Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Happy Year of the Rat

Well, we did the bell ringing at midnight and even managed to make it to the first sunrise of the year. We went to the beach -- a different place than we usually go -- and discovered all these happy-noisy dancers with enormous flags. You can only see one flag in this picture, but there were about five in all. They'd stop after every song to say nice things to the sun and wish everyone a happy New Year.


Here's a shot of Mount Fuji. You can see how many people turned out and one of the fires they build. There were dozens of fires, by the way. One got out of control and that was exciting to watch for awhile, everyone screaming and running around.


Here is what the first sunrise looked like. Some birds flew by to make it a better shot for me. I thought that was nice.



And here is what my new camera's zoom lens can do.




10 comments:

Virginia Lee said...

Finally, I'm first!

GLORIOUS photographs, my dear.

I can't get over you living so near Mt. Fuji. That is beyond magical. No wonder you are such a gifted lady!

Please bestow greetings to your menfolk from your nutty friend in North Carolina and while my good wishes for you and yours for the New Year are a smidge belated, they are heartfelt.

XOXO

Kappa no He said...

Thank you sweety! And you and Mrs. Mama too. I am always with you in heart and spirit. Let's all have a fantastic 2008 filled with much health, happiness and success.

Hilary said...

Wonderful photos, Kappa. I love them all, but the flag photos is particularly great. Thanks for sharing, and Happy New Year (which is what Kappa No He always makes me think of anyway)!

Kappa no He said...

Thank you Hilary. I got a new camera for Christmas and am not quite used to the settings. But it is so much fun to play with. A Happy New Year to you too!

Jim Melvin said...

My favorite photo is the last one. I'm a huge fan of sunsets.

Kappa no He said...

Thank you. My new camera rocks.

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

THese are wonderful photos. Simply wonderful! I especially adore the last one. It looks like mythic beast shadow captured in the sun. So you are in Tokyo? What an amazing picture of Mt. Fuji. I am jealous. I have always wanted to go to Japan. I have come by on occasion and really enjoyed your blog. I will definitely be popping by more often!

Kappa no He said...

Hello ello! Thank just sounds lovely. I'm in Shizuoka, kinda under Tokyo. Much less big city. I don't think I could survive in Tokyo...except for the shopping and concerts and museums.

Mary Witzl said...

Hello, Kappa. I found you on Ello's blog, but even if I hadn't spotted you there, I would have come to take a look at your blog because of the title.

I lived in Japan for a total of 17 years and raised my family there, and I am always homesick for news about Japan.

Happy year of the rat to you.

Kappa no He said...

Seventeen! I just came up on eighteen. I am now very curious about you, let me go run over to your blog now.