Anne's Short Musings

From where I stood Mt Fuji rose majestic and serene against a clear blue sky. The cherry blossoms were still in bloom, a perfect frame against Fuji’s snow-capped dome. I never thought I would see such beauty.

To paraphrase Douglas Adams, the Mekong River is big. Really Big. When so much water runs through six countries before spilling into the web of the Mekong Delta , figures becoming meaningless. Wherever you choose to join the river, it abounds with life: villages to towns to larger cities, isolated houses, cluster of fishermen. Even those stretches where the jungle tumbles down to the water's edge are filled with the drumming of dragonflies and the splash of leaping fish. The rain, when it comes, is sudden and heavy. At times it can be difficult to see more than a few feet ahead. But then it goes, and the world around me was soon steaming in the lazy heat. For many, the river is little more than another road. Small boats transport people across this waterway using only the power of oars; floating markets sell all things imaginable. Other boats bring food and drinks to those selling all day at these markets. Many craft sail perilously close to the Plimso...

The starting point of our pilgrimage Koya-San is one of Japan's Holy mountains, revered as the resting place of the Kobo Daishi, who brought Shingon Buddhism to Japan. Some of the half million graves lining the walk Although he has been dead for over 1000 years, monks still bring the Kobo Daishi food twice a day in his mausoleum, the Oko-in. As I walked towards his resting place, the sunlight tumbled through the cypress trees, and midges danced in the sunlight. (Be warned: as the daylight fades, these are replaced by starving mosquitoes!) Monks atop the Holy Mountain Over a million pilgrims and tourists alike flock to Koya-san , to walk hand-in hand with this monk, in the hope he will help lead them to enlightenment. Even the dead line the paths here, waiting for the return of the Buddha of the Future, one of the most esteemed figures in Japanese history. Like my photos? - if you feel like contributing to my coffers, please click the link to bu...

Ah, all joys of Sydney’s Royal Easter Show! Even the prize chickens and rams get in on the action.

I passed this lady amongst the tombstones in a shrine in Japan , laying some flowers. She has obviously seen much in her life, and blessed with memories to be carrying flowers for those she still loved.