Copyright 2005 -- Rachel Saunders

Sakura Season: The Party Begins



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Near the Imperial Palace, along the watery moat, are a bunch of cherry trees that open the spring season with a festival of pink and rosy blooms.

The Japanese government, or perhaps Tokyo, sets up all these lights and festivals so that people can enjoy the beauty of sakura season all day and all night long.

Right: JJ and Rachel under a canopy of sakura blossoms.

 

People parade along the garden path (over a mile long) and gaze at the beauty of the floral canopy above and the scenic floral landscape across the moat.

As people go along, all you see are the latest digital camera phones snapping their very own sakura blossom photo which will have to last them the whole year.

People were in awe of the beauty. AND it was the same experience for rich and for poor. Everyone was happy, and ready for the spring to come. I kept thinking that we should have some spring festival... the contemplation of the iris bloom or something. It was such a nice experience.

Below: Rachel and Clare enjoying the scene!
Journal Continued:
Nearby, also within Angkor Thom, we saw two other structures. The terrace of elephants and the terrace of the leper king. The terrace of elephants was so named as the entire structure has a series of bas-relief elephants parading around the circumference. They also have elephants at the corners, their trunks creating graceful columns to support the platform. From this platform long ago, Angkor's kings would hold its public ceremonies.

Right: More photos of Rachel and Joshy under the sakura. Look, we are so happy. You can't help it with all the blooms about.

Below: A flood of flowers on the far side of the moat.

Journal Continued:
Nearby, also within Angkor Thom, we saw two other structures. The terrace of elephants and the terrace of the leper king. The terrace of elephants was so named as the entire structure has a series of bas-relief elephants parading around the circumference. They also have elephants at the corners, their trunks creating graceful columns to support the platform. From this platform long ago, Angkor's kings would hold its public ceremonies.
After viewing the blossoms, everyone takes their shoes off and gets ready to party Japan style. This meant, lots of festival food, lots of beer, and lots of drunken revelry.

Right: A row of shoes, relaxing after a hard day at the office.

Below: Yes, the throngs of sakura party people sat on blue tarps, and drank and drank and drank. The ride back home on the subway was very entertaining.!!!
Journal Continued:
Nearby, also within Angkor Thom, we saw two other structures. The terrace of elephants and the terrace of the leper king. The terrace of elephants was so named as the entire structure has a series of bas-relief elephants parading around the circumference. They also have elephants at the corners, their trunks creating graceful columns to support the platform. From this platform long ago, Angkor's kings would hold its public ceremonies.

Right: In the morning... a fresh sakura blossom greets the sun. With only three to five day lifespan... you have to enjoy every second.

Below: Rachel, inspired by the blossoms, wore her pink floral shirt.

Journal Continued:
Nearby, also within Angkor Thom, we saw two other structures. The terrace of elephants and the terrace of the leper king. The terrace of elephants was so named as the entire structure has a

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