Star Of India – Star of San Diego
I like to think that I have something in common with the Star Of India. After all, I’m Indian, live in San Diego and was born and raised in England. Well, the Star of India was put together on the Isle of Man in Great Britain, and now calls San Diego home (just like me). As to why she has “India” in her name, you can read more about that here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_of_India_(ship)
Here are more pictures of the Star Of India:
Star Of India
Star Of India
Star of India, San Diego
Star of India, San Diego
By the way, these pictures were taken with my Canon G10. I still can’t decide if I like pictures taken with my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 better or with the Canon G10. If you have any comments on what you prefer – the pictures on this post (taken with the G10 or the other Star of India post taken with the Note 3), please let me know.
The Star of India can be found berthed on North Harbor Drive, near San Diego Lindbergh International Airport. You should not visit San Diego without visiting the Star of India – after all she could easily be the Star of San Diego!
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!
More than a Glimpse Of Balboa Park
I continue with the trip I took to Balboa Park a month ago now. How time flies! I can’t beat time anymore, it wins me constantly.
Anyhow, as Chandra and I left the Botanical Gardens, we got a closer look at the building that was on the other side of the lily pond.
Balboa Park, San Diego
We saw some devotees chanting “Hare Krishna” and I could not resist taking a picture
Balboa Park, San Diego
We saw people photographing the beautiful architecture
Balboa Park, San Diego
The sky was a beautiful blue, and it was a perfect day
Balboa Park, San Diego
There were beautiful cherry-blossom type flowers in the trees – I was reminded of Washington, DC
Balboa Park, San Diego
A really talented musician played for the audience using an Aboriginal-type horn. I have taken his picture before at December Nights at the Park. We could have listened to him all afternoon. He was very entertaining!
Balboa Park, San Diego
Going in the other direction of the park, closer to the Houses of Hospitality, which sadly were closed today (Saturday) – they’re open usually from 10 am to 4 pm (I believe) on Sunday’s – we saw the Organ Pavilion, also the scene of Diwali at the Park and December Nights.
Balboa Park, San Diego
This is also part of Spreckels Theatre – The Organ Pavilion
Balboa Park, San Diego
Here is more of the park
Balboa Park, San Diego
Pretty flowers….imagine what it will be like in Spring!
Balboa Park, San Diego
Balboa Park, San Diego
Balboa Park, San Diego
Sometimes, I can’t stop taking pictures.
Balboa Park, San Diego
Balboa Park, San Diego
Balboa Park, San Diego
Balboa Park, San Diego
There is art even outside the museums, and children will delight at the sight of it. They can even play in one of the structures, outside of the Mingei International Museum.
Balboa Park, San Diego
Balboa Park, San Diego
Balboa Park, San Diego
At one point, the wind started blowing, and it felt like it was snowing. It was snowing cherry blossom type flowers. It was such a beautiful few minutes, and very surreal.
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
Balboa Park, San Diego
This is outside one of my favorite buildings in Balboa Park – the San Diego Museum of Man – what a lovely building!
San Diego Museum of Man, Balboa Park, San Diego
Balboa Park, San Diego
Balboa Park, San Diego
Balboa Park, San Diego
This is back to the area just outside the Mingei International Museum.
Well, I have to leave off here. I think I may have run out of space for my media files – I think I upload too many pictures – infact, I take too many pictures. However, you can never have enough pictures – it’s always best to have dozens of varieties of each, then you can pick your favorite. My problem is that sometimes I can’t pick properly. I want to use them all. Anyway, next time when I sort out my media storage situation – I might even post more pictures of Balboa Park. Happy March!
A Glimpse of Balboa Park
I went to my very favorite park in San Diego yesterday – Balboa Park. The park is so amazing, that I had to give you a glimpse of it, through this picture first:
- Balboa Park, San Diego
The picture leads me to the question, do you like looking at the gate, through the gate or at what is on the other side of the gate? This was a hard one to decide yesterday, since I was in the Botanical Building and it was so filled with beauty that I did not want to leave it, nor did my little Chandra.
This picture was taken when we first headed to the Botanical Building, and of course I had to get my little one in the picture
As we got closer this is what it looked like
Here are some pictures of the flowers
- Orchids at Balboa Park, San Diego
- Botanical Building, San Diego
- Botanical Building, Balboa Park
- Botanical Building, San Diego
- Botanical Building, Balboa Park
However, the ornate fence beckoned me to go outside again
- Botanical Building, San Diego
This is a very interesting looking bush outside the Botanical Building
- Botanical Building, Balboa Park
Outside was just as lovely as inside the Botanical Gardens. This is the view looking out from the Botanical Gardens Building.
- Balboa Park, San Diego
I zoomed in and got this picture
- Balboa Park, San Diego
I either zoomed out or walked a little closer and got another picture
- Balboa Park, San Diego
There were fish in the water, both big and small
- Balboa Park, San Diego
There were ducks in the water
- Balboa Park, San Diego
There was music in the air, as people all over the park were making this park even more beautiful if possible with their wonderful music.
- Musician at Balboa Park, San Diego
As we walked away from the Botanical Building, I couldn’t help but think that Balboa Park is such a treasure, a park that needs to be on everyone’s list of places to visit when they come to San Diego. The visitors who come here will surely fall in love with Balboa Park, and will definitely want more than just a glimpse of the park – an entire day or perhaps two should be what you allot to just this park.
Here’s more of this beautiful park
- Balboa Park
However, I am going to save more pictures until next time. Happy February!
A Little Bit of Paradise At The Hotel Del, Coronado
I love to go to the Hotel Del – that place is just what the doctor would order or should order for anyone to get away from it all! It makes me feel content and serene and as though I am on vacation. Yesterday, on November 30th, we finally got to go and visit this beautiful place again. My heart had been yearning for the Hotel Del. I was so excited to go and visit it again.
On the way to the Hotel Del, there are many picture taking opportunities:
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
near the Hotel Del, Coronado
Don’t park in the hotel grounds as you will have to pay for parking, and it isn’t cheap. There is plenty of free parking by the beach on the main streets. We had to park about a ten-minute walk away from the hotel, but it’s such a lovely place to take a walk. Just take in the surroundings all around and you won’t be disappointed.
near the Hotel Del, Coronado
near the Hotel Del, Coronado
near the Hotel Del, Coronado
near the Hotel Del, Coronado
near the Hotel Del, Coronado
People just love to gaze at the Hotel Del, well……it’s so swell!
near the Hotel Del, Coronado
Coronado near the Hotel Del
Finally, we got to the Hotel Del. The ice-skating rink is now open for the holidays and I could just stand here for hours taking in the happiness of everyone and the beauty all around.
I couldn’t decide if I wanted pictures with the hotel in the background
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
or without it
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del
Hotel Del Ice-Skating Rink, Coronado
Hotel Del Ice-Skating Rink, Coronado
You might want to start with taking a break, just to take in the surrounding beauty while you have an ice-cream from Moo-Time Creamery or grab a cup of coffee or a cold drink – this area shown in the picture below is a self-service area and it is ever so relaxing and a great place to sit.
Hotel Del, Coronado
Moo-Time Creamery, Hotel Del, Coronado
There’s plenty of shops and places to get treats
The Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Then, you’ll want to go and see the lobby and the Christmas tree, and some more of the grounds of the hotel
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
This tree is located where the Sheerwater Restaurant is and close by to where the self-service coffee shop is located
If you go through the lobby and past the tree, then you can exit from the other side and wander out into the beautiful garden
Hotel Del, Coronado
This area shown below is a restaurant with out-door seating and a prime view of not just the ocean, but people-watching
Hotel Del, Coronado
We ended up staying for several hours, and got treated to a nice sunset.
Hotel Del, Coronado
Feel like some hot chocolate out by the ice-skating rink? Then you should try Coffee By The Sea
The ice-skating rink is now bathed in a beautiful sun-set
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Then the sunset became even more spectacular, but how could it be other than spectacular in this beautiful of most beautiful places?
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Last, but not least…..this place is just where you have to come to get into the holiday spirit! It looks like a holiday bonanza, and it is so festive and elegant here that I can’t describe it accurately enough.
Hotel Del, Coronado
Did I tell you that I loved the Hotel Del, did I tell you it is so so swell? It is beautiful and I highly recommend that you visit.
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.
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!
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.
Care For The Fair? Try the San Diego County Fair.
The San Diego County Fair is here in town – it started on June 8th and goes on until July 4th. Normally, I try to avoid this as it’s expensive and can be very tiring. However, I must have forgot how much fun it was, and mustn’t leave it for another three or four years until I go again. Yesterday was a beautiful day for a fair, it was a fairly hot day, but not unpleasant, and the sky was a perfect blue.
The Fairgrounds are in the same venue as the Del Mar Racetrack – here’s a link to some pictures of that – (scroll halfway down the page though to see pictures of the Racetrack). To get to the Fairgrounds, just go on the Highway 5 North and exit Via De La Valle, make a left and another left on Jimmy Durante Blvd. Be prepared to pay $10 for parking or you can park at local schools and take a bus for free. Admission prices are: children under 5 are free; kids under the age of 12 are $8 and adults are $14.
When you first go through admission, you will see a place where you can play all kinds of games. If you want to stay out of the sun, and it was hot yesterday (June 22nd) – this is a great place to stay out of the heat. You can play many kinds of games, cards, dominoes, or just play on one of the arcade style machines.
The San Diego County Fair
San Diego County Fair
Then the aroma of the fair food is so tantalizing, and the choices are plentiful! What to get? Ice cream, funnel cakes, pizza, Greek food, fish and chips, Indian bread (I believe it was the American Indian, not the other Indian), caramel apples, just about anything covered with bacon – including chocolate, or hot dogs are just some of the temptations. The fries covered with nacho cheese and bacon bits were really good! However, it is costly – $10 or so for a chicken basket that consisted of four pieces of chicken with fries, $6.75 for the bacon covered fries, $15.75 for three slices of pizza with two drinks, and should I even go on? But, it’s tempting and you have to be really strong to resist those wonderful tantalizing smells, they can even make those who are full – just greedy. It’s the Fair, and you have to give in just once in a while!
The San Diego County Fair
Then the kids will pester you for rides – or perhaps you might want to give in and try a ride yourself. I believe the first ten days of the fair – you can get a wristband for $30 per person for all day unlimited rides, but right now those wristbands are only available to use on Wednesday and Thursday’s. Since the majority of people go on Saturday or Sunday, they will be limited to paying about 75 cents per ride including on July 4th. You can pay $50 for 72 tickets or $20 for 28 tickets – that’s what I mean when I say it’s expensive – be prepared to bring a lot of money with you.
The San Diego County Fair
Now, when you’ve got your tickets or wristband, you have to decide which rides to go on – at least the lines aren’t that long – like they are at Disneyland or Legoland – you can get on your ride fairly quickly – at least my kids did yesterday.
Here’s two pictures showing the Grand Wheel (the first one with the pink inflated toy in front of it was taken with my camcorder, and the second one was taken with my Iphone):
The Grand Wheel, San Diego County Fair
The San Diego County Fair
or you could choose to go upside down on a ride called Windsurf
The San Diego County Fair
Or how about the Magnum, or one of the other rides shown here?
Then, of course this place would not be complete without rides for little kids of Chandi’s age – so across the fairgrounds on the other side are rides more suitable for the little ones.
Isn’t the San Diego sky glorious?
San Diego County Fair
There are some animals out here for the kids to see and enjoy, such as horses, pigs, goats and chickens. Chandi and Luca had a lot of fun seeing the horses – here’s just one of the horses people can learn about – there were donkeys, ponies and many other kinds of breeds of horses too. Also, there’s a safe way to pretend that you are riding on a horse too!
San Diego Fair has great family shows which are live such as Family Feud – another great way to escape some of the heat and crowds, as well as to give your aching feet a break.
Do you know that celebrities come play at the Fairgrounds – celebrities such as Victoria Justice who does more than just singing or acting – she represents Girl Up, which is a campaign of the United Nations Foundation. Girl Up empowers girls to fight for the right to education and the end to other atrocities that girls face. Big Time Rush were also set to play at the same concert as Victoria Justice – tickets were only $12, my oldest daughter wanted to see the show, but we were quite tired and could not stay any longer – we left at 7:30 pm, and had been at the fair all day from 11am or so.
If you want to find out more information about the fair, visit this link: http://www.sdfair.com/
Don’t forget other than rides and food, there are also cuddly toys that are there for the winning!
I’ve got just one final thing to say – it’s not fair if you don’t take them to the fair at least once when they’re little. A smile from a child says it all.
San Diego County Fair
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