It's Sakura Matsuri Time at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden!

And, a pic from last year's Sakura Matsuri...


Happy to say I took this pic and, it's just stunning!

  



 

Sakura Matsuri 2011

So, last weekend on Saturday my sis and I made a trip out to Brooklyn Botanical Garden all the way from Inwood, Manhattan to experience the Cherry blossoms and Japanese cultural festival. It was a long ride from home, but not too rigid. Our ride involved two quick subway train changes, and all went well. Considering it was weekend I was glad that there were no service changes or delays on the train line that we had to take!

As we had bought our tickets earlier from BBG's website, we didn't have to stand in line to get it. It was muy simple! As we walked through our very first sight of "fun" was this: I am not sure what this person tried to be...as in what kind of costume this was ...



Someone in weird costume!

This festival was truly a Japanese cultural festival and hence represented tons of things/activities that were Japanese. This was an area for Manga....I had no idea what that was....all I could figured was something to do with comic, may be?

A fun J-Lounge for kiddies...and adults a like...and yea, those chairs were quite comfy..I sat on one of those..it was gooodddd...

A walk past the above ground known as Osborne garden, we came upon the Cherry Esplanade, where lots of main performances took place on below stage

The whole shindig started with some introductions by Brooklyn Borough's President, BBG's President, a rep from Queens, and here shown below the Japanese Ambassador to Japanese Consulate in New York:

Japanese Ambassador to the Consulate of Japan, New York

First performance was Taiko Drumming. My first time experience this, it was good...enjoyed it!

Taiko Drumming

Later there were series of traditional dances from Okinawa...

Dance # 1

Dance # 2

Dance # 3

Dance # 4

After enjoying above mentioned performances we decided it was time to take a walk, and check out other stuffs that were happening. And besides, we needed to use the restroom...I needed to use it BADLY! It was a bit of walk from the Cherry Esplanade to Visitor Center, where the restrooms were...but good thing we made it! We then decided to check out the Ikebana exhibition that was going on the 2nd floor of the visitor center...

Ikebana (Japanese art of Flower arrangement) : The very first time I heard of Ikebana was probably when I was either in 2nd or 3rd grade. It was in an article in our text book...the topic of that article was "Japanese Children" or something to that effect. Though I don't quite remember the content of the entire article, but I think, the point of the article was to tell us how well mannered Japanese Children were! It was to clue us in! Anyway, in that article it was mentioned that some female children learn the art of Ikebana as part of the grooming process....though there was no picture of Ikebana in that article, it was portrayed being very different from just any regular flower arrangement. I could tell it was probably very artisty...and it actually is!

Some Ikabana on exhibit: My very first time seeing Ikebana in person

And I am going to safely guess any Japanese event wouldn't be complete if there are no strange stuffs going on...the sighting of the strange people in strange costume...They actually have a parade going on starting from the Cherry Esplanade to Osborne Garden....but we missed it...and then again we really didn't miss it...caz they were all over the park...showing off their costumes...posing for people...and just I guess were having a good time!

Needless to say, any trip report of BBG and Cherry blossoms  would be totally incomplete without the mention of beautiful Japanese Hill & Pond Garden and of course those gorgeous Cherries!

Japanese Hill and Pond Garden

And the beautiful...Cherri blossoms...and the amazing colors!!!!

Besides the things that we saw, there were so many other activities going on for kids, and then there was a tea-ceremony demonstration (which we made it...but for the lack of seating we ended up leaving..it was crowded and we weren't gonna stand for God knows how long and watch two people drink tea in front of us!), and also there were some guided tours of the various parts of the park, there was also J-Pop cultural performances.. (we got to see one)...

While we were watching the Samurai Drama (comedy based and one of the last performances for the day at Cherry Esplanade stage)...in the middle of it, I had it from seating so long on grass...on bare butt (well..almost) and was having way too much pain...so we decided to leave (hint to self : next time take a blanket or something to put underneath like other normal people did). It was all in all a very good 6 hours of good time (sans the butt pain)...!! I would definitely recommend this event for just about anyone to experience at least once! And of course this is an annual event, which means it's not going to happen again until sometime in late April-early May 2012! As for dining, people did take food from home, there were designated area for food consumption...and they also had stalls around that sold Japanese bento box to snacks to drinks....and BBG also has a cafe. And to save the day, Hagen Daz was there to sell ice-cream! There was also a stall set up to sell some Japanese souvenirs, which included from fans to candles, to Japanese coloring books for kids and post cards...! There was also some cute infant Kimono style onsies, and at $22.00 a piece, I passed!  It's okay! :) I did buy post cards (how can I not? specially $0.50 each and a coloring book for my lovely soon to be toddler niece! :)

A trip to Brooklyn Botanical Garden!

I am really looking forward to the upcoming Sakura Matsuri festival at the BBG . Sakura Matsuri is the ultimate final showdown of Hanami , the month long Cherry Blossoms. I had been there once two years ago, for the Hanami and it was beautiful! Since then I've been meaning to attend the final weekends of Hanami that takes place on the last weekend of the month long Cherry Blossom viewing with tons Japanese cultural activities and stuffs. And that ending festival is called Sakura Matsuri. I was kind of thinking if they would have it this year since the whole Japan earthquake-Tsunami disaster (I mean they might not be in mood for it), but as my sister pointed out, they would probably have it even more to show their good spirit. Indeed it's going to happen, and there will be activities dedicated to that unfortunate natural disaster. This year it's going to be on April 30th and May 1st. My sis and I are going on April 30th, so far weather forecast has been looking charming for that day! Let's keep our fingers crossed.

As for being very resourceful and good at finding out deals, for this there is none! It's $15.00 per person and I think, it's pretty reasonable. Now, I can't wait for the weekend to come!

Here is a pic of from the Cherry Blossoms 2009, it's really not a great shot, it was damn sunny that day and I had a bad camera!

Farmhouse in the City of New York!

Who knew there was a farm house right in the City? I did! I did! Well, although nothing in Manhattan can remind you about the glorious rural past of this place anymore, certainly there is one house that can do so in Inwood, upper North Manhattan. I have been passing by this house that is quite unique looking almost all the time since last 5 or 6 years. However, I completely neglected to pay any attention to it. As far as I knew, it was the house of the Dyckman, after whom the street has been named. Nothing more. I mean yea, if a street is named after someone, and it was that some one's house, then I guess, that someone must have been someone special! But to  what extent Dyckman was special...I did not know, and didn't care to know. Well...until sometime ago recently. I finally payed attention one day and saw the sign that said, Dyckman Farmhouse Museum! It actually even has opening hours! WHAT! I don't think I've seen anyone queuing up to get in to check this museum out ever, but that doesn't matter. A museum is a museum is a museum.

And it's special!

Actually, Dyckman farmhouse is the only farmhouse that remained in its original building place since 1784!

And, it is a "National Historical Landmark" since 1967! I mean, they mean to tell me that this house has the same importance as umm...Empire State Building, American Stock Exchange, Brooklyn Bridge..etc etc! Then what a great find right in the neighborhood!

I am ashamed to say that I have yet to pay an actual visit to this museum to check out the interior, all I have been exposed to is the exterior! Also, guess what? According to the Farmhouse Museum's website, the admission price is only $1 USD, and free for children under 10! Oh, also it actually has a garden, which is apparently free!

So what am I waiting for? I must go one day when I go out to do grocery!

In the meantime, enjoy the lovely exterior views of the Dayckman Farmhouse captured by me on my camera



                                  

 

                    

                     

                        

                        

                       

The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden

New York Botanical Garden, which is in the Bronx have been doing the Orchid show for the last few years if not more. I always thought about visiting the exhibition, but never got a chance around it until this year very recently. I believe, every year their show is based on various themes. This year the theme is "On Broadway". An excerpt from their official website:

      "This must-see, limited run horticultural engagement takes place in the dramatic galleries of the landmark Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Echoing elements from some of Broadway's most iconic theaters, including the Walter Kerr Theater and the New Amsterdam Theater, The Orchid Show: On Broadway showcases 5,000 dazzling specimens from one of the most distinguished orchid collections in the world."

The Orchid Show

The ticket price is $20.00 adult admission. However, being the resourceful person I am, I got a deal on
Goldstar New York and it was $13.00 adult admission, which meant $7.00 savings per ticket-  a major SCORE!

How I went there:

I live in Inwood section of upper Manhattan, so going there meant I had to go further down to 145 Street station to catch D train and then off I went to Bedford Park Station. Once out of the station, we (my sis and I) took the B26 bus, which was at the corner of the street. From there to the entrance of the garden, I would say the ride probably was about 10 mins max. Bus drops right infront of the garden entrance. There is a Metro North station, right outside the garden station. So, if you are to take the Metro North from Grand Central that's all you have to take, no bus or walking would be involved! Yes, of course you've to walk from the station to the garden, but that's about it. Unlike taking the subway, where either you could take the bus or walk massive 8 block!

The experience:

It was a chilly day, with some drizzle and crazy wind! I had been checking weather forecast on tv, on the internet but due to some scheduling conflict ended up buying the ticket for a not so charming (weather wise that is) day. However, it was OK. Actually, it was very relaxing for me personally to be out and about in that weather. It was rather mystic. My sis and I enjoyed the show very much. Weather didn't really affect us per se, cause the show was indoor. We walked in, followed the rain forest, saw various types of orchids that there were! It only got better as we walked more and followed the route. The ending was SUPERB!!! I guess, the whole display was about that! It was pretty, stunning and not to mention the fragrance! Blew us away. We took so many pictures that at the end both of our cameras ran out of batteries!!! ;) So, then iphone was off to rescue! Thanks God for that!!

Now, here are some pictures:





Once you enter the exhibition area you're greeted by this lovely show stopper!


And then the Orchids...stars of the show!






Well, so above are the few shots of some beautiful Orchids and needless to say, there were many more varities. And don't get sad or depressed, though indeed it was the Orchid show, there were some other pretty perty flowers too...check out this Gardenia...and then what I called "paper flower" and some others!

 And now, for the final show stoppers, you really have to be there in order to understand the significance and beauty of it all....words can't describe it...but as they say a picture speaks a thousand words...so here we go

So, that was my visit to the show in a nut-shell! Yes, I said, in a nut shell though these are awful lot of pictures!!! I enjoyed it a LOT. And I hope if you do end up going, you'll too! This event is going to run until April 25th, 2011!!