London Is Calling
London calls, and I’d love to come running, but sadness befalls me now as I can’t obey. Too bad. Well, I’ll just have to write about the rest of my day – Day Two in London which was July 24, 2014 – just over a month ago – and really my first full day. London has a power over me, I just went there, but I would like to be back there already….oh, well. Guess I’ll just have to be content looking back at my pictures.
Here is a picture taken at Trafalgar Square close by to our hotel
Trafalgar Square
This man seems to fit right in this picture, I don’t think he was the one who vandalized the phone booth with graffiti though, I hope not!
London is calling, excuse the graffiti!
Just a recap, we headed for Buckingham Palace through Green Park (pictures show in my post Enchanting London) and this is before we did that
Picadilly, London
Why would I not want to see the Ritz?
The Ritz Hotel, Picadilly
That night we ate in Chinatown, which is close to Leicester Square. Normally, I would have opted for Indian food as it is really great in England – where they are not afraid to add the spice, or for English food which is also superb, but my sister who we met up with this evening wanted to try Chinese food, and I’m so glad that we went to this restaurant – the Hong Kong Buffet – I will always remember how delicious the food was.
Chinatown, London
Do you know the food was extremely delicious at the Hong Kong Buffet? It was a good price too – only £9.95 per person, compared to what I paid one of the days in a restaurant in Covent Garden.
Chinatown, London
That’s my sister going into the restaurant with Chandi – my little girl.
Chinatown, London
Sorry about the half eaten food, I forgot to take a picture of it before it got to this stage, but better to show you something rather than nothing!
Hong Kong Buffet, Chinatown, London
This picture is a little blurry, but I think it shows the atmosphere of Chinatown really well.
Chinatown, London
This is where we ate on our first night in London (yesterday evening) – I did not want to eat pizza, I can get Pizza Hut in the USA, but my kids wanted it, so I had to give in. Tonight, we walked right by it after our meal in Chinatown.
Pizza Hut, Leicester Square
Right next to Pizza Hut in Leicester Square is Burger King – gladly, we did not go there on this trip, but I’m guilty of taking them there on a previous trip.
Burger King, Leicester Square
Okay, so this picture belonged higher up, but I wanted to put it next to the night-time picture of the same place – the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. We walked past it many times during our five days there, both morning and night.
National Gallery at Trafalgar Square
National Gallery, Trafalgar Square
My computer is acting really weird right now, and going ever so slow, I guess I have overworked it with all of my pictures in I-Photo and I think I’m running low on memory. Anyway, time to go now and enjoy life here in San Diego! Have a great weekend!
July 4th Fireworks At Seaport Village, San Diego
I hope you got a chance to see the fireworks tonight. If not here you are – this is what they looked like from Seaport Village in San Diego – spectacular!
Seaport Village July 4th fireworks
Seaport Village July 4th Fireworks
Dreaming of Las Vegas Now That The Holidays Are Approaching
The holidays are nearly here, and when I think of where I want to spend Thanksgiving, I always think of Las Vegas. My favorite place in Vegas is the Venetian, but of course I love Caesar’s and the Bellagio too. Here are just a few pictures.
The Venetian, Las Vegas
Venetian, Las Vegas
The Venetian – Las Vegas Blvd
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
The Bellagio, Las Vegas
The Bellagio, Las Vegas
Fashion Show Shopping Mall, Las Vegas
More pictures of Las Vegas can be found here.
Of course, I dream of visiting London too during the holidays, but that dream will have to perhaps become reality next year instead. Anyway, hope you are all dreaming of your holidays and making plans, the holidays will be here before you know it!
Serene San Diego
Just a little serenity even in pictures might take away the tension that is forever present in this world. Here’s some serenity from San Diego.
Seaport Village, San Diego
Seaport Village, San Diego
Seaport Village, San Diego
Seaport Village, San Diego
Seaport Village, San Diego
Seaport Village, San Diego
Seaport Village, San Diego
Seaport Village, San Diego
Seaport Village, San Diego
Seaport Village, San Diego
Seaport Village, San Diego
Seaport Village, San Diego
Seaport Village, San Diego
Have a happy and serene week!
Where’s This Beach…Hope It’s Within Reach! It’s in Oceanside!
Where is this beauty of a beach?
Oceanside, CA
Is it Tenerife?
Oceanside, CA
Is it Majorca?
Oceanside, CA
Is it Sicily?
No, well, I think you know it by now, as I put it in the title and in the captions……it’s in Oceanside, California, which is just 45 minutes north or so of downtown San Diego. Oh, this beach is so stunning and one of my latest joys and discoveries. You can live by a place, but not even visit it or know of it’s beauty, until one day you stumble upon a part of it, and instantly think, wow, this is so beautiful, how could I never have visited this place before, or even known how beautiful? So, now, I go back to this beautiful beach as often as I can. Here are more pictures.
Beautiful park by Paradise on the Beach (that’s just my name for it) – it’s actually called Tyson’s Park – I believe.
Oceanside, CA
A bit of color by the beach
Oceanside, CA
Take a walk along the Pier
Oceanside, CA
Especially on a day that’s perfect, and the sky is clear
Oceanside Pier, CA
Okay, the sky may not be that clear, but the day was perfect.
Oceanside Pier, CA
Here’s a view from the Pier
A view from Oceanside Pier, Oceanside, CA
Another view from the Pier
A view from Oceanside Pier, Oceanside, CA
Back to the beautiful Pier
Oceanside Pier, CA
More of the beach
Oceanside Beach, CA
Guess what? There’s a restaurant on the Pier, and it was fun eating there, it almost felt like being on a cruise!
Ruby’s Restaurant, Oceanside Pier, CA
Ruby’s Restaurant, Oceanside Pier, CA
Okay, so I had to take a picture inside Ruby’s where we enjoyed lunch, but this one didn’t come out great, I wanted to show the view through the window
Ruby’s Restaurant, Oceanside Pier, CA
Back to the outside world and lovely Oceanside Pier again! Here’s someone else enjoying the view from the Pier.
Oceanside Pier, CA
Here’s someone taking a break from fishing on the Pier
Oceanside Pier, CA
Here’s more people enjoying the view from the Pier
Oceanside Pier, CA
What a beauty of a beach!
Oceanside Beach, CA
What nice waves you have!
Oceanside Beach, CA
What nice trees you have!
Oceanside Beach, CA
Chandi loved visiting Oceanside
Oceanside Pier, CA
I know these people loved the beach
Oceanside Pier, CA
Oceanside Pier, CA
I think anyone visiting would love this place
Oceanside Pier, CA
Life’s more fun with a visit to the beach. I hope the beach is within reach for you
Oceanside Beach, CA
No matter which angle you view it from, Oceanside Beach should be within your reach
Oceanside Beach, CA
Shade or no shade, tents or not
Oceanside Beach, CA
This beach sparkles
Oceanside Beach, CA
Where is Oceanside again?
Oceanside Beach, CA
It’s part of sunny San Diego, just 5 or 10 minutes away from Carlsbad, and 40 or 45 minutes north of downtown San Diego.
Oceanside Beach, CA
Oceanside Beach, CA
Oh, it’s so Oceanside!
Oceanside Beach, CA
By the way, Happy Labor Day!
Oh, I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside – In Oceanside, CA
What’s better than visiting a beautiful seaside or should I say beach on a beautiful day in San Diego? Oceanside, which is about 40 minutes north of downtown San Diego has spectacular beaches. Here’s a few pictures.
The beach at Oceanside (San Diego)
Life’s getting really hectic, so I’m bringing you this really short post with just a few pictures. Until next time!
What To Do On A Lovely Day In San Diego
There’s so much to do in San Diego, that I often have to really think about what I want to do on my days off – we are spoilt for choice. Should I visit Seaport Village, Coronado, San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, La Jolla Beach, Del Mar Beach or Carlsbad? Well, this weekend on Saturday, I decided to take little Chandi to Legoland which is in Carlsbad, just 40 minutes north of downtown San Diego. The weather has been beautiful this weekend, it certainly feels like summer already.
I just bought annual passes for myself, Chandi and her brother and sister. Big brother and sister have had annual passes before when they were young, and now complain that they don’t remember. So, they won and got their way….I indulged them and they now have no excuses for not remembering as they are both quite a bit older than Chandi.
Here’s some pictures taken this weekend (yesterday):
Legoland, California
Legoland, California
Legoland, California
Of course, children come here to play
Legoland, California
They also like to dance up and down near the water fountains which are interactive, and either play music when jumped upon or squirt out water
Legoland, California
Don’t forget to visit the miniature cities made out of lego bricks
You can surely guess these cities in the USA?
Washington, DC in Legoland, Carlsbad, California
Legoland in Carlsbad, California
The Venetian in Legoland, Carlsbad, California
Legoland, Carlsbad, California
Here’s the Luxor in Las Vegas at Legoland
Luxor at Legoland, Carlsbad, California
Here’s another two miniature cities, aren’t they amazing – made from lego bricks – unbelievable!
Legoland, Carlsbad, California
Legoland, Carlsbad, California
Don’t forget to take a boat ride on the Fairy Tale Brook, it’s great for kids of any age, and you’ll see characters from all your favorite fairy tales, including Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, and so much more.
Fairytale Brook Ride, Legoland, Carlsbad
Here’s me with Chandi on the day when we got our annual passes
Legoland, California
I just love this picture of my three babies all at Legoland
Legoland, Carlsbad, California
There’s so much to do in Legoland, especially for your kids!
Legoland, Carlsbad, California
It’s one big playground!
Legoland, Carlsbad, California
If you want to stay really close by to the Legoland Park, you could stay at the newly opened Legoland Hotel, which is right there in the grounds, less than a twenty second walk away.
Legoland Hotel, Legoland, Carlsbad, California
Legoland Hotel, Legoland, Carlsbad, California
Your kids will want to make friends with the Lego characters
Legoland in Carlsbad, California
-
- Legoland, California
And they won’t want to go when it’s time to leave.
- Annual passes for Legoland are $129 each for adults and kids over the age of 13 +
- Annual passes for kids from the age of 3-12 are $99 each. Click here for more information on Legoland.
- If you live in California, you might as well buy the annual passes because the day pass is $79, so just by visiting twice – you’ll get your money’s worth! Did I mention that Legoland is just across the street from the beautiful Grand Pacific Palisades, which overlooks the gorgeous Flower Fields? You could start your day out with a walk by the Flower Fields, followed by the rest of the day at Legoland…….. it makes for a really nice day out.
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
Izmir, Turkey
Izmir, Turkey
Izmir, Turkey
Here are a few pictures taken back on the cruise ship that night.
MSC Musica
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
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey
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
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
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.
Want to Vacation In San Diego This Year?
Interested in visiting Paradise this year? I have a beautiful one bedroom unit for rent! The accommodation has a separate living area, bedroom, bathroom and full kitchen, and sleeps four people (there’s a sofa bed in the living room). It’s in the North County area of San Diego in Carlsbad, which is a beautiful place close by to the ocean. In fact, you will have an ocean view! Also, my vacation rental overlooks the Flower Fields – which are a tourist attraction – where visitors come from all over to Carlsbad in March or April of each year to see the beautiful flowers in full bloom – breathtaking!
By the way, before I forget to mention the rental price for the week – it will be $1,100 and that’s a great bargain considering it’s racetrack season (and you can stay here on the Grand Opening Day of the Del Mar Racetrack – see below). Hotel rooms usually can go from $275 to $300 per night or more, and additionally you will still have to eat out – save money this way by cooking your own meals – at least one or two meals (if not three). The check in date will be July 14th, 2013 and the check out date will be July 21, 2013.
Here are some pictures:
Grand Pacific Palisades and the Flower Fields, Carlsbad
That’s me and my children enjoying the flowers (yes, we got right into the fields – many people do just to have their photographs taken)
Flower Fields and Grand Pacific Palisades, San Diego
Of course, July is going to be beautiful here in San Diego! You will want to take a dip in the pool at the Palisades (there’s two pools – one adults only, and one is a family pool – more suitable for kids)
Grand Pacific Palisades Resort, San Diego
The lobby
The Lobby of the Grand Pacific Palisades Resort, Carlsbad, San Diego
Here’s another picture of the lobby area
Grand Pacific Palisades Resort, Carlsbad, CA
Kids love to play here
Playground, Grand Pacific Palisades Resort, San Diego
Grand Pacific Palisades Resort, San Diego
Outdoor Splash Area, and Kids Pool, Grand Pacific Palisades Resort, San Diego
What can you expect to see in the surrounding area?
This sign will show you some local places of interest, and of course a local restaurant where you can eat if you don’t want to cook your own food.
Grand Pacific Palisades, Carlsbad, CA
Legoland is just across the street, yes, you can even walk there! I don’t have any recent pictures of Legoland, and will have to find my older pictures, but this is a great place to visit with the kids!
Then you have the Carlsbad Outlet Mall close by, this is just within walking distance, and has many great stores such as GAP Kids, Clark Shoes, Nine West, DKNY, and many others. The kids will love it because it has rides that they just absolutely adore.
Carlsbad Outlet Mall
The main beach in Carlsbad is just about 3.7 miles away or so, if you want to go the area close by to Carlsbad Village Drive and Carlsbad Blvd. I would highly recommend eating at the Harbor Fish Cafe, which overlooks the ocean. It is located at 3179 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad, CA 92008.
Carlsbad Beach, San Diego
Carlsbad Beach, San Diego
Harbor Fish Cafe, Carlsbad
In the picture above, you can’t really tell where the Harbor Fish Cafe is, but it is on the upper right, and now when you see the picture below, you can see it more clearly, but won’t be able to tell it has a fantastic ocean view, that’s why I had to include the picture above.
Harbor Fish Cafe, Carlsbad
The racetrack!
If you travel about 15 minutes south of Carlsbad, down Highway 5, you will arrive at Del Mar, and the racetrack. Every year in July for about seven weeks, the racetrack opens, and this is unquestionably one of the area’s greatest attractions – you will be amazed if you go there on Opening Day. This year – Opening Day will be on July 17th – don’t forget if you want to be here for Opening Day this year, my vacation unit is available – it will be a fabulous place to stay in style, and entertain!
Del Mar Racetrack, San Diego
Del Mar Racetrack, San Diego
Me at the racetrack last year.
Del Mar Racetrack, San Diego
Bring the kids, there’s lots for them to do, Chandi was happy with her new horse – they often hand out freebies with your paid admission – and people just love those!
Del Mar Racetrack, San Diego
Del Mar Racetrack, San Diego
The racetrack is very close to Powerhouse Beach in Del Mar, about a mile or so.
Powerhouse Beach, Del Mar
I would highly recommend Pacifica Breeze Cafe in the Del Mar Plaza at 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014 for their delicious scones, oatmeal, and kids breakfasts (you can see it at the top right of the photo below)
Del Mar Plaza, Del Mar, San Diego
Del Mar Racetrack, San Diego
Want to come here in July, 2013 – specifically July 14 – July 21? I have a place for you to stay, just write to me at dkaur@luchaniktravel.com and I will be happy to help you with your accommodation, and some recommendations. Also, if you are interested in buying this one week unit (I only own one week per year at Grand Pacific Palisades) – I would be interested in selling it too for $8,000 – that’s a bargain, then you too can live in Paradise – even if it’s just one week per year.
Don’t forget, there’s no place like Carlsbad, there’s no place like Del Mar, and there’s no place like San Diego!
2012 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 6,900 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 12 years to get that many views.
luchanik 