Poky Little Wanderer

Slowly wandering my way everywhere

Tag: Gardens

Photos of the National Cherry Blossom Festival

Published April 8, 2022 / / 8 Comments

*This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through these links (at no additional cost to you) I will earn a small commission. Click here for the full disclosure*

The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC commemorates the 1912 gift of flowering cherry trees from Tokyo, Japan to Washington, DC. Over the past century, the celebration has grown into a festival spanning several weeks celebrating the Spring season, the bloom of the cherry trees, and the relationship between the United States and Japan. 

There are a number of events held throughout the festival including the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, the Blossom Kite Festival, the Petal Porches decorating contest, a Pink Tie Dinner Party, concerts, art exhibits, and many more. Throughout the capital, businesses and restaurants will also join in the fun with City in Bloom decorations and Cherry Picks special menu items inspired by the cherry blossoms. The crowning jewel of course though is the peak bloom of the flowering cherry trees. 

Continue reading
Enjoying the Rochester Lilac Festival in the rain in Rochester, NY

Experience the Rochester Lilac Festival

Published April 16, 2021 / / 12 Comments

*This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through these links (at no additional cost to you) I will earn a small commission. Click here for the full disclosure*

Every May, Highland Park hosts the Rochester Lilac Festival which has been an annual tradition in the park for over 100 years. What started with admirers flocking the spring blooms of the hundreds of lilac bushes in the park has grown into a huge festival drawing visitors from all over the world. The traditional ten day format of the Rochester Lilac Festival has returned for 2023 after some adjustments 2020-2022.

Continue reading
Bazaar in Shanghai, China celebrating the Year of the Tiger for the Chinese New Year

Semester at Sea: Shanghai, China (Part 1)

Published March 8, 2019 / / 10 Comments

*This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through these links (at no additional cost to you) I will earn a small commission. Click here for the full disclosure*

“China Tomorrow, China Tomorrow, China Tomorrow”

One of the deans on a previous Semester at Sea voyage used to say this to students when they had complaints during the voyage. It was his way to remind students that they were doing something incredible. The ship would be docked in China for 8 days, landing in Shanghai before moving to Hong Kong. Eight amazing days exploring the world’s most populous country as well as its 3rd largest. Warning, this is going to be a series so stay tuned for my continued adventures through this amazing country. 

Continue reading
Senso-ji or Asakusa Buddhist Temple in Tokyo, Japan

Semester at Sea: Exploring Japan (Part 1)

Published December 14, 2018 / / 2 Comments

*This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through these links (at no additional cost to you) I will earn a small commission. Click here for the full disclosure*

Yokohama skyline while Poky Little Wanderer was exploring Japan
Views of Yokohama, Japan from the ship

The second port on my Semester at Sea voyage was Japan, which was also the first international port. Having only traveled out of North America for my family’s trip to Ireland, I was both really excited and really nervous to land on the shores of a new country and continent. We had five days exploring Japan, an island nation and cultural titan. Since I wrote so much about this country, I’ve broken it up into a couple parts.

Continue reading
Black sand beach on Hawai'i

Semester at Sea: Aloha Hawai’i

Published November 14, 2018 / / 12 Comments

*This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through these links (at no additional cost to you) I will earn a small commission. Click here for the full disclosure*

Aloha Hawai'i! Hawai'i was the first land sighted in 9 days
Aloha, Hawai’i! This was the first land we’d seen in nine days!

Our first port of call after sailing out of Ensenada, Mexico was Hawai’i. It was back in the United States, but a new state for me (visiting all 50 is on my bucket list). We were scheduled to be docked at Hilo, Hawai’i for two days and Honolulu, Hawai’i for two days for a total of four days in the state.

Continue reading

© 2024 Poky Little Wanderer

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑