Some odd bits and pieces 1

 

End of October, a surprise at night: Fireworks! View from home.

Momochi Fireworks 花火

The yearly Momochi Fireworks show turned into a disaster. First it was postponed a day due to a typhoon. The following day had been extremely hot and in the evening there was a lot of thunder with enormous bolts of lightning and eventually heavy rain. The show had to be stopped... :-(

Note the lighning on the right just next to Fukuoka Tower

And that was it.

Imajuku Fireworks, 花火

Same place, same set-up. Actually too close, but who complains about that when you get this chance with the right people and the best food!

Young people all dressed up gathereing at the natsu matsuri 

View from our location on the 3rd floor

Bubbels...

First BANG

So much smoke, it starts looking like a war zone

Last BANG

It was over way too soon, I was still waming up

J's contribution: M catching up with old students

Wonder who used public transport...

3 hours later, our loved ones are still there, TG!

Atagohama fireworks, the last of this summer?

Geared up we walked the 500 m to 'our' beach and stood on a wall among our neighbors to watch another amazing display with lots of Oohs, Aahs and applause. All was well. Even the heavy rain that teased the whole country skipped Fukuoka.

Oops, raindrops on my lens

The END of Obon

Imajuku hanabi

The 3rd session this year, this time with a friendly crowd squashed on a balcony. No tripod :-(

More fireworks: Ohorikoen.

Thanks to a friend I got the chance to see the show from the top of a nearby office building. So I arrived armed with my usual gear and was instantly confronted with a high wall. I was just able to look over the rim. That wouldn't do I thought, so with help I climbed on a ridge. Suddenly the whole scene 9 floors below me: the crowd, the traffic, the lights got hold of me. Wow! This was scary!!! I grabbed the wall with both hands and slowly adjusted myself. After a few minutes I felt comfortable enough to let go of one hand and I grabbed the camera. I placed it in front of me, on the wall and started shooting. Not being able to look through the viewfinder (grateful for my swiveling screen!) nor stepping down to go get a torch, a drink, a bite I just hung in there - literally - for 90 minutes....