drron29

Then back to Atlantide for dinner. I started with the foie gras terrine. Not the best. The Prime Rib though was excellent. Rojaan had the beef tartare again and the lobster tail which she felt was better tonight. She is also expanding her wine selections and not just sticking to the Sauvignon blanc. And I had a reasonable wine from the South Australia.

The sun sets as we sail away.

Indeed they were giving us a send off. Unfortunately sail away was at 5.30pm and I had my golf. About 20 players so I had a bit of time to pop up to 5,watch and listen then back to the golf. Leaving a Japanese port is unlike any other. Some wonderful send offs. And they really do mean what they say. The younger ones ran to keep up with the ship. And as the sun sinks slowly in the west we say our final sayonara to Hiroshima.

Nothing basically inside this construction apart from a mini version. Going back on board it was obvious a send off was being prepared.

Back in time to have lunch with Mrsdrron in Atlantide. I had a vegetable soup and fish and chips with mushy peas. Nice. Rojaan had the marsala chicken and the Japanese cheese cake. She liked both. After lunch Rojaan and I took a walk around the small park at the port. The locals were enjoying their Sunday and sakura viewing. Great to see that smile again.

Finally the last of the gardens. I really enjoyed the show that nature put on. Now I set off to walk to the shuttle bus. Some lovely trees in the back streets. How often do you see stacked police cars? Crossed a main street on my way to the shuttle bus. Saw 3 different tram types. Near the shuttle bus stop I came across another couple from the ship. He was in bad shape with back spasms. they were unsure where the shuttle stop was. They had been helped by 4 young fans of the local soccer team who had gone out of their way to help them. They didn't think I was rightv wh I recognised so I signalled to them to comeen I said I knew where it was. So I got them to sit at the corner whilst I went to see if there was the shuttle stop. I hadn't gone far when I saw a sign -Shuttle Bus stop and a couple of crew so I signalled to them to follow me. Just as well I was a good Samaritan as they turned out to have the suite across the hall from us. A couple of shots from the shuttle on the way back to the ship.

Another bomb survivor.

Although Hiroshima had been declared at 3-4 days before we arrived viewing is usually excellent for a week after the peak. We are certainly finding that is certainly true.

Our cruise was 3 -18th of April and the cherry blossoms were later than expected. Not nearly peak in the north and about 3 weeks off in Hokkaido. We went also in 2016. Started in Kyoto 28th March and ended in Hirosaki Castle on 26th April and most places were in full bloom. We were extremely lucky. That’s the problem with the blossoms they are dependent on the weather.

Even a wattle flowering.

Amazing to see what this garden was like nearly 79 years ago.

When I got back to the temple the Kendo was still going. These two were really having a ding dong battle. But it was now time to get back on the bus to go to the Shukkeien Gardens. Once we were inside the Gardens I told the guide I was going off on my own and would catch the shuttle bus back to the ship. I had done this excursion from the Muse in October 23 so no need to do it again. Blossom chasing again.