Mission Miffy Accomplished!!

We had to eat a lot of pre-packed sandwiches, but we finally saved up enough tokens for our Miffy bowl at the local supermarket! It's just as well, as we can't afford any other kind of souvenir out here.

We've just got back from Hiroshima, which was a very sobering day out. We went to the site of the atomic bomb explosion (well, just under it, as it exploded 600m in the air), and to the memorials, Peace Park and A-Bomb Museum. We're both really glad that we went, and it was very interesting, but it wasn't what you'd call enjoyable.

Yesterday we were in Nara, a former capital of Japan, where we went to more temples than you could shake a lantern at. We saw a huge bronze buddha (again) in the world's largest wooden building, some pagodas, and a temple filled with thousands of bronze and stone lanterns. We have no idea why.

Food has been very interesting here. One of the highlights so far has been noodle soup covered in green slime and soggy batter - we think (hope) the slime was some kind of seaweed. A close second were the mushrooms coated in what tasted like marmite and chilli.

One of the things that has struck us about Japan is how friendly the people are, and how happy they seem to be to see you, serve you, etc. They also bow an awful lot. It's not like back at home where people just miserably get on with their job, here people seem to take a real pride (and pleasure) in their work. Personally, we don't understand it at all, so don't get your hopes up of us returning to FP with that attitude.

Tomorrow is our last day in Kyoto, then it's back to Tokyo. It's also the last day for Sharon to complete her next mission - collecting all 12 of the Tokyo Disney 5th Anniversary toys that they give away free on bottles of Coca Cola... She only has 3 to go...

(If anyone is interested, you can try these links to see some piccies of us with koalas;
www.koala.net/photo/3107019702.htm
www.koala.net/photo/3107019603.htm
www.koala.net/photo/3107033465.htm)