We leave the port behind us headed to the first stop on our tour, the Atomic Bomb Museum.
We quietly move among the artefacts collected as a testimony of the infamous day, including a clock that stopped at 11:02 am, the time of the catastrophe. The museum aims at being an ode to peace while at the same time serving as a warning to all humanity.
We continue with Peace Park and Ground Zero, where a black monolith marks the hypo-centre. Our gaze rests on the bronze Peace Statue that looks as it is referring to the threat coming from the sky as well as to a desire for peace. The Fountain of Peace was built in front of the sculpture in 1969. The flowing water symbolizes life that does not stop and the rebirth of the city. As we stroll around the park, we find many other sculptures and plaques that have been donated to the city from other countries all over the world.
We walk back to the Peace Park where our coach awaits us to take us to the foothills of Mount Inasa, characterised by evocative scenery and lush vegetation.
We then make our way back down and take the coach back to the port.