KAGOSHIMA AND OKINAWA

The photos above are of the Sakurajima volcano and you’ll note the ash and steam rising – not clouds close to its surface. After our bus to car/ferry trip we stopped off at the Kirishima- Kinkowan National Park – Kagoshima the city is in the background below. We enjoyed a foot bath with the warm circulating waters.

As you can imagine, since we are both geologists, we couldn’t possible miss the up close viewpoint of an active volcano, Sakurajima, as it is one of the most active volcanos in the world. Due to its explosive potential, its is considered very dangerous and is closely monitored. The most explosive eruptions have been in 1471-76 and 1914 when the volcano caused the crater to join the Osumi Peninsula. The area has been designated a National Geopark.

We learned interesting facts about the island including the ferry runs every hour every day just in case an eruptions happens. Because of this, the local children can choose what they want to eat first for dinner – why you might ask? Because they need energy to rush to the boat if needed…or so they say!

Haru was enjoying previous deposits and the last photo is called the Lion rock. As we left we could take a picture of a slightly larger eruption. Six days after we left, Sakurajima send an ash cloud 1 km Skyward. Here’s a screen shot of the blog:

Our next port was Okinawa where our first stop was the Peace Park. As we walked toward the waterfront, we saw the granite blocks with names of those deceased during World War II. It is not quite as overwhelming as our Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. as its structure is unique, however it is still very powerful. The museum itself was from the war through our American occupation which we noticed wasn’t as well done as it could have been. Japanese troops didn’t treat the locals well during the war either.

Next were the Gyokusendo caves. I was hoping it wasn’t war caves as they played a huge part in the war, and we found out these weren’t discovered until 1967’s. The walking part of the cave is 890 M’s long with, gulp, yes 200 stairs down with a number up – but up includes and escalator. You come out within the Okinawa World Theme Park which includes snake shows, dance shows, a glass blower, a potter and of course various stores and restaurants. We did not have long to linger but snagged a mug I use everyday and a glass trivet to put my tea bags/strainer in.

A Jacque blog would not be complete now without some laundry hanging on a balcony and a wonderful drink in the Salt Bar called an aurora.

Our next stop: China with our new friends!