Rainbow Colours of Disney

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge this week, asks us to show off a few photos, each containing at least four strong colours. I immediately thought of my recent visit to the Disney Magic Kingdom. We were certainly surrounded by bright colours for the whole day. Here are a few pics which I haven’t shown you before.

Street Musicians

Street Musicians

Pluto

Pluto

Street Parade

Street Parade

Street Parade

Street Parade

Mickey and Minnie float.

Mickey and Minnie float

Mickey and Minnie at the castle

Mickey and Minnie at the castle

Stilt Walkers

Stilt Walkers

Balloon Seller

Balloon Seller

Tweedledum & Tweeledee with autograph hunter.

Tweedledum & Tweedledee with autograph hunter.

Dodgem Cars

Bumper Cars

Dumbo the Elephant ride

Dumbo the Elephant ride

I hope you enjoyed my rainbow-coloured pics. To see more bright colours, visit Cee’s post.

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Ali Baba for Wordless Wednesday

I just hope that none of Ali Baba’s forty thieves are around. 😀

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Photo taken behind a restaurant in San Pedro.

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Linking up to Wordless Wednesday share your favorite family-friendly photos – with or without words – at the friendliest party in town! http://create-with-joy.com/

A word a week: Zoom

Sue of ‘A Word in Your Ear’, has asked us to share some of our pics where we have used a zoom. I’m not very good at zooming in, unless it’s on an airplane to some exotic destination. 🙂 This morning, I was sitting on the sofa, perusing the blogs whilst drinking my mug of green tea, when I saw what looked like fire in the lake outside the window. “What’s that?” I asked hubby. He was drinking his coffee, reading the South African news on his laptop, and was sitting at the wrong angle to see what I could see, so I dropped everything…….gently, and went to grab the camera before the phenomenon disappeared.

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I thought I’d like a closer shot, so fiddled with the zoom a bit, as a little duck paddled in to also have a look.

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It obviously didn’t like what it saw, and quickly disappeared back to cooler, non-fiery waters.

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My final attempt at zooming in on the burning water, yielded this pic, which I think is quite pretty.

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All the while this was going on, Mr. Grumpy Blue Heron, stood passively staring into the distance, probably waiting for the fire to disappear before going in search of his breakfast.

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When hubby saw the pics, he said that it was just the sun reflecting off someone’s window. I was disappointed with such a boring explanation, and my tea by this time, was stone cold, but I drank it anyway. The sacrifices we bloggers have to make! 😡

To see more bloggers’ interpretations of Sue’s theme, just click here.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Forward

Michelle’s challenge this week is to share a photo that says, “Forward.” I love her pic of a 12th century path at the beautiful Alhambra Palace.

Now, unless you’re new to my blog, you will know that I can rarely stop at one photo, except maybe for ‘Wordless Wednesday’. 😕 So here are a few pics from my travels which say “Forward” to me.

This massive unfinished obelisk was discovered in the stone quarries of ancient Egypt near Aswan. If it had been finished, it would have been 42 metres high and would have weighed nearly 1,200 tons. It was being carved directly out of the rock when cracks appeared in the granite and it was abandoned, still attached to the bedrock. Just imagine all that hard work for nothing! I found it really thrilling to be able to walk forward along the entire length of it, and imagine those quarry workers chiselling away with their small Diorite stone tools. What a mammoth task.

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We were on a Nile cruise in Egypt, and here is a photo taken whilst our ship was waiting patiently to go forward through the Esna lock, on our way to Luxor.

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From the heat of Egypt in July, to the freezing cold of Wyoming in early spring. We stopped in a lay-bye  to take some pics, and then it was time to press on forward to our destination, which was Yellowstone National Park.

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In the park, there was so much to see, but the temperatures were well below freezing. Hubby had left me in the relative warmth of the car whilst he went off to explore, but when he returned with tales of icicle-ringed hot geysers, my curiosity got the better of me. I wrapped myself up so well that even my own mother wouldn’t have recognised me, and bravely sallied forth to see for myself. Here I’m shivering my way forward over the slippery boardwalk. The amazing sights I saw were definitely worth enduring the cold for.

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To see links to more bloggers’ interpretations of the theme, Just click here.

Window seat please.

Marianne’s CBBH Photo Challenge this month, is ‘View from an aircraft‘.  I always try to get a window seat, more for the view than any other reason. For me, the flying experience is enhanced when I can watch the sunrise, sunset, or just see the fluffy white clouds passing by. I guess some people don’t want the constant reminder that they’re sitting in a long metal tube, about 30,000 feet above the ground, or the sea, and would rather pretend they’re on a train or a bus, so sit in the middle, and there are those that have to keep getting up to use the toilet, so prefer to sit on the aisle. Not me though; I revel in the fact that I’m actually high above the earth, flying effortlessly and at great speed, towards my destination. Quite often, I forget to take the camera out of my cabin bag, and by the time we take off, it’s too late to get up and grab it, so some of my pics are taken with my iPhone. I guess if it’s on airplane mode, that’s permissible, but I’m never sure, so try not to do it when the stewards are close by.

Here are a few of my in flight pics:

Coming in the land at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok.

Coming in to land at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok.

Taking off from Phuket International airport.

Taking off from Phuket International airport.

Taken from a helicopter over Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

View from a helicopter over Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Victoria falls in the distance.

Victoria falls in the distance.

Flying towards Belize.

Flying towards Belize.

Flight from Belize.

Fluffy clouds.

Looking down at the swamps.

Looking down at the swamps.

Smooth landing at Belize City.

Smooth landing at Belize City.

First sighting of Belize City.

First sighting of  San Pedro.

Getting cloer to the ground.

Getting closer to the ground.

This was only a 10 seater plane.

This was only a 10-seater plane.

Miami next stop.

Miami next stop.

Back to Miami.

Coming in to land at Miami International.

Sometimes my attention is distracted from the view out of the window, and I’m more interested in what’s for dinner.

Welcome view on the airplane.

Very welcome view on the airplane.

Stop looking out of the window and eat.

Stop looking out of the window and eat.

Yummy raspberry mousse cake.

Yummy raspberry chocolate mousse cake.

To see more views from airplanes, just click here.

According to the rules of Marianne’s challenge, I have to introduce you to two of the blogs that I’ve commented on in the past month.

First up is my South African blog friend, Adeeyoyo, who writes beautiful poetry which really touches one’s soul.

Then there’s the artistically talented Poppytump, who advertises her blog thus, “PhotographyBooksArtyStuffAndPlentyOfOtherNiffNaffAndTriviaToIgnore.”

Please pop over and visit them both. I promise that you won’t be disappointed.

What a fun week we all had.

My lovely family returned to the cold of New Jersey, yesterday. We had such a great time together, and it was so special to see the three children again and watch them having fun. Much of the time was spent playing in the pool at the club, and Sienna went to the golf and tennis workshops, which were organised for the children. There was live music and also games for the children by the pool. Sienna came joint first in the hula hoop competition, and got ‘$100’ bill, which bought her an ice cream at the restaurant. 🙂 I was so impressed at how she just kept that hula going, even when she had to jump, wave her arms in the air and then go down on one knee a few times. What a granny’s girl! The guy organising the games realised that these two girls could go on ‘ad infinitum’, so decided to award them both. Sienna is the little one on the left.

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Three-year-old Taylor was more interested in hogging the microphone, and was given her chance to make announcements, which she did with great gusto.

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Here are some pics of the fun times, this past week. Just click on any photo to get a slide show.

This morning, breakfast for two instead of seven, was a very quiet affair, except for the sound of the washing machine working overtime. Hubby and I are now off to the gym, before coming home to tackle the myriads of tiny, sticky hand prints on the glass doors and mirrors. 🙂

Wishing you all a great weekend.

Unforgettable family memories at the Magic Kingdom.

It was so exciting waiting impatiently at Palm Beach airport on Friday morning, but eventually the five of them came into view. Those first hugs are always the best. 🙂

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They’d been up since 4-30am, so were pretty tired, and Max had to go for a nap when we got home. When he woke up, it was time for birthday presents, and his card, which he absolutely loved. When he opened the card, it plays a very loud, “Who let the dogs out!” 😯 Of course we’ve now heard it a gazillion times.

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One of his other presents from us was a little train, which, when we bought it, we didn’t realise takes three batteries. It races around, making the most raucous sound, with all the bells and whistles going off  at the same time, together with the sound of a train clacking along the railway tracks. The house has been quite noisy, to say the very least. 😀 We all went for an early dinner at the club, and he had balloons and a little cake with two candles, which he blew out with great gusto before anyone could get a photo. In this photo, he is looking somewhat suspiciously at the chef’s strawberry coulis and chocolate design on the plate.

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On Saturday morning, we were all up before dawn to drive the three hours to Disney. We left at 6-30, and had a Starbucks stop on the way. As we approached the Magic Kingdom, the traffic looked quite ominous. There were obviously many other families with the same idea.

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Out of the car, we were soon part of the heaving mass of humanity, but we soldiered on, and after paying the entrance fee of about $90 each, including almost the same for the kids, we were inside.

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Here’s a better and more magical view of the castle. 🙂

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If there’s one thing I’ll remember Disney for, it will be the hundreds and hundreds of strollers everywhere, many of them containing sleeping toddlers who were oblivious of where they were, and others sitting looking quite traumatised by all the people brushing past them. Our three did enjoy themselves though, and the girls especially loved their encounters with the Disney princes and princesses. Aurora and her prince were first up.

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Taylor really seemed to have a lot to say to Prince Charming, and Cinderella was very sweet to the girls.

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Rapunzel’s long hair was a big hit too, and Prince Flynn was most attentive.

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Of course Mickey and Minnie Mouse were very popular; after all wasn’t it they who started the whole Disney thing.

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We all had a go on the bumper cars, which seemed very tame to me, as no-one bumped mine at all. 😦

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The Dumbo ride was fun, and I loved being right up in the air.

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It’s a while since I went on a merry-go-round, and hubby and I felt like big kids again. 🙂

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There was so much to see, and we all walked our legs off for about ten hours, with a stop for lunch. The kids were amazing, and even little Max did a fair amount of walking. The stores did quite well out of us too, as it’s hard to resist a few toys and souvenirs for the children. The weather had turned exceptionally cold and windy, and the shops were doing a roaring trade in long-sleeved T-shirts, jackets and blankets. There’s certainly plenty of merchandise to choose from, and it was sorely tempting.

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When we could walk no longer, and were all shivering with cold, we took the ferry back across to the car park.

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It had been a wonderful family outing. and unforgettable memories had been made. What a magical day. We got home well after midnight, but it was worth it.

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Everyone who is able to, should do it at least once in their lives. The Disney experience is for kids of all ages, from two to a hundred and two. 🙂

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Tonight we’re baby sitting whilst our son and his wife are out having dinner with friends in Fort Lauderdale. The children have been little angels and ate all their dinner before going  to bed without so much as a squeak. We were very lucky. 😀 Today has been really cold, but tomorrow the weather promises to be better, and hopefully they’ll be able to go swimming.

To see more ‘unforgettable’ posts for Jake’s theme this week, just click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family visit.

Grandchildren are God’s way of compensating us for growing old. ~Mary H. Waldrip

Today our son and his family arrive from New Jersey and will be staying with us for a week.We’re so excited to see them all again, especially as it’s Max’s second birthday. He’s such a happy little chap, as you can see from this photo with his sister, out enjoying the snow a few days ago.

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Their big sister will also be here, so there will be seven of us here, instead of just us two, and I’m sure the house won’t be anywhere near as quiet as it usually is. 🙂

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Hubby and I will be on our merry way to Palm Beach airport when you read this. This is supposed to be the Sunshine State, so I hope the weather improves for them, as it was raining cats and dogs all yesterday afternoon and evening, and today is very grey and cloudy. Max is having a birthday dinner at the club tonight, with balloons and candles, and we’re driving to Disney early tomorrow, so that should be a fun and exciting day, especially for the children.

I probably won’t be around on the blogs for a few days, unless I get time to post a couple of pics, so just chat amongst yourselves until I reappear. Wishing you all a great weekend. See you soon.

 

My first Valentine remains a mystery.

Happy Valentines Day to you all. If you received a Valentine card and flowers or chocs today, I’m sure you will be spending the day with your special person. There used to be a time when Valentines were supposed to be a secret and you didn’t get to know who sent them. I remember my first Valentine was when I was a teenager at school. It arrived through our letterbox on a Saturday morning, and I was sure it must be from a boy I really fancied but who had until that day, shown no interest in me whatsoever. I was so thrilled and couldn’t wait for Monday morning to arrive, when I would see him again at school. To my surprise and chagrin, when I did see him in class, he still ignored me, so sadly, I had to assume that the card wasn’t from him. I was so disappointed, and I never did find out who sent that gorgeous card. What’s the point of that? Did any of you have secret Valentines?

Anyway, the wonderful love I’ve found since that schoolgirl crush, has more than made up for my disappointment, and today I had a beautiful orchid,

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a red nightdress, (which you don’t need to see, ‘cos I’m wearing it) and a romantic hearts and flowers card from my ‘true love’.

I’m so glad I didn’t live in the Stone Age. Their method of courtship looks really painful don’t you think?

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Happy Valentine’s Day hugs to you all, and remember,

“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to no-one.”  ~ William Shakespeare.