We`ve Arrived!

We`ve held you in suspense for awhile but are happy to announce our successful arrival in Japan. We survived a long layover in the Tokyo Narita airport,　complete with a wrong turn resulting in us going through Immigration and Customs, a long lecture from the Northwest gate agent on the correct way to do it next time, and for most a few hours of wonderful sleep.

We landed in Osaka last night, were met by our wonderful guide Tamani, transited to the hotel on the train, and then enjoyed a late dinner of okonomi-yaki, fried cabbage held together by egg, with meats of pork,beef, shrimp and squid,　topped with a generous coating of mayonaise and spicy sauce. We returned to the hotel at midnight and each traveler sorted through luggage until the wee hours.

This morning we enjoyed the big breakfast and then headed out by subway and the bullet train to Hiroshima. Hiroshima was a moving experience for all. More on that later.

We continued by van to Miayajima, caught the ferry to the island,　and checked into our traditional Japanese hotel. After a quick change into our yukata, the traditional Japanese robe, we shared an exquisite Japanese meal while seated on the tatami mat around a ltow table. We continued to wear our yakuta while touring the waterfront area surrounding the Torri, the famous orange "gate" which is only accessible by foot at low tide.