Cherry Blossoms in Japan Part 1 - The Setting
Japan Arrival!! So exciting!
Picture perfect.
Privacy screens in place.
Ikebana.
Ready for tea service.
Table setting.
Time for Sake!!!
Cheers!
We are READY TO rock this GNO!
Cherry Blossoms in Japan. Part 2 “Appetizers and Pre-Stroll Activities”
Quick bites before we head to Santana Row for our stroll.
No sense walking around on an empty tummy.
Fresh veggies for energy.
And green tea for vitality!
Gotta have salty in the mix.
Kampai!!
Dave Toranaga joins us. He will be our chauffeur to Santana Row.
Some quick photos outside before we go to dinner.
A Flower Gift
"Shall we have some tea?
Expressing gratitude during our tea ceremony.
"Screen" shots first!
Fara’Asha is lovely!
Mandella is unassuming.
One last rest in the sun before Toranaga drives us to Santana Row for dinner.
Ready for our stroll down Santana Row.
Thank you, Toranaga-sama for driving us to our destination!
Cherry Blossoms in Japan. Part 3: Stroll On The Row and Dinner at Ozuma
It was a busy Market day and many people complimented our outfits. What we live for!!
We found our restaurant “Ozuma”.
The new Assistant Manager, Jorge, greeted us warmly.
After being shown to our table, Fara'Asha and Mandella set up and tested their Selfie Stick. Check -- it's in perfect working order.
...Bahira wanted to try her hand at using the selfie stick...
What is she doing now? That's not the Selfie Stick!
After Bahira realized it was not the selfie stick but her opium pipe she picked up, she took a page out of Babydoll's playbook and defied the "NO LOITERING/NO SMOKING" sign behind her. 😂
Dinner arrived. Sashimi for Fara’Asha and Bahira.
Tempura Udon for Mandella.
...with an add-on of Black cod for Fara’Asha...
...and an order of Tempura for Bahira.
Drinks first.
...and this is what happens after Fara’Asha has a cocktail.
Happy campers.
Dinner was wonderful!! Thank you Ozuma!!❤️
Cherry Blossoms in Japan. Part 4: On The Veranda. Toranaga returned us to The Veranda where we continued with our Tea Ceremony, passport stamping and, of course, more photos.
The Veranda is the BEST place to be!
We’re fans, of course!
What’s next?
Tea Ceremony, personally, by Toranaga himself! We are honored!
He is a tea expert!
Temporal Passport time!
Bahira chooses just the right stamp from her diverse collection of passport stamps.
What is today’s stamp?
Toranaga’s caricature!!
Time to read the Nambah Newsletter.
Fara’Asha feels the tranquility of Heaven...
...Dreaming of things to come.
Bahira is the essence of the Golden Sunset.
Mandella is lit from within, her face glowing as the evening twilight.
Cherry Blossoms in Japan. Part 5. In the Miko Kami Room.
The newly renovated room in the house. This was a labor of love for Bahira.
In the Nook, Fara’Asha on the Royal Chair.
So much to look at!
Peek-a-boo!
Her Serene Highness, Mandella.
From my heart to yours…
“I can see Mt. Fuji from here!”
Love this room! My favorite place to be.
Finally, all my Asian art is displayed! This is my Happy Place. ❤️
My mother made this collage!
The focal point of this room.
Mandella asks: “Is this where the precious things are kept?”
“I will add my fan….”
Fara'Asha's lovely Japanese Flower Hair Pin.
“Look at my 0bi!!”
Now for my frontee…
“I love this treasure box.”
This bird looks hungry!
Mandella will take care of that!
Cherry Blossoms in Japan. Part 6. “Formal Portraits”
The Royal Couple official portrait.
I love you, my Shogun!
You are my heart!
Our interpretation of aged photographic monochromatic memories.
Bahira's historic photograph.
Mandella's antique memento portrait.
Fara'Asha's vintage keepsake image.
Studious Fara’Asha
Let me read aloud to you…
I highly recommend this book!
Dreaming of Japan.
Star holding Starburst Umbrella.
My mother bought this wedding kimono in Japan over 65 years ago. I’ve kept it all these years. Thanks Mom!
Besties!!!
Formal Portrait: The Happy Empress
Formal Portrait: Mona Lisa of Himeji Castle
Formal Portrait: Autumn Reds and Pinks!
Sayonara. See you next time!