Epcot Gardens - Reflections of China

Diving into my archives to make a post before the weekend gets over. This was taken in Christmas 2010 in Epcot Gardens, Florida. The theme park has a section dedicated to different cultural influences from United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Norway and Morocco.

In the China Pavilion, visitors can experience the art, architecture and traditions of China, one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Visitors can relax in serene gardens with tranquil reflecting ponds in the Temple of Heaven. Or they can discover authentic tomb sculptures from ancient China dating back 2,000 years.

Miami Skyline

It's been quite sometime since I posted something to the blog. My schedule at work may have contributed to it, but I mostly blame my lazy self for this hiatus. And I had to break it somehow and again get back into the habit of posting. Browsing through my picture collection I came across one from a trip to Miami in September last year. Miami is a great place with its fabulous beaches and fantastic night life. And being with college friends added to the fun.

While driving over the causeway on Key Biscayne I got my first glimpse of the Miami Skyline. The view from the place was really superb and I loved it. I could imagine the view as day turns to night and the lights come on. We were back just after sunset and the view was truly spectacular. We turned off the road on to a type of park almost at the entrace to the key.

There were a few people around enjoying the cool breeze. A smell of barbecue wafted in the air to the accompaniment of foot-tapping Carribean music. It was a great atmosphere and I loved the setting. I took a few long exposures and then we had a fun session taking pictures with the whole gang using the new remote I had recently procured.

I loved the Miami skyline and sitting there under the tree line, chatting with my friends, I certainly didn't want to be any place else.

Disneyland Orlando - The Parade at Night!!

Some more pictures from my visit to Disneyland Orlando during the Christmas weekend in 2008. This time from the Disney parade at night. There are a lot of lovely colourful parades going on throughout the day at regular intervals which is fun to watch. But the night parade is something special as now all the floats will be lighted with a thousand bright and colourful little lights that add a different perspective to the whole event. Definitely one of the things to catch while in Disney.

Mickey Mouse leading the parade in the first of the floats to pass by. The crowd sitting patiently on both sides of the path till this point started cheering. Lots of flashes of lights on both sides, indicated the multitude of cameras clicking to capture this parade.

More floats followed. Each beautifully decorated with some Disney character at the helm.

A beautiful dancing peacock in green was next in line in the parade.

A shoal of fish passed by to the loud cheers from the crowd. Somehow I thought the fish had the look of simpletons about them.

Next in line was a steam engine that passed by with a loud whistle.

This crocodile could have come straight out of the story of Peter Pan, maybe in search of the pirate captain, Captain Hook.

The next float had an angry bird with its wings spread wide apart, ready to take flight.

This float had the three little pigs playing the fool and making the crowd laugh.

The pumpkin chariot straight out of folk-lore. One could see a beautiful damsel sitting in the chariot.

This was a really beautifully decorated float with lithe birds and butterflies adorning the chariot.

The final floats passed by with one of the seven dwarves waving. And with this the last parade of the day, the only parade at night, came to an end.

Disneyland Orlando - Christmas Parade

Christmas is a good time to visit Disneyland. One can enjoy a variety of special Christmas parades organised only this time of the year. We were lucky to visit Disneyland Orlando during the long Christmas weekend in 2008. It has lots of attractions, especially for kids. Rides, parades, Cindrella's Castle and lovely display of fireworks at night.

Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas Time Parade

The Disney Band

Mickey and Minnie

Uncle Scrooge

Dancers matching the beats

Donald Duck on a horse carriage

Graceful Dancers

Winning over the crowd

The Chipmunks

Snow White with her prince charming

The Seven Dwarfs

More dances

Goofy goofying around

One more float in the parade

Straight from Toy Story

The band from Toy Land

Santa riding with a sleighful of presents