Today we started off just to see the bridge and museum and ended up going across the bridge by bus and exploring the other side, Awaji Island. Until 2000, this island was only reached by boat. Today millions of visitors and inhabitants cross this bridge daily. The toll is steep but the bus is cheaper.
Amy and I met Haruko at the train station. She offered to be our guide again and help translate. We started by exploring the outside at the foot of one end of the bridge and the museum. Then ventured up the marine promenade and then up an elevator to the viewing level, a bridge level just under the auto road level. Fortunately for me, the height didn't bother me since we were enclosed in a long viewing tunnel open to the air but caged on each wall. Haruko had an idea for us to go across the bridge by bus since it was only 500 yen, a bargain considering the car toll was something like $60 roundtrip.
We made the bus quickly and traveled across in minutes to the beautiful Westin Hotel Awaji Island where we had a Japanese lunch and toured the gorgeous atrium gardens now seasonally called "Christmas Fantasy". The gardens were staged as rooms with tropical plants, seasonal Christmas plants, and Japanese Zen decor. Orchids of all colors abounded as well as poinseittas, paperwhites, gerberas, calla lilies, and other white flowers which surrounded beautiful fir trees decorated for the winter season.
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| The bridge from Amy's house |
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| At one end looking toward Awaji Island |
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| Bridge Observation Deck |
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| Christmas Fantasy |
Of course we had to have dessert before we left. Amy had mango ice cream while Haruko and I had chestnut. Almost to beautiful to eat. Almost.
I am really enjoying following your journey throughout Japan! Your pictures are wonderful. The next best thing to being there! (almost)
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