We Go Up SkyPoint Observation Deck

The second day of our stay in Australia, we went up to SkyPoint observation deck.

The deck towers 230 meters above the Surfers Paradise beach.

We were able to command a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Gold Coast on a perfect clear blue sky day.

The hotel which we stayed was less than 100 meters away from the SkyPoint building.

Gold Coast Surfers Paradise

We stayed at a hotel located in the north end of Surfers Paradise beach. I was able to walk to the beach side in a couple minutes walking.

Beautiful Pacific Ocean was always there without our expectations during our one week stay.

Safe area for swimming was shown using flags and indication board by life guards run by Gold Coast City Council.

The followings are the guideline of the beach.

• Always swim between the red and yellow flags. If the flags aren't up, it may not safe to swim, so always ask a lifeguard if it's safe to swim if you cannot see the flags
• Check for additional beach signage, as this may change every day
• Read the safety warnings
• Check with a lifeguard about beach and water conditions if you're not sure it's safe
• Put your hand up and stay calm if you get in trouble in the water

I Go to Gold Coast in Australia

My wife and I had gone to Australia and come back Japan yesterday.

It took eight hours from Narita International Airport in Japan to Gold Coast by Jetstar Airways.

Seeing several movies and having light meals in the plane, the plane brought us from early winter season to top summer season.

I Get a New Camera, Nikon CoolPix P600

The Red Circle Mark Points a Swimming Pool

I bought a new camera, Nikon CoolPix P600 the other day.

I took a test shot of swimming pool from home on a rainy day.

The picture shows rings of rain drips clearly on the surface of water.

The camera has given me quite satisfying quality pictures so far.

Cafe Tetto Grande

Chinese bell-flowers are blooming in the garden of the cafe.

Japanese furniture are placed inside the cafe. 

Taking a day off, I went to Cafe Tetto Grande in Mohka city with my wife a couple weeks ago.

The cafe was built by having renovated Japanese old farm house.

The cafe had a pretty big roof as was usual an old local farm house had.

There were beautiful flowers in its garden.

We ate pasta, Indian curry with rice, home made bread and fresh vegetable.

Yabusame, Japanese Traditional Mounted Archery Is Held

Yabusame ritual is a Japanese traditional mounted archery.

An archer on a running horse shoots three special arrows successively at three wooden targets.

The ritual was designed as a way to please and entertain the myriad of gods that watch over Japan, encouraging their blessings for the prosperity of the land, the people, and the harvest.

It was held next to my home the other day.
Two archers shot three times each; one archer lost the targets three times and the other hit all of them.

Japan Cup Cycle Road Race in 2014

Japan Cup Cycle Road Race was held in my town the other day.

Seeing the race as close as one meter away from them was far exciting than seeing from the top of a building.

I felt the wind of the cycle racers this year.

Happy Birthday to Kiyono

We celebrated my wife, Kiyono's birthday the other day.

She got flowers as a birthday present from her close friend and a present from me.

We have to thank God for being able to have the day together peacefully; luckily there are no single Ebola virus infected patient, civil wars, nor lots of jobless people in my country.

I Go Hiking at Senjyogahara Marsh and Yunoko Lake

Yunoko Lake

Yunoko Lake

The river runs through Senjyogahara Marshlaned

Okunikko is the best place to visit in autumn. There were lots of plants painted with autumn colors. 

It is said that the colors usually first arrive in the high elevations of Okunikko around early October, reach Lake Chuzenji in mid October and the Irohazaka Winding Road in late October.

Due to the popularity of Nikko's autumn scenery, traffic to and within the Okunikko area can get very bad during the peak of the season. 

To reduce the crowds, it is advisable to avoid weekends and to go early in the day.

My wife and I left home before seven o'clock in the morning and came back home before sunset.

Leaves Turn Red in Nikko Mountains

My wife and I went to Oku-Nikko moor one week ago.
It took us two hours driving from home to the mountain side area.

Nikko is famous for magnificent shrines and temples, and beautiful lakes and waterfalls.
The area was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1999.

Becoming cooler day by day, leaves in the mountains wear colorful makeup without forgetting every year.

Mt. Fuji and Wild Birds

a wild pheasant in the garden of the facility

We were able to see Mt. Fuji in short clear-up moments from my company's recreation facility we stayed.

There were wild birds at the facility's garden.




I could have taken a picture of the top of Mt. Fuji in a fraction of a second then it disappeared in the wink of an eye.

Flowers in Hakone Wetland

 It was slightly raining when my wife and I visited Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands in August.

Lotus flowers and other pond-side flowers were beautifully blooming.

It took us almost half a day to walk around every part of  the botanical garden.

Since very few people were visiting there, I felt as if I were the owner of the garden.

Wild Insects in Hakone Wetland

A mantis on a lily is looking at me.

A gold beetle is on a flower.

I went to Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands to see its native plants and species with my wife.

Hakone town is located near Mt. Fuji. It took us half a day to get there by car.

There are various kinds of plants and insects in the area.

A pellucid hawk moth is having flower honey.