Miyajima (宮島) Island - Hiroshima

Today the guys took the high speed ferry to Miyajima Island... around 45 minutes travelling time from Hiroshima central. There are many unusual things to see on this island, least the ‘tame’ deer who wander around looking very comfortable in there urban setting and around the numerous tourists wandering the streets. The island also has many shrines and pagodas... and a beautiful forest park which is filled with water  and lanterns. It even has a cable car system which ascends up the highest mountain on the island to within thirty minutes of the summit.

All in all it was a great day and hope the video and photos below give you some sort of flavour of what we experienced . unfortunate for Peter and Joel they were standing in the wrong place at the right time and were once again chosen for the embarrassing video interview...

Hiroshima: A New City

A well planned day of activities saw us wondering the beautiful city of Hiroshima. We took in the Castle and took quite a bit of time learning all about how the devastation of the Atom bomb has led to the emergence of a cosmopolitan city. This remarkable, tranquil and welcoming city has taken us a little by surprise.

Tomorrow we visit the Japanese Island of the Deer... what a fantastic trip this is turning out to be!

On the way back to the Hostel we paused for a little more reflection on the bridge near to the epicentre of the Hiroshima bomb.

Settling in to Tokyo & Travelling to Hiroshima

Words by Mr N Carson
Photos by Cliff

We are gradually adjusting to the rigours of what was a long and tiring trip. Our first day in Tokyo was spent negotiating the metro system in pursuit of some of the many sights on the regularly trodden tourist trail.

The main train hub, Tokyo Station, is a sight to behold; a beautifully designed and constructed red brick building hiding serenely amongst the towering skyscrapers.  This was in close proximity to the Imperial Palace, which could only be viewed from outside its protective walls and vast moat - it is only open on special occasions during the year.  

A visit to the NAME Temple, lead us through the market stalls of the Asakusa district - a place we will visit again, no doubt, before heading home.  It was a majestic sight and its splendour did not disappoint.  This historical site was in stark contrast to the ultra-modern Skytree which stretched high into the Tokyo clouds and loomed tall over the surrounding buildings.  Heading to the top, although a challenge for a few, was never in question.  It provided magnificent panoramic views of the city from a height of 450m and allowed the boys to appreciate its truly breathtaking scale.

The adventure continues with a trip to Hiroshima on the Bullet Train.......

First Vlog of the RBAI expedition to Japan 2018

After a very long journey the boys and staff arrived safely in Japan. We made the best of the first day with a visit to a couple of sites...including the Skytree swhere this first Vlog was done. The boys are a little camera shy but I’m sure they will get into it...

x

Dealing with an Abseil entrapment

Perfect belaying on a multi-pitch rock climb

Great belaying from Charlotte on her first multi-pitch rock climb....

Mountain Leader River Crossing

A rather wet one for the guys on their ML Training.......