We checked out of our hotel on Saturday morning, November 10.  After leaving our bags in lockers at Hiroshima Station, we (barely!) caught our train for a 26-minute ride to Miyajimaguchi Station.  From Miyajimaguchi Station, we took a short ferry-ride to Miyajima Island.
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James and Sean on the ferry.

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Stayed up too late.

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Pepe le Hugo and his "gaerls."

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David and James on the ferry.
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Posing in front of the famous Miyajima torii.

 Miyajima Island is home to many deer! meredith_w_deer.jpg (23974 bytes)

Meredith loves animals.
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Midori and her friend.

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Greg, Meredith, David, and deer.

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Greg trying to feed the deer seaweed?

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Mr. Neale asking directions.
Miyajima Island is also home to some famous Japanese sights. david_posing.jpg (18511 bytes)

David posing on a lantern.

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Groupshot with torii in background.

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The torii at low tide.
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Groupshot on bridge.

 We visited the island's famous Itsukushima shrine. shrine_and_pagoda.jpg (26267 bytes)

Shrine with pagoda in background.

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Shrine lanterns.
temple_kegs.jpg (29983 bytes) At the shrine, some of us were contemplative: james_at_torii.jpg (27016 bytes)

James admires the torii.

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Yuka at the Hall of Worship.
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Meredith and Aki deer-watching at the shrine.

 Meanwhile, others explored the shrine grounds: soccer_boys.jpg (27697 bytes)

Boys playing soccer in the seaweed.

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Alix and Jen inspecting hermit crabs.
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Since it was his birthday, we let Greg eat his crab.

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Jen and Nick try to solve a problem.

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Mr. Neale needs help.