When I first started using Google Maps I thought this was very useful with lots of details. Being able to help add and edit content in the map could get very addicting. Later on learning that there are Google Locals events and being invited to meeting other Google Locals. Sharing the same experience exploring the Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles through a guided tour. Then I got the bug to be able to contribute the best way I can on Google Maps. I first heard about the first annual Chinese Lantern Festival I made it the buzz about my friends. The first thing I instinctively did was look up on my Google Maps on my phone to see how far we need to travel. On the website I order tickets for a night we could all agree on. Sharing car rides mean we can also share parking fees at the Pomona Fairplex parking lot. We could see the lights from the parking lot driving up to the spaces.
Once we walked through the giant arch of lights it was like the same feeling of arriving to the amusement park. There was a huge take-out box to the left which serves up Chinese food. There is a giant map showing two different trails to follow. I wanted to see the giant long dragon with different color lights. On the way there we saw a stage with everyone waiting for the next show time. We saw creatures nearby for photo opportunities so we went to see what that is all about. Anyone could get on these creatures for a ride. These creatures didn’t go anywhere while different parts move on some of them. A giant tiger and lion were just as popular as pegasus and mystical dragons. When the show started with talented Chinese dancers with music, lanterns and props we decided to continue onto the trail to the back part of this amusement park. There is a little pond with a huge boat that reminded me of a Chinese version of Noah’s Ark. There were amazing colors from the birds and animals we saw on this boat. I was very tempted to jump across to board and sail away with these animals. Further on the trail I saw this long dragon which seemed like it was three stories high. Exaggerating a bit as it was really long patiently waiting for people to clear my view. I took many photos while the colors change in a particular order. Before moving on to the next exhibit I take a final photo of the dragon with my favorite color.
We get to the next trail on the other side of the entrance arch brought us to a small version of an outdoor market. These were more for little trinkets instead of food snacks. A stage in this area had musical performances with folklore type instruments. This trail reminded me of the trip I took in China to see the Summer Palace lake in Beijing. At this lake, there is a long hallway with hand painted murals on each part. This hallway we came to at this festival seem to emulate that scene with lights. There were a few ponds with koi fish and frogs in lights to see following this trail. This is truly an amazing journey with lots of imagination captured in our photos. Being able to share these experiences with my friends as a Google Local makes me feel like I shared a hidden gem with them. This is one of the most interesting places to see in the Greater Los Angeles area during the holiday season.