COWRA

Spent the morning in Cowra, visiting the Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre, the POW camp and the Japanese Cemetery.

First stop, the Gardens Cafe for breakfast.

On entering there is the peace bell, the only one in the world not in a city. It was made from coins donated by 117 countries. It has a lovely tone.

We have been before, many years ago, and the gardens have matured beautifully, They were designed by Ken Nakajima (1914-2000). He created gardens around the world but considered Cowra to be his finest work. He is buried in the garden.

Last time we were here we purchased a vase as a souvenir - this time we bought two small vases.

We then drove to the site of the POW camp where the infamous Cowra breakout occurred.

Four Australian soldiers were killed, 231 Japanese soldiers were killed and 108 injured.

Janette's Uncle Lex was there. The breakout was two days before his nineteenth birthday.Read more