What was just another Japanese port visit turned into an actually exciting time in Kure; well at least I had a pretty good time out here. Unfortunately, a lot of people on the boat didn’t make the best of it and either stayed in local Kure or went to the bars in Hiroshima.
The picture shown is what was the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, now known as the Genbaku Dome, or A-Bomb Dome located in Peace Park in Hiroshima. It was the closest building to withstand the blast, only 150 meters away from the Hypocenter. It has been left in its entirety as a reminder of what happened August 6th, 1945 and in hope to one day abolish all nuclear weapons. I took a tour of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and what I saw was unbelievable. Though very graphic, it emphasizes the effects of nuclear weapons from clothing, homes and but importantly, the human body. It definitely was a slap in the face view of what could happen if a nuclear event ever happens again. Even worse, the amount of power from Little Boy is nothing compared to what is being used today. In all seriousness, the fact that the city was able to recover from everything that had happened, the Japanese that survived are truly a remarkable people.
Of course the A-Bomb exhibits were not the highlight of my time here in Kure, but deeply impacted me in that I hope a nuclear war never becomes reality. I also made it out to Miyajima, an island near Hiroshima. What was awesome about this place is they had free range deer throughout the island. Apparently you aren’t supposed to feed the deer, though I never saw that sign, but whether you like it or not, if they see you with food they will come after you. Now they didn’t attack you, but even if you tried to raise whatever food you had above your head, they would jump for it. A few times I couldn’t help myself but to tease them with food and get them to jump up for a picture.
After we left the island, we stopped at a restaurant that served Hiroshima’s specialty food, okonomiyaki, which I found delicious. It’s made with cabbage, eggs, pork and there okonomiyaki sauce, and if asked, squid, shrimp, cheese. The sauce they put on it was unbelievable, like there was a party in my mouth, and everyone was invited. Unfortunately, as big as they were, I was only able to fit one inside, but none the less it was pretty good.
Obviously during the night time, I would go out and have a few drinks with the guys. I bought a pair of aviator glasses, and numerous times I was told I looked like Tom Cruises character Maverick from Top Gun.
Overall, Kure was definitely a good port visit in my opinion. Don’t know if I will ever make it back here, but for those future visitors, make your way out sight seeing. Boozing isn’t always the only thing to do.