Discovering Another Mad Dash (Oct 14): Heading Home and Finally finishing this TR #1523 (05/03)

[WanderlustNZ]

For what it's worth, I have never seen the candle or sand at any wedding either.

Maybe it's a NZ thing, or perhaps I'm just getting old and it's been too long since anyone I know has got married.

 

[zanzibar138]

For what it's worth, I have never seen the candle or sand at any wedding either.

Maybe it's a NZ thing, or perhaps I'm just getting old and it's been too long since anyone I know has got married.

I only got married 2 1/2 years ago, and helped my SIL plan her wedding this past April, so I'm pretty up to date on all the latest trends

The only trendy thing we did at our wedding was a photo booth.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Again so very far behind You looked gorgeous at the wedding Those original pointy shoes were killing my feet just looking at the picture, your sandals were a smart move and looked fine. Fred & I were married in a church but I really love the ceremonies that are either held outside or a " different " setting My oldest was married at Mount Vernon Inn in VA and it was so charming, string quartet, beautiful. The youngest did the " elope to Vegas " I tease her about being married by Elvis ( not really )

When we got married in 1986 black & white for the wedding party was the newest thing, we did it and I always thought it looked so sophisticated. Had a unity candle too, so there is another time reference for you ...seems like 100 years ago

Back to reading and food porn drooling

 

[PrincessInOz]

You looked lovely in your outfit and the bride's dress was amazing, as was your aunt's flower arrangements. Very beautiful wedding and divine food. I am another one who has never heard or experienced a Unity candle at any wedding I have been to and never heard either of Zanzibar's coloured sand thing????? can't get my head around that at all, you might have to elaborate Zanzibar. Is this a Qld versus southerner experience? I would have said neither were Australian so what would I know! A friend's son is getting married Sat and another friends' son was married a month ago so will have to enquire further for our latest trends!! I was a bit surprised by the bridal party's black and white theme as I still have the old fashioned notion that you don't wear black for weddings (both my mum and MIL would have fits!) Glad you had a wonderful family day - always very special.

Thank you, Wendy. Hope you had a great trip and are settling back home again.

I haven't been to a wedding for quite a few years; the last one was about 3 years ago. They had a Unity candle. I don't think I'd seen one lit in Australia before that...or maybe I hadn't paid attention.

Zanzibar's sand thing is new to me too.

If you found out any more wedding trends, come and post here. I'm really curious to know.

Black and white seem to be a rather popular theme for weddings these days.

I'm at the age where we've been to heaps of weddings in the last few years, all over the country. Most have had either the unity candle or the sand thing. The sand thing is when each person has a vial of different coloured sand, and they pour them into one container. It's supposed to symbolise that once their lives have been combined, they can never really be taken apart again. It's quite popular for blended families too, with each child pouring a vial of sand too.

Black and white is also very popular at the moment. There is also the less popular all white (when the bridesmaids wear white too). It's not taboo to wear either black or white to a wedding anymore. My Nan nearly had a fit when she found out that I was putting my maid of honour in navy

You can tell me all about the trends at the next Melbourne DisMeet

For what it's worth, I have never seen the candle or sand at any wedding either.

Maybe it's a NZ thing, or perhaps I'm just getting old and it's been too long since anyone I know has got married.

I'm going to go with the former rather than the latter. Afterall, if you're old, I MUST be an Old Fogie.

I only got married 2 1/2 years ago, and helped my SIL plan her wedding this past April, so I'm pretty up to date on all the latest trends

The only trendy thing we did at our wedding was a photo booth.

The photo booth thing is a very popular event thing to do lately. We've been having them at the work Christmas party for the last 2 or 3 years. And I've seen them at a number of events lately as well.

Again so very far behind You looked gorgeous at the wedding Those original pointy shoes were killing my feet just looking at the picture, your sandals were a smart move and looked fine. Fred & I were married in a church but I really love the ceremonies that are either held outside or a " different " setting My oldest was married at Mount Vernon Inn in VA and it was so charming, string quartet, beautiful. The youngest did the " elope to Vegas " I tease her about being married by Elvis ( not really )

When we got married in 1986 black & white for the wedding party was the newest thing, we did it and I always thought it looked so sophisticated. Had a unity candle too, so there is another time reference for you ...seems like 100 years ago

Back to reading and food porn drooling

I have this suspicion that the Unity Candle has been popular in the US for quite a while longer than in Australia.

That Mt Vernon Inn.....is that the same "Mt Vernon" location used in National Treasure Book of Secrets? I'd love to take a tour someday.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Day 3: It's a Wild Animal Sort of Day


A Slow Muddle Sort of Morning


Discovery #16. I should know by now. ALWAYS listen to my first instinct.




It had been a great night and we had gotten back home a little later than normal. As a consequence, it was a little later than normal before we stirred the morning of Day 3. We also were a lot slower than normal at getting up and ready to get out the house. It really was a fuzzy sort of day for us all.






Given how slow the boys were lagging, I did contemplate making breakfast at home. However, after talking it over with DH, we figured we would just head out to a local diner that I had earmarked as a potential breakfast spot.


Did I mention that the boys were slow out the blocks this morning?


Another one of the points of distinction between Australia and the US was rather apparent this morning. There are over 316 million people living in the US. In fact, California has a population of over 38 million residing in this state. Australia's population topped 23 million last year. There sure are a lot more Americans than Australians.

If you then compare the geographic size of Australia to the US....

Well....Space really is a luxury that we've become used to in Australia; and, as a consequence, Australians are NOT used to queuing up and waiting for food service. Sure, it might happen at some of the trendier spots; but by and large, we can walk up to most establishments and find that there is a table reading in about 5 - 10 minutes.


We pulled up to the diner and it was pretty apparent that there was a bit of a wait for a table. It was obviously a very popular local spot as there was a pretty decent crowd waiting outside. I did check with the maitre'd; it was a 60 minute wait. These Aussies were definitely not used to waiting that amount of time to be fed; so we turned around and headed home.



I really should know by now. My first instinct was to cook breakfast at home. I should have stuck with that thought.









(Continued in Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


San Diego Zoo Through Adult Eyes


Discovery #17. The Great San Diego Zoo is not that great right now.
 


Our destination for this day was the San Diego Zoo. We got there later than I had hoped and the carpark told me that it was already a very full zoo. We got a spot way back towards the end of the parking lot.






I'd forgotten about the Kids Free in October San Diego program. It's a great program where kids under the age of 12 are admitted free to a wide range of attractions, activities, restaurants and hotels in San Diego during the month of October. The SDZ is one of those attractions on the list and there were kids everywhere!






The SDZ covers about 100 acres of land and is shaped like a bowl. The map might show the size; but it doesn't show the undulation of this property. It really is situated across two hills and a gully.






As we had a shorter period of time in the zoo, we decided to pay the extra money and get the Discovery Tour. We were fortunate to get on a tour where the 10 people booked on the tour were all very prompt. We were all on our vehicle in plenty of time and we ended up having a guide that was obliging enough to set off early and finish a few minutes late. We ended up being on the tour for 75 minutes; instead of the scheduled 60.

The tour saved us a bunch of walking plus we got to see quite a few animals. The driver/guide would also let us get off where the animals were in prime viewing areas and hop back on again whilst they were rattling off animal facts. Our driver obligingly waited for all of us to be happy with our shots before moving to the next enclosure. Invariably, I would be the last of the pack, so I was always thankful that everyone else was patient with me.


If you are time poor and want to cover the zoo, the extra money might be worth it for you.






In case you don't want to do the Discovery Tour, I have to point out that there is the standard zoo bus. It is also a guided tour lasting 35 minutes and covers about 70% of the zoo. If you buy a standard admission ticket, it is included as part of the package.






There is also a Kangaroo Express Bus service included in your standard admission ticket. It allows you to hop on and hop off at 5 locations around the zoo.






Your ticket will also give you access to the Skyfari aerial tram.












The view from the Skyfari is not too bad and is an easy way to get back to the main entrance if you're at the opposite end of the zoo.

















The last time I went to the San Diego Zoo was in 1990. In that halcyon age, it was a time when I thought that I was an adult. I probably was. Then....every zoo in the world wanted to be like the San Diego Zoo. It had been the first zoo to pioneer cageless exhibits....






....Where you could walk into an enclosure and flock together with the birds....
















....where you could look into the eyes of close cousins; even if it was through a glass pane....











But that was 24 years ago and despite the passing of time, I barely feel like an adult now. The great San Diego Zoo through adult eyes looked decidedly shaky.


I have to declare that I've had two great experiences at other zoos this year. In May this year, we stayed the night at the Werribee Open Range zoo and had a wonderful time getting up close and personal with a couple of the inhabitants. In June this year, we went to Sydney's Taronga Zoo and had a fabulous visit there. In comparison, the San Diego Zoo was looking rather dated.


There is still a major section of the zoo where these old cages prevail.











For me, after the year I've had with other experiences, it was hard to look at animals behind cages.
















And I wasn't the only one to think so. We were advised that those cages and that whole section would be torn down and refurbished. At $60 million, this was going to be a rather major refurbishment project. With a completion date of 2017, I hope to be able to come back to the zoo for a re-visit in the future.


One thing is for certain. I have no doubt the San Diego Zoo will maintain its reputation of the World's Best Zoo!





(Continued in Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


Lions and Tigers and Bears. Oh My!


Discovery #18. There really is no doubt. I do enjoy looking at animals.



It was pretty evident on this day. There's no doubt about it. I really do enjoy looking at all animals great and small.


I enjoy reptiles.
















I love birds.





















I love all creatures big.....





















....and small.



























The lions....






....and tigers....











....and bears. Oh my! I really do love them all.







Yup. Today really was a wild animal sort of day.








The visit to the zoo was right up my alley and I only wished we had started out a little earlier this morning.

 

[Luvchefmic]

That spider web is stunning..Charlotte where are you ? A real work of art, thanks for sharing it. I almost had a heart attack with the SNAKE, you need a warning I've had enough battles with them this year in real life. One in the house, and 5 rattlers under the house. NOT the kind of wildlife I want to cozy up to, I rather hug a lion or tiger than live through that again !


" Mt Vernon" location used in National Treasure Book of Secrets" ? Yes one in the same. George Washington estate you make plans to tour I will drive up and meet you when the time comes. So much to see in the area. She used to live in Alexandria, not far and another town while touristy has much history and hidden gems. She is no longer in VA she is stationed elsewhere.

Love when you post the animal shots, I get new screen savers I never went to the San Diego Zoo but love the one in Washington DC and the one in GA. Of course my childhood memories are the Bronx Zoo in NY, I miss going there. I really need to get out and explore what FL has to offer, that is my New Years Resolution and since it has nothing to do with weight loss or smoking one I may have a shot at actually keeping.

 

[PrincessInOz]

That spider web is stunning..Charlotte where are you ? A real work of art, thanks for sharing it.

Thank you. I was very pleased with that shot.

" Mt Vernon" location used in National Treasure Book of Secrets" ? Yes one in the same. George Washington estate you make plans to tour I will drive up and meet you when the time comes. So much to see in the area. She used to live in Alexandria, not far and another town while touristy has much history and hidden gems. She is no longer in VA she is stationed elsewhere.

Excellent. When I'm in the area, I'll let you know.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Since we were posting at the same time I didn't see the SSSssssnake until I scrolled back up reaction above

 

[PrincessInOz]

Since we were posting at the same time I didn't see the SSSssssnake until I scrolled back up reaction above

 

[tiggrbaby]

Lovely pics! I will have to keep that tour in mind if I ever make it out to San Diego.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Very nice pictures from the SD Zoo. You really got great shots of each animal with your telephoto zoom lens. I will have to go to the SD Zoo one day since I haven't been there since I was a little kid.

 

[franandaj]

We rarely go out to breakfast on weekends due to long waits at the popular places. Long Beach is a big breakfast place. We have a lot of cafes that are open from 6AM-2PM and cater to the breakfast crowd.

Nice animal shots. I don't even remember the last time I went to the SD zoo. It may have even been in elementary school.

 

[IowaTater]

Wonderful zoo shots! I've been to our zoo several times since moving down here (ours is ranked 4th in the world right now, I believe) and I always end up taking gobs of pictures. DH truly hates going with me because I stop to look at every animal.

I would not have waited an hour for breakfast either. Even living in a bigger city, if the wait is longer than 30 minutes, we are usually moving on to the next place.

 

[zanzibar138]

Wow I never knew the reason behind San Diego Zoo having such a great reputation. FWIW, is is no longer the #1 zoo in the world on TripAdvisor. It has been beaten by Nebraska's Henry Doorly Zoo. The safari park is sitting at #11, just one place above our very own Melbourne Zoo.

I love animals, but most of the time I'd much rather take what I can see in the wild Most zoos seem to have mainly the same sort of animals, so I figure I can just go to our own zoo at home and see them

You got some great shots. With a point and shoot, I sometimes struggle to get my camera to focus on the animals instead of the wire (another reason why I prefer seeing them in the wild!).

 

[jedijill]

We have some really popular breakfast/lunch places too. My favorite is Snooze which has a couple of locations in San Diego too.

I loved the SD Zoo when I visited in 2005...I really need to go back because I didn't do it justice. Beautiful shots of the animals....I'm with you on the cages too. Just sad and I'm glad most zoos are moving away from them.

Jill in CO

 

[Fairy Floss]

I love reading your posts!
...and the beautiful photos are so well intertwined in your stories
Thank you

 

[skier_pete]

Great photos! I like you haven't been to the San Diego Zoo since the early nineties. You are probably right, the memory of the zoo may not stand up to reality. The fact is there are some pretty impressive zoos in the Northeast US. (The Toronto Zoo and the Columbus Zoo are fantastic.) And I have to tell you, the Melbourne Zoo is no slouch, either! We were very impressed with it! (Didn't go to the one in Sydney though.)

So, I am not so sure the San Diego Zoo merits a special trip anymore. I'd like to go back again someday, but the pull of Disneyland is too strong right now.

 

[rentayenta]

Great zoo pics. I had no idea anybody still had a sky bucket ride option. That might be worth a trip right there.