Day 6 of the Ultimate Blogging Challenge and the letter F for the AtoZ Blogging Challenge
F is for ... Fountains
I love fountains. There's something very soothing about watching water flowing.I always think of water as cleansing and life giving so watching flowing water in any form is very therapeutic.
One of the most beautiful fountains I've seen is the Fountain of Trevi in Rome. More so because it kind of just jumps out suddenly. We walked a lot in Rome So heading towards the fountain through little lanes, we turned a corner and suddenly it was there. I think the impact was greater because of that.
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| image source Wikipedia - but I do remember the water much bluer than this. |
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| my pic taken in 1994 - unfortunately no wide angle or panoramic setting on that camera |
Then there are some fun fountains like the fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas that dance to music some evenings. In December of 2002 when I visited, the fountains danced to "Hey Big Spender". Quite apt for Vegas.
Here is an iconic and heritage fountain that I took for granted and never observed all those years that I lived in Mumbai, India. But now that I live overseas, it's one of the structures I like to visit.
No water was flowing the day I took this pic and I'm actually surprised there was no one around that day either. That's what struck me the most about this pic. Flora Fountain is a place that used to be buzzing with people.
It was built in 1864 and named after the Roman Goddess Flora, Goddess for flowers and Spring. Her statue adorns the top of the fountain.
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| Flora Fountain by night - image source Wikipedia |
And here is the Carter Memorial Fountain at Oriental Bay in my city of Wellington, New Zealand.
Apparently the fountain has eight floodlights, which can be coloured for special occasions, though I've never seen it all lit up in different colours.
Will leave you to ponder over this quote that made me think a bit:
Few people know so clearly what they want.
Most people can't even think what to hope for when they throw a penny in a fountain.
~ Barbara Kingsolver
Most people can't even think what to hope for when they throw a penny in a fountain.
~ Barbara Kingsolver
Have a fantastic, fun-filled day.
Warm Regards
Wonderful F! I could visualize the impact of suddenly seeing the Fountain of Trevi come live! And the quote is so very true! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Shilpa. It was an amazing sight.
DeleteFountains are great...Loved the picture and post! And the quote still has be thinking! I couldn't help but think of "natural fountains" or geysers. My husband and I, while traveling cross country, came across them at Yellowstone National Park...very impressive!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessica. You just gave me an idea for the P post - we have "natural fountains" here in NZ too. Haven't been to YNP but I hope someday I will visit.
Deletethe quote surely got me thinking suzy- good one and I can so visualize the Trevi Fountain coming alive thru ur words. cheers
ReplyDeleteIt had me thinking too Priya. I think all I did was chuck the coin in the fountain and hoped I'd return back to Rome someday. lol.
DeleteThere's always something so refreshing about fountains - they never lose their magic for me!
ReplyDeleteSo true Corinne - fountains are magical. Even the tiniest of them all always make me feel good. Will have to research the origins of fountains!
DeleteI loved your post...I love the soothing quality of water AND traveling, so your post today was a double whammy for me! I miss Flora fountain :( And will surely visit Trevi someday. What fun it must've been when you came across it suddenly! Magic eh?
ReplyDeleteThanks Meera. Rome is an awesome city. I wish for you a visit there someday.
DeleteI am a water baby. Fountains are so soothing. Flora Fountain is the only one I've visited from your list. Rome, someday. Wellington, now that you are there...someday too. Loved your post, but the quote made me think. And it was so darn right, we really don't know.....do we?
ReplyDeleteThanks Blogwati Gee. Do visit. Both Rome and Welly are awesome places. The quote made me stop and think too - one wish now what will it be?
DeleteBeing an aquarian I love water and fountains too. It's really therapeutic to see water flowing. The pictures were lovely !
ReplyDeleteThanks Diana. I can gaze out at the water for hours. I photograph every fountain I come across.
DeleteI only know fountains in INDIA. They r my fav too . Would love to visit these spectacular ones !!
ReplyDeleteI sw in akshardham delhi. It was quite unique and lifted my spirit
I saw many other similar ones
Feel like sitting by a fountain nw :)
Hi Afshan, I had seen a lovely fountain with the murti of Lord Krishna dancing on Shesh Naag somewhere in Gujarat. That was beautiful but unfortunately my picture came out so bad I couldn't post it.
DeleteThe fountain dance at the Bellagio is really something! I love all the fountains you featured!
ReplyDeleteThanks Roshni - it was fun to watch - one of the highlights of my trip there.
DeleteSuch a visual delight this post is with lots of information thrown in :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sridevi. Glad you liked it.
DeleteYour post is fabulous. Makes me want to visit Rome right away. Waterfalls, fountains are believed to good for health for their stress-relief properties. That quote is thought-provoking. When we know that the wish would be granted, we forget what we should wish for...
ReplyDeleteThanks Nandana. Rome is really beautiful and there are many other fountains there that are quite enamouring too like the fountain of the 4 rivers but I didn't have a good picture of that.
DeleteI love this post. Water is so mesmerizing. I grew up on the Gulf of Mexico and frequented the Atlantic oceans-- and loved listening to the water lap up against the beach or sea wall. Anyway-- no matter if in a fountain, the ocean, a pool, water has that wonderful calming effect for the soul.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Suzy!
Thanks Jenn. So true - water is very calming. I've always lived near water - I can't imagine living inland.
DeleteI just love fountains, Suzy. So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Vidya - glad you liked them.
DeleteI loved your post today ! the visuals are captivating, and fountains, they have their own charm, I love to watch them - recently I went for a laser show in our city, Hyderabad along with my daughter and had a great time watching the musical dancing fountains. Thanks for sharing !
ReplyDeleteThanks Angela. Musical dancing fountains are so much fun to watch.
DeletePopping in from UBC - but I'm also doing the A-Z as well :) I love fountains too. When I was 17 I threw some coins in the Fontana di Trevi - this year I'm 50 and, if all goes to plan, will finally get back there!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne @Suzannes Tribe
Hi Suzanne - I hope you have an awesome time in Rome again. Thanks for visiting. Dropped by and left a comment on your post.
DeleteI love, love, love Trevi Fountain. :D And the quote at the end is quite appropriate. I never know what to think when I throw a coin in a fountain, so I just toss and keep my fingers crossed something swell happens. lol
ReplyDeleteHi Angie, that's a great wish to have! Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteLovely post!
ReplyDeleteThanks Caro, and thanks so much for featuring my blog in your challenge.
DeleteI love fountains and admired one yesterday in a roundabout in the middle of the city. (Dallas doesn't have very many, so this one always catches my attention.) Love the quote. Sad to imagine people can't think of a wish...
ReplyDeleteHi Talya, fountains just seem to catch my eye. I think it's because we have so many wishes we find it hard to choose just one!
DeleteGreat post - fantastic pictures!
ReplyDeleteThanks Syllableinthecity. Glad you liked both. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteI can see why the Roman fountain is one of your favorites. Gorgeous! I also love the Flora Fountain at night. I was in Rome twice. Once passing through in the middle of the night--I slept, and a second time coming back. That time I tried to take in all I could from a bus window. We were too close to Rome to play soccer instead of tourist, but I did get to tour Pompey and a winery!
ReplyDeletehttp://joycelansky.blogspot.com
Hi Joyce, Flora Fountain is really a beautiful fountain - one I truly "discovered" only after I left Mumbai. I would love to see Pompey - note to self - add to places to see list.
DeleteSuzy, I love fountains too. And I work just a hop, skip and jump away from Flora Fountain, so that made for some pleasant reading. And Rome is on my list of places to see before I die. Thank you for a glimpse of the Trevi Fountain.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cynthia - it's so ironical that Flora Fountain is such a beautiful piece of architecture and yet we simply ignore it - just a place somewhere in Mumbai.
DeleteWhat a cool idea for an F-Day post. I've always wanted to see some of those old sites in Europe.
ReplyDeleteHappy A-Z! Visiting from the GBE 2: Blog On FB group.
Flier and flyer - Mixed messages and misused words from A to Z
Thanks Linda - I love your theme. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteI like the spray from the fountains...it is very refreshing. Living in Mumbai, haven't seen Flora Fountain up close. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteThanks Janu - I've discovered so much more of Mumbai on my visits back home rather than when I lived there.
Deletefountains are so soothing, and refreshing. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo true Daphne. :)
DeleteI love the Fountain of Trevi. I saw it in 2000 when I went with my daughter and niece to renew my passport. I'd forgotten, but yes, I threw my coin in the fountain which means that I will indeed be returning to the fountain someday. I DO so miss Italy--after all, I lived there for more than half my life, even now. Maybe I can go with my daughter, again...my greatest hope.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary - Italy is so beautiful. I am waiting for the day I return too.
DeleteI love fountains too - but it took ages to reach the Trevi Fountain because of the crowds (far more than in your photo!)
ReplyDeleteSo true Paula - it took a long time to get there but what a sight to behold.
DeleteLove the photos and the quote! Yes! Do we really know that for which we hope? Call to reflection, for sure!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Suzy!
Thanks Martha. The quote really gets us thinking. Blessings to you too.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! The fountain in rome is exquisite. I hope to see it someday when I travel to Europe. The Flora fountain is also gorgeous. Funny, I don't remember the fountain at the Bellagio when I was there. We were probably too busy inside the casino losing money...I love the quote you left us to ponder with. I think you're right.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda. I think the Bellagio fountains only dance on certain days for a short time.
Deletethat is a really beautiful post... I guess the best among all the F posts I have seen so far ! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Dhiren. Glad you think so.
DeleteOh Suzy such beautiful pictures! And yes, Rome is on my travel wishlist too and I have seen the pictures of Fountain of Trevi so many times and heard about the story of throwing a penny in the water. I hope to visit the place some day. Beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteThanks Naina. I hope you will get a chance to see Rome. I wish that for you.
DeleteVery interesting.I love to watch fountains. The musical fountain in Dubai is something I loved.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shail. Musical fountains are so much fun. It's quite amazing how they set them to music.
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