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
Spectacular Star of India Sunset
I do enjoy beautiful sunsets, but tonight’s sunset was spectacular – what more do you expect on July 4th? I hope you all had a great day !
Star of India sunset on July 4th, 2014
Cefalu – A Picture Postcard Just For You
I went to Cefalu, which is in Sicily, probably back in 2004 or 2005. I took many pictures in Sicily and have no idea where they are now. One picture that I took and enlarged was just returned to me by someone who took it – but fortunately I got it back. I love this picture, and right now this picture is my only visual memory of the picture postcard place that I would love to return to or at least find more of my pictures of.
Below is the picture that took of Cefalu and framed. The picture above is a picture I took of it as I still have to locate the negative or even the smaller print so that I can perhaps scan it in the future. Taking a picture of a picture is sometimes such a pain, shadows can creep into it or the flash light or the room light shines into the picture. Oh well, I still hope you can see how picturesque Cefalu is.
Cefalu, Sicily
7 Picks from San Diego
Well, June is nearly over, and I’ve had a hectic month. I hope you are all enjoying your summer. Let the summer fun begin, and what better than to bring you some of my personal picks (and pics) of San Diego:
1) Balboa Park – this place is full of spectacular and breathtaking sights – just look – this photographer really wants to take a picture of the Botanical Building, but he really should be taking it of the bride
Balboa Park – Botanical Building
Well, it wasn’t fair to her that she wasn’t in the picture, so I took one myself!
Balboa Park – Botanical Building
2) San Diego Zoo – world famous and definitely worth your time and money!
San Diego Zoo
My little girl has been going here since she was ever so little and the orangutans did not frighten her away!
The San Diego Zoo
3) The Hotel Del – it’s ever so swell!
The Hotel Del, Coronado
From any angle, east to west, north to south – it’s perfect!
The Hotel Del, Coronado
4) Horton Plaza – most beautiful and the best shopping mall ever!
Horton Plaza
5) SeaPort Village – a great tourist attraction – don’t miss it!
SeaPort Village
6) La Jolla Cove – ever so scenic and serene!
La Jolla Cove
Even the birds love it!
La Jolla
7) Carlsbad – The Flower Fields and Legoland
Well, you can’t always visit The Flower Fields, just in March and April of each year, but me and Chandi absolutely love to go there, in fact she insists!
The Flower Fields
Taj Mahal in Legoland
Legoland, CA
Well, these 7 picks were quick, but don’t be quick when visiting them, take your time and allow at least a day for each one, be sure to remember I gave you that bit of advice!
Paradise at Del Mar
Have you ever envisioned paradise? How would it look?
Swinging overlooking the ocean?
Children’s Playground in Del Mar
Seeing the ocean through tropical landscaping?
Seagrove Park, Del Mar Beach
Seeing two trees growing side by side in Paradise?
Powerhouse Beach, Del Mar
Seeing beautiful sights to behold
Powerhouse Beach, Del Mar
Seeing beautiful sights again and again
Powerhouse Beach, Del Mar
Seeing a playground for your kids to play in while you bask in paradise
Children’s Playground, Del Mar Beach
Somewhere to chat with your friends while your kids played close by?
Powerhouse Park, Del Mar
Seeing ocean water that is nice and blue, and waves that call out for surfers to ride on them
Del Mar Beach
Seeing a place where people want to picnic, that becomes so colorful that you can’t help but gaze at the scene in front of you
Powerhouse Park, Del Mar
Seeing trains come by where people stop to stare and wave as the trains go by
Train track at Del Mar
Seeing the scenic Coast Highway 101 and pass such beautiful places like Del Mar on their journey through California
Coast Highway, Del Mar
Seeing a place that looks so tropical and colorful, surely it must be Paradise?
Tropical Del Mar
Last picture, then you have to see it for yourself!
Seagrove Park, Del Mar
I hope you got a taste of Paradise! Paradise is in Del Mar.
Star of India, Star Of San Diego
This beautiful ship is the Star Of India, and one of the stars of San Diego. Did you know that it was put together in Great Britain?
Star Of India, San Diego
Star Of India, San Diego
Want to learn more? See the picture of the sign below – I hope you can read the words.
Here’s two more pictures of the Star Of India.
This was a quick post – the first I’ve posted from my phone. All these pictures were taken with my Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Next time, I might post more from my computer of the ship taken with my Canon G10.
This is a lunch time post. Until next time!
Just added to the post at 6:53 pm PST – somehow posting from the phone did not include the first picture that was supposed to be in it, and I also added another!
Imagine (the Flower Fields)
Imagine all the flowers, it’s easy if you try.
The Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA
Just close your eyes and smell them, above you only sky
Imagine all the people
The Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA
Going crazy for the flowers…..ooh, ooh!
You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope some day you’ll join us….and the world will be a flowery one!
The words above were inspired of course, by John Lennon, and from his song “Imagine” which is a truly beautiful song with so much meaning…only his is about peace. However, you can use the word “Imagine” and his music (and apply it to almost any theme) and it can still be a beautiful thing (hopefully).
Here are some more pictures of the spectacular Flower Fields in Carlsbad, CA (just 40 minutes or so north of downtown San Diego).
The Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA – windmill, flowers and ocean!
The Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA – windmill, flowers and ocean!
If you’d like to see more of the pictures I’ve taken at the Flower Fields, I just made a new board – just for the Flower Fields! You can find it here at: http://www.pinterest.com/Luchanik/flower-fields-carlsbad-san-diego/ – there are a few pictures on this board that I did not take, but the majority of them I did!
Well, Happy Spring to you all, and remember to imagine all the flowers, it’s really easy if you try!
Me and My New Note 3 and Balboa Park
I have a new Note 3, and I have enjoyed getting to know it. It was quite a transition from going from an Iphone to a non-Iphone, such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
My first major testing place of my Note 3 was at Balboa Park on October 26th, 2013. I went here for the occasion of the Festival of Lights. However, I will show you some pictures taken at Balboa Park using my Note 3, and then some pictures taken with my Canon G10.
With the Samsung Galaxy Note 3:
Balboa Park
Balboa Park – San Diego
Balboa Park – San Diego
Balboa Park – San Diego
Balboa Park – San Diego
Now, here are some pictures taken with my Canon G10
Balboa Park – San Diego
Balboa Park – San Diego
Balboa Park – San Diego
Balboa Park – San Diego
Balboa Park – San Diego
Balboa Park – San Diego
Balboa Park – San Diego
I won’t show you pictures of my Note 3, as you can see what one is like from taking a look at this link:
http://reviews.cnet.com/samsung-galaxy-note-3/
However, I think the Note 3 takes pretty decent pictures, and can perform quite well in dim lighting. But, I would never give up my Canon G10 as I love this camera – there’s nothing like a dedicated stand-alone camera! I will say that I prefer the pictures taken with my Note 3 over those I used to take on the Iphone, but then my old Iphone 4’s camera had had only 5 megapixels or so, and the Note 3 has 13 megapixels, so that’s not a fair comparison. The G10 has about 10 megapixels, but I can’t say the Note 3’s camera is better, I am not that much into camera specifications to pass that type of judgment.
Here’s a picture taken with my Note 3 of one of my favorite subjects for photo-taking – my little 4 year old daughter!
Note 3 photo of Chandi
Note 3 photo of Chandi
I could take photos all day long of this little Princess!
But going back to my Note 3, all I can say with confidence is that I love using this super smartphone!
Happy Diwali 2013 from Balboa Park
I could not miss going to Balboa Park after the wonderful experience last year. I looked forward to another Diwali spectacular, and I was not disappointed. Here’s a video that I made:
October 26th, 2013 was the date set for the Festival of Lights Celebration to take place in Balboa Park, and it started at 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm for activities leading up to the big show. These preliminary activities included stalls from various regions of India that displayed their region in all it’s splendor, including displaying arts and crafts, and putting on some pretty amazing dances. Then at 6pm, the “big show” was performed on the stage at the Organ Pavilion. The weather was cooperative, and unlike last year, there wasn’t any rain, and it was a beautiful San Diego day!
Here are some pictures showing you some of the preliminary activities that took place prior to the big show.
Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park
Sometimes, you will see the banners that display the region, and sorry if I don’t always show them
Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park
Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park
Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park
Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park
Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park
Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park
Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park
Here’s my little Indian Princess (she’s also seen dancing at the end of the video).
Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park
So, now I will show you some scenes from the “big show” that started at 6pm and went on until 7:45 pm or so.
First, there was the introduction, and the Mayor Elect of San Diego was present and also talked to the audience
Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park
Then the show began
Festival Of Lights – Balboa Park
Festival Of Lights – Balboa Park
Festival Of Lights – Balboa Park
Festival Of Lights – Balboa Park
Festival Of Lights – Balboa Park
Here’s the display of lights on the stage towards the end of the show, you can’t really see it very well, but this is where many participants paraded around the stage and the surrounding area with tiny little lamps – it was truly beautiful!
Of course, there’s nothing like a Bhangra Finale at the end of the show! The crowd joined in and danced to Bhangra!
In the next post, I am going to show you a few pictures of Balboa Park. In the meantime, Happy Diwali, 2013! I hope it will be a joyful and wonderful time for you, your family and friends.
Have You Been To The Land Down Under?
Okay, so my title was inspired by the Men At Work song which coincidentally was out during the time of my fascination with Australia. I was always intrigued by Australia and knew I had to go there. So off, I went with a backpack and no more than £100 pounds. I ended up staying more than a year, and went back once again shortly after I returned to England. The second time I went there, I think I even had less money than the first time. It’s a long story as to what I did there and how I survived with such a meagre beginning, but with a big pot of dreams. Here are some pictures.
I ended up traveling around the country, and actually even hitch-hiked my way around. I would never do it again!
My first stop was Sydney, but I spent the majority of my time in Brisbane.
Sydney Opera House
Sydney Harbor
Sydney Opera House
Sydney Harbor
Sydney Opera House
You can’t visit Australia without going to the Outback, this is where you will see Ayers Rock.
Alice Springs, South Australia
Aboriginal Art
This one was taken in Melbourne
Melbourne
This is in the Northern Territory, I believe I went from Darwin to Alice Springs and Katherine Gorge was on the way. I remember a lazy river ride viewing crocodiles that looked lazy, but of course would snap out of that laziness in a heart-beat if tempted.
Katherine Gorge in the Northern Territory
This is Ayers Rock in Alice Springs
Ayers Rock
Melbourne Zoo
This is the best place to see koalas! I had a picture of me holding a koala and don’t know where it is now. So sad!
Koalas in Australia
However, I do have a picture of me with a kangaroo!
Back in those days, I did not take as many pictures as I do now, and I know I have more pictures of Sydney and Brisbane somewhere, but will look for them and post them sometime down the road. Here’s the Big Pineapple again though, this picture was taken on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
Big Pineapple, Sunshine Coast
I really enjoyed seeing the land Down Under and would like to visit it again sometime soon. It’s a great big country, and some of the other places I visited were Perth, and Adelaide. The only big city that I did not visit was Canberra, the capital city. I really should have gone there. Anyway, that’s enough of my reminiscences of my time in Australia.
luchanik 