Tuesday, July 31, 2007

My first visit to the Georgia Aquarium

An outing that I eagerly anticipated for my trip to Atlanta was a visit to the Georgia Aquarium.

When I left Atlanta in August 2004, plans were underway for the Aquarium. I think they had just broken ground to begin construction. Everyone was talking about it - the largest aquarium in the world - whales and sharks and and and.... It was sure to draw crowds!

For me, the Aquarium was a new amazing attraction, though it was actually completed nearly 2 years ago. So, a few days before my trip to Atlanta was finished, Happy, John and I set out to explore the adventure for ourselves. Albeit, the kids had gone before - but I was super excited to see it for myself.

Indeed, the aquarium turned out to be everything that people had described it to be. There were many touch pools, a variety of neat underwater exhibits and exotic animals. My favorites were the beluga whales and the whale sharks in the huge 8 million gallon aquarium (I could have sat watching it for hours). Here are some pictures from our trip to the aquarium.


Happy and John in front of an aquarium
a leafy sea dragon
Baby beluga in the deep blue sea......

big crabs

Happy and John at a touch pool
where we could touch......
Small sharks (yikes!) and...
stingrays
a cute penguin on a rock
and we go in for a closer look!

Wow! The jellyfish glow under black light!

Even otters need a nap.

John and Happy in a look window

(seen through an aquarium)

and finally - the huge 8 million gallon aquarium

whale sharks and all!

Friday, July 27, 2007

Visit to Atlanta

I just returned home from a two week trip to Atlanta. Let me tell you - I had no idea how much I liked that city until this trip back. The lush green trees, the hills, the culture and diversity - it was so refreshing to be there. Of course, the part of the city I knew very well how much I adored are my friends there. What a happy reunion after nearly a full three years away!

My plane arrived a couple hours late in the middle of the night and I caught a taxi to the Herold's house, where I was staying. I was tired and a little travel weary, but as I walked from the taxi to the house, all that vanished with a glimpse of my welcome home sign:


Happy and John made this sign for me and it was hanging on the porch as I walked up.
I had so much fun staying with the Herolds. It was as if I'd never left. Actually, I couldn't believe that John remembered me because he was 2 when I left and is now 5. They made sure to talk about me and show him pictures. I'm sure Happy wouldn't let him forget. It was so touching!
During the time I was there, the kids' focus was on circus camp - a summer camp they were attending. They were learning acrobatics, trapeze and Spanish web along with other circus tricks. They practiced them every where we went.


not too shabby for being 5 and 8! And, lucky for me, I was even there to watch one of the actual circus camp shows!!!


Happy and John made up and ready to perform


This one is hard to see, but if you look closely, you can see that it's Happy upside-down on the Spanish Web - hanging by one leg. Impressive!
Of course, the Herold's weren't the only friends I got to see while I was in Atlanta.

Susie, Maddie, Katy, Sydney and Emily
(a lot of "-ee"s)
Brings us back to KIPP:PATH


All in good time, my pretty. All in good time.
With Sydney and Maddie - what cuties!
With Victor at a posh Thai restaurant near Georgia Tech
Emily and Heather - Lookin' good!
a trip out to the Clarks' to see Brian and Heather
Roasters with Ben
a gourmet meal with Bernard
an afternoon visit with Nancy and Al
Michelle and I visit Melissa for lunch, after a visit to...
the Hindu temple of Atlanta
(which was an awesome cultural experience - the temple was beautiful, we were given holy bananas and we even got to chat with the man who was carving all the moulds for the ornate decorations all around the temple!)
And, of course, I couldn't leave Atlanta without a Thai themed party. I pulled out my photos, took a trip to the Decatur International Farmer's market, greased the wok and had a great time eating and visiting with everyone who could make it.
Tricia chats with Demond and Shaniece about joining Peace Corps.
Jeff, Robin and Tricia in the food line. Look at that spread!

Bernard goes for some curry.
It was a wonderful trip!!!

a break from the rain

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is one of the best known waterfalls in the world. All of my Thai friends had heard of the falls and would often mention them when we traveled to any waterfall in Thailand. I didn't think I had ever been to Niagara Falls - at least I didn't remember ever going, so I was super excited when I learned that I would be going with my family on the way to the summer family reunion in Canada. As it turns out, I had been once before - when I was about 6 months old, but I suppose that doesn't really count.



Actually, Niagara Falls is several different Falls in the Niagara River. "Horseshoe Falls" (where we went) is on the Ontario, Canada side and there are a couple more on the Buffalo, NY side as well. We were awed by the majesty of Niagara Falls and I am so glad to have had the opportunity to go.
Emily with Horseshoe falls in the background

As an extra adventure, we took the "Maid of the Mist" boat trip on the Niagara River. After donning our rain (mist) coats, we boarded the boat which took us right to the base of the falls. They are so high that a great cloud of mist is created by the falls hitting the river. Entering the cloud of mist was like being on another planet. Sight was limited and all I could hear was the tremendous roar of the falls - absolutely amazing!



approaching horseshoe falls



ready for the mist



in the mist
going back to dock with both falls behind us