A Prelude to Spring Time

It has been so cold lately in Tokyo, but finally snow has melted except for areas of shades.

The situation of a walking trail of three days ago.

Chimonanthus praecox

Tulips

We are getting closer to a warmer season for sure.

Snow Again!

We had another load of snow on Friday.  It was pretty, but Tokyo is just not used to so much of it.

Yesterday morning - Nanai Bridge, Inokashira Park.

Last night by Yuyake (Sunset) Bridge.

Snow rakers by Marui this morning.

The street from the station to the park.

A stuffed bear sitting on a snow chair.

Bike parking by Suehiro Dori.

Kichijoji Station.

Looking towards Sunroad from the Station.

Two Days with Snow in Tokyo

Yesterday, it snowed from early morning to late night here in Tokyo.  The weather man said that it has been 45 years since we had this much snow - 27 cm in the middle of the city.  It caused quite a bit of havoc - airplanes and public transportations stopped and delayed.  I did not go anywhere yesterday, but stayed home.

This is a view from our second floor window in late afternoon yesterday.

Our Toro had a white hat.

Later in the evening - snow accumulation amount was as never seen before for Tokyo.

Today, weather changed completely - warmed up and sunny all day.  I braved a long run - on slushy snow.

Suehiro Dori this morning.

Inokashira Dori seen from an elevated pedestrian walk.

Buses had tire chains.

Children played in a park in Suginami.

Amazingly, these plum blossoms were right by the area - spring is getting nearer.

Otaguro Park - a former resident of a rich family.

Many children were playing with snow in Momoiharappa Park.

This is a very nice snowman - with a carrot nose and a cucumber mouth with green onion arms.

Zenpukuji Park - the trail around the pond was very muddy.

An intersection in front of Yodobashi Camera Kichijoji.

 Drained Inokashira Pond collected snow.

Due to the nice warm weather, snow melted quite a bit.  It will probably be all gone by the end of tomorrow.

Nice Runs in Dubai

I could enjoy two nice runs in Dubai this week.

The first time was early in the morning - very dark and cool.  I ran from my hotel to the beach and back.

Skyscrapers around Emirates Towers.

Jumeirah Mosque.

Jumeirah Beach.

The second time, it was a bit later in the morning.  I ran to the area of Burj Khalifa, the world tallest building.

Looking up at Burj Khalifa - magnificent!

Burj Khalifa Lake - of course, man-made.

The entrance to the Dubai Mall - world's largest shopping mall.

I saw three runners overall during my 15K run.

The Sculpture of a traditional couple.

There still are a lot of construction going on.

It takes great efforts to keep up the greens - water pipes for plants everywhere.

Everything I saw there were new.  Dubai is a very vibrant city.

Daytime Runs in Singapore

I had 1.5 day stay in Singapore.  The day I got there was Chinese New Year Day.  I could manage to put in two runs.  The weather was sunny - and got very warm - ran in a short sleeve shirt and shorts.  So different from Tokyo!

The Year of the Horse was celebrated everywhere.

Here's a lady posing in between golden horse figures.

Lion Dance performers.

A love tunnel (?) by a department store.

Interesting figures on Orchard Road .

A picture of the lion in a tunnel.

This in still Singapore, not Calcutta.

National Museum.

Fort Canning Station Construction site of Clarke Quay.

A picture of a construction man apologizing for inconvenience.

A statue of Ho Chi MInh.

A new pedestrian bridge under construction on Marina Bay.

A panorama photo of the Bay.

Singapore is one of my favorite cities.  I want to return there - hopefully, soon.