Shodoshima Island

　　The ferry slowly entered the principal port of Tonosho. Olive oils and cosmetics, foods derived from olives, soy sauce, and somen noodles are known as major products of this island. However, the island is not so highly evaluated as a tourist spot. The cycling tour event, which I'd join tomorrow, was planned by a major travel company and local body of commerce and industry to raise the awareness about Shodoshima among Japanese people.
　　I'd visited the island nearly 40 years ago from the opposite side of Okayama City. I didn't remember clearly the scene of those days, but the base station of the Kankakei Gorge Ropeway remained as it used to be 40 years ago. Kankakei Gorge is the representative sightseeing spot on the island. I took a walk on the narrow path in the gorge and then the historic streets in a small village. After taking a shower in my hotel, I attended the party of the eve of the event with lots of other strange participants. My wife was going to enjoy sightseeing on the next day, not to ride a bicycle, but by courtesy of the company she enjoyed dinner with me and the performances of local people. Praying for the clear sky of the following day, I hit the sack.

　小豆島に着いた。オリーブ、醤油、そうめんなど特産品はいろいろあるのだが、観光地としてはそれほどメジャーな場所ではない。サイクリング大会は旅行会社と地元の企業がタイアップして島を宣伝するための大々的なイベントだろう。
　４０年前に今回とは反対のルート、岡山市からこの島へ来た。当時のことはよく覚えていないが、島一番の観光スポット寒霞渓のロープウェイ乗り場は変わっていなかった。寒霞渓を歩き、古い街並みを歩き、サイクリングイベントの前夜祭を楽しみ、翌日の快晴を祈りつつ床に就いた。