Wednesday, December 25, 2019

{#WordlessWednesday} Holiday Lights at the @BronxZoo are a must see this Christmas season #holidaylights #bronxzoo #MerryChristmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

illuminated Christmas Tree at Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019, Holidays, Christmas Tree, Holidays in New York City, NYC Landmarks, LED Light Show
I bring you a Special Christmas Edition  #WordlessWednesday

After a 12 year hiatus, Holiday Lights returns to Bronx Zoo in New York City! Running from November 29 - December 31st as well as January 3-5 (they are not open today though! But you should head over there tomorrow if you haven't seen it already!) I can't even describe how happy I am that the Holiday of Lights is back, I have visited the Festival every year since it's inception and was so sad when it went away in 2007. I would visit every year with my mom. Our tradition is back, I hope these photos put the "Ho, Ho, Ho!" in your holidays and the holly in your jolly!

Stay tuned for a special video at the end!

Ice Carver at Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019
Above: One of my favorite stops is the Ice Carving Station. It always amazes me how much painstaking detail goes into making these unique ice sculptures.

Ice Sculpture at Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019, Ice Sculpture, Ice Carving, Bronx Zoo, Holiday of Lights, Christmas Light Festival
Above: I enjoy watching ice carvers, they take this huge block of ice and turn it into something beautiful knowing full well it won't last long. I have always wanted to try my hand at it. I would probably carve wine glasses and grapes! And of course, BUTTERFLIES

Christmas Carolers Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019, Carolers, Caroling
Above: Nothing gets you in the holiday spirits more than Christmas Carols - thankfully the Zoo thought of EVERYTHING!

Underwater Fantasy Illuminated Sea Creatures Christmas Carolers Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019
Above: This underwater fantasy was one of my favorite displays. Long time readers know I live for being at the Beach/Ocean. It's where I feel the most peace. And getting a chance to interact with dolphins is one of my favorite things to do when I travel, second only to horseback riding. Press this one to make it bigger, it's worth it. The RAW file to this is my current screen saver!

Illuminated Dolphin Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019
Above: I had to get a better angle for the Dolphin. I wanted the coral so I got a bit of the rope divider in the shot. I wish people could be cool so the dividers weren't necessary, this would have looked so much more real without the ropes.

Illuminated Giraffes Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019
Above: Little known fact about me, I LOVE all things Giraffe. I have always been fascinated by them. The real Giraffes at the Zoo are always one of my must see stops!

Illuminated Antelope Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019
Above: Don't forget you press the photos to make them larger. I took the shot of a group of these, but for some reason I opted to post the solo Antelope. There was just something more expressive about this photo to me.

Illuminated Crocodile Alligator Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019
Above: I hope he isn't planning to eat those Parrots as a late night snack! LOL

Illuminated Gorillas Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019
Above: It was so much fun seeing how all the kids faces lit up at each display, aren't these Gorillas cool?

Illuminated Herd of Elephants Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019
Above: Herd of Elephants! See the cute baby in the center?

Illuminated Pride of Lions Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019 NEW
Above: Pride of Lions (I call this 'new school' holiday of lights Lions, look at the photo below to see why)

Illuminated Pride of Lions Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019 OLD
Above: This is the 'Old School' pride of 'light lions' - these are the ones I remember when I used to go before, I had fun finding some of my old favorites still on display!

Illuminated Lemurs Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019
Above: Are those Lemurs I spot in the Bamboo?

Illuminated Parrots Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019
Above: These Parrots are trying to get away from that Tiger on the lower left!

Illuminated Penguins Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019
Above: These penguins are ready for the festivities!

Illuminated Rhinocerus Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019
Above: I spot Rhinocerus!

Illuminated Tiger and Rhino Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019, Tiger, Rhinocerus
Above: Hey Rhinos! You might want to run in the opposite direction of this hungry looking Tiger!

Illuminated Reindeer Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019, Reeinders
Above: These make me want to start singing Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer!

Illuminated Horse Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019, Horse, Horses
Above: This horse makes me super happy!

Illuminated Butterflies Bronx Zoo Holiday of Lights 2019
Above: And of course I had to end the photos with the illuminated Butterflies. (These were there when I used to visit in the past and I was so happy to see they kept them) I mean my blog is called Ascending Butterfly, there was no way I would have missed this shot.

Below: Press Play (you might want to watch "Full Screen" for maximum effect and enjoy the Christmas Tree Light Show with a nice mug of hot chocolate or coffee. Volume on, the light show syncs up to holiday music, ENJOY!




MY TAKE:

I couldn't quite edit out all the exuberant children around me, but I think hearing real families taking it in is part of the charm. (Note: None of the kids you hear are mine. I do not. Repeat. I do not have children). I am just a big kid at heart, I still love going to the Zoo.

I couldn't be happier to have one of my favorite holiday traditions return to The Bronx Zoo. The holiday lights will fill your heart with cheer and joy and you should definitely make it a point to see it.

I also normally attend the Train Show at New York Botanical Garden (The Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden are very close by, but in my opinion I would do two separate days to make a day of each one and be sure you don't miss anything.) Since I wasn't able to attend this year's show, I will link you to coverage of a previous Train Show.

The New York Botanical Garden Train Show: https://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/2016/01/last-chance-for-nybg-holiday-train-show.html (this is 2015's Train Show as it has the most pictures and my most recent coverage included a giveaway which is of course closed, I figured using an older one that did not have a giveaway attached would cause the least confusion.)

Readers: Do you take in a Light Show during the Holidays? It doesn't always have to be a special trip, even a walk around the neighborhood to see the Christmas lights count! Did Santa treat you nice today?

˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a compensated Post, tickets to the show were provided to Ascending Butterfly's Editorial Team for Editorial Consideration. ALL opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. My love for my favorite Bronx Based NYC landmarks is true and strong and genuine! #ProudBronxite

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Since The New York Times Travel Show 2020 is nearly upon us, here is a #TravelThursday recap of the 2019 @NYTTravelShow and @NYBoatShow #NYTTravelShow #NYBoatShow

The New York Times Travel Show 2020 is nearly upon us!

I love covering The New York Time Travel Show, it literally puts the world at my fingertips, and I always look forward to what each new year of the show has to offer.

If you haven't already done so, get your tickets!

In 2019, The New York Times Travel Show Media Day was filled with seminars/panels, eats on and off the exhibitor floor, and many discussions about the Government Shut Down and how it is affecting travel.

Scary stats about how enrollment and applications are down to U.S. universities from international students.

The keynote delved into how the US is currently perceived abroad. And it is not very positive right now.

And while I do try hard to keep politics and religion off my pages and make this a place where you can escape from the daily news and connect with fellow light seekers, it makes me sad that the one thing that connects everyone - travel - is becoming so much more difficult to do.

At the Travel Show I always find my tribe. Journalists, Travelers, Creatives, Photographers, Influencers, Foodies, and Wanderers.

Travel shows us that we have so much more in common, more commonalities than differences. We need to build bridges, not walls.

More love and more inclusion.

The show has always been somewhat of an escape for me, but ultimately it was important and smart that panelists addressed the elephant in the room.

It is not only difficult for travelers to get here, but for us to go abroad. We can't spread our wings when someone else has them clipped.

I have always subscribed to the "salad bowl" theory instead of the melting pot, a ton of different ingredients all coming together to make something great, while maintaining their individuality.

I travel because I am curious. I travel because I like to learn, see, explore, wander, eat new foods, explore new architecture, meet people, change my perspective. I have never once returned from any journey the same person I was when I left.

I got to travel the world in a weekend at The New York Times Travel Show and that is why it is one of my favorite trade shows to cover!

Here are some photo highlights:

New York Times Travel Show 2019, #NYTTravelShow

I was still in a panel session when they did the ribbon cutting.

Adventure Flying with the Icon A5 by Icon Aircraft, NY Boat Show, #NYBoatShow


Above: Adventure Flying with the Icon A5 by Icon Aircraft! The NY Boat Show was co-branded with The New York Times Travel Show!



I wish I was on one of these right now! Hello SeaDoo! Think I could convince Santa to leave one of these under my tree for Christmas this year?

Curacao Tourism Board New York Times Travel Show 2019 #NYTTravelShow

Above: Curacao Tourism Board greets visitors with a smile!

Curacao Tourism Board New York Times Travel Show 2019 #NYTTravelShow
Above: Let's just say my smartwatch clocked me in at way over 10,000 steps per day walking around the convention center! I am wearing Miracle Body Jeans, Emu Boots and my Michael Kors Access Smartwatch!

Curacao Tourism Board New York Times Travel Show 2019 #NYTTravelShow
One of the best things about trade shows are the raffles! The Curacao Tourism Board was encouraging visitors to take a photo and post them to social media for a chance to win a trip to Curacao.





































This Rum Punch from the Puerto Rico Tourism Board gave me life! The 360 degree LED display at their booth was amazing and they also hosted one of my favorite networking receptions held during the New York Times Travel Show hosted by ManAboutWorld.com

Puerto Rico experienced so much devastation after Hurricane Maria in 2017. It was the worst natural disaster on record to affect the Islands of Puerto Rico and Domenica.

I remember seeing the 13th ward in Louisiana well after they were hit, things are just as slow going in Puerto Rico as they were for Louisiana - and in both cases, they need those tourism dollars to help speed up re-development efforts.

Not only is Puerto Rico Tourism Ready for travelers, but this quote from the Tourism Board of Puerto Rico sums it up perfectly:

"Puerto Rico is still as enchanting as ever…your visit is a gift to yourself and to the people on the island.   Thank you!! "


Above: As you can see from the photos above I spent a great deal of time in the Caribbean Pavilion!


Above: Isn't that red head dress amazing?



Above: Doesn't this one remind you a bit of Cher?



Above: I need this for Carnival




Above: Photo from Costa Rica Tourism Board Booth at New York Times Travel Show, Jacob Javitz Convention Center, New York City 2019

MY TAKE:

The New York Times Travel Show always provides me with travel inspiration, industry trends and access to a myriad of Tourism Boards and Resorts and I am excited to learn that this year one of the main sponsors is Dubai - a travel experience that is definitely on my travel bucket list. I will be taking all the notes!

This year wasn't such a great year for me personally and health wise and I didn't get to travel nearly as much as I wanted to. So for me, days away from a brand new decade, travel is certainly at the forefront of my mind, front and center of my vision board, and one of the things I want most for myself in this coming new year/DECADE. (I still can't believe we are not just entering another year, but ushering in an entirely new decade!)

Readers/Butterflies Sound Off: Have you done any traveling in 2019? Where have you visited so far? If you haven't traveled yet this year, what was your favorite trip of all time?


·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙


FTC Disclosure: No monetary compensation has been received, and all opinions are 100% my own!  This is event recap coverage. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.