Balance on Onni hasu ( Lotus)

(Oita Godo Newspaper, August 14^th 2010, Morning Paper, Page 12)

 In Beppu prefecture's sea hell, on the 13^th, " Obon" festival annual event, riding on the lotus started. Floating in the pond, riding the lotus is a rare experience for families. Till the 15^th, the lotus can be ride from 10.30 am to 1 pm.

The lotus pond in Sea hell is a tropical species, and it looks like a huge plate and can grow up to 1.5 meters in radius, 20 kg in weight, children are able to ride on the lotus.

Riding on the lotus is a small girl, with shaky legs, smiling and posing to the camera. The family is from Fukuoka and is touring Beppu. The youngest girl in the family, Mei, age 6 said that it is very fun and she would like to ride the lotus again. The mother said that she was quite shock to see her daughter ride the lotus but it would be a good memorial for the girl.

Comments

I have been to Sea hell for a few times, and it always amazes me to see how big the lotus is, and that even in a country with four seasons, tropical lotus can be natured. As I am over 50kg, I could not ride on the lotus, but if I have the chance in future, I would like my children to have this once in a life time experience.

Tay Zhong Jie Edwin

Singapore

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, APM 4