Annular solar eclipse in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan) on 21 May 2012

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2012-05-21_jp-tokyo_eclipse.htm

[EN] Eclipse today ・ [FR] Eclipse aujourd'hui

[EN] Annular solar eclipse in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan) on 21 May 2012

Despite clouds over 東京 (Tokyo, Japan), I saw the most beautiful scene in my life around 07:30 today: an annular solar eclipse. The sky darkened, the temperature dropped, the dogs went silent... The moon only let a thin sunny ring illuminate the sky and earth. I was deeply moved!


[FR] Eclipse solaire annulaire à 東京 (Tokyo, Japon) le 21 mai 2012

Malgré des nuages sur 東京 (Tokyo, Japon), j'ai vu la plus belle scène de ma vie vers 07:30 aujourd'hui: une éclipse solaire annulaire. Le ciel s'est assombri, la température a chuté, les chiens se sont tus... La lune n'a laissé qu'un fin anneau de soleil illuminer le ciel et la terre, ce qui m'a profondément ému !

Stroll at 여의도 (Yeouido, South Korea) on 12 April 2009

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2009-04-12_kr-yeouido.htm

I first walked in 여의도 (Yeouido, South Korea), a part of 서울 (Seoul), on 12 April 2009 to enjoy its famous cherry blossoms. Although the peak had passed, the streets were beautiful, and the blue sky greatly highlighted the flowers. Moving to 여의도 공원 (Yeouido park), I got greeted several times in English by Korean children, who then asked whether I was American, which is unsurprising as most white guys in the country must be American soldiers; the kids looked pretty confused to learn I was French! However, the young adult who accosted me to offer an Easter egg and invite me to join a Christian group was not unsettled by my nationality. Later, I started wondering what spontaneous contacts to expect from women and elders in the capital as well as from all kinds of Koreans in the countryside... Beyond the social sphere, the park itself was enjoyable, with a beautiful statue of 세종대왕 (Sejong the Great) and specific ambiances associated to each area.

Since my move to South Korea, it was my first time to actively visit the capital and reflect upon life here while observing children, families, couples, small and huge groups of friends, and a few elders. People visibly enjoyed their afternoon with diverse activities, infusing the park with peacefulness and liveliness. The nearby cherry trees reminded me of Japanese spots but the open spaces of 北京 (Beijing, China) (see Post 28 July 2007); the greetings from smiling kids, however, had a unique touch.

Trip to 西表島 (Iriomote island, Japan) on 31 October - 03 November 2008

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2008-10-31_jp-okinawa.htm

I visited 沖縄 (Okinawa, Japan) for the second time from 31 October to 03 November 2008 to explore jungles, walk among traditional houses, and tour beaches far from the main island. My three sunny days and a rainy day at 26-31°C there with François were a great experience.

Contrasting with 沖縄本島 (main island of Okinawa, see Post 29 March 2008), 西表島 (Iriomote island) is quite wild, with vast protected lands, a unique road at the periphery, and beautiful seas around. We spent Friday on a tour there canoeing a river bordered by mangroves and trekking in the jungle. We encountered numerous fishes, miniature crabs, white ants (aka termites), lively lizards, and a sleeping 波布 (Habu viper) before reaching ピナイサーラの滝 (Pinaisara waterfalls), where the aerial view was captivating. After a short immersion at the bottom, we canoed back then relaxed at the mild 西表島温泉 (Iriomote-jima spa).

We started Saturday contemplating the sea while eating breakfast on the terrace of the friendly and cheap ペンション星の砂 (pension Hoshi-no-suna). Afterwards, we examined the starry sand of 星砂の浜 (Hoshisuna beach), and swam at the warm 月ヶ浜 (Tsukiga beach). Before lunch, we crossed the sea in a cart pulled by a water buffalo to stroll in the botanical garden of 由布島 (Yubu island), where one can enjoy the vegetation as well as butterflies. Finally, we drove to 南風見田の浜 (Haemida beach), where we witnessed impressive natural light shows.

For our last hours at 西表島 (Iriomote island) on Sunday, we cruised 仲間川 (Nakama river) to see mangroves, and incidentally spotted ferocious 南黒鯛 (Minami-kurodai piranhas). We then sailed for 竹富島 (Taketomi island), where we walked among traditional houses, and saw numerous flowers, beautiful waters at コンドイビーチ (Kondoi beach) and a calming sunset at 西桟橋 (Nishisanbashi). Silent, dark and unusually shaped, the village revealed itself mysterious at night.

To wrap up our vacations on Monday, we walked in the streets of 竹富島 (Taketomi island) early morning then sailed for 石垣島 (Ishigaki island), where the rain awaited us, simplifying our visit to a drive around the island. We still had sun at 玉取崎展望台 (Tamatori cape viewing platform) but got much rain afterwards. During a lull, we visited ヤエヤマヤシ (Yaeyama palm tree groves), then drank fresh guava juice while waiting for typhoon-like rain to stop. We finished the day at 川平湾 (Kabira bay) and 川平石崎 (Kabira-ishizaki) before sleeping at the sympathetic やいま日和 (Yaima Byori).

Hike at 富士山 (Mount Fuji, Japan) on 05-06 August 2007

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2007-08_jp-fuji.htm

I hiked 富士山 (Mount Fuji, Japan) for the second time on 05-06 August 2007 with fourteen friends to see the sunrise from the top, which was a success thanks to a wonderful weather. Like the previous time (see Post 02 July 2006), we climbed from 五合目 (the fifth station) until we reached a shelter, where we dined. Most of us slept but I remained awake and could thus talk with hikers in the main room, watch thunder in the clouds outside, and later have a look at the stars, red moon, and city lights around the lakes. Leaving at midnight, we reached the top of the mountain just before sunrise, which was beautiful. After a two-hours stop in a frosty wind at the top, we slowly descended then headed for ゆらり温泉 (Yurari spa), which we all enjoyed much.