Archive | August 2013

When In Rome

When in Rome, you won’t forget to do the usual touristy things like visit the Trevi Fountain

Trevi Fountain, Rome

Trevi Fountain, Rome

First you’ll want to photograph just about any part of it with other people in it

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Trevi Fountain, Rome

Then you’ll probably want to pick on an Italian-looking person to be in the picture

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Trevi Fountain, Rome

Then you’ll want to photograph the top of the structure

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Trevi Fountain, Rome

The middle of the structure

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Trevi Fountain, Rome

And other people taking better pictures of it

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Trevi Fountain, Rome

Don’t forget to take pictures that include the bottom of the structure showing the water.

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Trevi Fountain, Rome

Now, you’ll want to go elsewhere, and take more pictures

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Rome, Italy

And somewhere else again

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Rome, Italy

Take a picture from another angle

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Rome, Italy

And then walk around the corner

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Rome, Italy

Don’t forget to just take pictures of people, any people – don’t even ask them.

Rome, Italy

Rome, Italy

Don’t forget the street scenes

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Rome, Italy

Don’t forget to get the Italian flag in your pictures

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Rome, Italy

Did I mention that you are supposed to get the numerous statues too that are all over the place?

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Bridge of Angels, Rome, Italy

Can’t resist throwing in one more picture of the Trevi Fountain.

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Trevi Fountain, Rome

Did I also tell you that you should just about take pictures of everything?

Also, one more thing……..when in Rome, forget about home!

Staycation in San Diego

I love traveling, but unfortunately can’t get away this year – it’s a far cry from last year when I went to Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD and then on a cruise on the Enchantment of The Seas to Bermuda.

However, San Diego is a place where you can enjoy living, and vacation here every day of the year with the right mindset.  This is not just home, but a vacation paradise.  This year, instead of renting out my timeshare at the Grand Pacific Palisades, I took a working holiday – we stayed at the Palisades for seven days even though I had to work – but I was on holiday in the evenings! My kids were on holiday all day long – after all it’s their vacation from school.  By staying at this resort (only twenty minutes away from my home) it mostly gave my kids the chance to get away from our house, and have a change of scenery and experience the swimming pool every day, and feel like we were on holiday.

Sometimes, you just have to stay at home or near home.

The view from the balcony in the evening:

View the Grand Pacific Palisades, Carlsbad

View from the Grand Pacific Palisades, Carlsbad

I came home from work and took my little girl to the swimming pool

Kids Splash Area at the Kids Pool, Grand Pacific Palisades, Carlsbad

Kids Splash Area at the Kids Pool, Grand Pacific Palisades, Carlsbad

It’s a pretty place for a walk in the evenings

Carlsbad in the evening

Carlsbad in the evening

Then there’s neighboring Oceanside to explore (only ten minutes north of Carlsbad):

Oceanside Beach

Oceanside Beach

Life’s just a beach!

Oceanside Beach

Oceanside Beach

Then on the weekend with Legoland just across the street, who could resist, and guess who loves Legoland?

Legoland in Carlsbad, CA

Legoland in Carlsbad, CA

Keep dreaming of holidays during your holiday when the Taj Mahal presents itself to you at Legoland!

The Taj Mahal at Legoland, CA

The Taj Mahal at Legoland, CA

Fancy going to India to see this beauty?  The one and only time that I went to India – I was mesmerized by the real Taj Mahal, it’s no wonder it’s one of the seven wonders of the world!  it really is breathtaking, and it’s also a beautiful sight to behold at Legoland.

The Taj Mahal at Legoland, CA

The Taj Mahal at Legoland, CA

I just have to show the Taj Mahal at Legoland again to you – can you believe the creativity?

The Taj Mahal at Legoland, CA

The Taj Mahal at Legoland, CA

Now, we were transported to Australia!  We were on a boat ride and I didn’t get a very good picture of the Sydney Opera House, but here are two of them:

The Sydney Opera House at Legoland, CA

The Sydney Opera House at Legoland, CA

The Sydney Opera House at Legoland, CA

The Sydney Opera House at Legoland, CA

Next, we were transported to Paris, France!

The Eiffel Tower, Paris, France at Legoland, CA

The Eiffel Tower, Paris, France at Legoland, CA

Next, we were presented with images of Egypt……don’t say Legoland is not worldly!

Legoland, CA

Legoland, CA

What’s not to like about staying in your own home turf once in a while and vacationing at home?  San Diego is a great place to staycation.  However, if you don’t live here, it’s a really nice place to vacation.