Hiroshima Memorial Park and Miyajima.

Up, breakfast and more chat with Amy, Stefan and Thomäs. Thomäs offered to walk with us around the Memorial Park and A-Bomb Dome. We learnt a lot: how there is a book inside the memorial plinth, in which names of those who died after the blast and those who have died from cancer since, are added to the book. The flame of peace is shaped like two hands with the palms facing up toward heaven and all three - the plinth, flame and dome all align. There was a childrens memorial, that told the story of a girl, who 10 years after the blast, died of cancer. Doctors couldn't tell how long she may live for, so told her when she made more than 1000 paper cranes (birds) as offerings for health, she would get better - knowing she wouldn't. People put paper cranes at the memorial in tribute to the children who died.

We said farewell to Thomäs and spent a little more time in the park. Whilst there we witnessed school children, on a day trip, lined up singing a hymn to the childrens memorial. A very beautiful moment. After, they waved and said "hello" to us. Some teenage school boys (from another school) told Frank in his black shorts, t-shirt and round sunglasses "You look cool!" Frank was dead chuffed. We decided to visit Miyajima and whilst waiting for the bus (to the train station) we spied some western teenagers taking photos of Frank - it was about this stage that Frank started to become acutely aware of his atypical appearence!

Bus, train and ferry were all covered by the rail pass! Bonus. Ferry ride was a little chilly, the island was beautiful as was the weather. Snacks included a crepe and a steamed tofu stuffed bun. Tame deer were spotted everywhere and we made our way to an ideal photo spot infront of the Torii Gate. A couple of selfies in and some Malay women offered to take our photos. "I do you, you do me" one giggled. They knew their poses, organising us and themselves, into all sorts of instagram friendly shapes. Good fun and lots of smiles. A hike up the mountain followed and a bowl of beef noodles served in the woods was picturesque. We got to the first of two cable cars, after the first Frank decided it wasn't his thing, so I continued to the top to see the view and get photos of where Grandad was once stationed - in Kure. I hiked back (further than I had anticipated) down some very uneven and slippery steps to greet Frank back at the base. We strolled across the beach - tides out - took a few more photos of the Torii and headed back on THE most crowded train we've known. Proper shoulder to shoulder.

Back at the hostel, the thin European girl was sat down cutting up her veg in the kitchen - she is in our dorm we discover. And one or two others are around watching the telly. Frank wanted to see the Dome at night, it was good excuse to find dinner too. The memorial etc. looked remarkable lit up. Minutes later we found ourselves an Italian restaurant. The non-smoking area sold it for us. Fun fact- the restaurant had a buzzer/bell on the table to call over your waiter. Wouldn't get that in the U.K or Ireland, can you imagine the torment! He he. Home to J-hoppers for tea (me) and beer (Frank) watching a mad Japanese t.v show. The kitchen was in a bit of a mess and the small stool was out by the counter too. Hmm? We went to bed early... Oh alright I fell alseep by 10pm. Dorm didnt seem to hot this time. Newbies in the dorm Nick and Andy from Melbourne.

Thursday19th April.

Packed and down for breakfast - where's our cereal? Did I throw it out? We had it yesterday? Hmm? Bread and bananas for breakfast instead. Amy came down and we caught up on more stories - she also gave us a recommendation for Thailand. Talk turned to the 'thin girl' in our dorm, who we think was the one turning up the heating and leaving the kitchen in a mess. Amy told us how the girl seemed wierd. She would only give one word answers and managed to creep Amy out by eating a cucumber, like a banana, staring straight at Amy... it takes all sorts to make a world eh?