考えRoo

Japanese Kangaroos, Unknown Nichigo

by Kangaeroo • December 20, 2019

The Izu Peninsula about 100 km southwest of Tokyo is a sheer delight in many ways, not the least of which is that there’re plenty of kangaroos there at the moment!

Not that they’re real roos jumping around here and there on the peninsula.

Some of the zoos and animal parks in the area, which is blessed with glorious coastlines and numerous mountains, do have their marsupials.

But the kangaroos that stand out most to the ordinary visitor are the life-sized PVC statues plugging Izu Shaboten Zoo (notable for its various different types of cacti).

The zoo is located at the foot of the amazing Mount Omuro, which is shorn of most of its foliage each winter by being set alight in a spectacular bonfire.

Mount Omuro also offers panoramic views of southeastern Izu, including some of the most spectacular vistas of Mount Fuji imaginable.

The Kangaeroos got to spend some time in the area recently, even managing to snap a few illuminated marsupials as well.

Kangaroos, potaroos, wallabies and emus give the Izu Shaboten Zoo a bit of an Aussie flavor.

by Kangaeroo • December 19, 2019

Perhaps not surprisingly in a land ruled by middle-aged and elderly blokes and the fax still a crucial communication tool, mightily impressive dinosaurs have taken over a part of Japan not far from Tokyo.

And despite being equipped with apparently razor-sharp fangs, the dinosaurs in question are actually toothless.

They’re part of an amazing display at the Izu Granpal Amusement Park.

The park is located in Izukogen, a town about 100 km southwest of central Tokyo.

And the dinosaurs are part of an illumination display presented with a Cool Japan Matching Award.

Both the dinosaurs and the illumination display were absolutely fabulous!

In clear weather, it’s also possible to ride a flying fox (zipline) over the illumination display on the park.

Getting to the park takes a couple of hours by train, but highly worthwhile, with plenty more to see in the Izukogen area, a thriving little town gaining wider exposure with the increase in inbound tourism over the past handful of years.

Unknown Nichigo

Self-Portraits

by Kangaeroo • December 11, 2019

Kangaeroo was once an almost ubiquitous presence on the Internet.

That was, of course, back in the days before the likes of Facebook, Twitter and other social media dominated online viewing.

Even blogs were in their infancy and Google still provided results for terms that people searched for and not for the highest payers.

But that all changed.

Decades have passed since Kangaeroo posted a portrait online.

But that has changed with this post.

These are photos of Kangaeroo now.

Definitely wasn’t worth waiting for!

Not that I think anybody actually waited….

Unknown Nichigo

Fly Me To The Moon

by Kangaeroo • December 9, 2019

Buggered if I know what to write for this entry.

Got to head out to a farm near New Tokyo International Airport, better known as Narita Airport, and was fortunate enough to see a number of planes passing by the moon on a glorious winter afternoon.

Not really a plane fancier, but felt the images were quite nice with the moon as a backdrop.

The ANA plane in the photo had a special livery that made it look like a turtle.

A glorious sunset topped off the day.

Strine Sports

Wild Horses Couldn’t Drag Me Away

by Kangaeroo • December 8, 2019

Horse-riding is an integral part of living for many in country Australia, where Kangaeroo spent the formative years of life.

Incredibly, in spite of this, and despite a landmass 26 times greater and population only about 1/6th the size, Australian horse riding services are generally far more expensive than their Japanese counterparts.

Provided you’re happy enough riding in a relatively confined space, it’s unbelievably accessible to ride horses in Japan, financially and in terms of getting to places to ride.

Moreover, there’s far less red tape involved in riding in Japan, where helmets, high-viz and other rigmarole are not mandatory as they are in the Aussie nanny state.

Kangaeroo’s days of regular horse riding are long gone, but that doesn’t make him a “neigh-sayer” when it comes to Japanese gee-gees.

Unknown Nichigo

Compliment Courage!

by Kangaeroo • December 6, 2019

Boosted by a blessing, inspired to take more photos and now hoping not to be a pretentious dick

On a bleak and wintry December morning with conditions ideal for moaning and a terrible start to the day, Kangaeroo got a boost with an unexpected plug for the site’s photos.

Coming totally out of the blue, it was a sheer delight and anything else that happened in the day suddenly became irrelevant.

But more was to come. The praise led to an unexpected connection.

And a reminder that the darkest part of the day is always immediately before the dawn. I know what it’s like and we’re never alone, even if it feels that way.

Deeply grateful for some of life’s blessings….now just wish that could be reproduced in these bloody photos!