Children splash water to elephants to celebrate the Songkran festival

Children splash water to elephants to celebrate the Songkran festival, the Thai traditional New Year from April 13 to 15, at Dusit Zoo in Bangkok Monday, April 11, 2011.




Elephants spray water at teenagers during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.




Elephants spray water at foreign tourists during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.



Elephants spray water at foreign tourists during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.



Elephants spray water at foreign tourists during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.



Elephants splash water to children in celebration of the Songkran festival, the Thai traditional New Year from April 13 to 15, at Dusit Zoo in Bangkok Monday, April 11, 2011.



Children splash water to elephants to celebrate the Songkran festival, the Thai traditional New Year from April 13 to 15, at Dusit Zoo in Bangkok Monday, April 11, 2011.



Thai people celebrate New Year's from April 12 to April 14. The celebration is called the Songkran Festival and it is known across the globe for being a holiday where people play with water.




Thai children spray water each others during the water festival or commonly known as the Songkran festival to mark the New Year, Wednesday, April 14, 2010, in Bangkok, Thailand. The annual festival is a mixture of religion and chaos involving heavy drinking and water fights.




Elephants spray water at teenagers during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.



Thai people pour water on a statue of Buddha as part of celebrations of the Songkran festival marking the Thai new year in Thailand' southern province of Narathiwat on April 12, 2011. Songkran celebrates the Thai New Year.



A Thai woman parades on a float as part of celebrations of the Songkran festival marking the Thai new year in Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat on April 12, 2011. Songkran celebrates the Thai New Year.


source: Daylife
photo: AP photo, Gettyimages

Hot to trot: Coleen Rooney looks pretty in pink as she attends Ladies Day at Aintree

By Daily Mail Reporter


Think pink: Coleen Rooney wears an Azzedine Alaia dress as she heads out to Aintree


It seems Coleen Rooney never misses Ladies Day at Aintree and this year is no different.

Refreshed from her recent Barbados holiday, the wag was all smiles as she left her home this morning looking pretty in pink in a dress by Azzedine Alaia.

Plus one: The wag attended the event with her mother Colette


She headed to the equestrian event with her mother Colette, who looked equally summery in a rainbow hue kaftan-style dress.

More than 150,000 people are expected to soak in the sunshine forecast for Merseyside meeting with all 70,000 tickets sold for Saturday's 164th John Smith's Grand National race.

Relaxed: Despite husband Wayne's suspension, Colleen appears to be in high spirits

Girl time: The wag spent the day with her girlfriends


The three-day extravaganza featured the Red Devils parachuting onto the course and a full programme of live music, headlined by popular Mersey band The Farm.

For once Coleen will not be judging the popular fashion show, but sources claim it has nothing to do with rumours that at least one of the two prostitutes who sold their stories last year about sleeping with her husband Wayne, were due to appear in the fashion parade.

Head candy: One racegoer displays a selection of doughnuts on her hat

Birds of a feather: Elaborate head pieces were dramatic and colourful


Instead it was claimed that Coleen's contract with rival firm Littlewoods ruled her out of the show that is sponsored by Matalan.

Emma Owen, Marketing and PR Manager at Aintree Racecourse, said: 'This is a great party for Liverpool; a city which is famous for its fashion, culture and sport.'

The future's orange: Block colour is a big trend for the summer

What a trip: High heels may look good, but they aren't the most practical footwear for grass


Today drunken females who face tottering home in their uncomfortable high heels, and often seen instead staggering bare-foot, will be given free goodie bags by Matalan which include a pair of flip-flops.

And as usual with Ladies Day, the event will no doubt provide an entertaining fashion parade.

Nearly half the UK adult population will have a flutter on the National, either in a shop, over the phone or on the internet, at an average of £8 per bet.

Best leg forward: Racegoers hoped to make the most of the sun in short mini dresses

In crowd: More than 150,000 people are expected to soak in the sunshine forecast for Merseyside meeting

Here come the girls: Luckily women will all be given a pair of flip flops in case their high heels start to hurt


The race will be watched by by 600 million people worldwide, and this year will be worth a record £950,000 in prize money, the richest jump race in Europe.

Over the three days racegoers will consume 240,000 pints of beer in 80 public bars around the course, 8,000 bottles of Champagne, 15,000 meals and 75 000 cups of tea and coffee.

Maxi impact: Maxi dresses appear to be the uniform for the racing event

Girls allowed: Over the three days racegoers will consume 240,000 pints of beer in 80 public bars around the course and 8,000 bottles of Champagne


source:dailymail

Homecoming queen: Supermodel Gisele Bundchen shows off her moves at the Rio Carnival

By EMILY SHERIDAN

Carnival queen: Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen performs in a tiny gold dress on the Vila Isabel Samba School float at the Sambadrome in Rio De Janeiro


Gisele Bundchen swapped the catwalk for a float as she showed off her dancing moves at the Rio Carnival yesterday.

The supermodel, 30, showed off her slim figure in a bottom-skimming gold dress as she performed the samba on a giant float in Rio De Janeiro's famous Sambadrome.

The world's highest paid model was proudly watched from the audience by her American football player husband Tom Brady and fellow celebrities Jude Law and Pamela Anderson.

Joining Gisele on the float was her mother Valdir and sisters-in-law Nancy and Julie Brady, who took some last minute samba lessons the day before.

The four women took part in the Vila Isabel Samba School's float, which had the theme 'hair'.

Discussing the theme on her Twitter page, Gisele enthused: 'Women love hair and hair helps give personality to people. I think this theme is super cool.'


All that glitters: Gisele fully embraced the spirit of Carnival and looked excited to be a part of it


Centre of attention: Gisele was given pride of place in the centre of the float


Bundchen and the Bradys jetted into the Brazilian city on Saturday morning and have been staying at the Hotel Fasano.

But New England Patriots quarterback Brady couldn't get too involved with the festivities because he's recovering from an operation on his right foot.

After her performance, the model changed into a white T-shirt by one of the Carnival's sponsors Pantene and joined Brady and her friends and family.


Quick learner: Gisele had a brief lesson at the Vila Isabel Samba School on Saturday in preparation for her performance


With Brady out of action, Bundchen grabbed a female friend and started dancing as she clutched a carton of coconut water.

In between dancing, she managed to find the time for some public kissing with her husband of two years.

The model, who has a 15-month-old son Benjamin, had been Tweeting frantically in the run up to the big day.

She admitted she had been listening to the song and learning the words in anticipation of her performance.


In the party spirit: After her float performance, Gisele took to the floor and danced with a friend


Tactile: Gisele leans in for a kiss with her American footballer player husband Tom Brady


She wrote: 'We are taking a Samba class with a Samba dancer from the Vila Isabel Samba School. She has been dancing since she was six years old.

'I'm going to do my best and see if I can do this. OK, here we go.'

Gisele attends carnival every year, but usually just enjoys the dancing from the stands.

She enthused: 'Carnival is very important to Brazil and is known around the world for being the ultimate joy filled celebration...


Show-stopper: Gisele was part of the Vila Samba School parade - which also included a huge float with giant elephant models


Letting her hair down: Gisele waves to the crowd as she sips on a coconut water in the VIP section


'I think the rest of the world has no idea of the involvement. It takes so much dedication and care from everyone who works on it..'

While Gisele was taking part in the spectacle, Law and Anderson looked content to watch from the stands in the Sambadrome.

Clearly getting over his recent split from Sienna Miller, the father-of-four, 38, looked in good spirits as he quaffed glasses of Brahma beer with a few friends.


New friend? Pamela Anderson was spotted looking cosy with a mystery man at the Brahma VIP party


Time to party: Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho (left) took part in the parade, while British actor Jude Law was happy to watch


Former Baywatch star Anderson, 43, was spotted cuddling up to a mystery man.
Wearing a tiny red dress from one of Carnival sponsors Brahma, the former pin-up looked incredibly tactile with the curly-haired companion.

Also taking part in the event was Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho, who wore a white suit and fedora as he did the samba with the Portela Samba School.

The 30-year-old then changed into a T-shirt and shorts from his new fashion line as he joined a bevy of young beauties in the stands to watch the rest of the parade.


What a spectacle: Performers from the Sao Clemente samba school sing and dance through the Sambadrome


Loving the ladies: Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho - wearing a T-shirt from his new fashion line - is surrounded by young female companions


Rio Carnival Group Parades Despite Fire


Gisele Bündchen dando Entrevista antes do desfile no Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro 2011



source: dailymail

Christmas lights

A woman and a child watch Christmas lights in Bucharest on November 25, 2010 in a commercial center. Organizers claim a new Guinness World record was set as 449,658 light bulbs were used.



People passing Germany's biggest christmas tree in the city center of Dortmund, western Germany, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010. The 45 meter high giant is made of 1700 norway spruces and illuminated by 48.000 lamps. Christmas markets have been a German tradition for about 600 years and are found in nearly every city in Germany during the Advent season.



BATH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Christmas shoppers browse the offerings at the Bath Christmas Market on November 25, 2010 in Bath, England. Originating in Germany, Christmas markets have become increasingly popular in British cities too, as a way of boosting festive retail sales and visitor numbers.



A couple looks at Christmas lights decorations in a commercial center in Bucharest November 25, 2010. The decorations set a Guinness world record for indoor Christmas lights decoration with 449,658 light bulbs.



Visitors walk through the christmas market down the ferris wheel on November 22 2010 in Metz, eastern France.



Visitors walk through the christmas market down the railway station on the on November 22 2010 in Metz, eastern France.



A giant Christmas tree stands in the middle of Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris ahead of the holiday season in the French capital November 26, 2010.



A giant Christmas tree stands in the middle of Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris, ahead of the holiday season in the French capital, November 26, 2010.



DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: Visitors stroll through the Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.



DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: A giant Christmas pyramid spins at the illuminated Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.




DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: Visitors watch an ornate merry-go-round at the illuminated Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.



DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: Visitors stroll through the illuminated Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.



DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: A worker turns over sausages grilling at a stand at the Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.



DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: Visitors stroll through the illuminated Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.




DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: A giant Christmas pyramid spins at the illuminated Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.



Christmas lights illuminate a central street, on the day Christmas lights were turned on, marking the start of the Christmas season, in Madrid November 26, 2010.



DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: Hand-made nutcrackers from the Ore Mountains stand for sale at the Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.




A man places illuminated house models at Germany's oldest Christkindlesmarkt (Christ Child Market) in Nuremberg November 26, 2010. The first official record of this pre-Christmas market dates back to 1628. A list of notices for stall holders from 1737 shows that almost all of Nuremberg's craftsmen were represented. Every year, Germany's traditional markets, such as the centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt in medieval Nuremberg, draw millions of visitors, both local and foreign. They open before the first Sunday of Advent and continue until December 24 at 12 noon.



Shoppers ride an escalator past a Christmas tree late Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 at the Chandler Mall in Chandler, Ariz.



This picture taken on November 26, 2010 shows Christmas lights in the center of Strasbourg, eastern France, on the eve of the opening of the traditional christmas market where more than two millions visitors are expected.



This picture taken on November 26, 2010 shows Christmas lights in the center of Strasbourg, eastern France, on the eve of the opening of the traditional christmas market where more than two millions visitors are expected.




US First lady Michelle Obama (L) with daughters Malia (C) and Sasha (R) check out the White House Christmas tree after it was delivered by horse drawn carriage on November 26, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC.



This picture taken on November 26, 2010 shows Christmas lights in the center of Strasbourg, eastern France, on the eve of the opening of the traditional christmas market where more than two millions visitors are expected.



This picture taken on November 26, 2010 shows Christmas lights in the center of Strasbourg, eastern France, on the eve of the opening of the traditional christmas market where more than two millions visitors are expected.


GPO 3D Christmas Light Show. Dublin City Festival of Lights






Preston Melbourne Christmas Lights 1


Preston Melbourne Christmas Lights 4



Great Christmas Light Display In Fairfield



Little Drummer Boy 2010 Light-O-Rama 128 Channel Christmas Light Display, Wichita Kansas



Galt Gardens Christmas Light Display 2010



Christmas Light Night 2010 - Lantern Procession



Brussels Christmas Light-up 27th November 2010


Kimball Nebraska 2010 Christmas Musical Light Show 5


Amazing Pampanga's Christmas Lights MULI TANA amanuningbie.com


Disney Hollywood Studios Christmas Lights



source: Daylife
photo: Gettyimages