Archive | February 2013

in Holiday, Holidays, Italy, Photography, Sightseeing, Tourism, Travel, Vacation, Venice
5 Comments

Very Picturesque Venice

I didn’t know what to call my post on Venice, so just came up with “Very Picturesque Venice” – I guess that will work. I have been to Venice at least three times now, and it is a very beautiful place. I love Venice, in fact I love Italy! Here are some pictures.

Gondola – Venice, Italy

Venice, Italy

Got to have myself photographed in Venice!

Venice, Italy

Just a street scene in Venice

Venice, Italy

There are so many bridges in Venice, and of course so much water – it wouldn’t be Venice without either one of these.

Venice, Italy

Don’t come back from Venice without one of these Venetian masks – they are so beautiful!

Venetian Masks, Venice, Italy

Some more pictures:

Venice, Italy

St. Marks Square, Venice, Italy

Venice, Italy

I guess you can say I couldn’t help myself….I just could not stop taking photos in Venice, and have so many more. However, if I share any more now, I think that would be an overload. I hope you enjoyed seeing my pictures of beautiful Venice.

February 25, 2013

in Beaches, CA, Holiday, Holidays, Hotels, Photography, San Diego, Sightseeing, Tourism, Travel, Vacation
2 Comments

San Diego Sunset Picture (Of Coronado) Will Be In Get Away San Diego’s Next Issue

This is a first for me – to have my picture be selected in a contest – I am so excited! Granted, mine was not the best picture, but my picture made it as one of the top ten!

Coronado, San Diego

I entered a competition that Get Away San Diego posted on their Facebook page, just out of curiousity. My picture shown above of the sunset near the Hotel Del in Coronado is the reason I just had to write today! My photo will be published in the next edition of Get Away San Diego . I don’t think my picture is as good as the other nine that made it into the top ten, but all ten will be shown in the next issue. However, since this is the first time for me that I have won such a contest, I am ecstatic! If it’s good enough to be chosen, it’s good enough to be happy about.

If you want to see the other pictures in Get Away San Diego’s Album, you can take a look right here Get Away San Diego’s Photo Contest Winners.

My whole family loves the Hotel Del, and Coronado. Here is my little Chandi on the beach at Hotel Del.

Hotel Del – Coronado

Hotel Del, Coronado

So for anyone who wants to wine a bit, I have a picture for you – it’s also taken in Coronado.

Wine Styles, Coronado

And for all those who would love to see what’s so great about the Hotel Del, here’s some more pictures.

Hotel Del, Coronado

Marilyn Monroe shot one of her movies here “Some Like It Hot”, and this tree is famous partly because of that movie, and Marilyn Monroe.

Hotel Del, Coronado

People love to visit the Hotel Del, and many weddings and parties take place here.

Hotel Del, Coronado

The grounds of this hotel are absolutely stunning! Do you know you can spend an entire day here, and not be bored? There’s the beach, restaurants galore, tennis, a swimming pool and of course shops, and the hotel lobby to look at.

Hotel Del, Coronado

Hotel Del’s Lobby Chandelier, Coronado

Of course, my little Princess belongs here, that’s why I like to bring her time and time again!

Hotel Del, Coronado

Don’t forget that Coronado is just a 15 to 20 minute drive from downtown San Diego, or just a boat ride across – here are some useful tips on how to get around.

I may have said this before, but the Hotel Del is swell! I am so glad that one of my pictures is going to be published, and I’m glad that it was taken in beautiful Coronado.

On another note:

Lately, I have also been toying with another idea….to enter one of my videos into a competition or to make a new one – perhaps of San Diego. I decided to not enter the competition or attempt making a new video for it, because I can’t go away for 6 months and leave my kids, neither can I take them with me (two of them can’t take six months away from school, and it wouldn’t be fair to take just the youngest one) – so this kind of competition is not meant for me. Want to know which competition I am referring to? It’s this one: http://www.mydestination.com/bbb/competition#faq1 and if you want to know who has my full support in this particular competition, it’s Lesley Carter from Bucket List Publications: http://lesleycarter.wordpress.com/2013/02/23/if-you-could-make-someones-bucket-list-dreams-a-reality-would-you/

February 18, 2013

in Cruise Ports, Cruises, Holiday, Holidays, Indian Cruises, MSC Musica, Photography, Port Visits, Sightseeing, Tourism, Travel, Vacation
4 Comments

The Magic of MSC Musica

Our cruise on the MSC Musica was magical. Perhaps it was because we traveled in a big group. I will always remember that cruise. Here are more pictures of the MSC Musica. Let’s just say this cruise line is definitely worth your consideration.

MSC Musica

In the evening, there’s spectacular entertainment, here are the performers after one show

MSC Musica

Did you know MSC Cruise Lines have cruises out of Florida now? One of their new ships is the MSC Divina and the reason I am mentioning this is that I have a picture shown below with that very name on it. I don’t know why I took it at the time (during the MSC Musica cruise, and I believe in Turkey) – perhaps because it has a little resemblance to my own name? Anyway, here’s the picture.

Here’s me on the MSC Musica

Davinder on the MSC Musica

Here’s my son (looking out to the swimming pool) and daughter all dressed up for an Indian function on the ship – we were part of a big Indian group on the cruise – we enjoyed Bollywood, Bhangra and more – danced to it, and ate Indian food.

MSC Musica

Here’s a picture taken of one of their lounges.

MSC Musica

Of course MSC Cruise Lines also depart from many other places throughout the world, including Europe, where we took our cruise from lovely Venice, Italy. I think my next post might have to be on Venice. I hope you all have a fantastic week!

February 18, 2013

in Cruise Ports, Cruises, Holiday, Holidays, MSC Musica, Photography, Port Visits, Sightseeing, Tourism, Travel, Turkey, Vacation
5 Comments

Just Some More Turkish Delight

Our visit to Istanbul during the MSC Cruise (on the MSC Musica) was packed with shopping, and savoring Turkish flavors – whether it was Turkish coffee or kebabs. Turkey is delightful, and so colorful.

Istanbul, Turkey

The first few pictures (below) were actually taken in Izmir, I could only tell since I looked back at my pictures, and saw some pictures of the cruise in the evening. I will include those here, so that you can see the sequence of events. The cruise stopped in Izmir first, and then we had our evening onboard, and the next day we got off at Istanbul.

Izmir, Turkey

Here are a few pictures taken back on the cruise ship that night.

MSC Musica

Now let’s venture into Istanbul, and to the Grand Bazaar! Many people come to the bazaars of Turkey to get great bargains – you can find tea-sets, glassware, ornaments, clothes, handbags, and many other items. These bazaars also tantalize you with their aromas and Turkish treats. Don’t forget to try the Turkish coffee!

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey

Time for some Turkish Coffee at Red Cafe

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey

We left the Grand Bazaar, and ventured into the streets…..I must have asked this man if I could have a picture taken with him.

Istanbul, Turkey

I think this is also called the Blue Mosque, but this is of course in Istanbul

The Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

Here’s the Mosque from a different angle

The Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

Here are the last pictures of Istanbul:

Istanbul, Turkey

Well, I hope you think Turkey is as delightful as I do. I have only showed you some pictures of Izmir, the Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, and some of the surrounding streets. I’m sure Turkey has many other hidden delights.

February 7, 2013

in Cruise Ports, Cruises, MSC Musica, Photography, Sightseeing, Travel, Turkey, Vacation
6 Comments

Just A Little Bit Of Turkish Delight

Turkey delighted me when I visited that mysterious country in 2006. We were on a cruise with MSC Musica from Venice, Italy, and visited several ports in Europe. One of our stops was in Izmir and another one in Istanbul. I had to get out of our taxi which we took from the cruise port to the Mosque to actually venture closer and even go in the Mosque. Nobody else in the car wanted to go into the Mosque, but I could not let such beauty and magnificence pass me by.

Here are some pictures of the Blue Mosque in Izmir, Turkey:

Blue Mosque, Izmir, Turkey

Izmir, Turkey – near the Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque, Izmir, Turkey

This was taken inside the Mosque

Blue Mosque, Izmir, Turkey

Last look at the Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque, Izmir, Turkey

Then it was time to get back to the MSC Musica

MSC Musica

Turkey is an incredibly beautiful country that I have to explore much more on a future visit. The amount of time that you get while on a cruise port of visit is not adequate enough when visiting a land that is full of cultural mystique and glory as Turkey is. My next post will include more pictures taken in Istanbul.

February 1, 2013

in CA, San Diego, Sightseeing, Travel, Vacation
2 Comments

A Room With A View

A room with a view is the desire of anyone who travels whether on business or on pleasure. The title of this post was inspired by British pop group Duran Duran’s song “A View To A Kill”. I know that title is a little questionable, and different to mine, but if you listen to their song, and look at my pictures, it’s easy to replace the words, and highly encouraged.

You can see their video right here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp4CR2HcHLQ , and perhaps every time you think of a room with a view, you might think of Duran Duran. Perhaps, the truth also is that I like Duran Duran, and used to be one of their biggest fans, and still like their songs. If you listen to one of their songs, it kind of just sticks with you for days. I keep hearing the tune of their song (of which I enclosed the link to their video) in the back of my head and of course, I have replaced it with the words “Watching you with a View To A Room” – that probably doesn’t make sense, but that’s how my song goes.

Well, here’s the view: