Hitching a Ride

Olga and I embarked on a four and a half day journey across Japan relying on the kindness of strangers and their gas money. We started Thursday afternoon, March 17, at the Awaji Oasis Service Area. Our planned itinerary was from Awaji to Miyajima, Hiroshima, Beppu, Fukuoka, and back. We rode in over a dozen cars and one truck stopping in various service areas along the highway. We camped out in a tent two nights, stayed in a ladies sauna one night (in nice warm reclining chairs), and stayed with a friend in Fukuoka. We were on the road to Fukuoka when the area's worst earthquake in over 200 years struck. It slowed us down a bit, but didn't keep us from our journey! And the aftershocks were kinda fun! Here is a collection of photos and snipets of our trip for your enjoyment. We had a blast and I think that shows in a couple of the photos. Enjoy!

Olga scaling the mountain. It was either climb the walls or walk half a dozen kilometers of service roads to get where we needed to be. This wall was the easiest as someone tied a rope strong enought to help us up.

A view of the bridge from Awaji Oasis. The beginning of our adventure!

Our very first ride. It took us long enough! We waited at Awaji Oasis for almost 40 minutes out in the rain. We'd just gone into dry off a bit and came out to find these folks ready and willing to take us to Himeji. 5:50 pick up and 6:30 drop off at the service area. They were a cute couple, but she was super quiet. I think picking us up was his idea.

Our long haul ride, all the way from Himeji to Miyajima Service Area. He picked us up at 7:01pm and we got there at 10:20pm. He was hauling! We thought it was funny because he was hauling school desks and we're teachers. He got a kick out of that too. He was quite the chatter and kept Olga on her toes.

Making PB&J sandwiches for breakfast. We'd just spent a almost sleepless freezing night in the tent behind the service area and were trying to recover.

Mmm...breakfast at the Service Area.

Our Angel! This was the woman who was working the store of the Service Area the whole time we were there. She helped us so much while we were there and then she found us walking into town (the wrong way, even) and gave us a lift. She dropped us at the ferry port and gave us a box of yummy warm omiyage treats. She was awesome.

We're almost there! On the ferry to Miyajima.

What Miyajima is famous for, the "floating" Torii Gate.

A mix of images from the Daishoin Temple on Miyajima Island. So serene and a photographers dream land.

After the temple tour but before the mountain hike. Olga taking a break with the bags.

A view from only half way up the mountain. I forgot to take any from the top (stupid, stupid, stupid...).

Up, up, up, we go, when will we get to the top? Nobody knows...

Olga at the top of Mt Misen. The highest point of Miyajima Island.

Chelsea at the top.

Wee little fire trucks for a wee little island. They're so cute!

Fresh cooked oysters in Miyajima...Yum!

The Hiroshima Dome in the Peace Park.

In the Hiroshima museum, a diarama of Hiroshima before the bomb...