Andy on the big fenders on the pontoon at Hairdo.....like balancing on a rolling log.....we eventually moved to the other side of the pontoon to make it easier to get off the boat!
Azaleas growing on a hill
The bridge right before entering Hirado harbor...looks like a mini Golden Gate Bridge!!
Hirado Castle.....we have many, many pictures of this picturesque castle!!!
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William Adams, the character in Shogun, lived and died in Hirado
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Sue and Kathy....just a bit windy and chilly!!
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Loved the architecture and landscaping in this town!!
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John and Andy under a Shinto Tori
View of Mystic and Spruce ties up to the pontoon
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That is the Dutch Trading House we visited later
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Gorgeous panoramic view from the top of the castle
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Beautiful azaleas
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Main part of the castle.....now a museum
The mini Golden Gate Bridge
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One of many temples
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The seas look a little rough.....we sat out 3 days of rough, windy conditions!!!
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Another panoramic view
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A pictorial deion of how to distill Shochu.....the sweet potato vodka!!
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A temple and grave site
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Black eared Kite
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Andy and Sue enjoying our first ever Champon.....a local noodle soup with pork and seafood.....delicious!!
Main street in Hirado
Luv their signs!!!
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We found all this history fascinating!!
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Workers rebuilding the seawall
Typical local seafood store
Museum
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Typical carriage for the nobility
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We met this woman and her son at a cafe shop!!
Walking up to the church we passed many temples
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John and Andy patiently waiting:))))
They cover the statues when a child has died
Location where William Adam died
Now a cafe
John and Sue heading up to the Azaleas Park
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William Adams grave site.....buried with his Japanese wife and a memorial to his English wife
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Panoramic view of the harbor
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Delicious lunch at a local pub
65 year old proprietor.....loves the Beatles and Eric Clapton!!!
All smiles after lunch and a great day of sightseeing!!
A edited version of the temple and church!!
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