Riding throught the Botanic Gardens

Sorry for the delay but I have been busy in Japan. Got the ferry from Vlad
and was allocated a nice cabin to myself. The first thing I noticed was
the food was good compared to the comparative blandness of Russian grub.
The service was even better. Vey pleasant sailing and some good
shipmates. Alberto is travelling the world on foot at the moment and has
his Rough Collie as his companion. Valeria is a MA student of Korean
language and is at uni there. See pic.

Spoke to the captain re the unloading process and when he came back asked
me to have lunch at his table. A freebie….no problem. Got to Korea and
had a quick look around before onward to Japan. At Japan the customs were
great and helped smooth the process. I was met by Mr Kozo Nashioka of the
Japanese section of the IPA. He had travelled 4 hours from Osaka to meet
me and his help was most welcome. Got fixed up with the Carnet
verification and Insurance and then managed to get on the road. Onward to
Hiroshima from Sakaimiato. This is a fantastic road and the scenery is
amazing. It is like riding through the Botanic Gardens with smells and
all.

The people are very respectful and it is strange at first. The service at
the petrol pump is amazing and in stark contrast to Russia and the hole in
the wall situation. I am going to film it and post it to let you see. Got
to my hotel in Hiroshima. The city is beautiful and I visited the Peace
Garden. It is a fitting tribute to the suffering of the people after this
event. Later went to the local for a pint and ended up cooking there. They
even kitted me out for the job. Tried some Saki and Japanese Whisky. Great
wee place.

Onward to Osaka where I am staying with Kozo and his wife. Will do some
visiting the sites of Osaka then they have organised a party to meet the
other IPA members. Next Kyoto and Yokohama. I found an agent who is air
freighting the bike to LA. Full service and crating ...the lot.