The trip first day of the memorial service
On March 01, 2011
At last we are going from Fiji to Kiribati, Gilbert Islands.
It will take about 3 hours by Air Pacific leaving Nandi Airport at 12:10 AM bound for Bonriki International Airport, Republic of Kiribati. We went to the airport by minivan we just landed on yesterday. Although we are advised that we may leave big luggage, due to the limited restriction on such liquid bottles as drinking water or liquor, etc. as carry-on baggage by international flight regulation, we had no choice but to bring big luggage again aboard the flight.
My seat was on the window side seat, but unfortunately as it is too close to the bottom of wing, I could not look outside well over the window, and tried to see with my own eyes the country landscape of the Islands with having my forehead sticking to the window glass, but could not see well due to the wing hiding it and just took a glance at the edge of the island. Even so, I was very excited about it, I finally has come to the Gilbert Island.
We finally arrived at Bonriki International Airport as scheduled, but it was just begun, prelude for long way indeed.
After getting off the airplane, we walked on the runway to go to the Airport building, rather small shed (?), And at baggage claim zone after picking up, we need to receive baggage inspection at the counter just behind there, however due to no X-ray scanner inspection machine equipped, two inspectors one by one checked even each luggage or C/T box, etc in opening to check inside.
Travelers , particularly coming back from Fiji island to Kiribati, carried many luggage, with carrying Cooler Box, which is supposed to contain foodstuffs, or bedclothes covered tightly by rope or adhesive tape , and one by one , all ordered to open for inspection.Particularly something seemed to be Meat as carry-on baggage item was very carefully inspected. One by one, taking out for careful inspection. It thus took longer time to finish customs inspection. Among our members, person sitting next to my seat received much more careful inspection, who received drinking water or in-flight meal for me sitting on window side very kindly, so I would rather feel very sorry than waiting for long time.
Due to the careful inspection of this cooler box, one of the two lines was almost shut-off, and remaining one staff did inspection with very slow progress. Finally our tour conductor decided to negotiate with the Customs Inspector and as a result of this, all of our luggage passed through the customs with no inspection. We were just asked if we had any food inside, needless to say, we had some Japanese confectionery inside as offering food, but as it is quite difficult for us to explain in English what they are, we said "we had only candy in our backpack" as we were exempted for opening no bags, and passed with no trouble.
It took more than one hour for clearing the customs, anyway finally we were Free.
On the 1st day, we held memorial service for the brother of Mrs. H, who was said to die offshore Makin island (Gilbert island offshore) as well as father of Mrs. K, said to die Maloelap Atoll (Marshal island).
At the airport, we were welcomed by Mr. A ,the Japanese, living there, and his local staff of his company, who is said to be engaged in the construction business there, we did appreciate their kind help. Our luggage carried by their truck and we were taken by Toyota-branded minivan, even in Kiribati, Toyota sales office was there, we really realized the word of "Worldwide Toyota" in such far pacific Ocean.
We directly went to the place of memorial service with not going to Hotel.
The brother of Mrs. H, (probably) said to die offshore, and father of Mrs. H, said to die at different island, both of them are said to die not in this island, however, as closer as possible as we can be allowed to enter in, we decided to hold memorial service at the most eastern part of the island. It was located just 10 minutes by car from airport. The sea was not for sight-seeing, and in some places, there found some rubbish, maybe dumping ground by local residents or drifted out of sea, I am not sure. I walked around while memorial service desk was prepared. I found something made of concrete with having the rusted iron steel sticking outside, having no ideas on what it was originally, but I read in some book that there is good possibility such artificial building may be constructed by Japanese army. This may be so, isn't it. It tried to assimilate to be back to the Earth. Between one tree and another, branches were tangled, but seemed to be made by a man. I came to feel very sad while watching, because I found the fact that it is filled with sorrow in what can not be assimilated even if tried.
Memorial service tour is not only held for each bereaved family of war, but for all of the people who lost life there to ease their soul, and all of the participants dedicated Japanese incent sticks in such mind from the bottom of heart.
Mrs. H threw to the sea the earth-friendly food which can be recycled with ease while recalling her brother in her mind. Unlike me, not having any memory of grandfather, she should have been teenager when her loving brother died. I was crying in sympathy of her feeling that she might recall the old sweet days with her brother while watching her behind. Clear blue sea and sky, with tropical trees, versus memorial service desk and the National Flag, how much imbalanced they are! Without War happened, these were all what should not be here and never assimilated to the natural landscape. I wish I could have met in different way, I really recognized War itself very sinful.
About one hour or so after we stayed there, we went to the Otintaai Hotel where we are going to stay in Kiribati. Outside window, just seashore seen, kids were swimming there. Seabirds were perching on the rock, I saw fisherman fishing on boat a little far away offshore. I felt relief when I saw such peaceful scenery.
