Summer holiday in North & South America.. First stop, New York!

It's great to be back as it's been hectic for the last month or so.  We were on our summer vacation to North and South America for 3 weeks.  Unfortunately, things did not go according to plan, but heck.. You deal with it and move on.  So, if you are planning to travel, especially to undeveloped countries, please please please, don't forget to buy insurance.  It will help you a lot in the long run!  At least I took some great pictures from our trip =)

I've been back for the last few weeks, but with work starting, I've been busy running around, foregoing my SFI classes (I can't believe how much I have forgotten in around 1 month =(( )..

Our first stop was New York.  This is my second visit to New York.  Last I was here was back in 2009, and S and myself did a lot of touristy stuff, so, this time round, I was happy to just take things easy and relax.

We did lots of shopping (sorry, did I say we?  I mean... *I* did lots of shopping *blush*).  The obligatory Sephora visit to stock up presents for people and of course our main reason was for one of S's colleague's wedding (whom he knew from back in Australia).  We also managed to squeeze in a cupcake walking tour while we were there, visiting my cousin and her family whom I haven't seen in over 7 years or so, tasting out different restaurants and of course getting a new SLR camera, which was definitely the highlight of my trip =)

Our first hotel, Hilton was right bang in the middle of Times Square.. and this is the view from our windows 

One step out from our hotel, and this is the sight which greets us every night..

I love the bright lights from our windows.. but only for a moment or so as the lights never go off!!..  New York never sleeps!!

The wedding was at the botanical gardens at the Bronx.  Unfortunately, during the whole ceremony, they had a no video or camera policy, so, I didn't get to take any photos.  The reception... was a lot of food.  We had cocktail, which was 'All you can eat' buffet and drinks, before being led to the main dining room.

The centrepiece was pretty with fresh bouquet on each table

My table setting... hmm lots of cutleries!  Does that mean ... Lots of food?!

Entree - Ahi Tuna & Avocado Salad...  I thought the stack was too high..  Was a lot to digest =x

Gorgonzola Salad (One thing about the Americans, they eat a lot of salad! and they always come before the main, hence filling up my stomach!)

Lemon sorbet to wash the fishy taste out of your mouth!

Main was either - Hudson Valley Beef with mustard shallot sauce (S picked this.. and it was quite tasty)

or Sake Roasted Mahi Mahi with soy mirin mushroom broth  (I picked this as my main and was extremely disappointed).  The dumpling that came with it was frozen!  The fish was slightly dry.. for some reason I was expecting broth... or just slightly wetter than it was =(

Borrowing one of the groomsmen's props =)

Playing with the props for the guests

A variety of tea and I picked the green tea and it was really cute and was so fragrant =)

Dessert - Summer Dessert Sampler.  blueberry ice cream in little cones, cuppocino cup and some other frozen dessert which I can't remember

Best part was definitely the DIY photo booth!  Was quite fun =)

Only picture I took at my cousin's!!!  Saw her 3 times, and these were the only photos we took!  BBQ at their apartment in Brooklyn hehe =)

Our extremely morning cab ride to the airport for our flight to Miami..  That's the Brooklyn bridge =)

An Indian wedding in Rayong, Thailand, February 2013, Part 2

The morning after was good for me.  I woke up fine and happy to go for breakfast/brunch which were open to us till quite late.

Unfortunately, S was still extremely sick.. and being the dutiful wife, I brought back yoghurt for him to have for brunch, thinking that the bacteria from the yoghurt will be good for him.  Bad choice..  After consuming it, there was another round of vomitting and what not..  Whoops!

The wedding continued the next day, with a couple of ceremonies happening.  I had no idea what was going on, but I made my rounds checking them.  There were also some quick massages for guests of the wedding which I took advantage of =)

I popped into one of the ceremonial rooms and checked out what was going on..  I think the bridegroom is Punjabi and the ceremonies were more Punjabi, as when I asked the bride's mother what it symbolises, she had no idea hehe

In the morning, the bride was on the ground surrounded by people and there were lots of chanting going on...

My pictures were taken on my SLR and iPhone.. Guess which is which .. ;)

She managed to give me a huge grin though!

When I came back during lunch time, there were still activities in the rooms, but at least she's no longer on the ground.  I must have came back close to the end of the ceremony...

Mother of the bride.  She looked so young! =)

Got a shot in with her! =D

There were loads of Indian sweets and snacks outside waiting to be consumed as well..

Had no idea what they were, but they did look interesting..

People were dressed in so much colours... =)  Flowers with patterns outside the rooms..

The bride had so many gold chains, bells and sorts hanging from both hands...

She had the nicest henna tattoo all over her hands and feet! =) 

and off she went back to her room to prepare for the next step of her ceremony

Outside the rooms

So, after watching the bride leaves, I went for some shoulder and neck massage while admiring my henna tattoo!

Soon, the drums start playing and the crazy dancing begins...

I believe the men started dancing first... as these lot came out from the men's room

More dancing and singing...

Then the ladies joined in and did lots of swirling and dancing in circles

It went for hours.. I wasn't joking!

I love how colourful everyone was...  Nearly got blinded! =)

But it's quite interesting.. and I couldn't stop grinning when watching them swirling about

Then they stop dancing and watch, and dance and watch and it kept continuing for a while

Until.. finally the groom makes an appearance..

The drummer

This guy sure could dance like a mad man.. 

Voila.. The groom appears... dressed in some veil made from gold and diamonds =p

And started dancing with everyone...

Someone actually explained that, the groom is trying to get married but I think his friends were trying to stop him, asking him if he's sure..   hence all the dancing, but they were all making their way to the ceremony area..  Surely, but EXTREMELY slowwwwwly

More head flipping with that veil =P

I thought it was getting ridiculous =P

Yep, more head tossing

You looking at me? 

Loving all the colours =)

Mother of the bride..  She changed as much as the bride ;)

A guest sitting down, watching all the dancing...

Was a lovely evening..  Warm but with a slight breeze

Waiting outside were buggies waiting to pick up those who couldn't walk to the ceremony site..

So, I decided to take a slow walk towards there instead of sitting around watching them dance..

The ceremony place was on top of a little hill and looked really pretty with the sun about to set..

All the flowers beautifully decorated on the ground

The Marriott Hotel..  Looking so magnificient.. =)

The dancing party slowly making their way up ...

There were of course lots of snacks and drinks for the guests.. from finger sandwiches to sausage rolls etc

To cakes and fruits..

Admiring my floral bracelet on my hennaed hand =P

Seating area for the guests

I was running around with bare feet.  The grass was so soft =)

Finally, the groom party arrives

That guy was still dancing crazily.  No wonder he's so skinny!

Charms made from flowers swinging lazily in the air...

People slowly sits down...

Finally, the gorgeous arrives...  holy smokes.. Check out her accessories and dress =)

Looking absolutely radiant!

Then, an exchange of flower wreaths...  The groom is still flipping his veil...

Seriously, that veil.....

He's really tall.. and she's tiny!

While being rained with flowers from everyone

I guess that's the equivalent of 'You May Kiss the Bride!' 

and the veil goes a swinging...

Swinging wildly...

He's a-flipping his veil again... hehe

There he goes.. hehehe

One last photo before they made their way to the tent

The lovely bride and her mother...

The groom is already seated on his chair in the tent

That's the father's bride standing up in the tent with the groom, while the bride makes her way in

Son-in-law and father-in-law

I wasn't sure what was happening, but there were lots of loud chanting for a while.. but to be honest, I thought it was quite short.  I was advised later that, usually the chanting/ceremony would have gone for hours and hours but was bribed to keep it short and sweet.. *phew*

From dusk...

To nightfall...

Family picture

Looks like the ceremony is finally over

Thank gawd the veil is off as well =)

The beautiful bride and groom

Then finally, we moved indoors for dinner...

The wedding cake

The reception area

The bride in yet another fabulous outfit cutting the cake with her groom

That's one massive knife!

Dinner buffet was a mixture of Indian & Thai food

Mr S finally with one of his rare appearance after suffering 2 days from food poisoning..

Until next time...

Xx