Santa Monica Visit in Summer 2016
Happy New Year Everyone! Sorry that I haven’t written in quite some time. Life has been agonizingly busy, and I say agonizingly as you wouldn’t believe what I just went through – one of the worst moves of my life. I will leave this story for another day, but needless to say I was not happy about moving – I also had to downsize, and pay double the rent! 😦
Anyway, onto happier memories from last year….and hoping this year will be better for me and for all of you. We visited Santa Monica last summer, and I have had so much happen that I couldn’t even post my pictures until now. Well, it’s better to do it now than deciding to do it five years from now.
We loved Santa Monica, it’s quite close to Los Angeles, and we were just in Santa Monica for a day, but in the Los Angeles area for nearly three days. Isn’t it amazing that I live in San Diego, but don’t get up to Los Angeles that often any more, and that I have never visited Santa Monica until last year – and I’ve been in San Diego for almost 19 years!
Well, without further ado, here are some of my pictures:
Santa Monica Pier, CA
Santa Monica Pier, CA
Santa Monica Pier, CA
Santa Monica Pier, CA
Santa Monica Pier, CA
Santa Monica Pier, CA
Santa Monica Pier, CA
Santa Monica Pier, CA
Santa Monica Pier, CA
Santa Monica Pier, CA
Santa Monica Pier, CA
Santa Monica, CA
This last picture is of main shopping street that is a block or two away from the beach. I will share more of these pictures another time. Well, that’s it for now, I hope you liked my pictures, and that you are already having an amazing year!
Venetian Magic
Venetian Magic, Venetian splendor! Oh, how I love the Venetian grandeur. This hotel/resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, is my absolute favorite out of all of them there. I have stayed at the Venetian many years ago, and absolutely loved it! I wish I could always stay there when ever I visit Las Vegas. Even when I stay elsewhere, I make it a point to go visit the Venetian. If you can’t go to Venice, at least go to the Venetian – it’s a bit of the real thing. Here are some pictures:
The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
My kids outside the Venetian, last Christmas
The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
Isn’t this place pretty? Isn’t it magical? Wish I could have a permanent suite there! These were all pictures taken outside of the Venetian, next time I will show you some pictures taken inside.
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!
The San Diego Zoo – How Fun!
I love the zoo! How about you? This is going to be a simple and short post, but just want to say it’s one of the best places in San Diego, and makes for a great day out.
This is Chandi at the Zoo when she was about 18 months old.
Orangutans – San Diego Zoo
This was Chandi just yesterday celebrating her 7th birthday at the Zoo. She seems less afraid of the orangutans now!
The San Diego Zoo
Here are some more pictures of the Zoo taken yesterday, November 21st, 2015
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo
My favorite part of the Zoo yesterday, hard to say between the monkeys, orangutans, elephants and koalas, I loved all those best, but really enjoyed seeing the elephants.
The San Diego Zoo
How could I not put a picture of a cuddly koala in this post? I so much would have loved to hold it!
San Diego Zoo
So glad to have an annual pass again. See you again soon, Zoo!
Magical Bathroom at Sloan’s Ice Cream in San Diego
Did you know there’s a place with a magical bathroom? You may have to come all the way to San Diego to visit it though! Just kidding! I think there’s more of these – at least there are in Florida.
The place is called Sloan’s Luxury Ice Cream, and the ice cream is delicious! I’ve switched my tastes lately to frozen yogurt, and resist ice-cream, but who can resist the decor, it beckons you, tantalizes your every bit of sense, and plunges you into temptation – the temptation to indulge in ice-cream or fudge. Of course, there is candy, and I believe all kinds of toffee apples covered with scrumptious coatings of the most exquisite imaginings, such as white chocolate, caramel, and…..well you get it! Then there are toys that entice the kids.
But, then…….there is the magic bathroom. Just be careful that you lock the door, or else everyone will be able to see you while you are in there. See my video below. I actually made this video several months ago in August, before my oldest went off to college in September, but didn’t get to upload it until yesterday. When my kids saw there was a bathroom which was visible from a part of the store where all the stuffed animals are, they were curious because you could see into the bathroom, so off they went to explore. I could not get my son to be part of the video, but he enjoys Sloan’s just as much as all of us.
We went just again this Friday to celebrate my youngest daughter’s birthday. Did I tell you it’s a great place for a celebration?
Here’s my video
Sloan’s Luxury And Magical Bathroom
Star of India And Some Star Sunsets in San Diego
Who said there could not be star sunsets? I’m sure this was a star sunset. To me a star, is something that shines bright. Yes, a star and the sun both shine bright, so let’s just for once call it a star sunset.
Sunset in San Diego at the Embarcadero
I wish the little reflection thing in the water (round green light) hadn’t shown up on my picture, but let it be part of it as I don’t do any retouching of my pictures.
Sunset in San Diego at the Embarcadero
On this same night of the star sunset, just a little earlier, I took a picture of the Star of India. I like to think this could be the Star of San Diego too.
Star of India in San Diego
Even more compelling for the argument of calling it Star of India, and Star of San Diego is when my little girl enters the picture – she is the star of India to me, even though she has not been there yet (India, of course is birthplace of my parents), she is the star of San Diego (her birthplace). She is the star of the UK (my birthplace) and also the star of Italy (her dad’s birthplace). My little star is associated with four different countries. Of course, she’s not really a star in these 4 places, just in my eyes.
Star of India in San Diego
This picture below was not taken this summer like all the other ones, it was taken last year (even time-stamped). I’m not sure if I like the time-stamp feature, I stopped using it. I did some posts previously on the Star of India, you can read it by clicking on this link.
Star of India in San Diego
So, I’m not sharing many pictures today, in fact, I have been quite stingy with pictures compared to usual. Sorry for not writing too much lately. I have been caught up in so many other life events, you wouldn’t believe it. I hope you are all having a wonderful October.
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!
Cute in San Diego
Did you know there’s a cute memorial of a sailor kissing his girlfriend in San Diego? It’s by the US Midway Museum. It might have got a bit more cuter, with my Chandi posing in front of it. What do you think? I think, cuteness……unlimited!
Cute in San Diego
Chandi in San Diego
Chandi in San Diego
Indian Independence Day Celebration in Los Angeles
The Indian Independence Day anniversary this year on August 15th, was the 69th one since India got it’s independence from the British. I had a day off from work on Friday, 14th August, and already showed you Day 1, which we spent mostly in Artesia – LA’s Little India. I love visiting Artesia. Here at home in San Diego, we also have a Little India in the Black Mountain Road area of Mira Mesa, but I do enjoy going to Artesia from time to time.
Day 2 of our little mini-vacation started off at Knotts Soak City, which I already showed you in another post, and now I will show you more pictures of the actual Indian Independence Day Celebration in Artesia (part of Los Angeles).
These pictures were taken towards the end of the evening, and show Bollywood star Raveena Tandon on the stage. The first picture shows when she was lighting a lamp as part of the day’s celebrations.
Raveena Tandon at Indian Independence Day Celebration in Los Angeles
This picture shows the lighting of the lamp a little bit more clearly
Raveena Tandon lighting the lamp at the Indian Independence Day Celebration
This picture just shows Raveena looking very elegant, and beautiful on this great day.
Raveena Tandon at Indian Independence Day Celebration in Los Angeles
My daughter Niki and I got to the event at around 5:45 pm, and we thought we were late. We were relieved when we found out that it hadn’t started yet, so we walked around. Here is Niki enjoying having the day off from dancing and being able to watch her friends peform instead.
Indian Independence Day Celebration
We walked around and looked at all the wonderful food, I really should have taken more pictures of the other food stations – there were so many. This picture shows Pani Puri. I remember we used to have these back in England, and called them Gol Gappa, not sure if I am spelling that properly. They would puff up a lot sometimes while they were fried, and when they came out of the fryer, we would delight in poking a hole in them, and would pour tamarind sauce in to the hole in the center, and oh my gosh, that was one of the tastiest treats ever! They don’t make them here, like my Grandma made them back in England. We used to eat them right after she fried them, and they were so yummy! I think Pani Puri are just the same as Gol Gappa, but I do have to question it as they don’t taste as good as my Grandma’s Gol Gappa! I think Gol Gappa might be the Punjabi word for Pani Puri.
Indian Independence Day Celebration
Oh, I have one more picture of another of the food stations
I had a sample of some great chai! Oh, how I love chai! This one was just the way I like it – piping hot and made with chai masala. I ended up buying some mixes as when I am home, I just make tea the English way by brewing it in a cup, and can’t be bothered going the extra step and making Indian tea (chai) properly. However, when I go out to Indian restaurants, I love to drink chai – I want my proper Indian tea then!
Chai Moments At Indian Independence Day Celebration in Los Angeles
After we wandered around for a bit, it was time to see some performances. It started off with this little boy dancing. Oh, he was so cute. You can see him and the others who performed in the video, directly below his picture (excuse the hand that got in the way).
Performances At Indian Independence Day Celebration in Los Angeles
Please do watch my video of the Performances, this was the main event of the celebration, and of course, the star of the event was Raveena Tandon.
Then there were more performances, here is an assortment of pictures:
Indian Independence Day Celebration
Indian Independence Day Celebration
Indian Independence Day in Los Angeles
Indian Independence Day Celebration
Indian Independence Day Celebration
Indian Independence Day Celebration
Did you know there was a Congressman in attendance? Yes, there was. Congressman Ed Royce (R) serves the 39th Congressional District in Orange County and eastern Los Angeles. I made a video of him too, but did not add it to the Performances video!
Congressman Ed Royce at Indian Independence Day Celebration in Los Angeles
Some more pictures of the performances
Indian Independence Day Celebration in Los Angeles
Indian Independence Day Celebration in Los Angeles
Then, guess what another great thing happened at this event, they had a great sale and all clothes were only $1 each. Yes, you read it right – just $1 each. I bought seven items and it was so worth it.
Indian Independence Day Celebration
I hope you enjoyed seeing my pictures, and the video of the Performances. In case you haven’t yet seen the video that I made of when Raveena Tandon was made upset, here it is:
luchanik 