With Rachel feeling somewhat better, we had a great time exploring the impressive Osaka Aquarium today. The central tank is huge and the manta ray and whale shark that patrol it each have bevvies of hangers-on, seeking protection and forming an ever-shifting cloud of activity. We also went on what claims to be the largest Ferris wheel in the world - though the one we saw in Yokohama also claimed that. Either way, it`s very big and the view from the top as the sun went down was magic. The wheel also serves a useful dual purpose - it lights up different colours to indicate the next days weather. Tonight it was green, meaning tomorrow will be cloudy. Which sounds mild in comparison to the typhoon which is currently lashing Tokyo further up the coast. Fortunately we are heading in the opposite direction - back down to Fukuoka. It transpired that the overnight ferry from Shimonoseki to Korea is full tomorrow, so we`re going to settle for the less romantic but quicker ferry from Fukuoka which should have us in Busan this time tomorrow (Friday) evening if all goes according to plan.
I think we might like to come back to Osaka one day. The city is the third largest in Japan (after Tokyo and Yokohama) so it is rather large - if fact we learnt today that the Osaka region has a greater GDP than Canada. Half of that must come from the Pachinko (a mixture between slot machine and pin ball) parlours alone. We have been especially wowed by the entertainment district around Namba where we are staying, and we haven`t even really had time to scratch the surface.....well actually - we do have 10 hours left until the train leaves.....
Jennifer P. said...
Hi guys, your photos are fantastic...
Have a great time in South Korea. If you have a chance, visit Kyongju (that might not be the right transliterated spelling - often things in Korea are spelled three or four different ways in English!). Anyway, it's not too far from Pusan and it was the ancient capital of Korea. Great place to rent mountain bikes and explore the ancient sights. Little to no modern architecture though!
Happy to read that you loved Yakushima too. :D
Steve + Rachel said...
Cheers Jen - we'll look into it.