April 3rd began with an early wake up at 5:00. We were still a bit on Hawaii time. Art and Dennis decided to do the laundry. We'd talked to our friend, Sam the night before who told us that a terrible storm was expected in the afternoon and evening. We decided to cancel our dinner plans with his family since everybody was warned to stay indoors.
The morning, however was expected to be pretty safe so Sam suggested we take a train ride to Ueno Park after he, Art and Dennis went to the train station to get all the tickets we would be needing for our travels to the southern islands of Japan. Sam was a life saver writing out over 17 sets of seat reservations for all the train changes that we would be making throughout Japan.
I loved it that while we were on the train, a woman gave mom her seat and then realizing we must be visitors reminded us that Ueno Park would be the 8th stop for us.
Once at Ueno Park we saw that cherry blossoms were blooming even more.
We walked down a pathway full of cherry blossom trees at various stages of blooming.
We could only gaze in wonder at the beauty all around us.
The blossoms ranged from white, light pink to bright pink.
We saw a large crowed formed around a tree and had to stop to see what the excitement was about.
There was a group of about 4-5 kittens snuggled up together in a tree. They were snuggled up so tight that I couldn't tell where one kitten started and another left off.
We had lunch at a restaurant that specialized in takoyaki which means grilled octopus. I called them tako balls. They are quite popular and tasty.
We returned home around 3:00 PM, just as the ferocious winds began. We watched from our windows as winds turned umbrellas inside out.
We tried to call Dennis' son's in-laws about cancelling the following day's outing but couldn't reach them. We had to hope for the best for the next day .... and that is what we got.
The morning, however was expected to be pretty safe so Sam suggested we take a train ride to Ueno Park after he, Art and Dennis went to the train station to get all the tickets we would be needing for our travels to the southern islands of Japan. Sam was a life saver writing out over 17 sets of seat reservations for all the train changes that we would be making throughout Japan.
I loved it that while we were on the train, a woman gave mom her seat and then realizing we must be visitors reminded us that Ueno Park would be the 8th stop for us.
Once at Ueno Park we saw that cherry blossoms were blooming even more.
We walked down a pathway full of cherry blossom trees at various stages of blooming.
We could only gaze in wonder at the beauty all around us.
The blossoms ranged from white, light pink to bright pink.
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| Sam, me, Dennis, Mom and Art |
We saw a large crowed formed around a tree and had to stop to see what the excitement was about.
There was a group of about 4-5 kittens snuggled up together in a tree. They were snuggled up so tight that I couldn't tell where one kitten started and another left off.
We had lunch at a restaurant that specialized in takoyaki which means grilled octopus. I called them tako balls. They are quite popular and tasty.
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| TV newscast |
We returned home around 3:00 PM, just as the ferocious winds began. We watched from our windows as winds turned umbrellas inside out.
We tried to call Dennis' son's in-laws about cancelling the following day's outing but couldn't reach them. We had to hope for the best for the next day .... and that is what we got.
I had to read your latest three entries at one time. What a marvelous trip you are taking, and how wonderful your mother can get together with her baby brother.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying every moment.
You were so fortunate to have someone there to guide your plans for the day and take care of the arrangements. That was a true gift.
ReplyDeleteThe cherry blossoms must have been just spectacular.
I learn more neat stuff from your sharing: I didn't know kittens came from cherry tree blossoms. It's all beautiful, but I'd be hesitant on the octopus treats. Weren't they chewy? DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like the perfect trip, complete with cherry blossoms in bloom! How wonderful your mom is also enjoying with you!
ReplyDeleteDrumMajor: Oh yes... definitely chewy, but tender. :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever seen anything as beautiful as the cherry blossoms in Japan. It was like walking in the snow as the petals fell. We went up a mountain they referred to as Cherry Blossom Mountain. It was spectacular.
ReplyDeleteThose trees, so beautiful. Oh my goodness, what is the story about the kittens. That was the cutest thing I have ever seen!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! I remember when we went to Ueno park and I was so surprised there were so many homeless people there. Did you see a lot of homeless people?
ReplyDeleteGem: No, I didn't see any homeless people, but I did two years ago. I don't know what happened.
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting day, that was so much fun! Thanks for taking us along and for the guided tour. The photos are amazing, as usual.
ReplyDeleteI love looking at your photos, everyone always looks so happy. You have a lovely family, Kay.
amazing beauty and ferocious winds...
ReplyDeleteI remember Ueno Zoo. We loved the gorilla exhibit the most, but were sad that the giant pandas had died. We didn't get to see giant pandas til our trip to Hong Kong 2 years later.
ReplyDeletedellgirl: Thanks, Leona! It was an amazing trip, but I'm trying to recuperate now.
ReplyDeleteThose blossoms are so pretty, and now I see them in your header, too! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Kay!
ReplyDeleteit's too bad we couldn't see each other even though we were in Tokyo.
but you had to see many people here. it couldn't help it.
by the way your relatives can speak English?
when you talk with japanese relatives, you use Japanese?
Nice photography.
ReplyDeletenever read a blog with that many things in a single post.
ReplyDeleteAya: Thank you so much for your comment. I'm sorry about not being able to see you too. I'm afraid every minute was crammed with things when we were in Tokyo and the rest of Japan. It's no wonder I lost 4 pounds. I'm gaining them back too quickly though.
ReplyDeleteA few of the younger cousins in Japan can speak some English and their English is better than my Japanese. I have to use Japanese with my older relatives. They don't mind my okashi kotoba. It gives them something to laugh about. They still laugh about how I called a rice field kome batake instead of tambo about 20 years ago.
oh my, those kittens in a tree. sweet!
ReplyDelete