Saturday's PhotoHunting: Hot

At the Benihana restaurant in Las Vegas the chef creates an onion volcano eruption with some pretty hot flames  .  . .

Dinner was both delicious and entertaining! :)

To see more PhotoHunters, you can visit Gattina's Keyhole Pictures website HERE!  

Saturday's PhotoHunting: Glass

In the lobby of the Bellagio Hotel, you will be treated to an amazing Glass Sculpture called "Fiori di Como" which was created by Dale Chihuly.

To see more PhotoHunters, you can visit Gattina's Keyhole Pictures website HERE!  

Saturday's PhotoHunting: Landscapes

I've seen some amazing landscapes while traveling to different countries, but I have to say that my two most favorite landscapes are located right here in North America. 

The Yosemite Valley has the visual magnificence to make hikers, photographers and nature lovers weep.   When you finally reach the top of the half dome and look out onto the valley, you have to take a moment to absorb its beauty. And then you have to head back down in order to reach camp by  nightfall.  We barely made it down before night fall.  

My top choice for favorite landscape  . . . the Grand Canyon!  It literally took my breath away the first time I saw it.  It is so stunning you almost feel as if you're looking at a painting.

Thank you mother nature!

To see more PhotoHunters, you can visit Gattina's Kehole Pictures website HERE!  

Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon: A place of peace, harmony and tranquility

Last week while attending a training conference in Portland, Oregon, I was very fortunate to have the chance to visit what is considered to be the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan.  It was designed by Professor Takuma Tomo in 1963 and encompasses 5 1/2 acres of land with five separate garden styles.

Japanese gardens have an ancient history influenced by Shinto, Buddhist, and Taoist philosophies.  Upon entering a Japanese garden the hope is to realize a sense of peace, harmony and tranquility. 

There are three primary elements used in every Japanese garden design:  stone, the "bones" of the landscape; water, the life-giving force; and plants, the tapestry of the four seasons.  As you stroll through, you will see other important elements which include stone lanterns, water basins, arbor and bridges. 

The Wisteria Arbor leads us to an antique 5-tiered stone pagoda lantern given to Portland from its Sister City, Sapporo, Japan.

The Strolling Pond Garden (chisen kaiyu shiki newa) features the authentic Moon Bridge. 

The lower pond holds tortoise and crane stones, common symbols of longevity.

Within the Tea Garden (roji) there is an Inner Garden (uchi roji) which surrounds the ceremonial Tea House.

The Zig Zag Bride (yatsuhashi) leads through iris beds to the lower pond . . .  

. . . . which holds the Garden's beautiful koi, that swim beneath the very beautiful Heavenly Falls (I love that name).  

The Natural Garden (zoki no niwa) winds its way down the south hillside.
  

There are beautiful ponds, waterfalls and shallow streams that meander under small bridges, trees, scrubs, ferns and mosses.

The Sand and Stone Garden (karesansui) features the stark simplicity of weathered stones rising from a bed of "sand" raked to suggest the sea.  This garden style is typically found in Zen monasteries.

The Poetry Stone is inscribed with a haiku which reads, "Here, miles from Japan, I stand as if warmed by the spring sunshine of home."



The Flat Garden (hira niwa) is designed using a sea of raked sand.  The two islands of plantings depict a sake cup and gourd-shaped bottle, signifying pleasure and a wish for the visitor's happiness.  Very cool.

As you enter the garden visitors are asked to "discard worldly thoughts and concerns and to see themselves as a small but integral part of the universe".  

We are asked to turn off our cell phones so we may feel the Garden's mood of peace and harmony.  I love this rule.  Nothing would destroy my peace and harmony more than someone on their cell phone chatting away loudly. The price for admission is $9.50 for adults (with some discount prices offered for seniors and children) and it is so worth it.

PhotoHunt: Informative

A "book" can be a very informative resource for entertainment, inspiration and for learning. 

This week I attended a training conference in Portland, Oregon and one of the must see's while there was visiting the famous Powell's Bookstore.

Located in the very trendy Pearl District, Powell's Bookstore (Wikipedia) is the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. It is 68,000 square feet, occupies 4 floors and it literally takes up an entire city block.   With that said, I knew this was a must see for me.  Once inside, I made a B-Line for the 2nd floor where I found the Travel Section. 

 Once there, I made another B-Line for the Italy section...

I spent $85 dollars and came out with six very informative new and used books.  It's a good thing I had spare room in my carry-on luggage. :)

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PhotoHunt: Breathtaking (Free Choice Week)

Among the many beautiful places in the world to see, there are some that I would describe as breathtaking and the Grand Canyon is one of them. 

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