Sakura at Higashiyama Zoo

April 8 - 2009

Just after Eirfan's Entrance Ceremony at his kindergarten ended, all of us headed to Higashiyama Zoo to have a picnic under the sakura trees at the zoo. Of course Eirfan was in his uniform, we just want to shoot him in his uniform with the sakuras. We also bought our self the year pass for Higashiyama Zoo due to our frequent visit to this zoo. The year pass is just 2000yen/year and standard entrance ticket is 500yen.
Even it was a weekday, we didn't get the parking at the main gate of the zoo and end up at the parking area at behind botanical garden. It's about 10 minutes walk until the entrance gate to the zoo/botanical garden. We entered from the botanical garden side due to we wanted to get on the monorail ride from the botanical garden to the main gate of the zoo.
After we got our picnic spot we enjoyed the food from home and shoot few shots of Eirfan in his uniform before he get changed. Enjoying sakura at the zoo might be sounds strange but the sakura here really beautiful and the zoo itself got a lot of resting place made it really convenience.

A shot just after entered the zoo.


Enjoying the sakura from the monorail


Viewing sakura from above is really interesting.


Full bloom at Higashiyama Zoo


Picnic time, let's eat!!


Eirfan is eating his dorayaki he got it from kindergarten


Yuri vs boiled egg.


Eiqmal with my snacks (kaki-pi)


Time for solo shooting.


No need to ask Yuri to pose


Eiqmal really interested with the sakura petals


Same goes with Eirfan


Eiqmal among the sakuras


Just before we went back home, they got them self an ice cream each.

Click for full set of this day pictures

Sakura at Heiwa Park

April 5 - 2009

Sakura fever has come!! This is the time that everyone enjoy the beauty of sakura. Sakura only blooms once a year and total blooming period is about 2 weeks. The most beautiful moment is when it's on full bloom and during the time that the petals start to fall.
Sakura tree can easily found here in Japan, even at the road side. Most of the public parks also got sakuras. For a start we went to a park nearby our apartment. The park is call Heiwa Koen ( Peaceful Park ), as the name itself there is a large area of Japanese cemetary beside the park. We picked this park because it's near & the parking is free. Who doesn't like free things right?
When we arrived, the park was already crowded with peoples. Most of them picnic under the sakura tree and enjoy the food and beer. Well, Japanese people seem can't live without beer. The best part here is the walkway under the sakura tree. Eirfan, Yuri & Eiqmal enjoyed running around.

Let's hanami♪


Eirfan under the sakuras


Eiqmal enjoy running along the walkway


It's hard & tiring to chase them running here and there.


Due to Eirfan & Yuri keep on running, Eiqmal got most of the shots.


On the way back to the car


I didn't bring along the tripod so i put the camera on the ground for this family shot.

Click for the full set pictures during this trip.

Sakura at Nagoya Castle

March 28 - 2009

We start our sakura hanami ( sakura viewing ) at Nagoya Castle. Even we need to pay for the parking & entrance ticket, the view of sakura with the castle is worth of spending. The castle are was crowded with peoples to enjoy the sakuras. Everyone enjoyed taking pictures with sakuras. Some of the are students from the graduation ceremony, they came in with kimono outfit an it is really shows the beauty of Japan.
My kids enjoyed their first contact with sakura.

Under the sakura tree.


candid of Eirfan & Yuri while they are watching the sakura.


Short rest on the manhole.


I asked them to smile..but this is what i get.


My angels


Well..family shot is a must.