5th Oct 08 - Nagasaki

Nagasaki was pretty much completely destroyed by the second atomic bomb to be dropped on Japan on 9th Aug 1945.

Instead of a city visit we chose a trip to the mountains and volcanoes. It would have been great...BUT it started off overcast and then the rain came down. Did it rain! We got soaked. So, sorry the pictures are not as good as they could have been.

Mind you, we had a great meal in "Signatures" - the Cordon Bleu French Restaurant on board the Mariner. You have to reserve a table and you can only go once a week - but it's all included in the price.

A very overcast Nagasaki from our balcony as we dock

Disembarking for our tour

A surprisingly good photo taken through the coach window as we climbed into the mountains

First stop the hot springs at Unzen Jigoku. They call it 'Hell' and it smelt of rotten eggs!

Mt Fugen. The volcano (on left with its top covered in cloud) last erupted in 1990 killing rather a lot of residents in the valley below

From the viewing platform for Mt Fugen. Would have been great on a clear day!

Then on to the old site of the samurai warriors' houses in Shimabara. There are carp in the stream which runs down the middle. By then it was POURING with rain!

The Tea Ceremony in one of the old warrior's houses

Last stop was Shimabara Castle. By then we were all soaked to the skin and you just couldn't take any photos. Anyway, this is how it looked in 1624!

However, the day ended really well with a quite superb dinner in "Signatures" - the Cordon Bleu French restaurant on board the Mariner. Foie Gras, Langoustine etc...all my favourites.