorns our little table. This place seems very old world European to me.
After walking in & out of a few more shops in our "ginza" we approach Ganesh - a very popular Indian restaurant. We're really not hungry, but the bread smells wonderful!
So we decided to order two servings of cheese bread to take home.
The baker kneads the bread, sprinkles in shredded cheese & rolls it out. I'm watching him through the glass, so not very clear, but fun to watch him work!
Although he pressed the bread to the inside of this deep pot with his hands (ouch! how did he do that???) once it's cooked, he removed it with long handled tongs.
And spreads both sides with butter! This is making my mouth water. . . I'm not really fond of Indian food, but I LOVE the bread!!!
We ordered two, and each was wrapped in foil. We found a table out in the covered area, and started sharing one. We didn't want to take up a table inside the restaurant since we were only having bread. But then one of the servers saw us & brought us water . . . and BTW - the other bread in foil stayed warm until we got home several hours later!
Flowers near the parking lot in the covered shopping street.
Looking into the parking lot near downtown Iwakuni's covered shopping street. See that little white car?
Look how cute the back of the car is!
And it's a Toyota Will Vi . . .
Stan walking his bike inside the covered shopping street. I ride mine because I can go slowly on my 3-wheeler.
Pretty landscaping with stone lantern outside a shop. It always amazes me how such a tiny space can be transformed into something truly beautiful!
Stan on a back street downtown. The red tower is across the street from Fuji Grand, so that's a good landmark.
Flower shop with lots of hydrangeas. These always remind me of my best friend, so these are for you Sue!
I think these are for Mother's Day.
And the pink callas remind me of daughter Holly . . .
This building is so close to the street, there's no room for landscaping, so they put it up high, recessed into the window!
Not too far behind the YMCA downtown is a liquor store that Stan has always wanted to visit, so here we are.
It's HUGE!
Yikes! Can't afford these whiskeys - some are nearly $100!
Suntory Time!
Pretty fish banner in store.
Now, we've biked over to Fuji Grand - large department store with huge grocery store on first floor - and we're looking for parking. Might as well do our weekly shopping while Stan is here to help me!
Cute little quail eggs. We see these frequently on sushi at Akiyama.
Fish department.
Guess he didn't fit the regular way?
Yum - ideas for preparing meals . . . Most of my main courses are cooked on the outdoor grill at home.
Fresh red beef in the meat department. I believe Japanese beef are still raised outside & allowed to graze on a proper diet. I do know it's THE most delicious beef I've ever eaten!
On our way home, we're stopped for the local train. Here it comes over the bridge!
Ding-ding, clank-clank, ding-ding, clank-clank . . .
And there it goes toward the station - only a brief wait. Local trains run about every 10-15 minutes, but are usually only 4 cars.
Back home, Sachi's watching her favorite Japanese animal show. This one's about the snow monkeys up in Northern Japan. Kawaii! (cute!)
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