Some Old Photos

I started this particular blog to show off some pictures I took of my favourite flower - the camelia, and the beautiful roses that bloom in Niigata during the spring.

Then I came across my photos of the sakura flower and they brought back a flood of happy memories. I'm actually quite proud of these pictures as they are taken with only a simple camera.

My good friend informed me that there is an old Japanese proverb that says that after the cold winter spring will certainly come. Cherry blossom is a symbol of happiness although happiness does not last for long just as the season of the cherry blossom. How true!

Fortunately we have the ability to treasure the happy memories and forget the unhappy times. And add to our store of happy moments as we continue through life's journey.

The sakura plant will bloom again and again bringing joy and happiness to viewers. Some of the trees in Shibata, I'm told, are more than a hundred years old.

Life can be fleeting just like the ephemeral beauty of the sakura.

Bushwalking - Aussie style

During one of my visits to Australia, our daughter took us bushwalking in Morialta Conservation Park one cold winter afternoon. This is a typical Australian eucalyptus forest.

The track involves hiking uphill and downhill for several kilometers and I was told that the view at the highest peak is very impressive. However, since this is our first attempt at bushwalking we could only make it to the first rest stop. Quite embarassing!

Even in such a short journey, there were plenty of interesting sights....like this strange looking plant.

It's hard to spot the kookabarra bird on the top branch of this tree. I think I aimed the camera too low.

One of the greatest attractions during this walk is the sight of koalas sleeping in the trees along the way.

This one is further up the tree. They're easy to spot.....big fluffy grey balls. I wish I can grab one and cuddle it.

And here are the colourful galah birds.

The ground vegetation is so unlike the tropical rainforest which would be damp and covered with thick undergrowth. The ground here is dry and, in most cases, bare except in places where there is a carpet of fern and clover.

This is the bottle brush plant. It has very attractive red flowers which, when dry, really resembles a bottle brush!

And this is a billabong.....the Aussie term for a small stream.