Photoblog: Colour and Culture of Lisbon, Portugal

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Lisbon is a city of vibrant colour and colour, heavily influenced by Art Nouveau style architecture. A perfect place to rest and explore after sailing down the Atlantic Coast.

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The Hill Tram Tour – used by locals and tourists alike

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At the end of the Hills Tram, this band was entertaining the passersby

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Art Nouveau style shop fronts are common and beautiful. This is a jewellery store founded in the late 1920’s whos facade features the Portuguese coat of arms

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We sat and watch this busker suspended in mid-air for ages

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Buildings full of colour

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In the Bairro Alto district, this Theatre was built in the mid 19th century

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If Portuguese tarts take your fancy, then Pasteis de Belem is the place to go but be prepared for the queue

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There’s a certain grittiness of the buildings in some areas that made this town intriguing

 

 

Japan – wanting to experience the magic of Cherry Blossom Season?

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Japan was never on my “travel to” list until we were looking for somewhere to go for a special birthday. Everyone we spoke to who had been there said: “go!” The birthday timing happened to coincide with cherry blossom season, so lucky us.

The Japanese love this time of year and now I know why. Apart from the simple fragile beauty of the blossoms, there’s a cultural significance which surrounds this season which makes it so special. Together, the picturesque trees and flowers and the excitement of spring create a wonderful, buoyant atmosphere in the cities and towns. This is a snapshot of our experience.

​”The significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years. In their country, the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It’s a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short. When the cherry blossom trees bloom for a short time each year in brilliant force, they serve as a visual reminder of how precious and how precarious life is. So, when Japanese people come together to view the cherry blossom trees and marvel at their beauty, they aren’t just thinking about the flowers themselves, but also about the larger meaning and deep cultural tradition the cherry blossom tree.”

Huffington Post Aug 2013

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