On A Short Journey To Japan and a Change of Seasons

 

 

Its almost the change of seasons and colorful fall foliage happening in Japan, and I’ve booked a solo vacation trip to visit the whole country from top to bottom. Mostly traveling by Shinkasen, their superfast bullet trains that will take you away from the major metropolitan cities to the Japanese countryside, their alps or the coastal and inlet areas within a very short timeframe. I’ve always been attracted to riding by train and I know the Japanese have perfected their public transportation systems to be accurate and smooth.

I’m hoping that this will be an adventure filled with lots of activities, planned or spontaneous. Most of the journey will include touring some exciting cities and world heritage sites, and I have left time open for discovery and just enjoying the moment in areas I would like to spend more time in.

Visiting a new country gives many new impressions of their lifestyle and culture, their cuisine, history, art and religion. The diverse topography and living conditions, along the many different people that you meet always add to a unique and learned experience.

My eyes, ears and mouth are wide open for this journey like the famous three monkeys up in Nikko that ‘Hear no evil, speak no evil, and see no evil’. I’ll probably spot them somewhere on my journey visiting Nikko and the beautiful countryside up there just starting to turn their fall colors as we speak.

Stay tuned to my postings on my travels to exciting Japan, it will be an amazing adventure.

Cherry Blossom Festival, Waimea

 

This was my first visit to the Cherry Blossom festival in Waimea Hawaii, and I’m glad I finally made the easy trek out to Waimea to see all the amazing things happening at this fantastic celebration to the Cherry Blossom.

This of course is the annual blooming of the cherry blossums along church row in Waimea, the festival celebrates with a huge line-up of spectacular venues and events that lasts all day – it is a must see event - I wonder why it took me such a long time to finally see this – its fantastic!

The entire island comes to this event from the east and west side of the island and the streets and all the gathering places are packed with beautiful displays, programs, music and of course the delicious food –’ Onolicious’ is what we say!

I got to see highlights of every thing that makes this event a must see, take a look below.

 

The oldest church in Waimea, the Imiloa was shining brilliantly against a blue, blue sky and the inside was glowing with all this beautiful and exotic koa wood.

 

 

 

Bonsai displays were all over church row from various bonsai groups, I loved to capture the work in progress, along with the finished product.

 

 

 

The interior of the Honwanji in Waimea, the alter is ornate and filled with beautiful pieces including this dragon pot in front, and I’m wondering if they store anything inside to share with the congregation.

 

 

 

 

Tea ceremonies were being shared at the Parker home and museum…I have to say I was mesmerized and yes the Parker home is also quite stunning!

 

 

 

 

Well that shows some of the highlights to my visit, I’ll make sure to make this an annual visit in my calendar of events around Hawaii Island.

January Blues?

 

 

The days have been beautiful, sunny yet crisp during the early January days I was visiting Northern California.

 

 

Its beautiful to think that even on the west coast in Northern California, they can have such wonderful and moderate winters so you can actually enjoy being outdoors. Today there were clear blue skies, rolling hills and miles and miles of vineyards.  (Or is it just the days that I was lucky enough to have perfect timing to visit?)

 

 

 

Spending the day up at Sonoma County up at the Russian River Valley at Martinelli Winery for a simple gathering  and potluck is a wonderful way to spend the day and visit with old and new friends.

I really enjoy the day visiting, eating some delicious foods and drinking some amazing Sonoma Valley wines and just admiring the amazing views on this day.

 

 

It’s fun trying out all the old farm equipment, even if most are antique and rusting away.

 

 

Wild turkeys roam the entire county, even though these are family pets.

 

 

Ah yes, eating is a fun pastime and the cup cakes were too good to pass up!

 

 

Such a nice visit, I’m glad I got to visit and enjoy the day here at the Russian River valley.

 

Butterflies are Free

There you are sitting on that stunning flower….can you hold for a sec…..



              
Oh too fast – I just want to take a pict….

                  Again too fast for me to get you in focus
                       
                                  please stay awhile.





Ah -  you are a pretty one – will you pose for me please?
                   Thank you
                       you are a beauty




             
           Wow you are stunning with your orange wings -

                                the light is magical

                                       and that flower does look so inviting…..






                                Okay, there’s enough for two to share – take it easy now…
                                                                I do want get both of you in for your portraits!



                Beautiful, now hold the pose for me.
                                      Its perfect …. you’re a natural.




I’m enjoying the time visiting and just watching you sitting there.

                        this just made my morning, thanks for dropping by and greeting me.

A Green Sand Beach and Photo Journey

Exploring a green sand beach in East Hawaii, is a rare treat, most of the beaches on this side tend to be black sand, blank and white or just pebble beaches. This is unique and bringing my camera along to explore the flora and surrounding landscape was a great part of the experience.

I'm also presenting some of the abstract photo imagery that I created in the process. Hope you enjoy the views!

To see other worlds this tuesday go visit http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/

Earth Day Celebration

I went to the Volcano's National park to view a special hula celebrating Earth day and it was a wonderful experience to be in the presence of nature and the active lava in front of us. These hula dancers from Waimea are paying tribute to Pele who lives in the caldera known as Kilauea.

 

The hula celebrations are a monthly performance and educational opportunities for the various halau's (hula dance troups) to perform for an audience at the national park. Being in the presence of a living eruption, and a historical presence at Kilauea adds to the excitement of this performance. 

The Kumu (instructor) shared many stories about how important nature and the native Hawaiians care and respect for the aina (land). They used only what was essential in their daily rituals and dances. The ancient people's took very special care of the land, the environment and all the resources that were utilized by the native population. And in a similar tradition, the kumu's dance troup are starting to grow most of their own plants that are becoming more rare even in Hawaii.

With the scarcity of these resources necessary in many decorative costumes and materials for their performances, the troups planting of native plants has created a real appreciation to how important the aina is and respect for utilizing these resources with care.
 

 Facing the active Volcano, the hula dancers perform as a tribute and also entertains the audience with dances commemorating Pele, Laka and other important alii (rulers) from the ancient times. The ancient Hawaiians revered and were frightened by Pele - the goddess of fire, and hulas were a common activity to appease her.

A sweet smile makes the audience more engaged with the performances.

The halau takes their final bow for today's performance....very well done.

Fronting the magical presence of Kilaeau Volcano, it is a very spiritual area.

It was a wonderful performance and such a nice sunny day to be outside sharing this event. This is my contribution to our Earth Day, thanks for visiting.


Too see other worlds today go and visit http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/

A Roman Feast

Our international food group gathered again on sunday to celebrate a roman feast, it was a real challenge for most of the members to come up with an amazing dish and considering that there was a prize for the most spectacular presentation.

 

 Considering there were no peacocks or flamingoes or other exotic meats to be found on our island. It was challenging not to have use of the typical ingredients we associate with Italian meals like tomatoes, rice, potatoes and various grains. There were still many creative and flavorful dishes presented that stole the show.

Everyone was dressed in their best Roman finery for this gala and it was a very festive party.



 

Our hostess greeting the guests and introducing the dishes that will be served in succession.

 Even the weather was perfect, beautiful blue skies and a slight breezy wind. Off shore, a mother whale and baby were playfully making a guest appearance to our exotic event and giving us flipper slaps and breaches, like a high five to add to the fesitivies.

A gorgeous full moon completes this amazing dinner celebration, it was a party not to be missed.

Hope you enjoyed viewing a piece of my weekend...to view more worlds today go visit http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/

DId you Know I Sing?

Outside of blogging, one of my favorite activities is singing with the Puna Men's Chorus and last weekend was our singing retreat down in Kapoho, a beautiful sunny area close to the ocean.

It was a good time to also take some great shots in our formal outfits and lei's. Here's a photo of our fearless music director - Amazing Amy!

Aaaah, yes time to just relax and have a nice potluck by the pool!

Taking the day to practise, practise and more practise along with some team building, picture taking and doing some voice training. It was a fun day and seemed to just buzz by so quickly.

 

Its time to eat again....yeah there's always time for munchies and breaks.

One of these, day's I'll post a you tube of our current line up of country tunes we will be performing around the island.

By the way we are performing May 1st at the Volcano Art Center for Lei Day and down in Kalani later in the evening. Stay tuned for announcements.



Thats my world this Tuesday, to visit others go to http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/

Mardi Gras Moments

The fairy is coming from the magic forest to welcome guests to a Mardi Gras party ... come on down and join us won't you?

Oh wow here are some of the rare peacock beauties primping at their best.

The king and queen of the event with our ever present Jester, not a serious moment in this party, love the crowns and jewels...

Can we have more partyers with beads and features in this pic please, I just don't think we have enough here...

Waddya think..are my feathers purty enough???

High five!

Here's our hostess with the mostest...love the bow tie man.

Time to git down and boogie oogie to the beat....

To visit other worlds today go to http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/