Hiroshima and disarmament

11.00.00pm GMT Thu 25th May 2006

Colin in front of the A-Bomb Dome in Hiroshima

Hiroshima was today`s main destination. Leaving Oaska we headed to the Western Honshu region to spend the day at Hiroshima and then on to Miyajima afterwards.Nothing can prepare you for Hiroshima and I am sure everyone takes something different aware from a visit there.

The Eternal Flame in Hiroshima

Hiroshima was of course the site of the first ever Atomic bomb attack on 6 August 1945 and with the bombing of Nagasaki brought The Second World War to an end. The price was the death of 140,000 people and the virtual destruction of Hiroshima.

The Children's memorial in Hiroshima

We visited the A-bomb Dome, which in itself is amazing how it remained I guess it was because it was so close to the explosion. We then visited Peace Park with all it's memorials - the memorial to the Children is particularly special. After this we saw the Eternal Flame and Memorial Cenotaph. The exhibition centre and museum whilst informative are very humbling.

Colin and Sean ringing the Peace Bell in Hiroshima

Nuclear weapons came up whilst I was in Pakistan as well, when we discussed Iran's right to be a nuclear state. I believed then and believe now there is no justification for nuclear weaponry and would be quite happy to see the UK lead by example and rid ourselves of our remaining nuclear weapons.