Saturday, June 19, 2010

Hakone in Sarasota, California

On Sunday before I left for home I spent a wonderful time with my daughter, Gail, at Hakone, the Japanese Gardens. I have made a movie of this very special day. I hope you enjoy the tour of the gardens. To set the mood I have embedded the beautiful aria from Madam Butterfly, Ciio-Cio San, as sung by Maria Callas. I wanted to add the music to the video, but couldn't find out how to do it. So if you will click on it first, then go to my video it will continue to play as you view Hakone.


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If you click on the lower right hand corner you will get the movie in full screen. To escape full screen click on it again or click on escape. I am not pleased with the movie because it cuts off the ends of the photos taken vertically and the quality of the pictures is diminished. I did make a slide show of this and that can be found on my Web Albums. I think it's a bit better than the movie. However, it just a repeat of this so probably not worth seeing.

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I was unable to navigate the steps and steep path to the bamboo garden so my daughter took those pictures. I hope you enjoyed our efforts.


15 comments:

Joy Des Jardins said...

Well, now that was a treat...your beautiful movie of the Japanese Gardens with Maria singing in the background. You did a really wonderful job Darlene. I loved the pics of Gail with the fan and the Japanese parasol. The gardens are just lovely. Thanks for putting that together for us. ~Joy xo

kenju said...

What Joy said! Ir was really a treat to see this beautiful place!

Darlene said...

*Joy and Kenju - Thank you so much.

Rummuser said...

That combination is wonderful. Great visuals to great music. Thanks. Nice to see you traipsing around too!

Rain Trueax said...

Beautiful gardens and photos. It looks like a very inspiring place to spend time

Darlene said...

*Rummuser - I do traipse around once or twice a year, whether I need to or not. (Apologies to Phyllis Diller.) ;-)

*Rain - Hakone was not only inspiring, it was so peaceful that any cares just melted away.

20th Century Woman said...

I watched it twice and it only got better. I love Maria Callas too.

Darlene said...

*20th Century Woman - Thank you for your kind words.

Leslie Parsley said...

I used to have 78s of Callas. What a voice and what lovely pictures. Wish I could have been there!

Darlene said...

*tnlib - I wish you could have been with us, also.

Nancy said...

Darlene,

You outdid yourself with this wonderful video and the aria was the perfect choice to set the mood for the beautiful flowers and statues.

Thank you for going to all this trouble for our pleasure.

Tabor said...

I though I had left a comment, but perhaps the word verfication failed and I didn't notice! Anyway, this was nicely done.

Darlene said...

*Tabor - I left a comment to your comment and it disappeared also. Blast Blog Spot.

Kay Dennison said...

I love it!!!!! Our symphony did Madam Butterfly last season!!!!!

Darlene said...

*Kay Dennison - Madam Butterfly is one of my favorite Operas. I wish I could have joined you.