Hiroshima - day 2

Day 2

We got up bright and early (well, like 6 am, which seems way to early for vacation), so that we could make it to Miyajima Island before the tide level went below an "undesirable" level for viewing the famous "floating" Torii gate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itsukushima_Shrine).  We did get there in time, but what we didn't expect was to see all the seaweed floating around it (you don't see that in the postcards!) but it was still very scenic, to be sure. 

After our train ride, we took a short ferry to the island.

a little bit of translation humor for you

And of here we have some paddle-boarders messing with our photo-op!

After our pictures we walked through the main part of the shrine

On the other side the kids played on the beach for awhile

We walked up to view the pagoda on the hill

There were deer everywhere!  And they wanted to eat anything you had.

Looking back from the temple

Temple statue

One of the temple buildings

Not as good luck as I had last time :)

But Abby still hangs it up for me, Barely Good Fortune is better than Bad

Starting our hike up to Mt. Misen (we had originally planned on taking the tram but it was closed for maintenance)

So up we go, and up and up, many, many stairs, and I in my clogs (did I mention we were going to take the tram?)

The view from the top (yes, I made it)

Even T made it (with shoulder rides)

Up near the top there was a temple with the Eternal Flame which has been burning for 1200 years

The outside of the temple

And the flame burning inside (they keep tea brewing in the pot)

Once we came down from the mountain, the tide was out so we now got to walk out closer to the Torii gate

Where's my selfie-stick when I need it?

Return ferry trip

Mt. Misen is left hand "peak"

Torii gates and deer pretty much sums up our day