Sun Messe

Last Saturday, we took a li'l family day trip to Sun Messe in Nichinan, which is about 45 minutes away from Miyazaki. It was one of the coolest places we've been to yet! It's best known for its statues that are replicas of the Moai statues found on Easter Island. As far as I know, this is the only place that has been permitted to duplicate these statues, because Japan was instrumental in rebuilding Easter Island's statues during the 1990s. The statues here in Japan represent the friendship established because of the help Easter Island received. 

On the island, there are other things to see as well. The Earth Appreciation Bell is at the top of the hill (more like mountain! What a hike!) The bell is the result of 18 religious groups donating funds to build the bell to show appreciation for the Earth and peace. The area also has a sundial, interesting old buildings, and some crazy colorful people (and by people, I mean statues of men in various colors sitting on benches with crossed legs and sunglasses...not quite sure why though).

The weather forecast predicted rain, so we were nervous to go, but go we did! And we got lucky! Few sprinkles when we first arrived, and then sunny weather. As we drove back into Miyazaki, it began raining. Yay for awesome timing. 

Looks like people put coins in the sundial. Maybe for good luck??

We decided to join in on the fun. Those are mostly "pennies" (the equivalent of pennies).

Bridge wanted to play.

Awesome building.

View of the statues

Earth Appreciation Bell

Couldn't resist. Way too cute.

Love my handsome boys!

Butterfly Gardens

Play break!

Sundial

Why hellooooo there.

Why hellooooo there...??

Finding interesting things in the statue's nose.

The donkey that almost ate Casey's hand.

Signing "cow."