It is late Autumn 2010. A year and a half has passed by so swiftly and here I am on a visit to Niigata again at the kind invitation of ACAP/EANET. I wonder if the city had changed.
I was rather emotional when I saw the familiar sights again. The rice crop had just been harvested - the rice used to make the famous Niigata sake. Old memories flooded back when I purchased warm green tea from the familiar brightly lit vending machine.
There had been several positive changes. I can now buy Shinkansen tickets from the Niigata University station without having to speak to the station master in my broken Japanese. Unfortunately I learnt that my friendly dentist at Sekiya had passed away. After many visits to his clinic for treatment, he had become a good friend. It's so sad.
The weather was cold and wet but I was determined to see momiji again at Yahiko. Indeed most of the glorious red leaves have fallen from the trees but there was still much beauty in the land before the first breath of winter.
Although I have visited Yahiko numerous times in the past and have taken many photographs, I found that each time there is something new to discover. Am also convinced my photography skills have improved...a little. I'm actually quite pleased with these pictures considering I'm using an old camera with limited features.
Since it was the last day of the chrysanthemum flower show, after offering my prayers at the shrine, I lingered on to admire the lovely blooms on display. I've never ceased to be fascinated by the variety of species and the skills of the growers to produce these near-perfect blooms.
This is a new species. In some ways, it reminded me of the hairdo of today's young males....carefully styled to look rather untidy.
I felt very privileged to be given a room on the 27th floor of Nikko Hotel facing the river. The view from the window is breathtaking at sunset and the river looked so serene.
One of the greatest pleasures from this trip is the opportunity to meet up with ex-colleagues from ACAP and the EANET Secretariat, and other friends from the member countries. It was also an honor to participate in the the 10th anniversary celebration of EANET.
All those that have contributed to the development of EANET were invited to this historic event. There were so many familiar faces, some of whom I knew even before EANET was formally established. Here, the past and current DDGs of ACAP are proudly posing for the camera.
And this is a group photo with the Japanese dancers in the background. Most of us were too busy talking and eating to fully appreciate the performance, unfortunately.
It was great to be able to meet up with old friends again and exchange news on our current activities. I will treasure the wonderful memories from this trip. Sayonara till we meet again!
I was rather emotional when I saw the familiar sights again. The rice crop had just been harvested - the rice used to make the famous Niigata sake. Old memories flooded back when I purchased warm green tea from the familiar brightly lit vending machine.
There had been several positive changes. I can now buy Shinkansen tickets from the Niigata University station without having to speak to the station master in my broken Japanese. Unfortunately I learnt that my friendly dentist at Sekiya had passed away. After many visits to his clinic for treatment, he had become a good friend. It's so sad.
The weather was cold and wet but I was determined to see momiji again at Yahiko. Indeed most of the glorious red leaves have fallen from the trees but there was still much beauty in the land before the first breath of winter.
Although I have visited Yahiko numerous times in the past and have taken many photographs, I found that each time there is something new to discover. Am also convinced my photography skills have improved...a little. I'm actually quite pleased with these pictures considering I'm using an old camera with limited features.
Since it was the last day of the chrysanthemum flower show, after offering my prayers at the shrine, I lingered on to admire the lovely blooms on display. I've never ceased to be fascinated by the variety of species and the skills of the growers to produce these near-perfect blooms.
This is a new species. In some ways, it reminded me of the hairdo of today's young males....carefully styled to look rather untidy.
I felt very privileged to be given a room on the 27th floor of Nikko Hotel facing the river. The view from the window is breathtaking at sunset and the river looked so serene.
One of the greatest pleasures from this trip is the opportunity to meet up with ex-colleagues from ACAP and the EANET Secretariat, and other friends from the member countries. It was also an honor to participate in the the 10th anniversary celebration of EANET.
All those that have contributed to the development of EANET were invited to this historic event. There were so many familiar faces, some of whom I knew even before EANET was formally established. Here, the past and current DDGs of ACAP are proudly posing for the camera.
And this is a group photo with the Japanese dancers in the background. Most of us were too busy talking and eating to fully appreciate the performance, unfortunately.
It was great to be able to meet up with old friends again and exchange news on our current activities. I will treasure the wonderful memories from this trip. Sayonara till we meet again!
