Mexico City, 2018 Mexico City, 2018 London, 2019 St. Petersburg, Russia, 2007 Near Gobi, Mongolia, 2007 Near Gobi, Mongolia, 2007 Nagasaki, Japan, 2017 Fukuoka, Japan, 2017
Scenes from the world before…part 11
Fukuoka: Robot Days and Ramen Nights
Fukuoka is anything but historic. Yes, the area was invaded by the Mongols in 1274. Yes, there are the ruins of the 1603 Fukuoka Castle. And, true enough, we are staying in the very traditional Ryokan Kashima Honkan, a delightfully creaky old building. But this is a back story quickly lost among the sleek towers... Continue Reading →
Another Day in Nagasaki
Our cruise ship slowly makes its way through Nagasaki harbour. Under the delicate spans of a cable-stayed bridge. Past Mitsubishi dry docks, busily fitting a new cruise ship. Past Catholic churches, their bright white walls and spires set against the dark greens of steep forested slopes. And onto the open sea. We navigate around numerous... Continue Reading →
A Day In Nagasaki
It is fair to say that most people recognize Nagasaki as the site of one of only two nuclear bombs ever dropped on a civilian population. As significant as that event was, as relevant as it may be today given the nuclear threat posed by North Korea, I will leave that for my next post.... Continue Reading →
A Day in Beppu
It’s about 6:30 in the morning as we wearily board the ferry that will transport us from Yawatahama Port on the island of Shikoku to Beppu on the island of Kyushu. Three hours to contemplate the walking journey we are leaving behind. Three hours to plan for our upcoming city tours: Beppu, Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Hiroshima... Continue Reading →
Shikoku: Last Steps
April 22, 2017 Today's walk will be bittersweet. An easy 20 kilometers from now we will reach Ōzu, the endpoint of our springtime walk along the Henro-michi. After a good Japanese-style breakfast, Gail and I set off from Matsu-ya, our business hotel in Unomachi. Budget-conscious Simon has foregone the expense of a hotel meal and... Continue Reading →
Shikoku: Where Are We?
It’s been some time since my last post from Japan. Much has happened since then. Gail and I successfully completed our planned walk across Shikoku, as well as a tour by train to various Japan cities: Beppu, Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Hiroshima and Tokyo. And now we’re back in Winnipeg. While we were enjoying our long days... Continue Reading →