Last weekend, Noah and I went up to the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo to see all the cute and asian animals. I don't really like the idea of zoos, especially it is not for conservation efforts, but we also wanted to have a chance to see the animals of Asia. Although the park was filled with babies, toddlers, and families, we thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the animals as well! We got to see pandas (for the first time ever) named Ri Ri and Shin Shin, which are actually part of the conservation effort to help reestablish the panda population, oh and they are so precious! We also got to see many asian versions of birds, bears, rodents, reptiles, and other animals. Of course, there were also the classic lions and tigers.
Unfortunately, I started to feel my throat swell while at the zoo, and I just had to get myself sick. I had a feeling that I would get sick at some point while in Japan. You just come into contact with so many people, especially in the trains, that it is inevitable. This must be why we see so many people wearing masks over their mouths; to prevent from the spread of germs. Anyway, I've tried to spend this whole week recovering from the nasty cold, so there isn't much of an update with my adventures this week, except for the sakura blossoms that I went to see yesterday.
Ueno Zoo, Tokyo
February 28, 2015
Entrance to the giant panda exhibit. There's even a little panda on the baby girl's back!
PANDA!!!
Another panda!! The two pandas were just chomping away at that bamboo, minding no bodies business.
We wanted to be pandas, too. I hope it worked!
This is the food that the zoo feeds so some of the birds. Maybe it tastes better than birdfeed.
A interesting looking horned owl.
Rawr!
A fierce tiger. This tiger was pacing back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. We were actually pretty lucky to be able to see so many great animals at this zoo. When I went as a little kid, most of the animals were asleep!
Monkey.
Snow monkeys. These are specifically Japanese.
This is an okapi. It looks like it is part zebra, giraffe, and horse, however it is part of the giraffe family. Apparently, you can find them running around wild in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This is a red panda. I actually did a project on red pandas when I was in elementary school, so I was so stoked to see one in real life!
Miura Kaigan Sakura Festival
March 5, 2015
A little south on the Keikyu line took Kyli and I to Miura Kaigan. During february and march, the sakura (cherry blossom) festival takes place right outside of the train station. The type of cherry trees that are in blossom are of a very special variety that are known to bloom early! The 300+ trees present in the area were planted in 2000 all along the railroad tracks. Kyli and I had a great time taking more pictures of pretty blossoms and enjoying a small picnic in the park.
Booths and vendors at the sakura festival. Vendors were selling all kinds of foodstuffs including dried fruit, veggies, fruit, and sakura-inspired treats.
People enjoying the sakura blossoms alongside the railroad tracks.
Rapeseed blossoms. These flowers smelled like sneeze!.. not my favorite scent.
Look at them blossoms!! They're so beautiful!
Kyli and I stumbled upon a little pond on our walk and found all these froggies! I think it might have been mating season because we saw them jumping all over the place and on each other.
I know the Japanese do not like their photo being taken, but I just loved this! It was so refreshing to see so many people outside enjoying the flowers, and everyone is just so adorable.
Random Photos!!
I got a new macro-filter set for my camera!! I'm so stoked because it was inexpensive, and it still produces some pretty cool results. The photos below are just what I took when I was playing around with my new filters.
Guess whose eye this is..
And this one too..
1 comment:
Pandas-- Aww. I don't know if I've ever seen one. Your photography is awesome, Aunty! Everything looks so pretty. :)
Miss you guys! xo Kiana
Post a Comment