New day, now I'm off to explore Nagasaki and compare it to Hiroshima.
First, I thought I'd get the 1-day tram pass; which allows me to ride all Nagasaki trams, as much as I want, for the entire day. It cost 500 Yen (the normal 1-way fare is 120 Yen). I thought it was reasonable. So, back to the station to get it (some hotels offer it, but my hostel didn't).
Again on the system of bridges at Nagasaki Station.
The tram stops--also how to get to the platforms.
Ah yes, this is exactly where I'm headed.
Don't you love helpful signs?
Map of the Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Park
Oh, canals and bridges . . .
A statue to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the atomic bomb.
Information here.
This pillar marks the epicenter of where the atomic bomb fell on Nagasaki, on Aug. 9, 1945 at 11:02 am.
Definitely not like the one in Hiroshima, where I missed it and bumped into it when I went back. There's no way you can miss this marker!
Part of Urakami Cathdral that was bombed. This part survived.
A picture of what was left of Urakami Cathedral, with an arrow indicating where the pillar was.
The cathedral was later rebuilt and opened in time for Pope John Paul II's visit.
A map of the devastation of Nagasaki by the bomb.
You can see some rubble from the atomic bomb down the stairs (behind thick glass).
I couldn't take a good picture, because of the reflection from the glass.
The bunches of 1,000 paper cranes.
At first, I thought it was a hippie thing, until I realized what they were and learned what they meant.
Monuments everywhere.
Another monument for the Korean victims (plus a Korean explaining it all to the 3 teen boys).
First, the information . . .
. . . and now the actual monument.
Yeesh, this kind of thing reminds me of Pompeii.
The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum.
You walk down a spiraling walkway (at least this part is handicapped-friendly).
Look at this chain of 1,000 paper cranes--see how far it goes?!
When you start, it's a little creepy. It's dark and you hear a clock ticking, signaling the bomb is about to fall at any moment.
Then, you arrive at the devastation
The lights were mostly dim, but they would get brighter every so often, then you could really see what was around.
See the blue? That's how far the radiation spread.
An aerial view of Nagasaki before the bomb . . .
. . . and after the bomb.
Actual-sized replica of "The Fat Man", the bomb that fell and caused all this devastation.
A chart explaining what happened and how the bomb exploded/worked.
The museum had many artifacts and accounts from the victims, but it continued on, focusing on the development of nuclear weapons and where we stand in those kinds of issues now,
Whoa, who has the most nukes again?
Don't hit me, please.
Accounts from those living in or near areas where nuclear weapons were tested.
You continue up to the floor where you entered. There was a film, but not in English and without English subtitles, so I just skipped it.
Next, I went off to the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims.
Whoa, I haven't seen so many languages since Europe!
The one that has light reflecting from it, so you cannot see what it says, is "English".
The atmosphere of the building really urges you to have the correct mindset and respect for what you are about to see.
First, some information.
The Remembrance Hall.
Whoa.
This is a 3-D simulator of how Nagasaki would've looked like just after the bomb did its work. The 3-D glasses are under the left screen. It really feels like you are there, seeing it all on ground zero.
Wow.
This is behind the museum.
An observatory, looking over the epicenter.
After taking the long way around without realizing it, I got to Nagasaki Peace Park.
Yours truly in front of the 10 meter (33 ft.) Peace Statue.
The sculptor put so much meaning into this. Each limb and the closed eyes (of the statue) all represent something. Click the link above the picture to get the meanings.
Panoramic view of the park across from the statue.
In this park, many countries donated a sculpture with the theme of peace. Here are a few:
Beautiful sculpture from China.
Cuba
Turkey
USA
The Fountain of Peace, made to reflect the shape of dove's wings.
3 sculptures, each from a country that doesn't exist anymore!
L to R: USSR, Czechoslovakia, and East Germany.
The Fountain of Peace with the Peace Statue in the center and background.
You can choose to come up or down, with either the classical way, or the modern means.
I love the fact that the choice is there.
Oh, I've never ridden escalators that turned into catwalks!
How come others don't do this too? I'm sure there are plenty of good reasons (i.e. lack of space, funds, etc.)
Well, this is only half of my day; so I'll split it here. Else it will be too long and overwhelming.
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