Photos From The Sakura Display

Here are more pictures from the Sakura Display held recently at the Flower Dome. Read about my earlier post on the event Here

Peach and cherry blossoms.

An uniconrno – a cute character of Tokidoki – an internationally recognized and iconic lifestyle brand.

The art of Ikebana – the ancient and traditional art of Japanese flower arrangement.

A Torii is a traditional Japanese gate, usually located at the entrance of Shinto shrines.

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Shadow Hunters

"The sun has but half a meaning without the shadow it casts into the ocean of the world." - Thomas Lloyd Qualls

We were in the restaurant. We had placed our orders and were waiting for the food to arrive. My can of beer arrived first. It was sitting there and I noticed the shadow it cast. That gave me an idea for my Shadow Hunters Contest. I asked my friend to create some shadows with his hands. He gamely obliged and here are some of the results. We were just warming up to the game when our food arrived, and we had to abandon the game.

This was the shadow that started the game.

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Sakura Display

It is that time of the year again – time of the Sakura Season, or the cherry, and peach blossoms. In Japan, this marks the beginning of Spring, and the Japanese calendar. It signifies new hopes and fresh dreams for the year ahead. To celebrate this new season, there is 'Hanami' which literally translates to ‘flower viewing’. Japanese gather in groups to party or picnic under the flowering trees.

Singapore weather is not suitable for growing cherries or peaches. However, the Gardens by the Bay had a Sakura display beginning from the fourth of March to the third of April of this year, at the Flower Dome where it is always springtime.

This year, the display of cherry and peach blossoms had a Tokidoki theme. Tokidoki is an internationally recognized and iconic lifestyle brand of cute characters which have garnered a cult-life following.

Besides that, there were also free cultural programmes including a Japanese Tea Ceremony Workshop, koto and erhu performances and a Japanese folk dance recital.

The red structure is called Torii. A signboard explained that - “A Torii is a traditional Japanese gate, usually located at the entrance of Shinto shrines. It marks the transition from the secular to the sacred, though it is also sometimes simply used to denote a place that has deep religious meaning.” Prunus Persica

Prunus Snow Mountains

Prunus Accolade

Prunus Nipponnica var. 'Brilliant'.

Cute characters from the Tokidoki collection. "The Unicornos were once simple little ponies that were out trotting and wandered into a magic waterfall. Passing through the waterfall, the ponies transformed into unicorns and found a hidden magical kingdom. The Unicornos live between the magic kingdom and our world." - Source

The following photo shows the art of Ikebana – the ancient and traditional art of Japanese flower arrangement. Together with the flower arrangement is a Haiku. The signboard explained that -

“Ikebana aims to highlight the innate beauty and grace of nature with the minimal use of floral materials. It conveys and evokes emotions through the lines, structure and colours of the floral arrangements.”

And Haiku is a “form of Japanese poetry made of three short, unrhymed lines with a 5-7-5 syllable pattern. Often focusing on images from nature which evoke a specific season. Haiku emphasizes simplicity, intensity, and directness of expression.”

The next photo shows a Koinobori.

From the information on the signboard - “Koinobori meaning ‘carp’ (koi) streamer or flag (nobori) in Japanese are carp-shaped windsocks. The carp symbolizes courage and strength because of its ability to swim against the strong currents of rapid flowing streams and cascades. Hence carp flags were considered symbols of success and advancement.”

More photos of the peach and cherry blossoms at the display.

I am glad I went to the Sakura display. It was very informative. Japan is a country rich is culture and traditions. I am glad I learned about some of them through the Sakura Display.

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Flowers

"Don’t strew me with roses after I'm dead. When Death claims the light of my brow, no flowers of life will cheer me. Instead, you may give me my roses now!" - Thomas F. Healey

These are some perennials in my area. I have learned the name of some of them, and I am still trying to find out the names of the others. If you know what they are, do let me know in the comments. This is a bamboo orchid

These are Ashokas.

These are Caesalpinia pulcherrima or peacock flowers.

I am still trying to find out about these.

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Wine Connection

Wine Connection is a chain of wine shops and wine-themed bistro restaurants.

It is stated on their website that - “Established in 1998, Wine Connection has since grown the number of wine retail shops, and diversified into the full-service restaurant business by introducing the integrated retail wine shop - restaurant concept.”

They opened their 13th outlet in February this year. So, they must be doing well.

Over the years, I have been to a couple of their outlets. Recently, a friend suggested dining in their outlet in the down-town area. I liked the place so much that when a couple of my friends initiated a meet up, I suggested we go down town to the Wine Connection outlet. A friend from the eastern part of the island was joining us, so it is a very central location to meet.

We had a great evening. Nice wine, nice food at a reasonable price, and nice company.

I like the spacious outdoor seating.

These were some of the food we had. There were a couple of other items, but they were across the table and it would be awkward to be taking pictures of them when people are beginning to eat.

We ordered a cold cuts platter to start.

A chilli pizza.

A crab meat cake. I took the photo after the others had taken their share.

A very drinkable Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Their kitchen and bar area.

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