Port Envy

Ever since I went to the Nagoya airport on the man made island, I decided I wanted to see more of the ocean! It's just so expansive and beautiful. I love the Great Lakes, but seriously, this is the Pacific! But first, a geography lesson because people aren't really that familiar with this side of the world as I am quickly finding out.

Below is a map of Japan. Basically a series of islands (which are not all featured), but Nagoya is marked by the "A". You can see Tokyo to the right, which is also a port city.

Here's a close up of Nagoya. I live at the spot marked by the "A". The ocean is south, but there are so many little inlets. I didn't know where the cool, touristy stuff was. So I hopped on a train Saturday morning, rode it until the end, and got off to see where I landed. It was, of course, the ocean, but not really the part I wanted. This was more of the industrial import/export area. Still cool, but not that exciting for an afternoon.

After about an hour of exploring, I got back on the train, rode for 2 stops, and got off where I could see a faint ferris wheel in the background. I figured there must be something cool by the ferris wheel!

I walked and walked, and finally the ferris wheel was in full view along with some other cool looking buildings. I would have bet money the one of the right with the funky roof was the aquarium, and I'd be a rich girl right now because I was correct!

I knew I was headed in the right direction, so I stopped for a quick snack (of cashews and water) and the obligatory cheesy photo here.

I finally made it to the cool part of the port. It seemed like paradise with palm trees all around!

Oddly enough, I bought something at this store. I hope it doesn't make me smell since it's a pair of earrings!

A cool bridge I'm about to walk over.

View from the bridge. Way in the distance is the industrial area that I went to first. The train station was right next to that huge bridge.

I think I'll vacation here in the summer!

The Japanese love cartoons... Here's Mr. Nagoya and Miss Nagoya as proof.

I took this pic for Rene. Maybe I'll get certified while I'm here!

Giant inflatable Santa peeking over a building!! Almost as cool as Santa rappelling from a skyscraper in downtown Cinci!

I found a subway station close by (rather than that train and long walk to get here!) since I was pretty worn out. I went home for dinner and a rest, and then took my bike out at night for some shopping!! BTW my flashing bike light flew off when I hit a bump and smashed into a million pieces :( So I had to be really careful the rest of the way. Time to buy a new light!