Rainy Weekend / Nao Cup Tennis Tournament

I participated in a tennis tournament again today, with Ms. Tajima who is one of our tennis team Yuzu members and a mother of twin daughters.

We had barely been able to beat the opponent team at the first round and waited for the second round. Then, the staff of the tournament canceled the rest of all matches due to the bad weather.

I was disappointed that we couldn't play enough matches.
But, the tennis courts are located in the beautiful park in Utsunomiya city near Kinu river. I enjoyed taking pictures of poppies and the poppy field in the rain.

Mohka Tennis Tournament Is Canceled

I planned to take part in a tennis tournament last Sunday with my daughter Rina. But, it rained. As a result, the tournament was canceled. We were really sorry for not being able to play tennis with whom we were not familiar.

I'm a member of the tennis club "Yuzu." I play tennis two to three times a week with the club members. I know the members play style very well. So, I'm excited to have a chance to play tennis with unfamiliar players very much.

Though the tournament was canceled, the tennis association allowed the would-be-participants to play tennis there for fun. So, my club members and I played in the rain for a couple of hours.

SeaWorld in Orlando

I went to the SeaWorld in Orland with Chris, Kim and my family in the last trip to U.S.A.
There were a lot of attractions in the SeaWorld, not only killer whale show of which I uploaded a video a few weeks ago, but also roller coasters, aquariums, zoos, ...

I took rides in roller coasters with Rina, took pictures of animals, and played with a dolphin.
Every moment in the SeaWorld became wonderful memory to me.

The picture was taken just when my cap was flying off my head.
Luckily the guy behind me had swiftly caught it and gave it back to me.

Children's Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUZYYdBCMcw

Children's Day is a Japanese national holiday which falls on May 5.
It is a day to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness.
I went to Okamoto park and Jidayubori park in Setagaya, Tokyo on May 5. I lived in Setagaya early 1990s and frequently visited Okamoto park.
There are traditional Japanese houses in the park and the staff members of the park celebrate every national holiday in its traditional ways.
It was unfortunately rainy but I enjoyed wonderful day there.


Before Children's day, families with boys raise carp-shaped Koinobori streamers and traditional Japanese military helmet, Kabuto. The Kabuto are symbols of a strong and healthy boy.
A carp is said in the Chinese legend that it swims upstream to become a dragon.
And the way the streamers blow in the wind looks like they are swimming.

The Way to KEY WEST in Florida

Key West is known as the southernmost city in the Continental United States.
It is 129 miles (207 km) southwest of Miami, Florida.

We drove from Miami to Key West passing through 7-Mile-Bridge.
It runs over a channel between the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Strait.

The view from the bridge was really wonderful.

Everglades Birds and Alligators

The bird spreading its wings "0:16" is called Anhinga. I like the bird best in this video. I had not known the name before visiting the Everglades.
It is a dark-plumaged fish-eater and often swims with only the neck above water.
When swimming, the colored neck appears above water, the bird looks like a snake.

The Anhinga's feathers are not waterproofed by oils like those of ducks causing the bird to become barely buoyant. However, this allows it to dive easily and search for fish under the water.

When necessary, the Anhinga will dry out its wings and feathers.
It will perch for long time with its wings spread to allow the drying process.