Travel Tips and Trips

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY-JANNET ANNENBERG HOOKER HALL OF GEMS

2008-08-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

This is the second part of the series of my visit to National Museum of Natural History.

Janet Annenberg Hooker, 93, philanthropist who gave money and rare jewels to the Smithsonian Institution. A daughter of Moses Annenberg, who founded Triangle Publications, Hooker contributed an estimated $9 million in cash and gems to the museum. Her namesake gallery, the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, which opened in 1997 has a walk-through mine, interactive exhibits and high-resolution videos of earthquakes and volcanoes. Among the gems she donated were the Hooker Starburst Diamonds, a set of rare yellow diamonds, including a 245-carat necklace with 50 rectangular diamonds, a 61-carat diamond ring, and earrings. She also helped to pay for renovations and the redesign of rooms in the White House and the State Department headquarters, and was a donor to the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the New York Philharmonic.

Hope diamond

The Hope Diamond is a large, 45.52-carat, deep blue diamond, currently housed in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C.. The diamond is legendary for the curse it supposedly puts on whoever possesses it. The Hope Diamond appears to be a brilliant blue to the naked eye because of trace amounts of boron within the diamond. The Hope Diamond exhibits red phosphoresence under ultraviolet light and is classified as a Type IIb diamond.

Marie Antoniette necklace

Butterfly

blue stone and diamonds

blue stone

blue stones

yellow and other colored diamonds

yellow diamonds

ruby

ruby

ruby bracelet

emerald necklace

emerald and diamond necklace

emerald with diamond

emerald with diamonds

Tanzanian brooch

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY-THE LIVE BUTTERFLY PAVILION

2008-08-19T04:45:00.000-07:00

The Live Butterfly Pavilion is located at the second floor of the National Museum of Natural History. You can take a stroll among live butterflies and plants. Ticket is $ 6.00 for adult. This is the place where I experienced with butterflies fluttering close to you that you can touch them. Pity, there is a "no touch policy".

LIVE BUTTERFLIES 1

Black with coral spots

LIVE BUTTERFLIES 2

Yellow on yellow

LIVE BUTTERFLIES 3

monarch butterfly?

LIVE BUTTERFLIES 4

Dang, this butterfly is showing off.

LIVE BUTTERFLIES 5

Buckeye on Yellow

LIVE BUTTERFLIES 6

Butterfly drinking?

Black on Orange

LIVE BUTTERFLIES 8

Black on green

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY-MAMMALS-MEET YOUR RELATIVES

2008-08-18T18:37:00.000-07:00

CLOSEST RELATIVES

PRIMATES

A primate is any member of the biological order Primates (Latin: "prime, first rank", the group that contains lemurs, the Aye-aye, lorids, galagos, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes, with the last category including humans.

BATS

A bat is a mammal in the order Chiroptera. Their most distinguishing feature is that their forelimbs are developed as wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of flight (though other mammals, such as flying squirrels, gliding flying possums and colugos, can glide for limited distances).

KANGAROO

A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae (macropods, meaning 'large foot'). The largest species from this family are the Red Kangaroo, the Antilopine Kangaroo, and the Eastern and Western Grey Kangaroo of the Macropus genus. The many smaller species which include the wallabies, tree-kangaroos, wallaroos, pademelons and the Quokka, some 63 living species in all. Kangaroos are endemic to the continent of Australia, while the smaller macropods are found in New Guinea.

RODENTS FAMILY

Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing.

Forty percent of mammal species are rodents, and they are found in vast numbers on all continents other than Antarctica. Common rodents include mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, gophers, porcupines, beavers, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, degus, chinchillas, and groundhogs.

SQUIRREL

Flying Squirrel

BIGGEST RAT

Fox

Fox is a name applied to any of roughly 27 species of small to medium-sized canids, characterized by possessing a long, narrow snout, and a bushy tail, or "brush". By far the most common and widespread species of fox is the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), although various species are found on almost every continent.

Wolf

Most authorities see the wolf as the dog's direct ancestor.

Moose or Elk

Moose (Alces alces) is the North American name for the largest extant species in the deer family. The same animal is called the Elk in Europe.

Rhinocerus

The rhinoceros family is characterised by large size (one of the largest remaining megafauna alive today) with all of the species capable of reaching one ton or more in weight; herbivorous diet; and a thick protective skin, 1.5–5 cm thick, formed from layers of collagen positioned in a lattice structure; relatively small brains for mammals this size (400–600g); and a large horn.

Zebra

Zebras are odd-toed ungulates of the Equidae family native to eastern, southern and southwestern Africa. They are best known for their distinctive white and black stripes, which come in different patterns unique to each individual.

Koala

The Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is a thickset arboreal marsupial herbivore native to Australia, and the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae.

The Koala is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, from near Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula.

African Buffalo

The African Buffalo or Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a bovid from the family of the Bovidae. It is up to 1.7 meters high, 3.4 meters long. Savannah type buffaloes weigh 500-900 kg, with only males, normally larger than females, reaching the upper weight range. Forest type buffaloes are only half that size.The African Buffalo is not closely related to the slightly larger Wild Asian Water Buffalo, but its ancestry remains unclear.] Owing to its unpredictable nature which makes it highly dangerous to humans, it has not been domesticated, unlike its Asian counterpart, the Domestic Asian Water Buffalo.

Mt. Vernon-George Washington Mansion

2007-10-26T06:26:00.001-07:00

We visited Mt. Vernon, the 50 acre- estate of the late President George Washington in Virginia. It was restored, conserved, preserved by the Mt. Vernon Ladies' Association.

It was open to the visitors for more than 140 years now and 70 million people had visited the place. My brother and I are among those people, one Saturday in the month of September, after my minor surgery.

So the tour was confined mostly to the Mansion grounds and the mansion itself.

Inside the mansion, cameras and videos are not allowed. The scaled model of the mansion shows the different chambers of the three storey-mansion.

This is the close-up shot of the third level of the scaled model of the mansion. The bedroom shown was that of Martha Washington which she used after the late President died.

There are two dining rooms in the mansion. This scaled model is the large dining room where Washington entertained dignitaries and other guests. This opens to the porch at the backyard. I saw this in a movie which chronicled the life of George Washington. But of course, it was mere re-creation since this place could not be used by anybody. It seems their furnitures (reproductions ) were smaller in terms of size compared to the ones used these days.

The chairs at the porch were for watching the sunset and the calm Potomac River.

It is believed that the design of the house which was restored by several artisans, architects, miniaturists was done mostly by George Washington. Architecture then was not a estblished profession. The first US President when informed of the criticism made by the media, said "I can truy say that I'd rather be at Mt. Vernon with a friend or two about me rather than to be atteneded at the seat of government by the officers of the State and the representatives of every power in Europe. "

The Little Parlor was where the social gatherings that required dancing and music
were held. The harpsichord that adorned the little parlor was the original music instrument used by the President's stepgranddaughter Nelly.

This is one of the upperbedchambers for guests.

Washington's love for trees filled his diary for references as to the trees and shrubs that he planted such as the elm, white ash and tulip poplars.

These trees are now centuries old. Home to the birds that populate the estate.

Washington built larger structures to replace the small outbuildings as additions to the mansion connected with "pallsades:. He called them the dependencies.

Both the exterior of the mansion and these structures made us of the "rusticated" which was a method of applying sand to the newlypainted wooden boards to make them appear like stones.

This is one of the collonades that join the outbuildings to the mansion.

The outbuildings are the servant's hall, the kitchen, the laundry houses, clerk house and guest houses for the personal servants and slaves of visiting dignitaties and or relatives are located at the mansion grounds. In the movie that I saw, G. Washington talked to her wife about incorporating in his will the grant of freedom to their more than 100 slaves . The will provided for the emancipation after Martha Washington's death, however, one year after the President's death, his wife freed them all. She provided for pensions for the old and infirms. Then she paid the freed slaves, their salaries.

Instead of trash bins, this is what you wll find as repository of your gums or food which are not allowed inside the mansion.

For physically handixapped people and with guests who have toddlers, these are available without asking.

Shenandoah Park

2006-10-26T02:43:00.000-07:00

So my brother and I went to Shenandoah Park to see the changing colors of the trees for autumn.

Here is a background of the park from Wikipedia.

Shenandoah National Park encompasses part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Piedmont region of Virginia. The national park is long and narrow, with the broad Shenandoah River and valley on the west side, and the rolling hills of the Virginia Piedmont on the east. Almost 40 % of the land area i.e. 79,579 acres (322 km²), has been designated as Wilderness and is protected as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

The park is best known for Skyline Drive, a 105 mile (169 km) road that runs the entire length of the park along the ridge of the mountains. The drive is particularly popular in the fall when the leaves are changing colors. 101 miles (162 km) of the Appalachian Trail are also in the park. In total, there are over 500 miles (800 km) of trails within the park. Of the trails, one of the most popular is Old Rag Mountain, which offers a thrilling rock scramble and some of the most breathtaking views in Virginia. There is also horseback riding, camping, bicycling, and many waterfalls. The Skyline Drive is a designated as a National Scenic Byway and an All-American Road.

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The Color of Autumn in Shenandoah Park

2006-10-26T01:59:00.000-07:00

Shenandoah Park-The Entrance

2006-10-25T12:45:00.000-07:00

Entrance to the park from March thru November is $15 per vehicle, $8 per pedestrian and bicyclist and $10 motorcyclist. Commercial buses are also subject to entrance fees. Your entrance permit is good for seven consecutive days. An annual Shenandoah Passport costs $30. A 12-month Golden Eagle Passport, good at any national park or national recreation area, costs $65. Pick up either of these passes at park entrance stations.

A Golden Access Passport is free to U.S. residents with lifetime disabilities, and a Golden Age Passport is available to U.S. residents 62 or older for a one-time, $10 fee. You can get Golden Eagle, Golden Access or Golden Age Passports at any national park, monument or recreation area that charges entrance fees.

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

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Shenandoah Park -Skyline Drive

2006-10-25T03:00:00.000-07:00

This is the Skyline Drive which stretches 105 miles and runs the entire length of the park along the ridge of the mountains. The drive is particularly popular in the fall when the leaves are changing colors.

I told you it is long.

With twists and turns.

That we stop from time to time to admire the views from different elevations.

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

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Shenandoah Park - Camp Trail

2006-10-25T01:37:00.000-07:00

There are about five hundred miles of trails that campers, backpackers and mountain climbers can enjoy.

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

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Visitor Center in the Park

2006-10-24T03:49:00.000-07:00

There are visitor centers in the park where one can take a break. One of these is this store where books about the camp, wilderness and plants can be purchased. Lots of souvenirs too. There is a logbook where one can write about his/her wild animals sightings while in the park.

Infront the visitor center is also a good view of the ridges.
Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center (Milepost 51) Directly across from Big Meadows.

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

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Sunset and the Ridges

2006-10-24T01:57:00.000-07:00

Looking westward during sunset in autumn.

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

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Another Visitor Center and Restroom Area

2006-10-23T04:03:00.000-07:00

This is another visitor center stop. The trees in the parking area are of different colors.
This is another tree in the same area. Notice the color the of the leaves of the trees.

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

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Trees in Autumn

2006-10-23T02:35:00.000-07:00

Afternoon sun lit tall trees during autumn.

and not so tall trees as well but with the same color of leaves. Yellow.
Shenandoah Park,road trip,

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Fallen leaves , tree trunk and vines in Autumn

2006-10-22T13:02:00.000-07:00

Fallen leaves mixed with drying leaves of creeping vines and dry trunk tree are common sights during Autumn.
Shenandoah Park,road trip,

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Tulip Poplar Trees

2006-10-22T11:24:00.000-07:00

The tall symmetrical cones of light golden yellow foliage that puctuate the red, browns, and greens of many fall hillsides of the southern Appalachians are Tulip Poplars.

This species has one of the most distinctive leaves of any of our trees, 8-20 cm (3-8") long or wide and broadly notched at the apex.

After yellow, the leaves become brown.

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

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Beauty in Dried Twigs, Branches and Trunk of Trees

2006-10-21T12:30:00.000-07:00

You can find beauty in the park even in the dried brown leaves, twigs, branches of
once beautiful blooming trees.

This is the close-up of the core of a trunk of a tree.

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

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Trees in Hillsides During Autumn

2006-10-21T01:06:00.000-07:00

Trees in hillsides against a backdrop of late afternoon sun in Autumn.

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

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The Getty Museum

2006-10-14T16:22:00.000-07:00

Since its opening in 1997, my friends based in LA had been urging me to visit the place, knowing that I am fond of museums. But hectic schedules prevented me from
going to the place.

But then that day, I missed one appointment, so off we went to the Getty Museum on a hill.

The picture was taken from wikipedia, since my photos were limited only to short distance shots inside the museum complex. As a background, below is the article about Getty Museum.

The Getty Center, designed by architect Richard Meier, is the flagship museum of the J. Paul Getty Trust. Its design has feng shui influences. It has a seven-story deep underground parking garage with over 1,200 parking spaces. It is located on a hill in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California overlooking Interstate 405 and is open to the public for free (although there is a charge for parking). The Getty Center is high enough that on a clear day, it is possible to see the snow at Big Bear as well as the Pacific Ocean and the entire Los Angeles basin. Much of the buildings and grounds are made of travertine. Other parts are made of white marble.

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Getty Museum-Work of Art

2006-10-14T15:38:00.000-07:00

The building stone is travertine, from Bagni di Tivoli, Italy, the same source as the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain and St. Peter's Basilica colonnade.

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Getty Museum-Arrival Plaza-Museum Entrance

2006-10-13T15:29:00.000-07:00

This is where guests get off from the tram. Stairway leads to the main door of the museum.

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Getty Museum-The Tram

2006-10-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

The trams bring the guest to the museum located on a hill.

At first, I did not want to go. I am afraid of heights. But then my companions insisted and advised me not to look outside the tram's window.

The ascent is not frightening.

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Getty Museum-The Trees

2006-10-12T14:56:00.000-07:00

At this angle, you may think that this is just one tree.

But when you move backward or forward, you will see that this is only one among the many that lined the different parts of the Getty Museum garden. The trees were planted in a row that when viewed from one side, you only see the tree closest to you.

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Getty Museum-Garden-Bouganvilla Trellis

2006-10-12T14:54:00.000-07:00

Sculpted trellis fountains forged from rebar overflow with bougainvillea.

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Getty Museum- The Garden Maze

2006-10-11T16:47:00.000-07:00

The reflecting pool and maze at the bottom of the Central Garden.

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Getty Museum-Rest Areas

2006-10-11T15:11:00.000-07:00

Wherever you go, you find trees for shades.

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Getty Museum-Outdoor Cafe

2006-10-10T19:52:00.000-07:00

Outdoor museum cafe.

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Getty Museum- The Fountain

2006-10-09T20:03:00.000-07:00

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Getty Museum-The Bouganvilla Trellises

2006-10-09T19:59:00.000-07:00

There are not only one. There are more with lots of flowers.

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UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-The Globe

2006-10-08T20:31:00.000-07:00

I toured, was toured and then toured guests
at the Universal Studios-Hollywood. This is the globe at the
entrance of the theme park.

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Universal Studios-The Signage

2006-10-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

Universal Studios Hollywood opened in July, 1964
as a guided tour through the studio's Los Angeles
backlot complex. Visitors boarded trams that took
them along various soundstages and set pieces,
some in working use for filming and others strictly
for the visitors' entertainment. Over the years,
Universal added more special-effects laden
experiences to the tour, such as Jaws and King
Kong. Today, the Backlot Tour is just one of many
rides and shows at USH.

Allow me to give you a tour via pictures.
The person in the pic may not necessarily
be me since I may had acted as photographer or
I was simply alone touring.

We start from the entrance with the big
sign.

Baka naman mawala pa kayo.

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UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-The Entrance

2006-10-08T20:20:00.000-07:00

This was my third time to visit Universal Studios.
My friend drove and dropped us in the morning before
she sped away for work. It is our decision to come
to the most famous theme park on a weekday. Less
people, small crowd. It was early morning and
the gates were closed.

We decided to hang around
near the ticket booth where it was cooler. A family
of three approached my bench. Must be Mexicans.
The father was asking me in halting English, if I have
a ticket. I thought he was inquiring about the purchase
of tickets, so I pointed to him the ticket booth and
the automated ticket machine. It turned out that he
got a coupon for 4 tickets for $ 99 only. I could have
pretended that I was their companion but I was worried
that it could be a scam. Those travel scams and rip-offs
that I watched in the TV made me one suspicious CAT.
What if I would be made to pay the whole package when
I did not spend a single cent for my ticket. It was
courtesy of my friend/host. I saw them walk away.
I could see the frustration in the faces of the two
kids. I just thought that maybe they will find
somebody who will agree to go with them as a
family member. Inside, I did not bump into them.
Pictures, pictures and more pictures. Not me.
I am not the tourist. I am now the guide. Two
young men approached and offered to take our
photo together. No thank you. I have to admit
Mouse that the movie of Mr. Bean with a guy
who run away with his camera after offering to
take his photo turned me into a paranoid traveler.
The camera may not be expensive but it was full
of memories even with blank film inside. I do not say
that they are scammers, but they do not look like
they are going inside the park. Now wait, why did
I think of that ? I am talking to myself mouse,
do not mind me. I am really PARANOID. So off went
to the gate with Halloween decors. Haaah, we were
the first in the line. With backpacks and a small
cap to protect us from te scorching morning sun,
we peered through our shades, shifted our weights
from one leg to another, watched cute babies in
their strollers as we waited for those staff in
costume to open the gates. Then a lady dressed in
long black dress came and announced that the gate
where we are supposed to gain entry is not going t
o be opened. Shuckssss. Why wait for so long to
make the announcement? The line already tripled
and to disband us would make us go back to square o
ne. Two little girls pulled each other hair. I want
to pull the hair of the woman, myself. Haah. So we
joined another line. I heard familiar language spoken.
Ahaaa Filipinos. A family of four, an old woman
(maybe the lola), a young couple and a spoiled BRAT
were just a few heads away. Those heads walked away
to join their friends. Now we were standing next to
the Filipino tourists. Come now, why I knew they were
tourists and not locals? First, the young woman was
carrying a purse(a handbag for you); locals have
backpacks regardless of age.The old lady was
wearing a Sunday pair of shoes. They did not
talk to me. I like to believe that they were
haughty. You know if you are not a local and
you can go to Universal and Disneyland, your
bankbook is healthy. The young man...the husband
was friendlier. Must be because, he worked in
Singapore and has traveled in a few countries.I
have been to Singapore myself and we exchanged notes.
He laughed when I told him, I stayed once in Changi
Hotel,(Changi airport for you) at the back of those
seats with the immaculate carpet as my sleeping mat.
The connecting flight was only a few hours apart and
staying in the hotel outside the airport was not a
practical one.(read: trying to save for one electronic
gadget that I desperately want to add to my collections).
The wife's smile was a fake. It was like drawing a pic
and stretching the lips to both sides of the face
in order to make it appear smiling. The brat was
pulling the father's hands to get his attention.
Time to say..okay cya inside. Then the gates opened.
No time to take out the grapes and the apples inside
my backpack. No food inside, the warning said. They
searched my backpack. A light jacket???. The security
frowned. A jacket for this weather....Excuse me, where
I came from, it was already cold. I did not know that
it was still summer out here. The fruits were missed.
Thanks to the jacket.

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Universal Studios-The Tram

2006-10-07T20:54:00.000-07:00

This is the tram. This is the only ride where you can get in the soundstages and setpieces.

Sakay na.

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UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-The Fast and the Furios (blue)

2006-10-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

The blue car from the movie The Fast and the Furious. Yey

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UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-The Fast and the Furios (pink)

2006-10-06T10:41:00.000-07:00

This is one of the cars used in the movie The Fast and the Furios. I like the pink color.

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UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-The Cinema

2006-10-05T23:19:00.000-07:00

The Incredible Hulk is a Marvel Comics superhero. Created
by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, he first appeared in The
Incredible Hulk #1 (1962)

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UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-The Fast and the Furios (red)

2006-10-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

The red car in the movie, The Fast and the Furios. Great color.

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UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-The Flintstones

2006-10-04T22:48:00.000-07:00

Yabayaba dooh. The Flintstones except there is no Fred.

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UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-The Hulk

2006-10-04T12:41:00.000-07:00

The Hulk is the alter ego of Dr. Robert Bruce Banner. Banner is a scientist who, as a result of exposure to gamma radiation becomes a large, superhumanly strong, (usually) green creature of pure rage whenever he becomes angry.
Although the Hulk is usually classified as a superhero, he and Banner share a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-like relationship. In his most common incarnation, the Hulk has little intelligence and self-control and can cause great destruction. As a result, he has been hunted by the military and other superheroes. Because of this, Banner considers the Hulk a curse.
Although an atypical superhero, the Hulk has consistently been one of Marvel’s most popular. In recent decades, the character has been portrayed as a symbol of inner rage and Freudian repression. His existence has been explained as an aftereffect of abuse Banner suffered as a child and latent multiple personality disorder.
The Hulk has been featured in several mediums other than comic books, most notably a popular late 1970s/early 1980s television series and a 2003 film.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-Jurassic Park

2006-10-03T13:30:00.000-07:00

Jurassic Park is a 1993 film adaptation, directed by Steven Spielberg, of the novel Jurassic Park written by Michael Crichton and published in 1990. The film is followed by The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), Jurassic Park III (2001), and Jurassic Park IV in 2008 (expected).

I don't know but everytime I get by the place where Jurassic Park is, I get goosebumps. I was expecting that anytime, a dinosaur is going to appear and wolf me down. Scary!!!!

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-Babe

2006-10-03T13:24:00.000-07:00

The Babe

Babe (1995)
Directed by Chris Noonan
Writing credits
Dick King-Smith (novel)
George Miller (screenplay)
Genre: Family / Comedy / Drama / Fantasy (more)
Tagline: A little pig goes a long way.
Plot Outline: Babe, a pig raised by sheepdogs,
learns to herd sheep with a little help from
Farmer Hoggett.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-The River 1

2006-10-02T17:17:00.000-07:00

The tram stopped at the crossroad of a dirt road. The "rain started to fall" and from the other end of the road, we noticed water rushing from nowhere. The man seated beside us said "Look".

That was my second time to go to Universal. First time, I did not have a camera.
Second time, it got wet by the rushing water. Arghh

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-The River (2)

2006-10-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

Suddenly, a rush of water flowed to our direction. It was an instant river that when
shot with a camera, it may look like a big body of water on a stormy weather. The street disappeared momentarily until the water is back where it originated.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Universal Studios-Blast Zone

2006-09-30T20:48:00.000-07:00

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-Hollywood

2006-09-30T17:21:00.000-07:00

Don't be fooled. That's just a billboard and not the real thing. But you have to get to the top via escalator in order to get your photo taken here. Wait until you have it by yourself. Tough luck.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-Jaws

2006-09-29T17:38:00.000-07:00

The tram was circling a man-made lagoon. It was tranquil. The train stopped by the
side of the water.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-Jaws 2

2006-09-29T15:46:00.000-07:00

Then there is a disturbance in the water.

Inspired by the movie JAWS 1 filmed in 1975, the place still shocks people when they see water activity coming from the bottom of the water.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Universal Studios-JAWS 3

2006-09-28T18:25:00.000-07:00

And here is the "JAWS".

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-Psycho

2006-09-28T18:17:00.000-07:00

You can see the model of Norman Bates of the movie Psycho from afar.

Psycho (1960) is a suspense/thriller/horror film directed by world-renowned auteur Alfred Hitchcock, and is based on the novel by Robert Bloch, which describes the events surrounding the encounter of a secretary who embezzles her employer on impuse and a lonely, profoundly disturbed motel proprietor Norman Bates.

The affecting, subtly humorous screenplay, written by Joseph Stefano is, overall, quite faithful to the novel. Commonly regarded as one of Hitchcock's best films and lionized by international critics as one of the more profound films ever made, Psycho has also been acclaimed as one of the most effective horror films, and is partly based on the crimes of Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein. The film spawned several sequels, though they are generally seen as works of lesser quality.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-Ten Commandments

2006-09-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

This is my second time to see the spectacular miniature parting of the sea in the movie Ten Commandments.

The third time, I was not able to take photos.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-The Bridge

2006-09-26T18:30:00.000-07:00

The bridge in good shape.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-The Bridge (2)

2006-09-26T18:28:00.000-07:00

The bridge, close up.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-The Bridge 3

2006-09-25T18:37:00.000-07:00

The bridge in bad shape. It just "self-destruct".

The last two photos were the latest shots that I took.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-The Scorpion King

2006-09-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

There is no scorpion, only the king.

The Scorpion King is a 2002 movie starring The Rock (Dwayne Johnson), Michael Clarke Duncan, Kelly Hu and Grant Heslov, and is directed by Chuck Russell. It is a spin-off prequel to The Mummy series, following the story of Mathayus the Scorpion King, the character who was featured in The Mummy Returns.

The events of The Scorpion King take place 5000 years before the events in The Mummy Returns, and shows Mathayus' origins and how he rose to power as the Scorpion King. The name itself is a reference to a disputably real king during the protodynastic period of Ancient Egyptian history, King Scorpion.

The Scorpion King was the first movie where The Rock played a lead role, following on from his big-screen debut as a peripheral character in The Mummy Returns.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS-Apollo 13

2006-09-24T18:50:00.000-07:00

This was before I saw the movie in the DVD.

Apollo 13 (1995)
Apollo 13 Directed by
Ron Howard

Genre: Adventure / Drama / History (more)

Tagline: Houston, we have a problem.

Plot Outline: True story of the moon-bound mission that developed severe trouble and the men that rescued it with skill and dedication.

Cast overview, first billed only:

Tom Hanks .... Jim Lovell

Bill Paxton .... Fred Haise

Kevin Bacon .... Jack Swigert

Gary Sinise .... Ken Mattingly

Ed Harris .... Gene Kranz

Kathleen Quinlan .... Marilyn Lovell

Mary Kate Schellhardt .... Barbara Lovell
Emily Ann Lloyd .... Susan Lovell
Miko Hughes .... Jeffrey Lovell
Max Elliott Slade .... Jay Lovell
Jean Speegle Howard .... Blanch Lovell

Tracy Reiner .... Mary Haise

David Andrews .... Pete Conrad
Michele Little .... Jane Conrad (as Michelle Little)

Chris Ellis .... Deke Slayton

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Universal Studios-The Spiderman

2006-09-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

I am not afraid of Spider even when I was a kid. We used to get the egg of an ordinary spider. Old folks believed that you can find some winning numbers for lottery.

Background of Spiderman from wikipedia.

Spider-Man (Peter Benjamin Parker) is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. First appearing in Amazing Fantasy #15 (Aug. 1962), he has become one of the world's most popular, enduring and recognizable superheroes.

When Spider-Man first saw print in the 1960s, teenage characters in superhero comic books were usually sidekicks. The Spider-Man series broke ground by featuring a hero who himself was an adolescent, to whose "self-obsessions with rejection, inadequacy, and loneliness" young readers could relate.[1] Spider-Man has since appeared in various media including several animated and live-action television series, syndicated newspaper comic strips and two highly successful movies, with a third set to debut in 2007.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Universal Studios-The Hard Rock Cafe

2006-09-23T10:53:00.000-07:00

In a plaza where you can rendezvous with friends.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Universal Studios-The Mummy

2006-09-22T10:47:00.000-07:00

Imagination really scare you than the real stuff. I am not afraid of ghosts but when I went inside where "The Mummy" is, I had goosebumps that I liked to take the nearest exit.

Weird.

Background of the movie The Mummy and The Mummy Returns which starred my favorite Brendan Frasier.

The Mummy Returns is a 2001 movie starring Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, and is directed by Stephen Sommers. It is a sequel to the 1999 movie The Mummy, and is set 10 years later, in 1936. Filming took place in London, Morocco, and Jordan. Most of the original characters make a return, with a few new ones.

The Mummy Returns also had a 2002 spin-off The Scorpion King, which is set 5000 years prior and focuses on The Scorpion King, who is introduced in Mummy Returns.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Disneyland

2006-09-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

Location:Anaheim, California, U.S.
Opening Day July 17, 1955
Resort Disneyland Resort Theme:

Disneyland Park, formerly referred to simply as Disneyland from 1955-1998 is a theme park at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, USA (28 miles from Downtown Los Angeles). Owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company, The Magic Kingdom of Disneyland has become one of the most famous places on Earth.

Next to Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland is the most popular theme park in the world — based on the total number of visitors. More than 515 million "guests", among them presidents, royalty, and other heads of state, have travelled to the park from around the world since the attraction first opened to guests on July 17, 1955. A worldwide celebration in commemoration of Disneyland's 50th anniversary began on May 5, 2005 and concluded on September 30, 2006.

source: Wikipedia

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Disneyland-Pirates of the Carribean

2006-09-14T12:40:00.000-07:00

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New Orleans square is the place of pirates, ghosts and strudels..(bakit nakasama yon?) The pirates of the Carribean is the most popular attraction in this square. It is an underground spectacle of the the pirates'adventures; looting frontiers; pilfering the town's treasures and hoarding them in caves, watched over by skeletons of men who died waiting for others to come back with more loot. The experience starts with a ride in a boat.Never take the first rowseat in the boat. So great, we were at the front and the boat moved slowly, gliding quietly in the still water.
We reached the place where there was a talking skeleton warning us of the danger that lurked beyond and suddenly, the boat, slid, streaming down about six feet. We got wet...The passengers screamed. My " tourist " said ayoko na. What ??? we are in the middle of the vast water...for all we know it may be a little feet deep only but
the dark mist enveloping the surrounding made the place eerier. The boat slipped again. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...

Then a shadow of a ship loomed from the heavy fog. Surprisingly, the water is calm except for ripples made by the balls of fire illuminating the other wise dark water. Burnt-powder filled the air while gunshots, booms of cannon and shouts were heard both from the guests and from the pirates. It was just like a nightmare, being there and witnessing it all, auction of captives, decapitating a person inside a well, people behind bars, all the ugliness in the world of barbarous people
that ruled the seas once upon a time.

The movie Pirates of the Carribean featured another favorite of mine, Johnny Depp.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Disneyland-The Disneyland Railroad Station

2006-09-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

This is located in the Main Street where you can also find a bank, a fire station, a bakery and a city hall.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Disneyland-Grand Vizier of Aladdin

2006-09-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, you get to meet Disney characters like this Grand Vizier of Alladin movie.
You can pose for a photograph. Camera....

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Disneyland-The Lion King

2006-09-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

Another character, Disney's Lion King.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Disneyland-The Matterhorn

2006-09-12T13:04:00.000-07:00

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Disneyland-Mark Twain

2006-09-11T13:26:00.000-07:00

It is exciting to ride here. I chose to stay in the first level holding the post in the duration of the trip. I cannot even take pictures.

One passenger was amused.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Disneyland -Haunted Mansion

2006-09-11T13:13:00.000-07:00

Located at the New Orleans Square, the haunted mansion is one of the two most visited attractions in the place where one is the Pirates of the Carribean.

I recommend that it should be the first to be visited since there is always a long line.

Inside, the guests can view the paranormal happenings on board a four seater cart.
You may just never know if a ghost is a co-passenger not until you see "it" in a mirror
as you watch some appear and disappear in the vast hall of the mansion.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

National Air and Space Museum

2006-07-21T22:22:00.000-07:00

The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. It is also a vital center for research into the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight, as well as planetary science and terrestrial geology and geophysics.

The Museum has two display facilities. The National Mall building in Washington, D.C. has hundreds of artifacts on display including the original Wright 1903 Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 command module, and a lunar rock sample that visitors can touch. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center displays many more artifacts including the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay and Space Shuttle Enterprise.

Note: Since I do not have the photo of the building, I copied this from their website.

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

National Air Space and Museum-Entrance

2006-07-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

My brother and I went to the National Air Space and
Museum-Smithsonian Institute to pass the time while waiting for the Fourth
of July parade which was announced to start at 11:00.

There was a long line of people outside the building aside from
participants in the parade who made the builing as their meeting
place.

This is the sign of the NASA Museum.

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland,eiffel

National Air Space and Museum-Looking at Earth

2006-07-20T19:53:00.000-07:00

Before Google Map and Satellite, this is how they looked at Earth.

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland,eiffel

National Air Space and Museum-The Satellites

2006-07-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

Before Google Earth

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland,eiffel

National Air Space and Museum-The Pilot

2006-07-19T20:36:00.000-07:00

Old plane model with a pilot.

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland,eiffel

National Air Space and Museum-The Astronauts

2006-07-19T19:39:00.000-07:00

Astronauts and the space ship.

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland,eiffel

National Air Space and Museum-Space Capsule

2006-07-18T20:57:00.000-07:00

Russian space capsule

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland,eiffel

National Air Space and Museum-Walker

2006-07-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

The Walker

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland,eiffel

National Air Space and Museum-First American and Russian Spacesuits

2006-07-17T20:48:00.000-07:00

First American astronaut Alan Shepard's silver space suit and Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin's orange spacesuit

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland,eiffel

National Air Space and Museum-Apollo Space Suit

2006-07-17T18:44:00.000-07:00

The Apollo Spacesuit

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland,eiffel

National Air Space and Museum-Mac Arthur's Leyte Landing

2006-07-16T21:19:00.000-07:00

The famous I SHALL RETURN Mac Arthur landed in Leyte together with
Carlos P. Romulo.

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland,eiffel

National Air Space and Museum-USS Enterprise

2006-07-16T17:02:00.000-07:00

It is not only space ships that you can find in the museum. This is a model
of the USS Enterprise.

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland,eiffel

WASHINGTON DC-National Portrait Gallery

2006-07-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

After postponing our plan to visit the National Portrait Gallery, my brother and I
parked and rode the METRO and got off exactly where the museum is.

Photo taking is only limited to some galleries. So after a few photographs, he checked in his bag ang camera for a fee of 25 cents. The locker can only accommodate a backpack.

The National Portrait Gallery has a collection of nearly 20,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and photographs, portrays men and women who have made significant contributions to the history, development and culture of the people of the United States.

National Portrait Gallery
Phone: (202) 275-1738
FAX: (202) 275-1887
Mailing Address:
National Portrait Gallery
Smithsonian Institution
PO Box 37012
Victor Building–Suite 8300 MRC 973
Washington, DC, 20013-7012
Staff Offices:
750 Ninth Street NW
Suite 8300
Washington, DC 20001

travel and places,National+Portrait+Gallery,museum

National Portrait Gallery -The Galloping Horse

2006-07-15T20:16:00.000-07:00

At the right side of the entrance is this scuplture of a horse and its rider.
I wonder why the color is blue.

travel and places,National+Portrait+Gallery,museum

National Portrait Gallery-Works of Art

2006-07-15T19:55:00.000-07:00

It reminds me of my elementary days when our teachers gave us projects to work on for
exhibits. The giraffe is made from "tansans."

National Portrait Gallery-The Doughnut

2006-07-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

Not the Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donut types. It is made out of marble.

travel and places,National+Portrait+Gallery,museum

National Portrait Gallery-Not all that glitters is gold

2006-07-15T17:57:00.001-07:00

This was made from aluminum foil. What is astonishing about this work is, it is more than 20 years old.

travel and places,National+Portrait+Gallery,museum

National Portrait Gallery- Angel

2006-07-15T17:23:00.000-07:00

Angel scupltures made from marble exhibited in one gallery.

travel and places,National+Portrait+Gallery,museum

National Portrait Gallery-The Statue and the Shadow

2006-07-15T16:23:00.000-07:00

I just like the way my brother photographed this statue of a woman with the silohuette of a man as a background.

travel and places,National+Portrait+Gallery,museum

National Portrait Gallery-Singer Sewing Machine

2006-07-15T16:22:00.000-07:00

This is the sewing machine that Isaac Singer built where the needle moved up and down rather than the side-to-side and the needle was powered by a foot treadle.

Sewing machines did not go into mass production until the 1850's, when Isaac Singer built the first commercially successful machine.

travel and places,National+Portrait+Gallery,museum

National Portrait Gallery-Daniel Webster

2006-07-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

One of the photographs taken in the American Origins Gallery before my brother was approached by a security personnel reminding him where taking photos is not allowed.

travel and places,National+Portrait+Gallery,museum

National Portrait Gallery-Art work

2006-07-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

National Portrait Gallery-The Camera

2006-07-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

It is not digicam but it took pictures of the people in the olden days.

travel and places,National+Portrait+Gallery,museum

Washington DC Parade-Flowers

2006-07-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

It was Fourth of July in Washington, DC. My brother and I were among
the crowd who waited for the parade under the scorching sun.
But humid, hot, dry or not, these flowers still bloomed outside the
park where we made a short cut to reach the street where the floats
joining the parade congregated for decoration.

Violet flowers...

White flowers too.

Shenandoah Park,road trip,

budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland,eiffel