Weekly Photo Challenge: On the way

The train between Sapporo and Otaru in Hokkaido, Japan, runs just beside Ishikari Bay. Although I was looking forward to seeing the coast, this view wasn’t what I had in mind! The tide must have been really high. Thank goodness the weather was good.

For more interpretations of this weekly photo challenge, see here.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Intricate

Music boxes have always fascinated me. Mom used to have one with a twirling ballerina – I remember how the dainty ballerina would flip and lie down when you shut the lid and bounce up again when you opened the box.

When I was last in Japan, I was delighted to find a museum entirely dedicated to mechanical music. This was the Kawaguchiko Music Forest at the foot of Mount Fuji. Here are a few pictures of the inner workings of some of the music boxes, which are truly intricate. Hat-tip to the craftsmen who designed and made these.

This large music box is about the size of a piano and has three separate sections of notes. The large drum gives an indication of the length of the music. Note the additional bells towards the back

The museum shop was very tempting and the Japanese versions were a third the price of the Swiss ones.

Close-up of one of the boxes – note how tiny the protruding tines on the drum are

Posted in response to the Weekly Photo Challenge – Intricate

Weekly Photo Challenge: Yellow

Yellow isn’t a favourite colour. I think in the cosmic scheme of things, yellow does not agree with me, and I often associate it with bad luck. Maybe because it is the colour of flames, and being of somewhat fiery personality, it gets to be too much of a hot thing when we get together. Nonetheless, I like yellow in small doses, and when accompanied by lots of green and blue.

Interestingly, in Malaysia, yellow is the colour of royalty. Hence, you might find yourself advised to avoid wearing yellow during official functions lest you cause offense. At best you will be thought of as being clueless.

Up north in Thailand, the “yellow-shirts” and “red-shirts” are supporters of opposing political factions, so one would be wise to avoid both red and yellow shirts when in Thailand!

Here are my favourite pictures with pops of yellow in them. This first is the front room of a ryokan or traditional Japanese inn in Japan. A very welcoming sight indeed when one is coming or going.

This here is very green ground cover brightened up by tiny yellow flowers

I love a full breakfast laid on pretty crockery such as this one in Noordin Mews, a little boutique hotel in Penang. The yellow of the sunny-side up eggs, and lesser yellows in the banana, pancakes and butter sure stimulate the appetite!

In response to Weekly Photo Challenge