Ordinarily Extraordinary Anna

Everyday thoughts, discoveries and projects from an ordinary life

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I do love a good urban hike or a short mountain climb and Elephant Mountain in Taipei did not disappoint. Lush vegetation encroaches onto the paths, which are made up of a series of staircases. Emerging at the top, you are greeted with panoramic views over the city, but I preferred the view from about halfway up, with greenery framing the shot.

Blossom trees are highly valued and much loved in Japan. Sakura (cherry) trees are the most prized but don't flower until mid March, so we knew we wouldn't see any during our February trip. Ume (plum) flower about a month earlier and used to be favoured over sakura. They are a symbol of approaching Spring and are said to ward off evil. One evening I glanced across a busy Tokyo street just in time to see a local businessman stop momentarily to admire the blossoms on a tiny, potted plum tree, growing by the sidewalk. He leant in to smell their sugary sweet fragrance and smiled broadly before continuing on his way. A little reminder, life really is better when we stop to smell the roses or plum blossoms or whatever other flower happens to be available.

Incredibly beautiful interactive digital art.

I love the detailed fabric work in samurai armour. The guided tour at Shinjuku Samurai Museum was excellent. We got very close to the armour which was up to 400 years old. No glass cases or photo restrictions here.

Well hello, deer! We enjoyed wandering around the deer park and temples in Nara today. So many cute deer photos, so hard to choose just one to share.

The beauty is in the details. Fallen Japanese Maple leaves spotted in our travels today.

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