Japanese Friendship Garden

February 5th, 2016 - Japanese Friendship Garden, Balboa Park

This visit is just a small part of our day at Balboa Park.  For a general overview of Balboa and a link to a map, please read the main blog that is available HERE.

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this small park.  Once you go down into the canyon it is so serene and peaceful with the water and waterfalls having a calming effect.  I imagine that each time you come here, especially in different seasons, you get a completely different experience.  This time, early February, there were still a variety of colors and the cherry blossom was just appearing.

Front Entrance

The Karesansui, Dry Stone Garden - the gravel typically represents rippling water, and the large stones, islands.  The act of raking is a meditative and aesthetic practice.  I don't think I would have the patience for this, and would probably become frustrated, but maybe that would help me gain patience and calmness!!

On the way to the Koi Pond

Koi Pond & Waterfall

Love this picture that Bryan took of the sun shining through the bamboo trees.

Bryan taking the picture above

The colors were lovely

Loved this pathway

Light of Friendship

Bonsai Trees

After going through the gate, there was a pathway down into the canyon, surrounded by Azalea and Camellias.  I can only imagine what it is like when they bloom in the spring.

View of Park from Friendship Garden

Dry Waterfall

Cherry Blossom Trees just starting to bloom

I noticed a butterfly flying around.  It would stop on a bush and then fly around some more, as if trying to get my attention.  It succeeded.  I stood and watched, for quite a while, as it sat on a bush fluttering it's wings.  I felt as though it was posing for me and it took me ages to get a decent picture of it.  My camera is not the best and Bryan had walked on ahead.  It's a good job I was the only one around, as I was talking to it.  People would have thought I was crazy!!!  Maybe I am!!!  In the end I told it I had to go and thanks for letting me take it's picture.  Yep, definitely crazy!!!

Butterfly on top of bush

The Visitor Guide tells you that "The Dry Waterfall suggests the fall of water through carefully placed stones.  Designed by experts from Japan, the Dry Waterfall has an elevation drop of approx. 30 ft. and took roughly one to two months to complete".

Dry Waterfall

There was a bench close to here that had a shade cover.  Unfortunately, there was a man sitting there reading a book.  I was a little envious as I would have loved to have sat there for a while and listened to the water and the birds.  He looked as though he was enjoying the peace and quiet.  We walked slowly by him, hoping we didn't spoil his peace and tranquillity.

Looking at these pictures I can just hear the water.

This bird watched us go past.

We walked to the other end of the canyon and stood on the deck of the Inamori pavilion which overlooked this waterfall.  It was shaded and the water was cascading down the rocks.  There were Koi  fish here as well. It was so peaceful, a truly beautiful place.

Suddenly, what should appear but the butterfly fluttering through the sky towards me. Again, I was on my own, there was no one around.  Bryan was following a short way behind.  It flew around a little before settling on a rock overlooking the waterfall.  You can see it in the next four pictures.  It sat there for a long while.  Bryan caught up with me and we both got pictures of it.  It had flown from the other end of the canyon where we had first come in to here.  It was the only butterfly I saw all day and yes, I believe it was Mum letting me know she was ok and watching over me.  Yep, definitely crazy!!!!!  It was still there as we walked on. I told Bryan that if that was me, I would have been happy there as well.  It was a beautiful place, in the sun, by the flowers and the cascading water, with the birds singing.

In this picture the butterfly is on the center white rock on the right hand si^de, just in the sun.  You might just be able to make it out, follow up from the arrow.  I wanted to show you how close it was to the waterfall.

Kasuga Stone Lantern

Drainage system on the pavilion

Walking back along the other side of the stream

I very nearly stepped on this little fella as we walked back up the canyon.  He was sitting on the path and I happened to look down just as my foot was about to land on him.  I stopped it in mid air and off he ran.  I'm sure he would have run if I hadn't stopped but who knows.  I would have felt terrible if I had squished him!!!

That was our visit to the Japanese Friendship Garden.  It was an awesome place and even though it was uphill walking back out of the canyon I still managed a spring in my step and had a smile on my face, especially when I thought about that butterfly.