Visiting Relatives in San Diego

I am still thinking whether I will come with my husband to visit our relatives in San Diego this November. My daughter is not really keen about traveling to the US this time because she has been to San Diego and it's hard to keep up with a finicky teenager now. I am considering to stay here because I can't leave my daughter. I will come to a decision by the end of the month. 80% of my decision is leaning towards to "stay" here and just relax.

My husband is already thinking of the gifts he will bring to our relatives there. I told him that there's another special occasion to look forward to in April 2012. His nephew will graduate from high school. It's the right time to consider high school graduation gift ideas since there are still some sale going on after the GITEX 2011 event few days ago. A growing teenager will definitely love gadgets. We already gave him a rock star guitar which you plug on those game consoles last 2009. I think, something funky like the new MPs now or a smart phone. Well, I just let my husband decide.

Balboa Park and San Isidro

Here are more snaps taken in San Diego as we went around the San Diego Natural History Museum and the adjacent Balboa Park. But before that, we went shopping at the outlet mall in San Isidro which is near the Tijuana, Mexico border. I couldn't resist the calling of those "sale" signs posted on my favorite brands' shops. Wow, I don't mind living in this place!

We watched the Body Works exhibit which is very gross but educational at the same time. The exhibit features real cadavers explaining the human anatomy in full, graphic details. I do recommend this to those who are into science and anatomy. My daughter didn't even feel uneasy but rather, she found the whole exhibit informative.

Balboa Park is home to numerous museums, social events, performing arts venues, botanical gardens and the San Diego Zoo which is nearby. The park itself is free but the other attractions have their specific fees.

Enjoy the slides!

Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego

Here are more snaps of the beautiful San Diego. This time it is in Cabrillo National Park Monument in San Diego, CA.

Just a little trivia, this monument is a tribute to Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's exploration on the coastline of California which is now known as the West Coast of the United States of America.

We went to the park's museums on Cabrillo's early voyage and discoveries. We also went to check out the small military radio room near the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. The lighthouse is a quaint little, white cottage with a lighthouse beacon. It is located on the park's peak point, 422 feet above sea level. It is no longer in service due to the weather flaw - fog and low clouds which obscured the light.

There were small squirrels running around but I managed to capture one. I saw beautiful birds I haven't seen before. There was one particular bird which looked like a blue robin and I had to include "him" (I feel the bird is a "him" for some reason...) in the slide. We even saw a hawk snagging a small, helpless (and very cute too...) squirrel. I wanted to throw stone on the bird but I might end up in jail. We could not do anything but let "nature takes its course."

The vast ocean and the view of the San Diego Bay is simply breath-taking. It was windy and chilly but no weather could dampen our excitement! Enjoy the slide show and watch out for our Viva Las Vegas trip pics soon...

Around Coronado, San Diego

Our visit to San Diego was tiring but fun and we loved the weather so much. It was pretty cold though, considering it was nearing spring. Maybe we are not used to low temperature having lived in this part of the world where you can actually cook eggs on the street!!! That hot!

The slide are photos around the affluent Coronado area. The houses facing the sea are so pretty and I have already set my eyes on one ;)

We went in and around the famous and very old Hotel del Coronado. It was built in 1887, entirely out of lumber. Famous state dignitaries, royalties and celebrities have already stayed in this luxurious beachfront hotel. It is also said to be haunted and has been featured in some documentaries on haunted hotels. We even had picture on the stairway. Being inside was outright spooky. I had that funny feeling all the time we were in. I had to ask my daughter to accompany me in the loo because I was too afraid to go alone!