Today, Nagasaki presented us with a profound tapestry of history, woven through its streets and echoed in the silent testimonies of its landmarks. We navigated the city’s narrative both by foot and aboard its iconic trams. The weather included brilliant autumn sunshine accompanied by cool breezes.
Embarking on the tram under the gentle guidance of our hosts, we journeyed to Nagasaki Peace Park, a tranquil sanctuary dedicated to harmony, with monuments like the Peace Statue reaching skyward in silent prayer for tranquility. Each stone and sculpture here whispers of resilience in the face of past devastation.
Steps away, ground zero held us in quiet reverence. Marked by a solemn pillar, this hallowed spot, now blanketed by a peaceful park, rests atop layers of history, a testament to the city’s rebirth from the ashes of the atomic aftermath.
Within the walls of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, we encountered a poignant curation of survival and sorrow.
Our reflective pilgrimage culminated at the One-Legged Torii Gate, an enduring sentinel marred yet unbowed, its solitary pillar standing as a symbol of Nagasaki’s unyielding fortitude.
In the heartbeat of Nagasaki, our tram carriage swayed with the rhythms of daily life, as passengers hung onto straps as we were whisked back to the port. The close quarters of our transit mirrored the intimate tapestry of a city that, despite its historic trials, thrums with the quiet strength of community and continuity. It was at this moment of reflection we were thankful for the Covid booster we received at Costco only weeks earlier.
As the tram’s gentle hum faded, we found solace aboard our floating haven, the ship’s deck welcoming us like an old friend. A light lunch awaited, a prelude to an afternoon of literary escapism and napping. The horizon beckoned as evening approached, and with it, the sail away—a nautical adieu to Japan’s shores. With hearts full of memories and eyes cast forward, we waved farewell, the promise of Taiwan’s allure dancing on the horizon, our next port of call in this adventure.
Buon Giorno! Bonjour! Hola! 
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