Nagasaki 12th,
Japan 2017-2018

Today I plan to visit Hashima Island (端島), better known as Gunkanjima (軍艦島), meaning Battleship Island. I pass by the ticket office but they tell me that cannot sell me a ticket, that I should come back later. They are not yet sure if the ship will be able to depart. I try to buy it anyway, I understand that I may need to come back for a refund, it is not a problem. But they insist, they will not sell me the ticket because they are not sure of what will happen. I accept the situation and go for a walk. I will check their web to see if the trip is cancelled and if not I will come back.

I go for a long walk as the ship trip will be after lunch. I enter the Glover Garden. In this part of the city there are several European style houses, and the park is clearly European in design. If I was wearing some classic clothes I would perfectly fit in the setting.

My next stop is the Nagasaki Confucius Shrine (孔子廟, Kōshi-byō). It is an interesting mixture between a temple and a museum.

I check on-line the status of the Gunkanjima ship that I was planning to take. All the tickets have been sold already. As I am not far away, I decide to pass by the ticket office and see if there is any possibility to get onboard. I talk with one of the ticket clerks, she remembers me from this morning. I ask if there is any ticket left, just in case. She smiles and tells me that "just one". It seems that they have taken my word for it and saved one of the tickets. I am express my gratitude and get on board.

The trip is pleasant and the views of Nagasaki waters worth taking the ship. I was not lucky enough to get into the island as strong wind deemed docking unsafe. But taking into account that the morning trip and both from previous days were cancelled, I was lucky enough. The views of the island are unsettling with all its man-made buildings abandoned to the mist of time.

My final stop in Nagasaki is the Nagasaki Peace Park (平和公園). The park is dominated by the Nagasaki Peace Statue, a symbol of hope and memorial for peace.

In my way to the hotel, I enjoy watching the trams moving around the city. This is my last day in Nagasaki.