Christmas In Las Vegas
Christmas in Las Vegas was a new experience for us, and a rather nice one. We spent Christmas, 2015 in Vegas, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Here are some more pictures, these were nearly all taken on Christmas day, 2015. The last one was taken on Christmas Eve at The Carnival World Buffet which we went to prior to going to Christmas Eve mass at Our Lady of Wisdom Church.
Bellagio, Las Vegas
We didn’t stay at Bellagio though as much as I would have liked to. Actually, if you ask me which place I would like to stay at my number one choice is Venetian, and number two is Bellagio. We actually stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club Resort of which I am a member (through my timeshare ownership). I won’t even go into my tea-bag dilemna that I had there – can you believe they didn’t have regular black tea? I certainly had tea withdrawal! Enough said of that for the time being, other than to say you hotels should never just cater to coffee lovers, there’s tea lovers too! My view wasn’t too bad though.
View from Hilton Grand Vacations Resort, Las Vegas Blvd
View from Hilton Grand Vacations Resort, Las Vegas Blvd
We had brunch at the Paris Hotel’s Le Village Buffet, I will show you pictures of that separately in another post. Here are pictures of the Bellagio, where we spent the majority of our Christmas day, just strolling around – what a beautiful Christmas display!
Bellagio, Las Vegas
Bellagio, Las Vegas
Bellagio, Las Vegas
Bellagio, Las Vegas
Bellagio, Las Vegas
Bellagio, Las Vegas
Bellagio, Las Vegas
Bellagio, Las Vegas
Bellagio, Las Vegas
We had Christmas Eve lunch at The Carnival World Buffet at Rio
Carnival World Buffet at Rio, Las Vegas
We ate a lot in Vegas. My kids talked me into getting them the Buffet Pass which cost $55 per person for 48 hours. So we started the pass at around 5pm on Christmas Eve and it lasted until Boxing Day at 5 pm. Therefore, we were able to use it for meals over 3 days, but had to time the last meal on Boxing Day to be in the line for the meal before 5 pm. If you can time it properly, it works out well. All the meals and drinks that you want are included in this price (except alcohol of course) – but you will be sure to put on a few pounds! I will post more pictures of Las Vegas soon. I can’t believe it’s already April, and I’m just getting around to doing this post now. Where does time go to?
Dreaming of London
Oh, I’m homesick for England, and I’m dreaming of London
So, I’ll look at these pictures, and imagine myself there
Oh, I’m dreaming of London
And wanting to move there
A New Year makes me ponder
Ponder of yonder, and whether I should just dream
Or make that dream a goal, and put it into action.
I think you can read between these lines, that my heart aches for London
And I may have to act upon it real soon. Hope to see you soon, London!
Real question is…..do I go back after so long away? Will it be the right step, the right move, or will I regret it? It’s not easy to move when you have kids to think of. When I moved here a long time ago, it was just me, and so much easier then. This will be the question of the year for me, shall I do it? Time will tell!
Sand Sculpting Challenge Exhibition in San Diego
What a lovely day! Especially, when you get a day off on Labor Day! Then, why not enjoy San Diego – after all, it’s spectacular! So, we went to downtown San Diego, where it sure is lovely, and saw that they had a Sand Sculpting Exhibition. What a fabulous exhibition, and all the artists are so very talented! Amazing work!
This first picture is my favorite, so appropriate as it sure is a Rat Race, and I’m sure happy that the worker is honored this Labor Day – as I got the day off! I appreciate it.
U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge – Rat Race – We Honor The Worker This Labor Day
Here are more, I won’t describe each one
U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge
Bruce Jenner – U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge
U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge
U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge
U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge
U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge
U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge
U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge
I hope you had a fantastic Labor Day, and Happy September!
It’s Not Just A Yard – It’s Neal’s Yard!
Oh, the wonderful places near Covent Garden. But remember, when I told you it’s not just a garden…..it’s Covent Garden – well now, there’s a yard thrown into the picture too. However, it’s not just a yard…..it’s Neal’s Yard! It’s a most colorful looking place, close by to Covent Garden. Don’t miss it! Just ask anyone when you’re at Covent Garden where Neal’s Yard is, and they should be able to tell you. Here’s some pictures.
Close To Covent Garden Is Neal’s Yard
Neal’s Yard
Close To Covent Garden Is Neal’s Yard
Close To Covent Garden Is Neal’s Yard
In case you are wondering, you will find Neal’s Yard on the corner of Neal Street and Shelton Street
Close To Covent Garden Is Neal’s Yard
Now, you will see Neal’s Yard close by to Shorts Gardens – you have arrived!
Close To Covent Garden Is Neal’s Yard
Close To Covent Garden Is Neal’s Yard
Fancy some tea?
The Tea House, close to Covent Garden
Fancy some cake?
Lola’s Cupcakes, near Neal’s Yard
How about now? I think it’s tea time!
Lola’s Cupcakes, near Neal’s Yard
As you can see these are not just any gardens or any yards, they are special places and getting to be quite well known now. Don’t forget to look out for them when you go to London.
I hope you enjoyed your visit to Neal’s Yard via my post, and I hope you have a great week!
Turkish Delight and Turkish Spice
I never knew there were so many kinds of Turkish Delight, until my recent trip to Turkey. When I went to Antalya, I asked what these tempting things were and were told they were Turkish Delight.
Turkish Delight, Antalya
I had thought Turkish Delight just looked like this
Turkish Delight
Then I saw more that looked like this. Unfortunately, I did not get to try the kind shown in the first and third picture
Turkish Delight, Antalya
Here, there’s an assortment that looks similar to what I know Turkish Delight looks like, and did you know it also tastes as good as it looks – you might even say it’s delightful!
Turkish Delight, Antalya
Here is a whole display case (very close by to Hadrian’s Gate) full of Turkish Delight
Turkish Delight, Antalya
Here’s two more delightful kinds of Turkish Delights
Turkish Delight
Turkish Delight
Growing up in England, I used to love eating Turkish Delight covered with chocolate, and since this is not a picture that I took – I will just include the website link so that you can see it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fry’s_Turkish_Delight
I did take boxes of Turkish delight back to the USA to give out as gifts to friends
Turkish Delight
Well, if you don’t like sweets, you might like spice? As the saying goes…..sugar and spice makes all things nice. I certainly enjoyed seeing both (and trying both), and when it comes to sugar and spice, I can’t choose. I like sweets, and I also like spicy dishes.
Turkish Spice, Antalya
Turkish Spice, Antalya
Well, I certainly like how spices are displayed in the markets and stalls in Antalya.
Turkish Spice, Antalya
Hope you enjoy some sugar or spice every now and then.
Some Turkish Delight in Antalya
I must continue writing and sharing my pictures of Antalya. I was only in Antalya for 7 days, but have so many pictures that I took, and I was only in the Old City for about 4 hours, but also took more than enough pictures. But, can you ever get enough pictures? When you are into taking pictures, it’s never enough!
You might want to take a picture of a big beautiful boat (perhaps it’s a barge) like this, surrounded by other boats with the gorgeous backdrop of the Sea in Antalya.
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The Old City, Antalya
Then, you need to get the rocks centralized, and still get the boats in the picture.
The Old City, Antalya
Then, perhaps find an angle with buildings that will blend in and still give you a picture that has boats and the Sea in it.
The Old City, Antalya
Now, you get all that I described above in one picture.
The Old City, Antalya
Okay, and there I will stop. You get the picture, you just have to take lots of pictures as you don’t know when you might go back – if ever. The wish always of course is when you are there, that you will return. However, life gets in the way many a time, and return visits to certain places is not as possible as perhaps a visit to other places that you just have to go to because either a piece of your heart is there, like mine is in London, or because you have family there and that is somewhere you must go back to or you will lose yourself if you erase that part completely. I will never erase England from my memory, nor do I want to.
The Old City, Antalya
However, this post is about Turkey, and I feel that I have connected somewhat to Turkey – after all – I have vacationed here for a week this time, and been to Istanbul before (for about 8 hours only on a port visit during a cruise), and to Izmir (during the same cruise – but on a different day). Who knows, it seems like Turkey is part of my destiny in some ways – I feel I will return here again.
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
I love these colors, bright red against the green – with the splash of blue in the background – very pretty!
The Old City, Antalya
The picture below reminds me a little of Seaport Village in San Diego. Why am I seeing so much similarity or drifting off to other places during this post? Please forgive me. If you do view the San Diego post, I’m sure you will see some water with exactly the same color as in this one with the fountain.
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
Look at this, don’t you just love the Turkish teapots?
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
The Old City, Antalya
I really love this picture below and love that barge – yes I’m going to barge right in, and call it a barge!
The Old City, Antalya
One more thing, I was thinking about the title of this post and since I linked to other pieces that I wrote with Turkish Delight in the titles, I figured why not use these words again, and this time give you a picture or two of Turkish Delight since now I have more than enough pictures of this delicious Turkish treat. So, these two are just for you! By the way, they were delicious!
Turkish Delight
Turkish Delight
Well, I hope you enjoyed my pictures of Antalya. Next time, I might bring you more pictures of Antalya or more of London…..we’ll see. Until then, I hope you all have a terrific weekend, and for those of you in the USA – happy three day weekend!
Old Bazaar & The Old City of Antalya
Are you ready for color, spice, souvenirs, and all things Turkish? Let me take you on my sightseeing trip to the Old City of Antalya. In this post I will carry on where I left off a few posts ago. I had woken up early on the 4th of August, 2014, to go sightseeing all by myself in Antalya. Then I had stumbled across Haidan’s Gate which I had not even known was here in Antalya – so happy that I had left the resort to go see the sights. Now, I headed for the Old Bazaar.
I think I took my first selfie, by looking through a mirror and taking a picture with me in it. I think that’s still classed as a selfie?
The Old City of Antalya
Now, I did it again with my Note 3
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The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The people in Antalya greet you warmly, and will give you a cup of tea for just coming into their store. This woman gave me a sample of tea.
Old City of Antalya
Old City of Antalya
When I went to this shop that sold delicious Turkish Delights, the man who sold them to me was so happy, he even ordered a cup of tea for me. This reminded me of India, where I have only been once when I was 14, but I remember the same thing happening there. When my mum would go in a store to buy material or Punjabi suits, the people in the store would order tea for everyone, even I would get a cup of tea at 14. I was happy about that, as I even liked my tea back then.
Turkish Delight, Antalya
Turkish Delights, Old Bazaar, Antalya
Here I am looking at the spices – these are the same spices that we use in our Indian food
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Old City, Antalya
Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
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Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
The Old Bazaar, Old City of Antalya
Then I left the Old Bazaar, and ventured around the streets of the Old City, before heading towards the bay.
Old City of Antalya
Old City of Antalya
Old City of Antalya
Old City of Antalya
Old City of Antalya
Old City of Antalya
Old City of Antalya
I really like these all these umbrellas that are all hanging over the street – so colorful!
Old City, Antalya
I couldn’t stop taking pictures, I find the Old City to be very picturesque.
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Next, I headed to the bay, and I will show you these photos next time. I hope you enjoyed seeing these pictures, and that you got a glimpse of life in the Old City of Antalya. I hope you all have a fantastic May!
Out And About On The Way And In Old City, Antalya
My kind of holiday is not actually just a beach and swimming pool type of holiday (vacation). I am more of a sight-seer. I love seeing the sights, and being a tourist. I can’t just sit by the pool all day.
I wanted to go and see something other than the grounds of the Delphin Imperial in Lara Beach, l actually wanted to see Antalya; see Turkey – not just swimming pools and the beach within metres of where we were staying. That wasn’t adventurous enough for me.
Sadly, nobody else in my family (and there were at least 13 of us) wanted to see anything else of Turkey during this trip. I asked the front desk at the Delphin Imperial about what there was to see in Antalya, and they told me they recommended that I see the Old City which is about 20 minutes away from the resort. Apparently, there were public buses that went from right outside the hotel and were really cheap – perhaps just about 2 Turkish lira. Another option was getting a taxi. A third option that I went for was taking the hotel’s private bus – used exclusively for it’s guests and this was a free bus. Well, it didn’t take rocket science to figure out which option was the best. After all, a public bus could be questionable, after all – what if I missed my stop? Would anyone be able to help me, or understand me? A taxi could also be problematic. What if I got a questionable driver, who might take advantage of a woman traveling by herself? I am a little worried about these things these days. Once upon a time, when I was a lot younger, and before I had kids, I was ever so daring – I hitch-hiked around Australia – on my own, and then part of the time with a friend. However, a private bus provided by the hotel – that was just for guests – seemed to be safe, and I couldn’t have made a better choice. I had to reserve a seat, but it didn’t cost me anything. My bus was going to leave at 9:20 am the next morning – I believe it was August 4th, 2014 and I should make sure that I got on the bus at least ten minutes early. When I told my family that I was going to travel by myself – they didn’t stop me – they know that I am a little stubborn, and will do what I want to do to some extent.
Next morning, I had my breakfast, and got on the bus. It was adventure time!
Here are some pictures taken along the way. By the way, the Old City is also known as Old Town too.
close by to Lara Beach, Antalya
This picture shows the sister-property of the Delphin Imperial – the Delphin Diva.
close by to Lara Beach, Antalya
Now, 20 minutes later, I have arrived. I love all the vibrant colors, and feel ever so happy and alive! I feel freedom – I don’t know why. This is what I love – wandering around, seeing things and taking pictures.
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Isn’t the scene below of the frogs incredible?
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Look at how old this building appears to be.
Old City, Antalya
I just had to take pictures of McDonald’s, and no, I didn’t go in to order anything.
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
I love to see buildings like this – after all this is Turkey, and I enjoy looking at architecture.
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
Old City, Antalya
I had no idea that Hadrian’s Gate was here in the Old City. I know I’ve heard of it before – it’s definitely famous, and here it is in the city only 9 miles away from Delphin Imperial, and I almost didn’t see it – if I hadn’t been adventurous. See what you can miss, if you don’t take the plunge and wander about?
Old City, Antalya
In my next post, I will show you more of Hadrian’s Gate, and more of the Old City of Antalya.
luchanik 