Weekend Wonders

Shinjiku Park

Everyone I spoke with here in Japan insisted that I seek out the cherry blossoms before they were gone. Now I get what everyone is talking about. First off, the trees remind me a little of the spring in Iowa where the Bradford Pears, the flowering plums, and the redbuds would all bloom at the same time.

THIS. IS. DIFFERENT.

These trees are very large. They are literally bursting with flowers and as the wind blows lightly, some of the petals rain down on you. It’s divine!

Just look at this – no, it’s not a postcard!

Next stop: Lunch and spa at the Mandarin Hotel.

Divine lunch: Rodney had tomato soup and I had what I thought was a salad of fennel / lemon and anchovy. It turned out to be fresh anchovies, just caught that morning. Really yummy.

SPA: Especially delicious. 90 minutes of Swedish massage, hot soaks, steams and saunas overlooking the city. AMAZEBALLS > naked sweaty goodness.