Cherry Blossoms

 17 April 2025

Between rainy days and being busy, I have mostly seen cherry blossom season from the periphery. Today I was a bit early on the way to work and stopped at a park which has beautiful cherry trees. The name of the park is Sakanomori (forest of cherry trees). 

The flowers obligingly hang down for closeup photos.  

They really are beautiful and when surrounded by many trees it's easy to see why cherry blossom season is such a big deal here. 

One day it was very windy and as I was driving there was a row of cherry trees with petals falling like snow. 

Parque do Castro, Vigo, Spain

 16 July 2022

Since I had my friend visiting, a visit to my favorite park was a requisite.

This architectural gem is in town, not in the park, but I always love looking at it when I pass by. 

 

Also passed along the way: Monumento a los Caballos (Monument to the Horses), Plaza de España.

Life in the small details.

The rest of the photos are at Parque do Castro, which is the site of a former military fort overlooking the sea.

I saw this amazing striped butterfly, would have liked to get a super close-up photo but this is as close as I could get before it flew away.

Cuuuuute statue!

View out from one of the miniscule (and I mean I couldn't even stand up inside) guard towers.

Parque do Castro is not to be missed if you come to Vigo; it's peaceful, the views are gorgeous, and the grounds are well kept. There is even a little bar/cafe if that is your thing. 

Parque do Castro, Vigo, Galicia

05 June, 2022

Went with a friend to visit my favorite city park here, which is a hill atop which is the ruins of an old fortress, one of many which were throughout the region. 

This striped butterfly didn't come out so well in the photo, but I have never seen one like this before. Hopefully I will see one again and get another chance. It was missing part of its tail.

Part of the fort, looking toward the inside.

A view of the Ria, or river delta.

Here you can see the river delta, the Islas Cies, and beyond them the Atlantic Ocean.

Me, just being fabulously weird as usual.

This big white building used to be a hospital, then was expanded, and now is both a hospital and a court building (don't ask me why). It was recently inaugurated in its reopening by the King of Spain, causing much traffic.

I always take a picture of this little donkey. I love him.

Sevilla, Jardines de Murillo

10 April, 2022

Started the day by walking a couple blocks to a sidewalk bar/cafe I saw when walking from the bus stop to my hostal. My go-to breakfast in Spain is coffee and toast with fresh tomato puree, olive oil, and a bit of salt. I splurged for the orange juice, because Seville is in the orange growing region. (That said, fresh squeezed orange juice is always available everywhere in Spain.)

Orange trees are everywhere, even lining the streets. Below is the cafe I had breakfast at, complete with orange trees.

The scent of the blossoms is so luxurious.

After breakfast, I went across the street to the Jardines de Murillo (Murillo Gardens) for a wander.

I really like this monument with the lion. Lion statues are quite a thing here in Spain, probably because one of the old Spanish kingdoms was the kingdom of León.

I later discovered that it is a monument to Christopher Columbus, who is still considered quite the hero here in Spain.

Random unknown chapel thingy in the park. It was just this facade, no building behind it.

There were some very old trees in Seville, which demonstrate that they haven't torn down and rebuilt in a very long time. This is the largest eucalyptus tree I have ever seen, note the size of the bench for perspective.

There were some very impressive ficus trees here and there as well, although none so large as the "Moreton Bay Fig Tree" in my hometown of Santa Barbara, California (which may not be the same species).

Some street Flamenco dancing going on in the park, I love the vibe! See below for video!

Here's a video of the street dancer and musician.

There are smaller gardens within the larger gardens...

This church was a block or so from my hostel, and the bells were ringing. Sadly my video capture failed, so you will just have to imagine it. I love to watch the bells moving when they are being rung.

More enchanting and mysterious alleyways...

Morning was chilly in the shade, but by lunchtime it will be very welcome to sit and eat in the shade.

Three pillars with crosses in a very tiny plaza where two alleys meet. No explanation or church nearby.

A shop dedicated to all orange and orange themed products, from candles to wines. I wished that I had an extra suitcase.

Just a building that had a beautiful facade...

This was a great example of street flamenco. The woman on the right spontaneously joined the costumed dancer, untied sneakers and all. And she knew what she was doing, too!

Many more pics to come!