Namaskara. How are you? We are all OK here by HIS grace. You may be waiting for my Videsh yatra-Bhaga-2(may 17th and may 18th). Last weekend we went to see Norfolk & Virginia Beach . So here I have the information to share with you. Hope this will quench your thirst to know new things.
Saturday morning we left for Norfolk , a city in Virginia State , 3 ½ hour drive from here. Directly we went to NAUTICUS - the US Naval Base and the World's largest Naval Base which spread over more than 3000 acres. There we got in to a cruise called Victory Rover to have a round for 2 hours to watch the Naval Base in detail. NAUTICUS includes The National Maritime Center, The Battleship Wisconsin, and Hampton Roads Naval Museum etc . The Battleship Wisconsin is one of the largest-and last -battleships ever built by the US Navy. After served in 3 wars, in world war II she is berthed at NAUTICUS, where we can enjoy a self-guided tour on her main deck. In Hampton Roads Naval Museum we saw rare photographs & artifacts which tell the tale of a proud region's naval history. In our cruise –Victory Rover-there was a fascinating and entertaining commentary of Norfolk's harbor and the naval base .It was a thrill to see the sight of the ships which are ever ready to face the war situations at any moment .In the cruise we boarded, there was plenty of comfortable seating, clean rest rooms , air-conditioned enclosed deck, open air upper deck , instant information brochures and snacks and favorite beverages .Really we enjoyed this 2hrs drive on the sea which is ever memorable .
In the evening, we went to see the Virginia Beach . WOW! What a gigantic Atlantic ocean!! How small creatures we are in front of this infinite nature! But still, Man has ever been trying to conquer the nature!? Entha Vipariyasa ! We played with the tides forgetting ourselves. Though it was 7.30 pm it was just like 5.00 pm in our country. While playing it suddenly flashed to me that TIME AND TIDE WAITS FOR NONE ……
That day we stayed at hotel EXTENDED STAY AMERICA .The next day morning we went to visit the famous NORFOLK BOTONICAL GARDEN which is of 70 yrs old created in 1938 which is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Over two hundred African American men and women were commissioned by a govt. program with their mission to create a garden for tourist during America 's greatest Depression so this garden is dedicated to the memory of those W P A workers. It is hoped that this garden reflects the better angles of our nature and in turn it will reflect that peace in our lives .Tram facility is there for a short drive for about 30 minutes with the guide's commentaries. The main features of this garden are :-
(1) Kaufman hydrangea garden : nearly 200 different varieties of hydrangeas and their close relatives are displayed here ;
(2) More than 200 different varieties of perennials ,woody ornamental shrubs and annuals ;
(3) Renaissance court which represents the classic style of the Italian Renaissance gardens from the late 16th century ;
(4) More than 500 varieties of camellias which reach their peak bloom during fall and winter months and offer dazzling display of color at a time ;
(5) Statuary Vista :this garden is created by Tall evergreen hedges and colorful display beds, punctuated by a series of marble statues representing the great European artists;
(6) The 2 acre Bristow Butterfly garden ;
(7) Children's adventure garden purely dedicated to children who will be delighted in finding the passport animals;
(8) Native Plant Garden ;
(9) Bicentennial Rose Garden with 3000 rose bushes representing 430 different types of roses –one of the largest collections on the east coast etc.
During this visit we tried vegetarian food from various cuisines all over the world. Some of them are Pad Thai (from THAI Cuisine), Enchiladas, Churros, Fajitas (MEXICAN), Falafel roll with salads (from GREEK Cuisine), Chalupa ,Gordita with Bean Burrito and 7-layer Burrito(American fast food joint Taco Bell) which is of course ok, once in a while. (Neevu ene heli namma roti playa, anna sambar munde yaava utaanu illari…)
On our way back home, we visited the famous historical city COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG which is known for the first settlements of the British in America over 400 years ago. It was British colony during the British rule in America . Williamsburg played a major role in the American Revolution and it was the training ground for many prominent leaders of the American Revolution such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry etc. It was a social, political and cultural center of Virginia . Now, this place has been protected as it is under a settlement between England and America . The important places to be seen here are, Governor's palace, Randolph house and kitchen, court house, capitol, and the museum of colonial Williamsburg .
Also, we saw, of course from outside, THE OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY where our son in law finished his masters in computer Science.
Do you know how much one coffee costs here? It's just 3 ½ dollars i.e. Rs. 140 in our currency. It is only strong decoction in a large cup and very difficult for us to drink. People drink dark coffee (decoction without chicory mix) here without sugar and milk. For our convenience we have to specifically tell them to prepare Double Latte for which we have to add sugar which is available in sachets.
Here I stop the part -2 as there is nothing more to say for now …please wait for the VIDESH YATRA BHAGA -3 in my next mail. Till then bye and take care.
Yours,
Krishnamurthy K
1 comment:
A process of conversion and comparison, might deprive its true experience.
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