Lantern Day 28: Song Emperor Admirers Lanterns

The Emperor admires the lanterns from the Song Dynasty and joins visitors in celebration of the festival. The glittering gold decorations sparkle from the
powerful dragon boats in the Yangtze River.

Song Emperor Admirers Lanterns

As a refreshment … here are last year’s 14 Days of Lantern posts: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Extra Day

Happy Halloween! (almost)

Last year, I thought of going to a place in the Beach area (Joseph Duggan Road) where they decorate a few front yards for Halloween. But considering that Halloween is on a Wednesday this year, I don’t think I can make it there after work. I think I’ll wait until Halloween is on a weekend. ;P

Just a reminder for those who are going trick-or-treat-ing: be good and be safe!
Wear “visible” clothing, stay in a well-lit area, don’t wear a mask that’s limiting your vision, don’t eat anything that’s already open, go in groups, etc. Kids: go with an adult (whom you know, of course!), and give all the candies (and other goodies) to your parents for inspections. Parents: don’t eat all of the goodies (give some to the kids)! LOL!

OK .. enough advice (I’m sure you all know about it already — it’s everywhere, news, radio :P ).
So today, we went to the zoo for their “Boo at the Zoo!” event (last weekend and this weekend). This weekend, they had their staff to carve pumpkins!

Boo at the Zoo!

Here’s one of the carved pumpkins that I like (I think it’s one of the “deep sea” fish — could be this one. Maybe next time, they’ll make Nemo out of pumpkin too .. Hehe):

Pumpkin Fish (Boo at the Zoo!)

More carved pumpkins from the zoo in my Halloween flickr set. Hmm … guess where I’ll be next year for Halloween. ;)

Lantern Day 27: The Pinming Tea House

Pinming Tea House is the most famous of all teahouses in China. The tea drinking ceremony would start with one cup of clear tea accompanied by the ancient melodies, and the tea drinker sitting next to a quiet lake. The heart becomes clear and calm, just like the tea in the cup.

The Pinming Tea House

As a refreshment … here are last year’s 14 Days of Lantern posts: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Extra Day

Lantern Day 26: The Surging Wave Pavilion

The Surging Wave Pavilion was the most famous botanical garden during the Song Dynasty. This traditional square pavilion is designed with elegant simplicity to re-capture the tranquility of nature. The famous poet Su wrote, “It is a priceless moment to bathe in the light breeze of the bright moon and to watch the love between the distant mountains and the water.”

The Surging Wave Pavilion

As a refreshment … here are last year’s 14 Days of Lantern posts: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Extra Day

Lantern Day 25: God of Fortune

The God of Fortune is the deity who brings fortune and wealth to humans with his magic bowl and golden coins. Zhao Gongming is the most famous one. People who prayed to him would be satisfied with wealth and happiness.

God of Fortune

As a refreshment … here are last year’s 14 Days of Lantern posts: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Extra Day

Thanksgiving Weekend Trip (Day 3): Lake St. Peter Provincial Park

After getting clouds and rains on Day 1 and Day 2, we were hoping for a nice Day 3 before we go back to Toronto.

Nope!! Still one cloudy day!!! Ugh, but at least with a lot less rain …

JW wanted to go canoeing in the morning .. I wasn’t so sure since all I could see was fog, and I don’t really like going places where I can’t see clearly around me :P .. but we did go anyway for a bit, took a few pics and had fun. :)

Canoeing in a Foggy Morning

After checking out from the cottage, I thought of taking JW to Dorset/Haliburton area and have lunch there, but it would be a bit too early for lunch when we got to the area. So, I changed my mind and we decided to go to Lake St. Peter Provincial Park on the other side of Algonquin Park. Do you know that we could use the Ontario Parks day pass to visit any Provincial Parks (pay once for a day)? We didn’t! :P But then again, it doesn’t really matter since usually we only go to one park in a day .. next year, though, I might consider getting their summer pass.

Lake St. Peter

We hiked the two trails there .. the Lookout Trail for a view of Lake St. Peter and the Shanty Trail (a.k.a. the Cabin Trail, a loop from the Lookout Trail) to see an abandoned log cabin (the Ole Joe’s Cabin). We didn’t see anybody on the trail, maybe because they marked it as “strenuous” or maybe because it’s wet. :P But we did run into a chipmunk! Cute little guy, he looked at me only when I turned on my little camera but didn’t run away and then continued on to look for food.

The Lookout/Cabin Trail

Ole Joe's Cabin

More pics in my Lake St. Peter Provincial Park flickr set.

We went home from there taking the country roads instead of Hwy 400 — I find there are too many crazy drivers on Hwy 400 during the long weekend. :P Good thing we took the country roads, since we found out later that there was an accident that closed Hwy 400 that evening .. we would’ve gotten home very late, hungry and cranky …). Besides, I love the scenery on the back roads … :)

We were greeted with a fabulous sunset when we got to the 401 … no rain, no cloud. :P
But it was a nice long weekend. :)

Lantern Day 24: The Tang Concubines

This was the Tang Dynasty’s traditional folk dance. Poems and dances played an imporant role in the Tang Dynasty that was known as the golden age of Chinese literature and art. Together, the dances and poems create precious jewels of the past.

The Tang Concubines

As a refreshment … here are last year’s 14 Days of Lantern posts: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Extra Day

Lantern Day 23: Taigong Fishing

Jiang Ziya lived during the Tang Dynasty. As a solution to escape the ruthless monarchy, he decided to go into seclusion. During seclusion he fished everyday without hook or bait. When asked how he managed to do so he explained, “the right fish will get hooked”.

Taigong Fishing

As a refreshment … here are last year’s 14 Days of Lantern posts: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Extra Day

Lantern Day 22: The Tang Banquet

This lantern illustrates the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. Every year, the banquet was held during the celebration of festivals and was attended by The Emperor and his concubines. Exquisite music was played with traditional instruments and the beautiful concubines would dance the “Colourful Plumage Dance” to entertain the guests.

The Tang Banquet

As a refreshment … here are last year’s 14 Days of Lantern posts: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Extra Day

Lantern Day 21: Flying Goddesses Arch

The “Flying Goddesses” are the emblem of art from Buddhism and prehistoric China. When the grand Buddhist teaches, he is often accompanied by the beautiful “Flying Goddesses”. They float and fly at easy without the help of wings.

Flying Goddesses Arch

As a refreshment … here are last year’s 14 Days of Lantern posts: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Extra Day

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