Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival 2014

I did not know about the annual VCBF sakura festival until my friend told me about it this year and invited us to go together. It is a Japanese festival combining the beautiful floral scenery with Japanese food and culture, :) definitely sounds like my thing eh.

That's just the perfect time and setting to shoot some floral pictures as well!

The festival was held on the first weekend of April this year at Van Dusen Botanical Garden. We bought tickets online at a discounted price of $10.50, regular ticket costs $12. Downside about the online purchase is, tickets are strictly non-refundable, so you'll save at the expense of risking for a bad weather. 

Lol, challenge accepted! 

Thank God our group pray was heard and granted. The pouring rain on Saturday almost made me give up on praying but tada, sun just came out of nowhere on Sunday and it was the warmest day ever! Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

I will let my pictures do the rest of the talking since photography walk was the whole purpose of my trip.

Haiku section

One of our goals (I shall say, my friend's main goal) was food hunting. We immediately rushed to the food stalls after entering the garden just to avoid the huge crowd since it was almost lunch time when we arrived.

Hehe, the 4 of us lined up at different food stalls just to save time.

Otonomiyaki

 Takoyaki

 Osaka ball: Slightly smaller than the takoyaki but the coating was crunchier. It was filled with prawns and some carrots with teriyaki sauce (3 choices available) as topping. I like this much better than the takoyaki, it was bite sized and so rich in seafood flavour!

 Zakkushi: I was told that the meat sticks were cheaper in this festival. 3 for $5 as compared to the average $2 per stick in the restaurant, what's your say? I personally dined out in the restaurant before so I knew it was not a cheap eat and the portion was relatively small. Food wise, the taste was great but not impressive enough for me to splurge on another meal again. Good Izakaya place but definitely not the place to fill your hungry stomach.

The surprise eat of the day came down to this sushi mochi. I thought it was Salmon nigiri at first glance but my friend revealed that it was mochi made in the shape of sushi! Even the 'wasabi' was specially made of green bean paste. That was just... impressive work! Or food art I shall say.

This festival also acts like a mini cosplay event as it gathers some anime lovers to dress up in their favourite anime costumes. They were so professionally dressed up from head to toes and photogenic!

Despite I feel cold for them~~~

 Busy capturing sakura pictures

We met a new girl friend who taught us professional posing for pictures. Hence the successful heart shape. You know that.... I can't do it alone without our friend's professional guidance, seriously!

I also saw this funny Totoro who looks very reluctant most of the time. I know... it was not his fault but just the way the costume was made. But seeing his slanting mouth really cracked me up, wondering if it was Edison Chen hiding in the costume.

What's more really funny.. this Totoro wears slippers!

How often can I catch a moment like this eh? You really made my day, Totoro!

I had a good day exploring this festival, thanks to the good buddies and sunny weather. It is an annual event so I hope I can be there again next year. :) And pray for another sunny weather, of course.