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This blog is an amateur photographer's attempt to show how beautiful the world really is. He is drawn to the colors of nature like a moth to a candle light. What are showcased here are nature's grand display of colors at sunrise and sunset, beautiful beaches and off-the-beaten track locations in his beloved Philippines, waterfalls and some of nature's great sculptures, architectural gems, and other views from around SE Asia that he was fortunate to see at one point.

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March 3, 2008

ice garden of saiko


I was already pretty beat that afternoon. We had been shooting around Fujigoko (Five Fuji Lake area) the whole morning. I think we crossed 3 prefectures that day. After a hearty houtou lunch, all I wanted to do was to sleep.

We cruised along the banks of Lake Saiko as the sun's afternoon rays laid a welcomed warmth on my face (or maybe it was just the car's heater hehe). Mt. Fuji seemed closer and bigger from where we are as the dark clouds covering its peak cleared. Our host graciously offered to stop if I find some interesting spot I wanted to take a photo of. I replied with a polite "domo arigato gozaimasu" but I didn't think I still have the energy to compose a photo. I was contented with enjoying the view as the car followed the scenic winding road.

I was about to call it a day when I noticed a peculiar ice structure near the road. And so we stumbled upon the "ice field" of Saiko-Kawaguchiko.

(ice field with a view of Mt. Fuji)

I later read from a website that during mid-Jan to early Feb when the temperature is at its lowest, they hold the Saiko Kawaguchiko Ice Festival in Yachōnomori Park. One can enjoy the beautiful natural ice sculptures in this "ice garden" as well the scenic view Mt. Fuji.

(made by letting water drip over a frame of tree branches and twigs)

The place was swarmed with tourists and photography enthusiasts. We went around the field while several of Simon and Garkunkel's hits (including Sound of Silence of course!) blared over huge speakers.

(mandatory posterity shots)

I found out that afternoon what it feels like to watch a blue-green wall of ice to the tune of Bridge Over Troubled Water.

(wall of ice)

At night they illuminate the ice with various colored lights and there is also a fireworks display. Unfortunately we did not stick around for the lights and fireworks display. It would have been interesting to find out the songs they will play with the fireworks. It was quite an ending to an already very exciting day.
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Lantaw
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7 comments:

lagal[og] said...

nindot kaauu bai! even if i'm dead-tired, would've taken shot after shot of those ice formations. now, i can hear paul simon and art garfunkel singing in my head :-D

Lantaw said...

haha. thanks bai! it was really a surreal experience made more intense by their choice of soundtrack. parang hinde kami nasa japan that time (most of the japanese are "allergic" to eigu or english).

zherwin said...

"made by letting water drip over a frame of tree branches and twigs"

ibig sabihin parang "dinidiligan" ang mga dahon tapos hahayaan na lang magyelo? cool.

Lantaw said...

tama ka zherwin, siguro may nakaiwan ng gripo na bukas one winter night kaya na discover nila yung ganyang paraan hehe.

I saw some "partly finished" ice sculptures and puro dried twigs and small branches yung inner frame nya.

thanks for dropping by bro.

Toe said...

Hi Allan! Those ice formations are amazing! I have never been to Japan. If I ever go there, I would love to visit that ice kingdom.

Swexie said...

wow.. i wish i could go there.. wala pa man gud ko kagawas sa pilipinas oi... hehehe

Anonymous said...

Whoa ang ganda!

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