Dawn over the Florida Everglades, golden sunlight filters through ancient cypress trees, casting long shadows on the tranquil waterways. Mist rises from the wetlands, adding an sublime quality to the scene. The air teems with the sounds of awakening wildlife.
For a change of pace, my wife and I stayed overnight in Kōbe, an urban resort that celebrates early Western residences that are exotic to Japanese and other Asians. Europeans got set up in this port city in the 19th Century just before the Meiji Restoration that embraced Western technology if not culture.
Although it rained the first day, Chisato logged way over 20,000 steps, but there wasn't much to photograph between the lively Sannomiya area and Harborland except food. These photos are from the second day, hiking up to the Kitano area where the retro foreign buildings are located. Despite the weather, Chisato was warm, which was the highlight.
The Shintō shrine Jōnangū (城南宮) in Kyōto, was a palace of Emperors from the beginning of the #Heian Period in 794. It has #gardens from different periods since then, and a patch of pink and white #plum blossoms around a big stone lantern is a most stunning sight to behold. Several years ago the head priest showed me around and explained the history in Japanese. Jōnangū is not well known to tourists, but it draws many reverent Japanese.
The third photo is of a teahouse and a reddish variety of plum blossoms. The last photo shows what my American friend whom I guided got: a seal written in #calligraphy by the shrine maiden (o-miko-san). Jōnangū is written down the center, with yesterday's date down the left side. The right side is what the shrine especially offers: houyoke - a #prayer to avoid obstacles or worries, such as with one's family. There is a great demand for such #blessings nowadays.
Kitano Tenmangū (北野天満宮) is a major Kyōto shrine dedicated to the scholarly aristocrat Sugawara no Michizane in 947. Similar to the exiled Emperor Sutoku, after he was wronged, disasters befell the Heian Period capital, so his believed-to-be vengeful ghost was propitiated, and he was deified into the Shintō kami Tenjin. This deity of learning attracts worshippers to thousands of subsidiary shrines nationwide, such as students wishing to pass entrance exams. Kitano Tenmangū is one of the best places for plum blossom viewing, with its national treasure architecture.
Do you find waterfalls as captivating as I do?
You’ll find that McDonald Falls is another stunning natural beauty if you hike Johns Lake Loop, located just a bit east of the Lodge.
Views Hiking Wilcox Pass - Jasper National Park Alberta Canada - Canadian Rockies Banff National Park Photography Tour
Below you will see hwy 93 and across the way you will see Columbia Icefields Glacier.
Have your #travel plans changed since #COVID? Ours have - when we have gone on holiday, we've stayed in the UK and explored our own islands. The result - discovering my ancestral home of #Skye, the prehistoric wonders of #Derbyshire, the beauty of #Cornwall and the delights of #NorthWales.
I think after this I should give these cycling adventure books a rest. I like the descriptions of the places they visit, though they rarely spend much time in cities. But they endlessly eat the most horrible food just for the energy intake, makes me feel slightly ill reading about it. :)
I took a crapload of photos the last time I was on this black sand beach in #Iceland. They're all mediocre at best. Had random strangers asking me to take some photos of them here in some silly poses. I happily obliged. I hope they were happy with the shots.
Raphael's Loggia in the Apostolic Palace 🏛️ Vatican. The decorations epitomize the spirit of the Italian Renaissance in its synthesis of Christian & classical themes.
Lake Louise Autumn Bright Sunrise Banff National Park Alberta Canada
Banff National Park - Canadian Rockies Banff National Park Photography Tour - Jasper National Park Alberta Canada