It has always been my hopes and dreams to see my childhood idol on stage performing her hit songs. When I was younger, my mother won the chance to see Janet Jackson in concert through a radio competition. I was too young at the time, so she took a family friend with her. I was disappointed that I couldn’t go that time because I knew Janet would never make her way back to Australia ever again! It’s always a rare opportunity to see good artists in Australia in concert so I had the feeling that I missed my one and only chance.
When I moved to Canada, I always hoped that I could see more concerts since artists travel to Canada more often as it is much closer for them and their fan base is probably much bigger. When I heard Janet Jackson was coming to Canada I was soooo excited but at the same time I was so disappointed that she would hold a show in Hamilton of all places! But my boyfriend offered to take me all the way to Hamilton which was 1 hour away from Toronto.
So on August 3, 2011, Janet’s one and only show in Canada, my boyfriend drove me all the way to Hamilton. It was a crummy of an evening – dark and rainy but I was so happy to be able to get to see Janet! She performed all her hits, and all my favourite songs. It brought back all the great memories of my childhood. I love Janet!
Janet Jackson #1s World Tour in Hamilton, Canada Video
Janet Jackson #1s World Tour in Hamilton, Canada Photos
Boston Public Gardens is a large park located in the heart of downtown Boston. It was built in 1837 and is next to Boston Common, another public park in Boston. As soon as I visited Boston Public Gardens, I immediately fell in love with its beauty. It was so well kept, so green, so lush, so relaxing, so tranquil. I couldn’t stop snapping shots everywhere and at one point, I nearly fell asleep on the grass with a smile still on my face.
Many people come to visit Boston Public Gardens to take a ride on the famous swan boats. A popular attraction at the park is the statue of George Washington. There were so many flowers in the park, but my favourite were the Allium flowers, they were so purple and round – so cute! You can’t forget those cute squirrels too though :)
Boston Public Gardens Video Guide in Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Boston Public Gardens Photos in Boston, Massachusetts, USA
The Toronto Jazz Festival has become one of North America’s premier jazz festivals and takes place annually during the summer in June and July with most events located at approximately 40 locations around the Toronto downtown core. It began in 1987 and now attracts more than 500,000 people over 10 days, with 350 performances and 1,500 musicians.
The core of the Festival is located at Metro Square, the heart of Toronto’s Entertainment District which offers free events to the public. I visited Metro Square on June 25, 2011 for some free jazz music. It was so lovely to enjoy the summer with some jazz music along with fellow Torontonians in the middle of the city!
Every year Toronto hosts Canada’s largest street weekend festival: Taste of the Danforth which welcomes over 1.3million people to the event. The Danforth is home to Canada’s Greektown and is closed for the event. There are dozens and dozens of food stalls for you to taste the flavours of Greece! Because so many people attend the event with their hungry stomachs, be prepared for super long lines for every stall! Food prices range from $3 to under $10 so it’s easy to walk along the Danforth and saviour a few items.
SammyliciousTV: Taste of the Danforth Festival Video
SammyliciousTV: Taste of the Danforth Festival Photos
The Mivizu sense cover functions just like Apple Smart Cover which has the magnetic sleep/wake function that triggers when you open and close the front cover. The inside is fitted with microfiber lining to protect your screen, prevent scratches, and clean off fingerprints and grime.
Just like the Apple Smart Cover, the case can also be positioned in upright mode – perfect for slideshows and watching movies. The other option is to position the case so that it’s folded at the back so it’s the perfect angle for easy typing.
Overall, the Mivizu sense cover is a high quality product, with quality leather, precision cutouts, and careful stitching. It’s not bulky and fits the iPad well. It’s casual enough for everyday use but classy enough for work as well.
Toronto was lucky enough to host the International Indian Film Awards (IIFA) on June 25, 2011. Many many famous Bollywood stars came to Toronto for the prestigious event and in celebration, Toronto also hosted the Samsara Festival which was full of Indian culture – music, culture and fashion. There was also a lot of Indian food available.. mmm, yum!
Hopetoun Falls is located just five kilometres east of Beech Forest in Victoria, Australia. We visited it on our road trip to Apollo Bay and was a very easy walk from Apollo Road. The falls have a large set of well-built and maintained stairs that lead down to the foot of the waterfall. Above is a photo of what you see from the top!
As you walk down to the foot of the falls, you are greeted with such a serene, calm atmosphere. It was spectacular! Nature at its best.
Below are photos of what was behind me. Isn’t it beautiful!
It’s amazing at how much of its natural characteristics have been preserved. We spent quite a bit of time here just soaking up the serenity. See the video below to see what it was like!
Hopetoun Falls
(The Otways, Victoria, Australia)
On the way back, we came across a wild echidna! So cute! Watch the video below to see the cute little one waddle. :)
In December 2007, my brother & I excitedly visited Disneyland in Anaheim, California, USA. It really was the happiest place on earth! My brother and I had a 2-day park pass and we sure had ear to ear grins for the entire 2 days.
We had quite the grand entrance, because as we entered through the gates there was a band there to great us along with the Mad Hatter (see above).
As we went in December, the entire park was dressed in Christmas decorations which we absolutely LOVED. The atmosphere was so fantastic – it was so joyful and festive but it was still quite warm and sunny. We could not have picked a better time to go to Disneyland!
What better way to enjoy Disney but on a horse carriage?
I love Disneyland Main Street because of all the stores! There were parlours and boutique stores and this was my favourite – penny arcade!
In one of the many stores – we spent a lot of time marvelling at all the cute souvenirs. Too cute!
Here are one of the many Disney houses. They are so colourful and adorable!
We always had time for happy snaps of ourselves. :)
The famous teacup ride!
The Haunted House
I got splashed on Splash Mountain! It was so much fun.
I love Disneyland because you can dress up like a cartoon character for even just a minute as you pass by a store to try on these cute hats. Here’s my brother in a Goofy Hat! Hehe!
And here’s me in the wizards hat from Fantasia! Hehe!
I love this photo – here’s my brother in Pooh and me in Tigger :)
And of course there was Santa who graciously came to visit!
Disneyland was beautiful at night as all the buildings were lit up.
The Disney castle was so stunning at night!
At night, people filled Main Street to catch a glimpse of the Christmas fireworks. In December as it approaches the big day, Disneyland holds nightly Christmas fireworks to celebrate (see below video).
And afterwards, there was “snow” (some fake white flakes poured down from the lights). Regardless of the fakeness of the snow or not, it was so beautiful! It was my first time I ever experienced “snow” falling on me and it was a beautiful thing to experience in Disneyland.
It’s that beautiful time of the year again: Spring! I just love Spring, it’s when all the flowers bloom and everyone comes out to play. That’s exactly what the atmosphere was at High Park during the Cherry Blossom (Sakura Tree) Festival, which I also went to last year in 2010. As last year, many came here to catch a glimpse of these beautiful flowers as they do not last long! A full bloom (mankai) is usually reached within about one week after the opening of the first blossom (kaika) and after just one week, the blooming peak is over and the blossoms begin to fall from the trees. If there are strong winds or rain, blooming season will be even shorter.
Please check out my video below to learn more about the Cherry Blossom Festival at High Park.
Sammylicious TV: Cherry Blossom (Sakura Trees) at High Park
As mentioned in my video above, the Cherry Blossom (Sakura Tree) Festival is a highly celebrated event in Toronto because of the much anticipated spring after a long brutal Canadian winter. Many from all over the city come to enjoy this spectacular sight, from professional photographers to family and friends having a picnic in the park.
The Cherry Blossom Flower Viewing is an old Japanese tradition also known as “Sakura Hanami” and many spend hours viewing and enjoying these flowers on full bloom. The blooming of Cherry Blossoms (Sakura Trees) typically occur in late April to early May, depending on the winter. The milder the winter, the earlier these will bloom. Because the winter in Toronto of 2010 – 2011 was both long and harsh, these flowers bloomed in early May which is much later than last year when it bloomed in mid-late April. Sometimes, when the winter is too harsh and cold, these flowers may not even bloom at all!
High Park has two Cherry Blossom walks but as last year, we took Walk 1 again which approximately takes 30-45 minutes to complete. This walk offers gorgeous views of High Park’s largest collection of Sakura trees as well as the Grenadier Pond and Hillside Gardens. Please enjoy my photos below!
Photos from the Cherry Blossom (Sakura Tree) Viewing
Here’s Elliott and I.
And then there’s just me! Hahaha..
Chinese Blossoms at High Park
High Park also has a wide range of other beautiful flowers – just like this pretty pink Chinese blossom (I am unsure the name! If someone knows, please let me know!). Most of them weren’t bloomed just yet, but we found a few that were :)
Elliott & I in front of the Chinese Blossoms
Kaori & I by the pond
The Canadian maple leaf: What’s a Canadian park without a Maple Leaf, right?
Large tall trees – so beautiful!
High Park Wildlife in the Spring
Mr. Squirrel who lives at High Park, also wanted to come out and play! Helloooo!
I adore High Park, because I love to see these amazingly beautiful birds. Above are two Canadian Geese.
This really cool duck is known as the Wood Duck.. but only the male looks as cool as this, spotting so many colours! I saw shades of orange, red, purple, green, black, white and brown.
The most convenient and easy way I find is to take the TTC to High Park station (on the Bloor line) and just as you cross Bloor Street, you’ll see High Park. It’s too big to miss!
If you prefer to drive, there’s free parking available at the Grenadier Restaurant (enter the park from the intersection of Bloor Street and High Park Avenue and follow the one-way loop to the Grenadier Restaurant in the centre of the park) and the lot immediately east of the Zoo (enter the park from the intersection of High Park Blvd and Parkside Drive).
