The Bishop's Palace, also known as Gresham's Castle, is an ornate Victorian house located on Broadway and 14th Street in the East End Historic District of Galveston, Texas. The house was built between 1887 and 1893 by Galveston architect Nicholas J. Clayton for lawyer and politician Walter Gresham.

The American Institute of Architects has listed the home as one of the 100 most significant buildings in the United States, and the Library of Congress has classified it as one of the fourteen most representative Victorian structures in the nation.

The home is estimated to have cost $250,000 at the time; today its value is estimated at over $5.5 million. The Galveston Historical Foundation provides self guided tours of the house on weekends.

It was truly a pleasure gallivanting in this famous Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas, Nevada. This shopping mall is considered to be one of the biggest enclosed malls in the world. Do you have any idea why this mall is named like that. I guess, it is because there is a fashion show that takes place here every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Sad to say, that I did not witness any of those shows. Hopefully in my next visit soon this year.

For those ladies out there who love shopping, this is a perfect place for you. It has over 250 stores and several high end restaurants. I am happy with the souvenirs I bought from this mall.

It was a wonderful time! It was truly a fun and memorable moment. Our visit to Disneyland in Anaheim, California was truly worth it. I felt like going back to my childhood days when I was there.

One of the interesting parks you can visit in Disneyland CA is Disney's California Adventure. It opened on February 8, 2001 as Disney's California Adventure Park but the word Park was removed on May 28, 2010.



DEDICATION:

“ To all who believe in the power of dreams, welcome. Disney's California Adventure opens its golden gates to you. Here we pay tribute to the dreamers of the past: the native people, explorers, immigrants, aviators, entrepreneurs and entertainers who built the Golden State. And we salute a new generation of dreamers who are creating the wonders of tomorrow, from the silver screen to the computer screen, from the fertile farmlands to the far reaches of space. Disney's California Adventure celebrates the richness and the diversity of California... its land, its people, its spirit and, above all, the dreams that it continues to inspire. ”

—Michael Eisner, February 8, 2001

The park is owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts division of the Walt Disney Company.

The first tower hotel that I have seen is Stratosphere Las Vegas. It is considered to be the tallest tower in Las Vegas and the 5th-tallest structure, in the United States. It is said to have a height of 1,149 ft (350 m). Sad to say, I was not able to go-up on top of it. Maybe in my next visit.

We just happened to pass-by Stratosphere and this is one of the snapshots I took. I hope to make a better picture in my next visit.

What do you think once you visit Chicago? What do you expect if you have the chance to visit there? For sure you will think about the idea of the skycraper, the blues and the truth of jazz and most of all comedy. Chicago is the largest city of the state if Illinois in the United States. It is considered to be one of the world's great cities, famous for its shopping, luxuries of theater and fine dining.

Some of its famous skycrapers include, the Sears Tower (Willis Tower), The Trump Tower, Aon Center, AT&T Corporate Center, John Hancock Center, 900 N Michigan and some other more.

I did not really had the chance to go inside Imperial Palace in Las Vegas. We just to pass-by this hotel everytime we go walking in Las Vegas strip. It has 2,640 rooms and a 75,000 sq ft (7,000 m2) casino.

Its attractions are, The Auto Collections which is the world's largest classic car showroom with more than $100 million worth of inventory on display and for sale, Legends in Concert and Human Nature.

This is just a snapshot of my Vegas vacation last 2008.

The hotel and casino were owned by Imperial Palace LLC until purchased by the current owner, Caesars Imperial Palace Corporation a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corp..

This is so far a very interesting architecture in Chicago. Others call it the giant mirror ball but it is actually called the Cloud Gate with a nickname "The Bean" due to its shape. It is located in the Millenium Park and the centerpiece of AT&T Plaza. It was created by Anish Kapoor, an Indian-born British artist. Cloud Gate was formally dedicated on May 15, 2006, and has since gained considerable popularity, both domestically and internationally.


The Cloud Gate's has a 12-foot (3.7 m) high arch. You can walk around and under it. It is 33 by 66 by 42 feet (10 by 20 by 13 m), and weighs 110 short tons (100 t; 98 long tons).

I wish to visit this monument when I visit Chicago in the future. The big question is when?? Goodnight folks!

Washington Square Park is a public park an done of the best-known in New York City. It is a landmark in the Manhattan neighborhood of Greenwich Village, as well as a meeting place and center for cultural activity.

It was a nice tour we had in Universal Studios. It is actually called a Studio Tour or The Backlot Tour, an attraction at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park in the USA.




From 1915 when visitors sat on bleachers for 25 cents, to the 1964 introduction of pink and white GlamorTrams, to the current technological sophistication, the behind-the-scenes view of a working movie studio has been a large attraction. During the early years of the tram tour (1964–1965) all of the attractions at Universal were reached via the tram. The tour originally departed from the front lot comissary. In 1965, the upper lot studio tour center opened.

In 1991, the tram boarding was moved to the lower lot following the construction of the Starway escalator system. In 1996, boarding moved back to the upper lot to make room for Jurassic Park: The Ride.

As the movie studio continues to evolve, the tour evolves alongside it. In late 1989, CD players finally gave the tour guides a chance to rest their voices. In 2000, the CD players were replaced by DVD players and LCD screens, allowing the tour guides to show scenes from movies filmed at the locations the tram passes.

Since 2006, the studio tours bypassed the Collapsing Bridge, due to aging and wearing. However, the bridge has since undergone renovations, and was added back to the tour schedules in August 2008. Since July 2010, the Collapsing Bridge is now used as a representation of the Skull Island city for the new King Kong: 360 3-D attraction. wikipedia.

Rio All Suite Hotel is a luxury hotel located in Las Vegas Strip, Nevada. It is better known as The Rio and is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Inc. The Rio was the first all suite resort in the Las Vegas area. It was named after the city of Rio de Janeiro, and is influenced by Brazilian culture.


The hotel towers are covered in the signature purple and red glass. The Rio hotel's 2,522 suites range in size from 600 to 13,000 sq ft (56 to 1,200 m2) and have floor to ceiling windows. There are several private villas on property for high-rollers.

The entrance to Paradise Pier in Disneyland in Anaheim, California. I love this park of Disneyland. We had a visit here last June 2008. I wish to visit the Disneyland in Paris next time.

This highway 95 going to Reno. This city is known as the "Biggest Little City in the World". It is the second largest tourist destination in Nevada after Las Vegas. It is located in the beautiful north-west region of the State of Nevada, right at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.


Driving from From Las Vegas

Don't be fooled by the fact that Las Vegas and Reno are in the same state - there's about 9 hours of driving time separating them. Take US 95 north to Fallon, US 50 west to Fernley, and Interstate 80 west to Reno. If you're not a fan of desert landscapes, boredom is a serious risk on this trip. Winter weather will generally not be a large problem on this trip, but don't count on being able to find food or fuel outside the major towns (Beatty, Tonopah, Hawthorne, Fallon and Fernley)

During the summer the heat along US 95 can be hard on you and on your vehicle. A much more comfortable alternative to cooking in your car is to drive during the night. Many of the dark stretches between the small towns along US 95 reveal numerous shooting stars and other astral phenomena that you might miss during the baking sun. Keep in mind that driving at night can be dangerous due to the visibility limitations from the hills and the mountains. Be sure to have a lot of rest before undertaking this trip.

This image was taken during my visit in Las Vegas 2008. George Wallace is an American actor comedian who performed last 2008 Flamingo Hotel. I am not quite sure if he is still performing in Flamingo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. I miss to watch his show when I was in Vegas.

George Wallace was born on July 21, 1952 in Atlanta, Georgia. Wallace has had supporting roles in a number of movies, including the Coen Brothers film, The Ladykillers (as Sheriff Wyner). Wallace also appeared in Batman Forever as the Mayor of Gotham City.

It's been three years now since we made a trip to Universal Studios in California. I can't forget that because I had a very bad migraine that time. I guess it was because of too much heat in that area. I remember my sister who told me to eat a lot of ice. My migraine got better.

This is one of the first snapshots I took in Las Vegas. After my sister and her husband picked me up at the airport, they drove me in Las Vegas Strips. I was amazed by the glittering neon lights in this part of Las Vegas. Las Vegas Strip is where you can see most of the huge and luxury hotels in this city.

Imperial Palace is now owned by Caesars Imperial Palace Corporation a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corp.. It has 2,640 rooms and a 75,000 sq ft (7,000 m2) casino.

One of the major attractions of this hotel is its Auto Collections. It is the world's largest classic car showroom with more than $100 million worth of inventory on display and for sale.

from 2008 to 2009, 2010, 2011! It's been three years now since I visited Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Together with my sister, my cousin and her family, it was one of the most wonderful vacation I had. We had a lot of fun in Disneyland that time.

I hope I can visit them again in the United States.



“ To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world. ”

—Walter E. Disney, July 17, 1955 4:43pm

This is the United Center, an indoor sports arena Near West Side community area of Chicago. It is so far the largest arena in the United States talking about its physical size and not its capacity. The United Center is home to both the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League and the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association. The United Center is currently owned by Rocky Wirtz and Reinsdorf.

Some events that were held here include Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, University of Illinois basketball, the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament and some other more.

It was almost three years now since I visited Las Vegas, Nevada. I also had the chance to go to California and visited Disneyland in Anaheim and Hollywood Universal Studios in Los Angeles. It was a very interesting and memorable trip. Thanks to my sister and cousin for showing me these places.

I also had a stopover in Atlanta, Georgia during my return flight to Europe. I had around 6 hours waiting time in Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. I don't have the chance to go out from the airport because I was already very tired that time.

I did not really hang-out in Cleopatra Barge in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. I used to pass this area when I go inside Caesars Palace. Some people said that it is cheesy place to enjoy, have fun, dance, drink, or simply watching others. Some people simply love this place!

The first thing you notice is the bow of the ship as you walk by it inside the casino. Then you realize that this place is actually a bar on water inside a casino. They have a DJ and a band playing music here. Music from the 80's or even five decades are also being played here.

Cleopatra Barge had also some facelift a few years ago and this classic lounge is newer, hotter and hipper. You can dance the night away, laugh and yes, people will be watching you.

Sad to say that I never spend a night listening to their band in Cleopatra Barge. What I only have was this image that I took when I passed-by. Sorry, it is not nicely taken.


A club venue that displays Cleopatra in a bosom-baring golden glory, as she is on the ship's bow. Photo opportunity here. Nice Egyptian style atmosphere. No cover. Servers are attentive and quite conversationalists. Music is club-like and sounds loud in such a small club. It can be heard down the hall. Club patrons can go dancing on her barge as it floats on water. The barge's oars move. Entry to the barge is by a short bridge which connects to the barge's dancefloor. It's like walking the plank like Wendy (that character from "Peter Pan") without pirates urging me on. And so, dancing on the barge presents a very up-close proximity with the rest of the patrons on the dancefloor. A cramped dancefloor. It's seems everyone wants to be on the barge. It's fun, an awesome experience. It's a-rockin' to and fro as the barge moves to everyone's dance rhythms. A scary thought: someone may topple overboard. Someone who may be a little light-headed from cocktail drink may lose balance or may be prone to 'seasickness' even though the barge is not on real big waves. That's when the fun is funny serious. "Man overboard!" ""No nay ne'er!" Let's just scamper for "Land-ho!" Cleopatra's barge is a thrill.
Post by Gladi at Yelp