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!
When In Rome
When in Rome, you won’t forget to do the usual touristy things like visit the Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain, Rome
First you’ll want to photograph just about any part of it with other people in it
Trevi Fountain, Rome
Then you’ll probably want to pick on an Italian-looking person to be in the picture
Trevi Fountain, Rome
Then you’ll want to photograph the top of the structure
Trevi Fountain, Rome
The middle of the structure
Trevi Fountain, Rome
And other people taking better pictures of it
Trevi Fountain, Rome
Don’t forget to take pictures that include the bottom of the structure showing the water.
Trevi Fountain, Rome
Now, you’ll want to go elsewhere, and take more pictures
Rome, Italy
And somewhere else again
Rome, Italy
Take a picture from another angle
Rome, Italy
And then walk around the corner
Rome, Italy
Don’t forget to just take pictures of people, any people – don’t even ask them.
Rome, Italy
Don’t forget the street scenes
Rome, Italy
Don’t forget to get the Italian flag in your pictures
Rome, Italy
Did I mention that you are supposed to get the numerous statues too that are all over the place?
Bridge of Angels, Rome, Italy
Can’t resist throwing in one more picture of the Trevi Fountain.
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 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
It’s a pretty place for a walk in the evenings
Carlsbad in the evening
Then there’s neighboring Oceanside to explore (only ten minutes north of Carlsbad):
Oceanside Beach
Life’s just a 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
Keep dreaming of holidays during your holiday when the Taj Mahal presents itself to you at Legoland!
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
I just have to show the Taj Mahal at Legoland again to you – can you believe the creativity?
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
Next, we were transported to Paris, France!
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
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.
Italy is Entrenched in Culture – You’ve Got to Love It!
There is a place that I could go to again and again, and never get bored of visiting, and that is Italy. I have been there numerous times. On this occasion, back in 2006, it was right after the MSC Musica cruise. The cruise started in Venice and finished in Venice, but a trip to Italy is not complete without visiting some of it’s other beautiful cities. We chose Pisa, and were not disappointed. We also went to Florence, and San Gimignano, but I can’t remember if some of these pictures were taken there or not. I have decided to label most of the other pictures Tuscany, Italy just to be on the safe side.
First, the most famous place in Pisa – the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Leaning Tower of Pisa
and here, it looks like it’s not leaning so much, but it’s just a different angle
Then here are an assortment of pictures taken in Tuscany which is the region where Pisa is.
Tuscany, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, Italy
What can I say about Italy other than I love the architecture, the fashion, the language, the food, the place and the people. Italy, it has it all, and you can get a big taste of what Italy is about just in Pisa.
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!
Super Sweet Blogging Award
The Rules:
- Thank the Super Sweet Blogger that nominated you.
- Answer five Super Sweet questions.
- Include the Super Sweet Blogging award image in your blog post.
- Nominate a baker’s dozen (13) other bloggers.
- Notify your nominees on their blog.
(c) Pallak Sharma/original designer , The Be-All and End-All
According to the rules I have to answer 5 questions and here they are:
1. Cookies or Cake?
I have a sweet tooth, and I love both cookies and cake, but if truth be told, I think I prefer cake just a little more. I like cake with custard in it, and love Napoleon Slices – I believe we call them Vanilla Slices in England, you can see them in this picture – they are the second ones over on the right from the fruit tart in the middle at the bottom of the display, and they have a delicious fondant type icing on the top. Yummy! I miss some of the cookies, or biscuits as we would say in England – from the UK – especially Digestives and Hobnobs.
Tempting Treats at Champagne Bakery
However, when my daughter makes cookies like these, I can’t resist! My sweet tooth always gives in!
Yummy Cookies
2. Chocolate or Vanilla?
I love chocolate, and especially if it’s milk or white chocolate. Cadbury’s from England is definitely one of my favorites, and I have to tell you that I miss the chocolate in England. If you go into a store in England, you will be amazed at the selection of chocolates – from Rowntrees’ Yorkie bars to Cadbury’s bars and Galaxy’s, not to mention Aero bars, both peppermint, orange and milk chocolate – these are out of this world with airy bubbles and chocolate that melts in your mouth. I haven’t mentioned Crunchies, oh, how I love Crunchies. My kids also love Cadbury’s Milky Bars and Cadbury’s Buttons. We do get some limited selection of Cadbury’s bars here in the USA, but not the Crunchies, Aero’s or Yorkies unless you go to British stores or even Indian shops, that really inflate the cost of these bars to something outrageous. Why can’t we have chocolate like this here in the USA? I also like Toblerone chocolate – it is so good! Ghiradelli Chocolate is quite good too (although I’m still more of a Cadbury’s fan), and they are based here in San Francisco. I had the pleasure of visiting their chocolate factory last year, and you won’t be surprised to know that I definitely sampled their goodies. However, when it comes to chocolate or vanilla ice-cream, then I would have to say – I would choose vanilla over chocolate as I enjoy chocolate more in chocolate bars than I do in ice-cream. The same goes for cake, I prefer vanilla sponge cake over chocolate sponge cake, but do like chocolate gateaux.
Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory, San Francisco, CA
3. Favorite Sweet Treat?
I have to say chocolate and also Mithai – Indian sweets that consist of anything from Burfi to Rasmalai or Jalebis. Burfi for example, are sweets made from condensed milk, that are rich and creamy in taste, and can include such yummy ingredients as coconut, almonds and pistachios. I love pistachio burfi from a certain favorite sweet shop in Birmingham, England and mango burfi (second from the left on the top shelf of the picture below) from Surati Farsan Mart in Mira Mesa, San Diego. I also love French Fancies (little cakes sold in a box) in England, as well as Mr. Kipling’s Apple Pies, Mince Pies, Jamaican Gingerbread, and Jam Tarts – I miss all those and would gladly devour them upon sight. Oh, and I also love coconut macaroons, scones, and custard with rhubard crumble!
Burfi Display at Surati Farsan Mart in San Diego
Jalebis, Surati Farsan Mart, San Diego
4. When do you crave sweet things the most?
Every day, and every time I drink coffee or tea. I do not always indulge my sweet tooth, but most nights I have to give in to having a bit of chocolate with a cup of tea. I think tea tastes better if it’s preceeded with sweets.
5. Sweet Nick Name?
My sweet nickname for my little Chandi who is 4 years old, is that she is a piece of mithai – and though I speak to her in English only, with just a few words of Punjabi thrown in from time to time, and endearing words such as “mithai, laddoo, jalebi, rasmalai, or burfi” – I tell her that she’s one of those – she now knows what these words mean. Guess what? She inherited my sweet tooth unfortunately (or it might not be that unforunate, as who says having a sweet tooth is bad unless it is taken to the extreme and I like to think that having a sweet tooth makes the person sweeter) – she loves burfi and chocolate, but she also loves all kinds of fruit.
I nominate the following for the Super Sweet Blogging Award:
1) http://halfeatenmind.wordpress.com
2) http://sartenada.wordpress.com
3) http://retireediary.wordpress.com
4) http://lesleycarter.wordpress.com
5) http://dilipnaidu.wordpress.com
6) http://stanfordsa.wordpress.com
7) http://remediesforhealth.wordpress.com
8) http://getsetandgo.wordpress.com
10) http://greenhornphotos.com
11) http://seamlessstyle.wordpress.com/
12) http://arjungabriel.wordpress.com
13) http://rarasaur.wordpress.com/
After this article is published today, I will be messaging all the above nominees on their ‘About’ or home pages. Have a very sweet day, and a sweet May!
https://luchanik.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/super-sweet-blogging-award/
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
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- 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.
The Flower Fields Are Ablaze With The Beauty of Color – Carlsbad, CA (San Diego)
Spring is in the air, flowers are everywhere! Or should I say the hills are alive with the beauty of flowers? These flowers are like music to my soul, and they bring joy. They also bring much joy to my little angel, Chandi.
Here is the Princess of The Flower Fields (I nominate her for that):
The Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA
Here’s Chandi dreaming of more flowers.
Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA (San Diego)
Here she is, ever so content with all the flowers around her.
Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA (San Diego)
The Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA (San Diego)
Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA (San Diego)
I should tell you a little more about the Flower Fields – they mainly grow ranunculus flowers here – and the early ranunculus blossoms resembled Poppy blossoms. Here’s a little more history on this:
Ranunculus Flowers, Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA
Here’s some close-up pictures of the ranunculus flowers
Little kids love to come to the Flower Fields – they get to meet others their age, see fish in the little lily pond basins
They can play in the playground
Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA – Playground
Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA – Playground
They will see see hens and will even see some fresh laid eggs on the ground!
They will love taking a ride on the wagon that goes around the fields full of flowers, and have a narrated tour. Most of all, if they are just like Chandi, they will like to be out in the fresh open air, smelling the sweet smell of Spring, and seeing flowers everywhere!
Here are the fields ablaze with color
Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA
Here are some people picking the flowers (most likely employees) – these flowers could surely brighten anyone’s home, and will likely find their way into the stores.
Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA
Here’s me and my baby enjoying some Mummy and me time!
Who wouldn’t like to bring their little baby here, and see their face light up with joy? Chandi’s face lit up with joy, is all the happiness I need. Here she is once again, Princess of the Flower Fields.
Also, let me tell you where Carlsbad is in relation to San Diego…..it is a 40 minute drive up north from downtown San Diego. Take the Highway 5 North and exit Palomar Airport Road, then make a right onto Palomar Airport Road, make a left onto Paseo Del Norte, and make a right into the Carlsbad Outlet Mall Shopping Area, and then make another right and head into the parking lot close to the Flower Fields entrance.
Prices: $11 for adults, free for kids under 3 years of age, and kids from 4 to 11 – $6
Also, don’t forget – locally grown strawberries are for sale right here at the Flower Fields, and don’t forget to try a yummy Strawberry Milkshake or one of the other scrumptious desserts made from strawberries.
Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA
Also, don’t forget to visit sometime soon, as the flowers will only be in bloom up to a certain point in April, so hurry fast and visit Carlsbad, CA – part of greater San Diego.
**This is an addition to the post. Went back to visit again on March 30, 2013 (last week I visited on March 23rd) – there’s a big difference in just a week as far as how much the flowers have bloomed. Here’s what they looked like today, however, these pictures were taken from a distance – we did not get right into the fields like we did last week.
The Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA – on March 30, 2013
The Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA – on March 30, 2013
The Flower Fields as of April 20, 2013
The Flower Fields from a previous years:
April 16, 2011
The Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA – San Diego
April 19, 2009
Flower Fields, Carlsbad – San Diego
Social Media and My New Pinterest
I just had to add a new interest, or should I say Pinterest? Pardon the pun………if my kids knew that I just said that, they would get mad at me. I am always having fun with word play, much to their consternation. Well, to go back to Pinterest – I don’t know what took me so long to get into it. All, I can say is it’s a lot of fun. All the pictures don’t have to be your own, you can like other people’s pictures and pin them on your board, and others will hopefully like what you pin, and re-pin. It’s a bit like retweeting on Twitter, and you can like pins too – now you’ll be reminded of Facebook. You can also pin videos, so hence YouTube can be brought in……now you have all your social media played out just in Pinterest.
I like to divide up my travel or my interests (such as on empowerment, or the British Royal Family, especially Princess Diana) into boards, it’s a little like having photo albums all sorted out, and not lumped together. I have one album, more appropriately called “board” on Pinterest for London, one for Izmir, one for Istanbul, one for Italy, one for San Diego, and one that I named Travel Repins when I didn’t really know what I was doing, and still don’t quite know what to call it. This board is where I just put pictures that I like taken by other people into one big collection, and this one isn’t at all organized – it has pictures from all over the world in it.
I still have to do more on Pinterest, I can’t just leave only mostly my pictures on my boards for instance – like the ones on Izmir or Istanbul. My board on London has many pictures from others who have taken pictures of that amazing city. Just like with all social media, it’s about sharing. After all, there are so many other pictures to discover out there in the world, we have to go beyond ourselves, and share the work of others.
I have to find more time, and have been lacking time lately…..life has caught up with me. Now just living day to day leaves hardly any spare moments to even dabble in social media, unfortunately. However, my emails from Pinterest even when I’m not active myself, have shown me what people are interested in, and I’ve noted with much curiousity, that people are really into London, and why not? London is one of the best cities in the world, if not the very best. However, I would like to add some interest for San Diego, especially since I now live here. So, I will work on my board on San Diego, and on some of the other boards, where I might only have my pictures.
Lastly, you know I like to have pictures in my posts…..so here are three pictures taken by me in three of my favorite cities and of course on Pinterest.
First, one of my favorite destinations….beautiful Venice in tantalizing Italy.
Venice, Italy
Then, lovely London in enchanting England.
Tower Bridge, London
Lastly, Paradise on Earth in Coronado, San Diego, in sunny California, USA.
Coronado, San Diego
I think you ought to give Pinterest a try, you just might find it Pinteresting!
Follow me on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/luchanik/
luchanik 