Spring, a little late


30th March 2011


A friend from overseas is spending a week here.

Before leaving Hong Kong, she went through the media reports on Japan, sifted the facts out of the scare-mongering and decided that much of the reaction was over-reaction.

I think this is why we are friends.

So she is here now and we spent time yesterday with the people and trees of Kyoto at the imperial palace park.




Early sakura.




Early sakura mania.




Ready for the close-up.




Sakura mania en famille.




Ume. I think.






A pair of peach flowers.




















Old life together.



















New life together.

A quick announcement


21st March 2011


Hello. Some of you may be wondering why there was no Letter from Kyoto on Saturday.

I wasn't able to file a column as I was travelling for most of last week but there'll be one in tomorrow's Straits Times.

Update:

Here's the piece.

One week after


19th March 2011

Mm-mochi


5th March 2011





Sugar, salt and plum blossoms. M marks the spot.