Okunoshima Island

 Tadanoumi Station, aka the station with the ferry to Okunoshima, aka Rabbit Island.

After a ten-minute ferry, you land on Okunoshima. The island is small enough that you can go all the way around in a couple of hours on bike, but there are also several paths leading to the top of the mountain. One night, two days is probably the perfect length of time to stay there.

 

The entrance of the island's only hotel.

 

The beach was "officially" closed when we went in September, but it was such a warm day that we simply went in.

There was no shortage of rabbit paraphernalia anywhere on the island.

 View from the mountain.

The far side of the island.

The top of the mountain, where you can see the Seto Inland Sea. Some rabbits live all the way up here!

Panorama Shots of France

Paris, taken from the top of the Arc du Triomphe.

A late lunch at Jardin des Tuileries, overlooking the Place de la Concorde.

Along the coast of Le Gau Benat, all the way to the southeastern tip of France.

Also in Le Gau Benat, but higher up in the mountains.

A gorgeous sunset.

Fort de l'Estissac, an old fort on the island of Port-Cros, a national park about an hour away from the above area by ship.

A view of the Mediterranean Sea in the mountains of Port-Cros.

The famed croisière in Cannes.

Another view of Cannes.

Departing from Toulon Airport.

Harimazaka's Hanami Culture

Visiting Harimazaka, the hill that slopes down from the Myogadani to the Koishikawa area, during cherry blossom season is turning into a bit of a tradition.

And why not? It truly is one of the best viewing spots in Tokyo.

Crowded spaces in Tokyo usually make me feel anxious very quickly, but the hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties held on Harimazaka every year truly draw people from all walks of life, united in their appreciation for the trees.

One side of the path is taped off for pedestrians; the other half is free for visitors to use for picnics and drunken night parties.  (In Japan, public drinking is only a problem when someone becomes horribly belligerent.)

This felt a bit unfair: claiming portions of the path ahead of time. This sign indicates the day, time and number of people who will be using the space.

Dog, preening.

Employees from nearby companies get together after work. Since cherry blossom season coincides with the start of a new fiscal year, it's a good excuse to bond with co-workers.

These people had brought a portable grill with an actual pot, which I found endlessly amusing.

Dinner courtesy of a nearby supermarket. People actually brought their own card tables!

The coveted night view.

Panorama Shots of Hawaii Island

The fishponds that lead to Anaehoomalu Beach Park, right next to the Waikoloa Beach Marriott. There are larger fishponds elsewhere, but I found these to be the most accessible and most beautiful.

A similar shot, although this is a different fish pond.

One of the most picturesque beaches on the Big Island. (This is truly saying something.) The waves were fierce and the rocks were massive. Definitely not for novices. I noticed the beachgoers were mostly locals who knew better to mess with the coral reef.

Hapuna Beach, where the water is clear and the sands are fine. I had to tell off a Japanese family for actually walking on top of the coral! Knowing that more tourists equals more destruction for the coral leaves me feeling truly conflicted.

The rocky beach between the Waikoloa Beach Marriott and the Hilton Waikoloa Village, which can be accessed publicly. Definitely not an area for swimming.

Yet another state park, where I saw at least ten sea turtles. I will not write the name for fear it will bring too many tourists with not enough respect for nature.

A massive path of lava rock leading to the beach. I very much appreciate how a lot of the paths leading to public beaches are unpaved and quite rough to walk to. It's definitely one form of protection.

A view of the Waikoloa King's Course, which is an amazing place to walk after hours. I imagine star-gazing there would be brilliant.

The 2013 Horse Expo in Waimea.

The beach on one side, a large fish pond on the other.

Stopped at a "Scenic Point" area by the highway.

Seven Panorama Views of Annecy, France

Taken on the Promenade du Dr Servettaz, which faces the east side of Lake Annecy. (Click to enlarge.)

There is a small port for excursion boats on the west side of the Lake, just at the end of the Old Town. They start at around 20 euros and are highly recommended, particularly just as it is getting dark.

The boat I was on can be seen in the center of the photo. The church Saint François de Sales is visible on the left.

The west side of the lake, which has a lot of boats.

Similarly the west side.

Alongside the river Le Thiou, which runs through the Old Town and leads out of the city.

A view of the lake taken from Parc Charles Bosson.

All photos taken with the excellent Photaf app.

Panorama Views of Okinawa

The pool at Kafuu Resort Hotel on the west beach of the main island of Okinawa.

The view from the eighth floor restaurant of Laguna Garden Hotel in Ginowan.

Taken from the lounge of the Hyankuna Garan Okinawa.

From the bathroom of the Moon Ocean Ginowan.

Panorama photos created with the Photaf app on Android.