Las Bovedas Panama City

Las Bovedas Panama City

Best Restaurant and one of the highlights of my night in Panama City, Panama

I am a Traveler – I am a Foodie and that is how I roll, which in more classy way to say:

I admire authentic cuisine. Often, I travel just to go to the restaurant and have a meal. My favorite places were France and Turkey when it comes to the restaurants.  I just have discovered the new destination, which is only 3 hours away via American Airlines, going from Miami.

Las Bovedas Panama City was on the list to visit.  There were many choices, but the historic aspect of the restaurant was a definitely an attractive feature.

Traveling for many years, I got very picky. When I arrived to La Bovedas, I was pleased with the decor. It reminded me my home town in South Russia. The walls were made with nicely colored real stones. After living in America, the world of artificial and plastic decor in majority places, I could finally breath and enjoy the decor and the quality of the surroundings. The red covers on the tables was a great color to pick and was calling my hunger.

Las Bovedas Restaurant is Panama City, Panama was my first destination where I refuel my energy for the upcoming crazy night of party

Las Bovedas Restaurant is Panama City, Panama was my first destination where I refuel my energy for the upcoming crazy night of party

Also, I was very pleased with the selection of wines from Argentina, France and other places that I normally choose my fine wine from. The menu has a lot of options for sea food. I was guilty for eating not long ago my lunch at Lebanese restaurant, which was crap. I assumed I would not be able to eat my dishes at Las Bovedas. To my surprised, I finished two appetizers and most of my shrimps, that I topped with a fine cup of cappuccino. The presentation was a state of the art. All the dishes were decorated as if the artist put his hand on it. All the dishes arrived on time and when needed. The service was above average.

Giant Shrimp covered in oiled garlic is a way to go, Hot and Spicy is my style

Giant Shrimp covered in oiled garlic is a way to go, Hot and Spicy is my style

I love sea food and vegetables, covered in souses and oils and spices and other yaminess.  Bring me my food and I will indulge myself in its taste and aroma.

My favorite colors to eat, full of passion and heat

My favorite colors to eat, full of passion and heat

The owner of the restaurant, Las Bovedas Panama City, stopped by and said hi to us, telling us a bit more about the history of the restaurant, which I can’t wait to write only travel blog. It is a definite place t return and I highly recumbent to all the visitor to taste the luxurious dishes at Las Bovedas Panama City.

It was an honor to meet the owner of the restaurant, Jose Maria Acha.  The true hospitality of Spanish culture was shown in every way at Las Bovedas Restaurant

It was an honor to meet the owner of the restaurant, Jose Maria Acha. The true hospitality of Spanish culture was shown in every way at Las Bovedas Restaurant

Of cause it a a ritual to finish every of my meals with a fine made Cappuccino.  I needed my energy for the crazy night life that was planned at the local clubs …  The taxi driver was waiting for us nearLas Bovedas Panama City to drive us around all night long, club hopping with partying with friends…  I do not have the pictures of that night, for the camera was the last thing I had in mind at that moment of passionate Spanish adventures..

I love coffee!

I love coffee!

In the morning, the early short flight was taking me to the Islands to recover and to new exploration and joy of life.

I can’t wait to go to Las Bovedas Panama City on my next visit to Panama.

I wrote the review about Las Bovedas Panama City that I posted on Trip Advisor

Respectfully,

Ella

South Beach Florida

South Beach Florida

Living my entire life is fast paste life, I often found South Beach Florida as a must stop destination even if it was for a day swimming or an evening dinner.  Normally, I would head out to Caribbean, but this time it was South America.  Last minute reservation at Betsy was a great pick.  The trip to South America was spur of the moment and the hotel looked lovely online.  The place is beautifully decorated with an intimate feel. The staff was courteous, friendly and well dressed.  The location was perfect, right on Ocean Drive, steps from the park and beach, but several blocks away from the noisiest, most congested part of the deco district. The rooftop deck offers a great view, again away from the crowds, perfect for early morning coffee or an evening cocktail.

Betsy is South Beach Florida

Betsy is South Beach Florida

Most of my South Beach Florida stops were last minute decision, hotel wise. All of them were unique and beautiful.  Betcy was perfect because it was a calm and classy place, which did not bring up the urge to party, like I normally do when I am in South Beach Florida.  This time, I had to safe all my energy for my up coming trip to South America.

“Situated at the edge of the Atlantic, The Betsy – South Beach is a refined, beachside haven located in the heart of South Beach and the only Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond boutique hotel on Miami Beach” – taken off the Hotels Website.

Yes, the description is very accurate and I absolutely enjoyed my time and rested …

Betsy in South Beach Florida

Betsy in South Beach Florida

The Betsy Hotel is very quaint and peaceful in South Beach Florida.  It will be definitely a repeat destination to visit on way to the islands…

Travel. Explore. Live.

10000 Islands Gulf of Mexico

oceanicblueretreats

10000 Islands Gulf of Mexico

Almost every weekend, I go down to Goodland (South of Naples), where I take my Jetski or a boat to enjoy my shirt get away.  I have arrived to South West Florida about a year ago and after successfully starting my new business venture, I finally have the time to explore.  My goal is to visit every single of 10000 Island Gulf of Mexico.  Every island is unique, full of birds, crabs, and bugs.  Some of them are surrounded by Mangroves and some have small strips of white sand beaches.  There are a lot of gorgeous sand bars, where one should be careful and going on Jetski at 60 miles per hour.  10000 Island Gulf of Mexico are full of life.  Millions of fish are jumping out of the water on left and right.  The birds are staying close to catch that fish.  If you to go there in low tide early in the morning, you can see of how all the animals are feeding.

10000 gulf of mexico

The fish is just jumping out of the water and easily to catch with the bare hands.  Of cause you must be fast!  Well, I can brag about catching this size of fish, but hey I was not even trying.  I released a little fellow right back and went to Roy’s Restaurant for dinner instead.

Below is another great shot of one of 10000 islands Gulf of Mexico. Sometimes, it is hard for me to tell if it is a sand bar or if it is an actual island.  The view is changing as the currents go up and down and the tides are following.

I always up to a date with the tide website to see what would be the best time to go to the islands.

10000 islands gulf of mexico

I enjoy my new life close to 10000 islands Gulf of Mexico: swim, tan, bird watching, discovering, views of waters and nature, white sand bars, etc

oceanic blue retreats_2

Life is beautiful.  Traveling adds a whole new perspective to it and truly shows the value of life. Many forget to stop the busy life, and enjoy what truly matters.  It is a luxury to be able to escape the hassle and stress and look deep inside of one self to see what does one need to be happy?  The fresh air, the sun, the breeze, the nature around you, the life….

10000 islands gulf of mexico

enjoy your life, for it is beautiful

10000 islands gulf of mexico _2

Travel Sydney Australia

Travel Sydney Australia

Often I get asked what is my favorite place to visit. Australia!  Travel Sydney Australia, of cause!  I have traveled back and forth cross country a few times.  At ones I have considered to make my home base and I may still do it.  According the seances, Australia is the hap pies country in the entire world.  It is similar to what America used to be, the land of opportunities, where anyone can come, get a great job, get a great house and enjoy the living, not working two or three jobs at low paying wage, fearing of loosing it…  Yes, people is Australia are very happy and there is a smile of every face.  The country is beautiful when you think of nature and when yo think of people.  The nature is still untouched in many areas and in the wild state.  The people are tall, not fat (like in some other countries) and fit, mostly of light completion.  man have nice broad shoulders and white smiles.  Often in the metro station, I was thinking that I am actually inside of the model cover magazine when  looked at the crowd getting out of the train….beautiful culture!

Travel Sydney Australia

I do not even know where to start describing my stay in Sydney. For the American audience, I would like to mention that it is not the capital of Australia. I have mentioned the train transportation, but my preference was always a fairy to get around where I needed to be.

travel sydney australia

Here is me on the fairy, going near the Sydney opera house
travel Sydney
On ocasión, I would enjoy the performance there and then have a nice picnic at the park, right next to it.  The parks of Australia were amazing.  The huge Australian white cocktail parrot, were flying around 24/7.  Oh, boy, are they loud?!  What a social bird.  I would say too social!  A lot of the morning, I just wanted to sleep!

1-sydney wild life

Wine and Food!  I am a foodie!  I am sea food connoisseur.  Every of my travels to Australia are always flu of fish and Australian Shiraz.  Australia is well known for its fines wine or at least well known to the wine connoisseur that I am!  On occasion, I would settle for the New Zealand one, which is still pretty good.

1_sydney fish
Here a whole fish lightly fried with very little oil, still having a savory juice inside.  Yammy… Yeap, that is what I call a good living… and what dinner without a fine desert?  I am addicted to chocolate.  The best quality I found in Madrid, Spain and Sydney, Australia.  I would always pick a different place to have my desert.  I always found it festinating that the same food doe snot taste the same of different continents, like to example when I was experiencing the difference with Gordon Ramsey restaurant in London and West Hollywood. The restaurant in London is excelled and one in West Hollywood was just OK. So back to the chocolate!  Here is me, enjoying Max Brenner chocolates.  63 Victoria St is the address of heaven!

travel sydney australia

I am about to “inhale this slice of luxury”

travel sydney australia 1

I would say travel Sydney Australia!

Respectfully

Ella

Fremantle Australia

Fremantle Australia

Fremantle is a major Australian port city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River.  This place is known for quite life, artsy shops and winders.  The coffee is amassing.  My best friend used to live in Fremantle and that is how I ended up spending a lot of my time there.  So what did I like about Fremantle Australia the most? Of cause the people!  I managed to form a nice group of connections there.  In the evenings, we were gathering with glasses of fine Australia wine, mustard chicken, and home made soufflés…and plaid never ending games of Razzu!

chocolate sopufle

On the picture above I have featured the doggy dog, names Delish.   Delish is not your average dog.  It had travelled the world.  Originally from Scotland, he has flew back and forth to Australia, going throughout airport customs and hold in places.  Delish remained kind and good dog.  As per the cat, I never knew his name.  He was cute and cuddly.

Fremantle Australia

I enjoyed my times outside in the small city.  The word history was screaming at me from every corner.  Old buildings, smell, nature, tropical air, it was all coexisting with each other gave that special feel.

I loved staying in Fremantle Australia!

Fremantle Australia

Not to forget to mention about the wild nature that I have seen on my travels there…  I do not even know what those birds are called.  Those sure were beautiful!

Fremantle Australia

Fremantle Australia is located right on the edge of the indian ocean, but it would be my next blog..

I barely ever know any history of the places where I travel too.  The world is too big and my passion are people.  History is in the past and I am fascinated with the present times!

Here is the link where anyone can learn a bit more about the place. wiki

London

London

I have travelled to London a few times, mostly for diner.  Gordon Ramsay is one of my favorite restaurants, but only in London, located at 68 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HP, United Kingdom.  For some reason, when I tried to dine at Gordon Ramsay in West Hollywood, California it was not just the same, not the service, nor the food.  The mushroom soup and the fine wine is the way to go!  I remember the days when I used to fly up there just for  weekend to see a show and to dine.  It was only nine hours from Los Angeles to London.  Flying overnight was always preferred.  You wake up and a fresh cup off coffee is waiting for you to start the exciting day!

london

There are may things to do besides fine dining, like the coffee, the deserts and the passion martini!  To my great surprise, the passion martinis were made with fresh passion fruits!   Normally I fly there in the spring, so I can enjoy the blooming trees and flowers.  I love photography, for I am true artist at heart.  Thus, no meter where I go, I shoot, shoot, shoot… When I arrive home fem the trip, I have at least 1000 pictures. Below is some of my collections.

london_3

a coffee and a cake!

london_coffee

and of cause the passion martini! Now, where Russian would go without a fine drink?!

london_passion

I always admire the history and the architecture and the fast track life..

london_2

london_5Here is another shoot

london_4

Sadly it is, but no matter how hard I try, I cannot pack too many things in one weekend trip.  On Monday, I always had to fly to Los Angeles to attend to the responsibilities.  And here goes another long air plain ride..

Ford’s Garage Sports Bar

Ford’s Garage Sports Bar

I always have a great lunch: French Onion Soup and Ice Cold Beer on a Hot Summer Day.

Ford’s Garage Sports Bar in Downtown Fort Myers is a great and convenient place to have food, lunch, dinner or just a drink.  What can be better then a nice menu of ice cold beer during hot Florida seasons?  180+ craft beers.  How many places can beat that? The place is clean with  a fast service.  There is always a place to sit down at the bar!  This place is a must visit place.  It is about less then two miles from Oceanic Blue Retreats house.  It can be a walking distance for those who love to walk, but for most probably a car would be a better way to downtown.  There is always a plenty of free or in expensive parking around.  Here is downtown Fort Myers…

downtown fort myers_1_sm

Ford’s Garage Sport’s Bar

2207 First Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901
(239) 332-3673

www.fordsgarageusa.com

fords garage

The bathrooms at the place are great design wise.  It is always fun times trying to figure out how are the sinks work after a few beers.  It is a definitely a conversation ice breaker!

Here is the shot!

fords garage

 

The theme is the legacy of Henry Ford, who wintered with Thomas Edison in Ft. Myers. The burgers are very good and are named after prominent people from the area.   I love food, I love those excellent burgers that they serve! The burgers are huge!   Ford’s Garage Sports Bar is a very unique place.  I love the atmosphere and decor of the Ford’s Garage in downtown Fort Myers. Our service was very good; the waitress was attentive but not intrusive.  Some times, I order lobster mac and cheese that is delicious.   On occasion I bring my friends there.  My dining companions were similarly pleased with their meals.

American casual cousin.

See you there,

Ella

Everglades Florida

Everglades Florida

everglades florida

Everglades Florida is one of my favorite places to visit.  On my recent business trip to Miami, FL I could not help but to stop by the Everglades to enjoy the nature.  It was very early in the morning and the place was empty. There was not one single soul next to me.  It was nature and me.  There were hundreds of birds flying around and something was swimming in the water.  Being as brave as me, I was hopping from the stone to the stone, opting across the waters and asking the universe: “Please do not be an alligator!”   All I care is to capture the beauty of the nature!  The untouched, wild nature is what excites me the most in this life.

everglades florida

I am passionate about photography and video shooting and editing.  Here is my latest video that I shoot on Oceanic Blue Retreats YouTube Cannel! As I was shooting this video, I was surrounded by about 20 vultures.  (Most of them were near the trash can, having breakfast and I decided to cut the trash out of the video)  As I was coming close to the vultures, I was thinking if those would attack me or not.   I do not know much about those huge and powerful birds.  But the adrenaline was pumping in my blood and I needed to come close to them.  As I came closer and closer, the birds began hissing at me.  I walked right by to get to the water, where I could take more pictures and shoot video.

http://youtu.be/6G7L69IZI8I

Old Marco Lodge

Old Marco Lodge

www.oldmarcolodge.com

Video Just was Posted at Oceanic Blue Retreats YouTube Channel

oceanic blue retreats

401 Papaya Street, Marco Island, FL 34145
(239) 642-7227

Old Marco Lodge is located right on the water.  It was a beautiful boat ride towards it.  An ice cold beer in hand, fresh , warm breeze of Gulf of Mexico waters… what else one can wish for?  It is February right now.  Many states and countries are covered in snow.  What would you give right now, just to be in my place?

Old Marco Lodge was built in 1869, the historic Lodge was relocated to its new home on January 4, 1965.

Old Marco Lodge is good to visit at any time, the daytime or at night and have the time of your life.  During the day time, the lunch is quite and somewhat private.  Its is perfect for big families or a romantic couples.  If you to park your boat in the evening, you can enjoy the sunset.  The restaurant is spacious and a lot of seatings a re located outside under the huge umbrellas.  There one can experience the feeling of the breeze from the ocean in Goodland Bay and from the Marco River..  In the evening there is music and dancing, a great entertainment!

old marco lodge

I strongly suggest every one visiting Old Marco Lodge while traveling to Florida.  It is the place to be!

Enjoy your vacation!

Ella

Ottawa

As I was driving across Canada, I arrived to the city called Ottawa.  I was fascinated with the surroundings.  It was fall and every single tree was bright yellow or red and every color in between. It was so beautiful.  The architecture was impressive.  The over all culture was very unique.  There is no way I could describe it all in one article, so I decided to concentrate on the Museums.

Even at a time when knowledge is easily shared through Internet, museums are privileged places where anyone can come into contact with art, culture and history. They can be educational, fun and interactive, and present exhibitions that may attract several age groups. If you are planning a stay in Ottawa in the coming weeks, consider adding a visit to some museums in your schedule to gain new knowledge in the heart of Canada’s capital.

Ottawa brings indeed several renowned museums such as the Canadian War Museum, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Children’s Museum or the Royal Canadian Mint. Depending on your interests and the time of your trip to Ottawa, you can plan a visit to one or more exposures.

ottawa

The Canadian War Museum is an audience favorite. It tells the military history of Canada through various exhibitions featuring the country’s role in various international conflicts, and perspectives of soldiers and civilians. In addition to its permanent exhibits that showcase several military artifacts and art, the museum presents various exhibitions, such as “Eleven women facing war”, a photographic exhibition which tells the lives of 11 women from from different countries. The exhibition will run from February 8 to 21 April 2013.

The Canadian Museum of Nature, for its part, is a natural history museum that has a mission to help people better understand the nature and the respect in order to live in harmony with it. The museum’s collection is one of the finest in the world, and includes more than 10 million specimens that trace the history of our planet. Among the temporary exhibitions, “Nature unleashed – the heart of natural disasters,” presented until May 5, 2013, to discover the power of nature.

ottawa

The Museum of Fine Arts of Canada holds a treasure: the largest collection of Canadian art in the world. The exhibits in the museum are designed to introduce the art and visitors to reflect on the past, present and future. Among the exhibitions in progress, “Beauties monstrous” presented until March 10, 2013, shows representations of real or fictional monsters related to religious and mythological concerns of their time.

ottawa

To heighten the interest of the smallest, a visit to the Children’s Museum is a must. The museum is located inside the Canadian Museum of Civilization, is the only for children from 0-14 years in the country. The permanent exhibition is a village representing countries, which allows to explore and learn while having fun. Several temporary exhibitions and activities are presented as “Handmade Fun!” A creative workshop with various themes.

Finally, the Royal Canadian Mint will help you discover how the metal is transformed to become the coins that are part of our daily lives, and even touch a real gold bar!