Child of the Planet

Orlando Vacations: International Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot

nobody@vox.com(The Travel Sage) — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:43:42 -0700

So I am continuing the search for fun and unique events across the country and soon across the world and I have always been a fan of garden exhibits. From the unparalled beauty of the Classical Chinese Gardens in Portland, Oregon to the neighborhood green thumb there isn't much else like a zen stroll through a lush garden full of vibrant colors and sweet smells.

"Most cherished in this mundane world is a place without traffic; truly in the midst of a city there can be mountain and forest."~ Wen Zhengming (1470-1559)

This time though I gotta hand it to the mecca of Disney World Epcot and their International Flower and Garden Festival. Their multitude of gardens range from the nostalgic flower sculptures of childhood heroes to the "Sculpture Garden" filled with wonderful works of art on loan from some of Florida's most prestigious collections.

A unique theme in this years festival is the practice of conservation in gardening. A very relevant theme in this time of seemingly perpetual waste and environmental doom and gloom. There are several gardens that exemplify tips to eco friendly gardening and water conservation including their "Green Garden (low input gardening)," "Lush Xeriscapes (minimizing water), " and my personal favorite the "Water Garden Wonders," a creative and beautiful water garden which uses rainwater. Pretty cool huh?

Venue: Epcot Theme Park
Date Range: 03/19/08 - 06/01/08
Schedule: Daily
Event Type: Festival- Arts Festival
Event Cost: Included with admission to Epcot

Great Deals on Great Spots
My Pick: The Skinny on the Wyndham Resort

Locale:
Orlando is sunny, tropical and perfect Resort atmosphere which is why my Orlando pick this week is the Wyndham Resort. This gorgeous 42 acre resort sits on a lush an tranquil lagoon-laced oasis a stones throw from major attractions and includes a complimentary shuttle to Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Wet 'n Wild.
Hotel Specs:
Augustines Bar and Grille serves buffet style breakfast and a la carte meals which I particularly enjoy because I can get up, eat what I want and bail to enjoy the day. Also at Gatorville, tropical bevs and unique fare is served poolside which is a nice touch, especially if you like to start early. The hotel has three gorgeous heated pools a fitness and a fitness center for you body buffs.

Guestrooms:
It's nice to have a little insight about the rooms your in so here ar the basics. These classic Florida-style guestroom's feature madras fabrics and bamboo furniture that tropical feel. They are also equipped with high speed internet access and feature several amenities including Golden door toiletries and in room massages by appointment.

If you have any other advice, tips, tricks, hotels events or travel ideas be sure to drop me a line or leave a comment and let me know!

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New York Adventure: The Amazon in Manhattan at the South Street Seaport

nobody@vox.com(The Travel Sage) — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:12:34 -0700

The Amazon Jungle Comes Alive in the Concrete Jungle When Diverse Cultures Meet...

Looking for a Summer vacation or just a reason to get away for a unique experience. Quit putting it off and finally book that lifelong dream trip to New York.

I stumbled across a pretty amazing event in Manhattan at the South Street Seaport; "Amazonia Brazil" where the mystical environment of the Amazon is re-created in an astonishing 13,000 sq. ft. walk-through experience of the sights, sounds and wonders of life in the Brazilian Amazon including its biodiversity, people villages and cities. There is also special set ups where visitors can interact directly with communities living in the heart of the forest via internet and live interactions with true local Amazonian Shamans and Artisans.

The event also aims to create awareness of ongoing positive initiatives in the Amazon region including the prevention deforestation and global warming. Local Amazonian designers and artisans will have authentic work for sale and donate all proceeds to the Fundo de Apoio as Comunidades da Amazon (Support for Amazonian Communities Fund).

Admission Prices:

Adult: $16.00
Child (age 2-12)/Student: $11.00
Senior: $13.00
Family Discount: groups of 3 or more: $11.00 each
FRIEND of Brazil Foundation: $ 13.50 each
Member of New York Botanical Garden: $ 14.50 each

Event Dates
April 22-July 13, 2008

Hotels, Motels, the best place to stay: The Roosevelt

The Skinny on the Roosevelt and Special Deals:
When it comes to New York I like the classics which is why the Roosevelt is such a great stay.
The Roosevelt Hotel is located on Madison Avenue at 45th Street, where the business, couture and cultural districts of New York City, N.Y., convene in midtown Manhattan. This hotel stands three blocks from Broadway theaters, Rockefeller Center and Grand Central Terminal.

The Roosevelt Hotel reflects Neo-Classical style with Tiffany crystal chandeliers, gilt trim, coffered ceilings, marble floors and a life-sized statue of Teddy Roosevelt. Artistic renderings of the hotel's namesake, Theodore Roosevelt, grace the walls of the Roosevelt Grill that serves elegant American-style buffets, breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Guy Lombardo and Lawrence Welk began their illustrious careers at The Roosevelt Grill. The Madison Club Lounge features a glowing fireplace, a rich mahogany bar, leather seating and late-night bar service. A limited-hour business center offers three computer stations with high-speed Internet access, whereas the 24-hour Web Zone contains two computer stations. Wireless Internet access is available in the lobby, and 30,000 square feet of event space accommodates small- and grand-scale functions. The hotel's 24-hour fitness center features cardiovascular equipment, weight machines and free weights.

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scenery from our beach

nobody@vox.com(jeffington) — Wed, 07 May 2008 05:17:41 -0700

this morning i decided to upload a bunch of scenery for the scenery comunity and the... just click the pics to see what groups there in hopefully i made someone some good wallpaper for a day even though im useing the bird pic from my last post for my wallpaper today

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Lomographic

nobody@vox.com(SnuggleMuffin) — Fri, 09 May 2008 01:11:47 -0700

I bought a Lomolito in NY and I've got got the prints back. These are my favourite ten. I took all of them apart from 'My field of yellow' which was taken by my youngest brother.

Blue sky and cherry blossoms

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The Road Trip to Laos

nobody@vox.com(NOOS) — Mon, 05 May 2008 06:05:00 -0700

Sabaidee Luang Prabang

May, 05 2008: I arrived home last night at 3am. My headache was gone but I could barely open my eyes. Look at my messy hair and my eyeglasses; I need to have a new one soon but not today. Today I just need a comfort bed and sleep tight. I would say the road trip to Laos was really exhausted but full of an adventure and fun.

I Left Bangkok on Wednesday, and arrived at Nong Khai on Thursday the early morning. We hire the van for the whole trip in Laos. We across the built Friendship Bridge from Nong Khai around 8am and head to Vientiane city.

Vientiane, capital of Laos is across the Mekong River; we visited the Temple called That Luang The great Buddhist temple of Vientiane.

After that we were heading to Talad sao (Morning Market) to have a breakfast. Talad Sao is more like the department store. There were so many things you can find there such as foods, cloths, etc. After we had breakfast, we alive again then we head to Patuxai (literally Victory Gate) at Lanchang Road.

We didn’t have time much for Vientiane even that this city is really interesting but we could visited only 3 places as we need to go to Vang Vieng and it tooks us 3 hours drive from here to Vang Vieng

Vang Vieang for better or worse

Vang Vieang

Vang Vieang is the midway along Vientiane to Luang Prabang Road. The backpackers will stop here and spent the time with many activities such as caving and tubing down the river.) They usually spent the night or more here before going to Luang Prabang.

Vang Vieang

I think Vang Vieang is more like Pai - Mae Hong Song, Thailand. I really like it a lot. This place is a tourist magnet. I heard that some of the travelers even stay here far longer as their original planed.

The late afternoon and we got a sweet guest house

We arrived there the late afternoon, after walk-in reservation and then had launch. I had headache because the lack of sleep on the bus and the road was basically going up and down. We could only manage our trip to the cave and then we had a dinner at the street’s food of Vang Vieang.

Vang Vieang

Sabaidee Luang Prabang

We left Vang Vieang the early morning after breakfast to Luang Prabang, which it takes 6 hours coz the road was very hilly.

We arrived at Luang Prabang the late afternoon. The City of Luang Prabang is doesn’t really feel like the second largest city of Laos at all but in fact luang Prabang is small enough where you can see same people popping up the same day.

Luang Prabang also has a wonderful night market selling the kind of handmade items. The lao are nice and friendly. We spoke almost the same language but sometimes the meanings were totally difference. Possibly 70 percent of the words in Thai and Lao are the same but many common words are different.

Sabaidee in Lao meaning “Hello” but in Thai it does mean “I’m fine” haha

Luang Pra Bang view from the top of Patat Pusi

I visited “Patat Pusi” in the evening and spent the rest of the day cycling around the city. Where I can see Mea-khong river. We also had a very good coffee around there. You can easily find a coffee shop around Luang Pra Bang city. Many people suggest that Beer Lao has a very good taste, so don’t forget to try it also.

I had a very wonderful night at Luang Prabang. I think I am fall in love with this small city already.

The daily alms-giving ceremon

The daily alms-giving ceremony is a major attraction of Luang Prabang. So we woke up the early morning to join the ceremony. Along the quite street there were a hundreds monks walk by, we sated down on a mat at 6:30 am, with a bamboo container full of sticky rice. Each time a monk walks by we dips into the container and give him handful rice.

After we finished the ceremony, we had breakfast at the shop near ‘Dara Market’. After that we transfer the guesthouse coz last night we didn’t sleep well. You can easily find a guesthouse in Luang Prabang, there were many price starting from $x.

Wat Xiang Thong

We visited Wat Xiang Thong, The one of the best-known images of Laos.

I really like the walls that depict a variety of tales including the Laos version of the Ramayana.

We also visited Haw Kham (Royal Palace Museum), the opposite of Phu si hill. This was after the Luang Prabang kingdom became a French protectorate, so the building features a blend of Lao and French styles.

The late afternoon, we had a slightly problem with the van driver. The main problem was the lack of communication and the how phone-line networking there works. As we transfer to the new guesthouse and try to inform the driver but we couldn’t contact so we couldn’t find him.

At Wat Xiang Thong

We spent many hours waited for him, fortunate Luang Prabang is a small city. He finally popup and then head to Tat Kuang Si Waterfall (30Km from Luang Prabang). You can hire the tuk-tuk from Luang Prabang. It was very beautiful waterfall. And we were really relaxed.

Tat Kuang Si Water Fall

We spend last night shopping at Lauang Prabang night market. Sadly we didn’t have more time to explore the city. And we barely could walk the day time because it was so boiling hot.

The way back home the hills road make me feel dizzy, headache and vomits. I guess I am a little bit scare to take the road trip up to the hills for a while. But I still like Luang Prabang a lot. So next time, I'm going to take a plane! ;)

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New York in pictures

nobody@vox.com(SnuggleMuffin) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 04:02:19 -0700

The View

I'm back, and yes, I had an amazing time.

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self portrait saturday

nobody@vox.com(jeffington) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:50:48 -0700

ooh is it saturday

arms length self portrait with a wooded backround

i got the idea from my friends page and notaced this day wasnt taken yet

so here it is my saturday self portrait

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Music, Martinis, Mingling, Beaches and Art

nobody@vox.com(The Travel Sage) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:20:59 -0700

I made a trip down to Santa Barbara CA for the last couple days and stayed at the beautiful Harbor View Inn. I was lucky enough to find a decent deal that saved me about an extra $40 a night which was nice because its a little pricey but well worth it. Situated on the white sands of Santa Barbara this picturesque ocean front get away offers spectacular views and luxurious accommodations perfect for a romantic get away or just some old fashion R&R.

While I was there I headed inland just over a mile to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. One of the exhibits, "Over Rainbows and Down Rabbit Holes" was a beautiful presentation of works created specifically for children's books. These creative pieces gave me a strong sense of nostalgia as it brought me back to my young school days sitting "criss cross applesauce" while the teacher read from an oversize book filled with images that challenged my imagination. It was interesting to look back on these images and see how each piece could represent a work of art on its own but yet mystically wove into the story providing a surreal vision of the authors words.

I began talking to various individuals about the art, memories and so on and came to hear of a great event hosted by the museum. For the 5th year the Santa Barbara Art Museum is hosting "Nights" an outrageous and hip event where people can enjoy the SBAM art exhibits while sipping (or aggressively downing) martinis, wine tasting, dance to live music, taste local food and participate in interactive art stations.

Starting Thursday May 15th from 5:30pm to around 8pm this unique art experience will be rockin the 3rd Thursday of every month until June. Be sure to check their schedule for dates, times, and exhibits.

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Central Indian Destinations

nobody@vox.com(pateluday) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 04:02:50 -0700

Madhya Pradesh Tourism

The Indian State of Madhya Pradesh or MP is among the largest states in India. It is situated in Central India with Satpura Ranges in South and Vindhayan ranges in North West. The Hill ranges are referred to as "Central Indian Highlands" by Capt. J, Forsyth in his book. The book gives excellent narrative about the Central Indian Wildlife, mammals and the geography of this region as it was during the British Period in 19th century.

Madhya Pradesh is renowned for its wildlife both the flora and fauna. The state still retains substantial forest cover and its amazing flora and fauna elements. Madhya Pradesh is also known as the Tiger State of India due to presence of large number of tigers in Indian tiger reserves, sanctuaries and National Parks

The state is not only rich in wildlife it has a rich historical past with numerous dynasties ruling kingdoms. These royal domains have left invaluable monuments of the past. The culture is rich in art and dance which are often show cased during the colorful festivals of Madhya Pradesh.

The note able and most visited destinations are the11th Century AD Khajuraho temples, Gwalior Fort, Kawardha Palace, Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh and Pench Tiger Reserve. Other tourists places which are very popular are Orchha and Sanchi. The state's only hill resort is a pristine paradise called Pachmarhi. Marble Rocks and Bedhaghat at Jabalpur are a must visit places especially for boating through marble rocks on a gorge at river Narbada.

Bhopal with a rich historical past is the capital of Madhya Pradesh while Indore is the industrial capital. The erstwhile state of Scindhia's...Gwalior has lots of offer from Chattrias, Tomb, Palace and the Fort.

The tourism infrastructure is well developed in MP and destinations are well connected with air, rail and bus services. There are number of online travel agencies that offer package tours to places of interests and major cities of the state of Madhya Pradesh.

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Have an Art-A-Fair

nobody@vox.com(The Travel Sage) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:50:29 -0700

For all you art goers, a must see event! The art-a-fair in Laguna Beach in Southern California, June 7th-August 31 brings artists from all over featuring an array of works and styles. For all the budding artists who want to participate submissions may be closed but get your work ready for the next year and be sure to submit early!

Have an Art-A-Fair
The Art-A-Fair Festival is the ultimate destination for lovers of art to visit this summer! Nestled in a colorful garden setting in romantic Laguna Canyon. the Festival is an enjoyable place to spend a summer day in the historic art community of Laguna Beach

Open seven days a week, visitors are offered the opportunity to view and acquire art directly from the artist exhibitors, finalists of a national juried competition. An exciting variety of two and three dimensional art is represented including oils, watercolors, pastels, acrylics, drawings, mixed media, photography, sculpture, jewelry glassworks, pottery, and furniture...Read More

Where to Crash:
Staying in Laguna can be a little pricey but certainly worth it with beautiful hotels such as the Casa Laguna Inn and Spa. If you're looking to stay within a budget and want to explore a little more of Southern California take a look at the surrounding cities such as Anaheim. There are some amazing and inexpensive rentals near great attractions such as Disney Land, Universal Studios and of course for you sports fans Anaheim Stadium home of the Angels. I found some great deals on a wonderful vacation rental the Hotel Pepper Tree only 16 mi. from Long Beach, 45 min to Laguna and an easy ride to San Diego, Hollywood and a plethora of amazing beaches. Situated next door to the Dan Miller Golf Course this exotic Spanish style get-away sets you in prime location to experience all Anaheim and Southern California has to offer.

If you have any suggestions please feel free to send me a message or comment to share your advice!

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Child of the Planet

Orlando Vacations: International Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot

New York Adventure: The Amazon in Manhattan at the South Street Seaport

scenery from our beach

Lomographic

The Road Trip to Laos

I Left Bangkok on Wednesday, and arrived at Nong Khai on Thursday the early morning. We hire the van for the whole trip in Laos. We across the built Friendship Bridge from Nong Khai around 8am and head to Vientiane city.

Vientiane, capital of Laos is across the Mekong River; we visited the Temple called That Luang The great Buddhist temple of Vientiane.

We didn’t have time much for Vientiane even that this city is really interesting but we could visited only 3 places as we need to go to Vang Vieng and it tooks us 3 hours drive from here to Vang Vieng

Vang Vieang is the midway along Vientiane to Luang Prabang Road. The backpackers will stop here and spent the time with many activities such as caving and tubing down the river.) They usually spent the night or more here before going to Luang Prabang.

I think Vang Vieang is more like Pai - Mae Hong Song, Thailand. I really like it a lot. This place is a tourist magnet. I heard that some of the travelers even stay here far longer as their original planed.

We arrived there the late afternoon, after walk-in reservation and then had launch. I had headache because the lack of sleep on the bus and the road was basically going up and down. We could only manage our trip to the cave and then we had a dinner at the street’s food of Vang Vieang.

Sabaidee Luang Prabang

We left Vang Vieang the early morning after breakfast to Luang Prabang, which it takes 6 hours coz the road was very hilly.

We arrived at Luang Prabang the late afternoon. The City of Luang Prabang is doesn’t really feel like the second largest city of Laos at all but in fact luang Prabang is small enough where you can see same people popping up the same day.

Luang Prabang also has a wonderful night market selling the kind of handmade items. The lao are nice and friendly. We spoke almost the same language but sometimes the meanings were totally difference. Possibly 70 percent of the words in Thai and Lao are the same but many common words are different.

Sabaidee in Lao meaning “Hello” but in Thai it does mean “I’m fine” *haha*

I had a very wonderful night at Luang Prabang. I think I am fall in love with this small city already.

We visited Wat Xiang Thong, The one of the best-known images of Laos.

I really like the walls that depict a variety of tales including the Laos version of the Ramayana.

We also visited Haw Kham (Royal Palace Museum), the opposite of Phu si hill. This was after the Luang Prabang kingdom became a French protectorate, so the building features a blend of Lao and French styles.

The late afternoon, we had a slightly problem with the van driver. The main problem was the lack of communication and the how phone-line networking there works. As we transfer to the new guesthouse and try to inform the driver but we couldn’t contact so we couldn’t find him.

We spent many hours waited for him, fortunate Luang Prabang is a small city. He finally popup and then head to Tat Kuang Si Waterfall (30Km from Luang Prabang). You can hire the tuk-tuk from Luang Prabang. It was very beautiful waterfall. And we were really relaxed.

We spend last night shopping at Lauang Prabang night market. Sadly we didn’t have more time to explore the city. And we barely could walk the day time because it was so boiling hot.

The way back home the hills road make me feel dizzy, headache and vomits. I guess I am a little bit scare to take the road trip up to the hills for a while. But I still like Luang Prabang a lot. So next time, I'm going to take a plane! ;)

New York in pictures

self portrait saturday

Music, Martinis, Mingling, Beaches and Art

Central Indian Destinations

Have an Art-A-Fair

Sabaidee in Lao meaning “Hello” but in Thai it does mean “I’m fine” haha