Almost Cherry Blossom at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo

It was almost cherry blossom season at Shinjuku Gyoen Park, Tokyo, when I had another transit stop at Tokyo for the second time.

The weather was beautiful and balmy, making me decide to visit one of the famous gardens in Tokyo when you can enjoy cherry blossoms.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Surely it wasn't really packed with people but I saw some tourists like me trying to get the best snap of the flowers.
I saw some sakura and many other trees and flowers that I don't know the name of.

Besides the blooming flowers and wonderful fragrance, I really enjoy the clear blue sky!
Such a great sight to see those colorful flowers against the blue sky backdrop.  

Regardless the fact that I don't know the name of most of those beautiful flowers (it was written in Japanese :)), I really enjoy my morning walk in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
And the garden is indeed huge, encompassing  French Formal Garden, English Landscape garden and Japanese traditional garden all in one big area.
Because of the time constraint, I only roamed around the Japanese garden, as I still had Shibuya, Ginza, and Odaiba areas to explore at that time.
I guess I need to go back when the trees are all fully blooming.
Maybe next time :).
Here are some more photos I took there, all using my iPhone X #shotoniphone.

So if you happen to be around, don't miss this beautiful garden.
It's reachable using JR Chou Line and Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line from Tokyo Station to Shinjuku station, with some 10 minutes walking.
The ticket is 200 Yen per adult which is so cheap.

Enjoy the garden and have a lovely spring.

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Cherry Blossoms at Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan

Before enjoying spring in New York City, I was privileged to see the cherry blossoms at Ueno Park, while I was Tokyo, Japan.
Click here to read my little story in Japan : Hello Tokyo

Ueno Park has been famous to be one of the most favorite places to enjoy cherry blossoms.

And I chose this place to stay over as it is the last stop of Skyliner, the fast train taking us to and from Narita International Airport.

Located at Japan, 〒110-0007 Tokyo, Taitō, Uenokoen, ５−２０(as I copied from Google Maps), Ueno Park covers quite a huge area to explore. It have several museums in the surrounding area and more temples as well as shrines to explore. It also has big pond and famous Zoo here. Too bad I only have limited time so I didn't manage to see them all.
But if you want to see the 'old' Japan, with more traditional houses and temples and less skyscraper buildings, then Ueno will be the perfect place for you.

And back to the cherry blossoms!
Be it in the morning, or at night, sakura is forever beautiful.

Those pinkies, rather small petals are fully blooming in a beautiful way.

It looks fragile, yet it stands the test of the wind.

For only the strong one stay and bloom.
Pretty much the survival test of nature.

When I arrived in Ueno on the first leg of my flight, it was already dark. It was only 5.30 but the sun set already and it was dark. Yet as I stepped out of Ueno Park, it was bright  as lights from the neon signs illuminated the pinky flowers dotting the trees. I stopped there, lining up with others as people started taking photos and selfies with the cherry blossoms.

Here's the map of Ueno Park:

Some tips for enjoying cherry blossoms:

1. If you happen to be around, make sure you come down here early in the morning before the park is packed with people, especially in beautiful, warmer days. I came to the park at 7.30 AM and it was beautifully serene, with a few joggers and runners joining me. 

2. Makes sure you wear your comfortable shoes as you can walk along the park and it was quite a distance. And mind you, Ueno park is huge, covering many temples, museums, statues, shrines, ponds and even Zoo. As for the cherry trees, it is lining up from Shitamachi Museums to Tajo-Ten jin Shrine/Hanazono Inari Shrine.

3. Get ready to line up. Many people want to enjoy the cherry blossoms as well so people tend to line up neatly and take their turn politely, considering that many people love to do the same.

4. If you have allergies to pollen or similar substances, better stay away of course. Or if you still can tolerate it (and I do know people who have allergies but still can enjoy cherry blossoms to certain extent), better get yourself prepared with the medicine needed.

5. Thinking of having a picnic? Bring the mat and the food you love to have or snatch them from the nearby restaurants or cafes. Well, when I came here the cherry blossoms were not fully blooming so I didn't see too many people yet. By the way, I found the Ueno Station has a great bakery and the pastries are exquisite. I bought some from there and they are yummy indeed.

4. And finally, don't forget your camera and/or your phone. Sometimes we get so excited about seeing something new we forget the important things. Well, that happened to me before.

So, enjoy the cherry blossoms and cheers.

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WW: Cheers from Ueno, Tokyo, Japan

Cheers from Ueno, Tokyo, Japan.

I was lucky to get to see some cherry blossoms here at the Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo.
They just start blooming I guess and I saw some of them while strolling around Ueno Park, although many of them are not yet blooming. I just took some snaps with my phone while enjoying one cloudy morning at this park.

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WW: Byward Market, Ottawa, Canada

Love visiting local market while visiting one particular city?
Me, too!
And we didn't miss the chance to visit Byward Market while we were in Ottawa, Canada.

super cloudy :)

so colorful

It's the beaver :)

Love this colorful market filled with delicious smells of fresh bakery and various food offered on its many stalls, including Barack Obama and Justin Trudeau cookies!

I bought a few and they taste wonderful!

Mr. Obama :)

Not to mention the famous local delicacies, Beaver Tails :).

We love it!

Want some?

Kids love this Beaver Tail

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A Visit to Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Canada

"This is the place where Canadians continue to gather, discuss, debate, define, decide and celebrate..."
Our guide introduced our official tour at the Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Canada, that day.
"Sitting in the Capital City of Canada, Parliament Hill is the symbolic heart of Canada."
"Today, we are going to see some of the important parts of this historical building" said our guide while escorting us to the Centre block of the Parliament Hill.
Let's take a closer look...

***

Welcome to the Parliament Hill

Hi there...

I'm back with more stories from our Spring Break road trip this year.
After sharing our trip to Québec City and Montréal, Ottawa is next on our itinerary.
Another 2 hours ride from Montréal, we arrived at Ottawa in the afternoon and my kids just directly dragged me to the water park at our hotel, the Travelodge Ottawa. Will share more on that property indeed.


So, after a great night sleep (after spending hours at the waterpark >_<) and the kids enjoyed their lovely free continental breakfast, we headed downtown to meet our dearest friends, Dinie Aldi and her family, who was posted in our Embassy in Canada. Another round of Indonesian delicious breakfast (seriously, lontong sayur will never fail me! Thanks a million, Dinie :) and we made our brief stop at the Embassy as well. It was great to stop by here and had a quick tour. I's a beautiful Embassy and I pray one day I get a chance to be posted here as well. Amen. 

Just before midday, we arrived at the Parliament Hill, Ottawa, to pick up our free tour ticket. You only need to go the office right across the street to get your free ticket for an hour tour at the Parliament Hill. Nice, rights.

Before the tour started, we took the liberty to take pictures here and there as this place is indeed packed with historical landmarks. The Centennial Flame, for example. 

The Centennial Flame

Ignited just before the new year eve of 31 December 1966, the Flame was lit by Lester B. Pearson, Canadian Prime Minister at that time. As you notice from my photo above, it has 12 bronze shields of provinces and territories in Canada in 1967.

Bo posing behind the Flame

We also took some pictures at the West Block as well as War of 1812 monument, Triumph through Diversity.

War of 1812 Monument.

We got our 2 PM tour and after the security screening at the main entrance, we started our tour inside the Parliament. Our guide (I feel bad for not remembering her name!) started the tour with some basic information about the Parliament and what we would see during the tour, which among others, included the House of Commons, the Senate Chambers, the Library of Parliament, as well as the Hall of Honor and the Peace Tower, to those who have extra time to climb up.

I couldn't remember all the stories for sure I took my time to take pictures of this impressive building. As the iconic part of this Parliament complex, the Centre Block has undergone several renovation as well as rehabilitation to ensure this Gothic Revival style building remains at its prime condition.

Under this ceiling, we heard more stories about the Parliament and its history

Cheers..

I was hoping PM Trudeau would pass by but apparently he was abroad for a commemoration of the Vimy Ridge war in France as that time. 

Here's the House of Commons which we took pictures from its locked entrance.

One of the most impressive part of this complex is the Library of Parliament.
I love to see the heavily decorated dome, valuable books and documents, the classic wooden book racks and benches, plus the statue of young Queen Victoria elegantly posed in the middle of it.

the white marble Queen Victoria

The dome

And finally, we got to see the impressive Senate Chamber.
Dominated with red, I love to see all those detailed on its leathered seats, wall dividers, and even the ceilings.

Our tour inside the Parliament Hill was concluded and as I have shared before, we went up to the Peace Tower and took amazing view of the surrounding areas from high above.

And before exiting the building, we took a solemn look at the Memorial Chamber, a commemoration to those who died in military services for Canada.

To those who rested in peace..

And that concluded our visit to parliament Hill, Ottawa, Canada.

I have to say that this place is highly recommended to those visiting the capital city of Canada, Ottawa.

So, what do you think? What is your favorite part?

Will you visit Parliament Hill if you get a chance to come to Ottawa?

Wonderful Wednesday with Oh My Heartsie Girls

Another week passed and May is here!
Time really flies here, particularly as I was heavily buried under the never ending work at the office. Starting from last week, we have the annual Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the UN.  As I follow these issues closely, I have been spending so much time at the UN.

let's take a cherry walk :)

But during the weekend, I took the liberty to spend some quality time with my beloved family, including by cooking their favorite food and visiting Brooklyn Botanical Garden for a cherry walk :). 

Now that the weather is getting warmer, hopefully we will have more picnics and outdoor activities.

at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

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