Saturday 24th March
Nagasaki is an attractively situated city with a large natural harbour on the Island of Kyushu, Japan’s third largest Island. The city remains a major ship building centre (Mitsubishi shipyard) and thriving port. A centre of Portuguese and Dutch influence through the 16th to 19th centuries. In August 1945, Nagasaki became the second city after Hiroshima to be destroyed by an atomic bomb (Plutonium), commemorated at the Peace Memorial Park. Also here are the attractions of the one-legged Tori Gate and Glover House and Garden, where Puccini's Madame Butterfly reputedly awaited Lieutenant Pinkerton.
Travel distance on this cruise now over 25,000 nautical miles on our way into Nagasaki, that’s once round the circumference of the Earth, and still we are on the other side of the globe!
Crack of dawn start, again. Docked in Nagasaki. Soon off the ship to join our tour. Through the town and then up a narrow road to Mount Insa, should have been a panoramic view down over the town, but the tour operator forgot to stop the coach?, so it was straight back down to town, very disappointing start.
Continued on to the other main visit, the Atomic Bomb Peace Park, containing an 30ft high statue who has one arm raised pointing to the threat of nuclear weapons coming from the sky and an outstretched arm symbolising peace.
The park is a commemoration of the bombing but somehow without the same atmosphere as the Hiroshima Peace Park, not sure why but we both felt the same. Many countries have donated statues to the park in the name of Peace (but not the UK).
The Fountain is in the Shape of a Dove's Wings
Passing by other tourist sites we returned to the ship.
Time for a coffee before venturing ashore again. Bought ourselves a day pass for the tram system and caught a tram to visit a couple of temples and to view the “spectacle bridge” and the river below which was full of very colourful Koi Carp.
Buddhas in their Red Cloaks and Hats
no need for wooly jumpers here!
Back on the tram to visit China Town, every where in this part of the world seems to have it’s China Town and they all seem very similar. This street must be spectacular at night, it's full of lights.
A short walk took us to the Dejima, an area which was set apart for the occupation of “foreigners” to allow them to trade under strict supervision during Japan’s period of isolation.
The Dejima
Another tram took us to the start of the climb up the hill to the Glover Gardens.
The Glover House
This a European style garden with historic buildings, ponds and waterfalls surrounded in all sorts of flowering trees and plants with a wonderful view over the Harbour of our ship and the large Mitsubishi shipyard.
The house and gardens are romanticised as the home of Madam Butterfly, the tragic heroine of Puccini’s opera.
Back to ship to relax after a busy day, weather very pleasant, warm and sunny.
Sailaway entertainment provided by a bagpipe and drum group in full tartan!
This was followed by a dragon dance group complete with firecrackers.
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