Japan.It's Bloomin marvellous.

[drron]

With apologies to Peter Cundall.But this trip is all about flowers.Well one particular type of flower.We have had about 30 trips to Japan but have never been in Cherry Blossom time.Well and truly making up for it this time.

An early start tomorrow flying BNE-SYD.QF have played their tricks again.We have had 2A,C selected since we booked 12 months ago.Still there about a week ago.Went to check in today and we are 2C,D.The only other available seats-1D,3A,D.Why oh why Qantas do you make it so hard to like you?
Well a long weekend with the grandkids going to the Easter Show.Back to my roots.Will be staying at Olympic Park.On Monday we move to Rydges before our Tuesday flight to Bangkok for a nice rest and a possible meet up with some AFFers.

Then it is off to Osaka.5 nights in Kyoto then a 12 day Botanica cruise around Japan visiting several gardens.Then another 10 days by ourselves visiting Niigata,Akita and Hirosaki before flying QF back to BNE.

Should be once again a mainly pictorial TR.

 

[boomy]

Bring it on! The more photos the better TR

 

[scaredeycat]

You're not going to the cardiovascular conference in Sendai? Could have made it tax deductable!

 

[irv]

Well timed, I am planning our own journey there. Looking forward to the journey

 

[patnlcc]

Can't wait, Ron.

 

[love_the_life]

And will you finish the TR with "And that's your bloomin' lot"???

We're heading there in November for the autumn leaves so it will be interesting to compare pics.

Looking forward to reading your TR (and the mandatory sunset pics )

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Sounds like another tourist ambassador for Japan In the making!

 

[Jacques Vert]

Coming along for the ride.

 

[Major]

Looking forward to your opinion of the Caledonian Sky. Enjoy the trip

 

[amaroo]

Safe travels ... looking forward to the TR.

 

[tgh]

ah so we caught some blossoms on our way north on the shadow, very photogenic
Would live to do a garden tour.. enjoy.

I'm off the the Bolivian altiplano on monday….no flowers...

 

[drron]

Well the trip has started.Up early on Friday morning for the trip down to BNE.Pretty heavy traffic on the Gateway.Couldn't get 2A back on checkin and on boarding no idea why the switch.The lady in 2A was not even a QFF member.In the cabin were a few of the Channel 9 NRL team coming home from Townsville.In the back their crew and some of the Roosters staff-no players as far as I could tell.Also in front of me Jenny Brockie from SBS.

QF 513. BNE-SYD. ETD 0825. Push back-0825. Take off-0832. Seats 2C,D.
ETA-1100. Landed-1046. At gate-1055.
A full flight.Uneventful.I had the muesli for brekkie after a couple of snags in the lounge.As usuall the priority luggage came out after most of the other luggage.We then had a coffee before getting a cab to the Novotel at Olympic Park.Now mrsdrron's sister lives nearby and told us a taxi aleays costs $90-95 from the airport.For the first time in many years our driver was a middle aged Anglo Saxon.The fare came to $78 and he got the $90 we were expecting.

Got to the Novotel just before 1300-the Sydney traffic ensured our taxi ride was as long as our flight.Room not ready so we had lunch.Not too bad.After checking in mrsdrron went with her sister to the show but I needed a nanny nap.Woke up a little after 1600 and it was pouring rain so I stayed put.A little after 1700 our family arrived and the sun came out so it was over to the show.

Now some of you may think this was just grandparent's duty but shows run deeper than that.In a past life I was the President of the Maitland Show Society.It was during that time that we had our only visit to Kyoto.I knew the Japanese attitude to business cards so I took a few which said-Drron,President The Hunter River Agricultural and Horticultural Show Society,Pty,Ltd.
So our first night in Kyoto we went wandering to find a restaurant finding the typical Japanese Hollywood Café.It was though Japanese cuisine and the hangout of young businessmen.Mrsdrron and her mother were the only women there and our son the only child.After a short time one of the men came over and introduced himself-he had worked in Melbourne for 12 months.We swapped cards and he exclaimed-"A doctor and a company president!"I was now the centre of attention.They wanted to buy us a bottle of whisky but none of us drink that so we got a bottle of some very sweet Japanese white wine.It was a memorable night.

So the first thing to do was to go to the Arts and Crafts pavilion.Our son had 4 ribbons,granddaughter 8 surpassed this with 4 ribbons and a trophy-

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The other 2 grandkids had a ribbon each.

Then to the ferris wheel with my grandson.The reason though was to get a couple of late sunset shots-

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Then to the grandstand for the night's entertainment with first The man From Snowy River-

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There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
That the colt from old Regret had got away,
And had joined the wild bush horses—he was worth a thousand pound,

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When they reached the mountain's summit, even Clancy took a pull,
It well might make the boldest hold their breath,
The wild hop scrub grew thickly, and the hidden ground was full
Of wombat holes, and any slip was death.
But the man from Snowy River let the pony have his head,
And he swung his stockwhip round and gave a cheer,

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And he ran them single-handed till their sides were white with foam.
He followed like a bloodhound on their track,
Till they halted cowed and beaten, then he turned their heads for home,
And alone and unassisted brought them back.


More of the show to come

 

[love_the_life]

Glad to see you've managed to get a sunset pic in already

 

[drron]

As soon as I saw the colours I thought-now love_the_life wants to see this!
But back to the show-
A motorbike show for the boys.Pretty boring-

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But we stayed for the fireworks-

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The next morning it was the animals.The pigs were the stars for the grandkids-

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And this lovely lady waited until night to deliver her 11 bundle of joys-

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[drron]

So the next day after a morning at Side Show alley it was back to the arena.One of the fillin acts impressed me.This fellow obviously had a great relationship with his birds who were free flying-

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Women doing amazing things on horses-

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And the best show food-BBQ lamb shanks-

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Then the official opening-

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I always like the Grand Parade.I did the commentary at Maitland for a couple of years.

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[mark4217]

I was to believe the Cherry Blossoms didn't bloom until 10th April. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[love_the_life]

I was to believe the Cherry Blossoms didn't bloom until 10th April. Hope I'm wrong.

It depends on where in Japan you are as the season is different - the Japan Guide site has reports for 2016 here. It looks like the season has just begun.

 

[drron]

It actually began officially this year on 22/1-in Okinawa.
Okinawa Cherry blossom festivals 2016 | Okinawa Tourism｜Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau

Definitely going to be in bloom nearly everywhere we go in the 4 weeks we are there.Just miss out on Tokyo.

Had my famous person moment at the show.A country fellow comes up to me and said-"Are you from Maitland"."I was".
"Did you have something to do with the show?""I did".
"So you are the fellow from the Stud Beef section?" "Very definitely."

So he DKWIW.

 

[jukebox333]

When I went in 2008, we were lucky enough to catch the end of the display in Osaka - still magnificent - so don't treat the "guide" as gospel. I'm sure you'll get some great sights.

 

[irv]

Lived in Maitland from 1990 to 1997, when were you involved. I used to work for the Rural Bank which became the State Bank which had a big involvement with the rural societies.