Tokyo 2008 Spring

Higashi Murayama central park ( Tokyo suburb): The park is spacious and is a nice place for outdoor activities. This is a variety of Tulips. The red ones look beautiful and strong while the white ones have weak stalk and short life. Wanted to go to flower gardens to take the pics of flower fields, but decided to take this one instead cus it's more cost effective. Broke after returning from Cambodia!

Shinjuku Botanical Garden ( a Japanese style one). Located at the heart of Tokyo in the busiest business centre, this is one of the most spacious and popular places for Hanami, the party under cherry blossom, and flower viewing. There are a large collection of various kinds of tree and flower, esp Sakura trees. The location is very convenient, and the garden design is pleasant, but unlike other Hanami spots 200 yen admission fee is required.

Ueno Park: A big tourist attraction in Tokyo with museums, zoos and over 1000 Sakura trees. It is the most popular place for Hanami ( from late Mar to Early April). To secure a place, you have to reserve in advance. Hanami goers bring their own food and drink. It's a joyous time to get together. I've never had a chance to celebrate Hanami there cus it's always crowded and fully booked! Just go to see people enjoying and taking pics. That makes me happy too.

Kudanshita: The place is one of the must-sees in Tokyo. It's noted for its shrines, including Yasukuni, castles and moats. It's not a big place for Hanami but maybe best for flower viewing in spring due to its superb location and scenic view. These are Sakura and other flower trees on the slope of a castle surrounded by moats.

Another beautiful pic at Kudanshita. I like this pic the most. It looks refreshing and breath-taking with Sakura tress and clear water. It's also romantic if you notice many lovers are rowing underneath the bridge! May keep it for pic contest someday.

Another scenic view at Shinjuku park. Most of the pics I took on that day is not clear cus it was showering. As can be seen, people are using umbrellas. Should have checked the wheather forecast.The park is suitable for both lovers and family; a good place for jogging and sightseeing.

Don't know the names of these flowers, but they are absolutely beautiful and the arrangement is great. It is not really Ikebana ( Japanese flower arrangement). Undeniably, Japanese are good at arranging and decorating flowers. I notice that people in developed countries seem to like flowers...

Docomo Tower viewed from a nearby park. Is it a nice pic in terms of the art of photo-taking? Honestly, I am poor photographer. Hope this one is my first noticeable work.

2008 spring is the thrid one for me in Japan. Didn't roam around much and take many photos this time cus it seems there is no other places to view flowers in Tokyo.

Photos taken in PP, the Southwest and Northeast

Naga World rising above Buddhist Institute. It also dominates other nearby landmarks: The new Ministry of Foreign Affairs and new National Assembly. Ironically, it may be built to give convenience and entertainment to Cambodia's richest and most powerful. The PM, high-ranking officials and parliamentarians could do shopping, gamble...after meetings. What a clever idea(sic).

Poipet town in Bantey Meanchey: The paradise in the hell. The town is dusty and hectic in general. There seem nothing to see besides few casinos and hotels, just few meters from Thai border. There seem to be few gamblers even on Sunday. The business is gonna collapse soon, I guess. Cambodia's uttermost Wild West.


Stung Sangke in Battambang town. I have longed to see the river. A bit disappointed cus it's small and seems not charming like in Sin Sisamot songs. The town itself is big and nice, anyway. Have no time to roam around. Just passed by and took a pic from inside my brother-in-law's pick-up. Not a nice work at all.

Kamping Peouy Reservoir in Battambang lying between two mountains. It may be the second biggest in Cambodia after West Baray, giving the surrounding area a year-round harvest. One of the greatest ( and costliest) achievements of KR regime. The location is superb, and the water is very clear. However, it will soon be polluted by thoughtless picnickers.

New Cambodian National Assembly. The building's design is one of the clumsiest I ever seen. It's not worth its huge cost and doesn't fit the surrounding at all, not to say the nearby Naga. Much worse than the Buddhist Institute, the Royal Palace and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The more I look closer, the more I wonder who on earth comes up with such horrible design.

The swirling cloud at Bokor National Park in Feb. There is mist down the cliff most of the time. It was said that many gamblers jumped off the cliff. The road up the mountain top has been renovating by Sokha company. There is a big plan to turn the plateau into a premium resort, including hotels, casinos and golf courses.

A stream flowing from Mount Bokor along national road 3 from Kampot to Kampong Som. With many nice streams, sea breeze and mountain view, travelling along road is relaxing. The land on both sides is skyrocketing due road upgrade, speculation and rumors of development projects.

The so-called National Museum in Siem Riep is owned by PM's daughter and a Thai businessman. Why can't the government build a real national museum given an enormous amount of money from tourism there and the potential revenue the museum could generate. http://www.andybrouwer.co.uk/blog/2008/03/feedback-for-angkor-national-museum.html

Tokyo Winter 2008

The snow comes at last! Just took a pic myself fr my freezing room on the third floor. Supposed to miss it this year. There was no snow in Tokyo last year, and snowing here is somehow rare. It had been snowing even in Kyushu, the island in the south. The geography here is not snowy-friendly. It's lucky to be able to enjoy the snow even one day; don't have to go skiing any more. Tokyorites don't like snowing, anyway. There may be snow only one day this year, just to make roads slippery!

A crowd of people are taking photos of Sakura blossoms near Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo. For those who like flowers, Japan is one of the best places to visit during spring.

These are sakura trees along the river near my old dorm during spring. The red building is Four-Season Hotel. There are lots of golden fish and turtles in the stream. The location is nice and convinient,at the heart of Tokyo, but not cheap!

Mount Fuji's Winter View from the Top of a Vocano at Ito

My prof. and Seminar Friends at Ito National Park

Nikko World Heritage Site