Let's continue our little trip through the Nagasaki area.
After our short break in Obama we went away from the coast to Unzen, where we wanted to see Hell. Yes exactly, Unzen Jigoku ι²δ»ε°η, the hell of Unzen, as the geothermal fields there are called. They have lost their horror in the today's time, but 400 years ago served also to torture the native Christians to death. These times are fortunately over, but here in Unzen you can still feel a little of the untamed power of nature, which has left a lasting impression on us.
Today you can walk directly across the fields on a small wooden walkway, and sulfur fumes rise to the left and right of you and up your nose. The landscape, created and designed by long volcanic activity, is neatly ploughed through and offers a great contrast to the stylish Onsen villages all over the country.
Just before in Obama, for example, this unbridled energy and warmth is used and appreciated for various thermal baths. Here in Unzen, however, Mother Earth is allowed to really knock you out and kick up a fuss.
You shouldn't really dare to leave the path and try to be brave here, because the sulfur- and acidic mud would quickly show you where you belong. The walk over the thermal fields was impressive and showed that we humans do not yet completely rule the earth. We may be able to destroy it, but we can never completely tame it.
We didn't intend to do either, but simply wanted to be impressed a little, which worked out quite quickly and without any problems. And as usual I couldn't get around to take some souvenir photos.
Even if you are not fluent in Japanese, you can quickly imagine what this sign here wants to point out. Stay the hell on the path and don't get any ideas about playing cool and daredevil here. You will soon know why.
This mud pool is probably not intended for personal hygiene. If you cannot resist to dive here, you will not forget this experience too quickly. If you can tell anybody about it at all.
At the end we passed a small but nice garden, which was carefully fenced in and at its gate this note was attached. Apparently, even very special four-legged friends like to enjoy themselves in this green paradise and have their very own idea of garden care.
Finally we were able to enjoy the amenities of this area, because fortunately not all the earth's energy and heat goes up into the blue sky unused. This really inviting foot thermal bath was just the right thing after this little hike and after some initial hesitation, finally all had their fins in the hot water. A perfect finish!
That was it for today from Nagasaki, but that was not all. I will be back soon with more impressions and also pictures from this interesting corner of the country. So please don't switch channels and stay tuned in!