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London

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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!

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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.

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a coffee and a cake!

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

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

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london_5Here is another shoot

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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..

Ottawa

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

Toronto

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Toronto is the largest city in Canada and one of the most populous in North America. It is recognized as an economically important and highly multicultural city in addition to being of great interest for tourists. In fact, Toronto is full of tourist activities of all kinds and is therefore an ideal destination for both families and couples or solo travelers.

The best-known site of interest is probably Toronto’s CN Tower. With two viewpoints about 350 and 450 meters above sea level, it offers stunning views of Toronto and Lake Ontario. The lowest bid observation point access to a glass floor in an outdoor gallery and the gourmet restaurant and panoramic 360, while the highest point possible, for good weather to see over 160 miles around. The CN Tower has a 3D cinema and a simulator ride that, with multimedia effects, plunges the viewer into a unique experience.

Canada’s Wonderland is also a landmark for tourists visiting Toronto. This amusement park is open from May to October, is very popular. With six roller coasters, some of which are among the highest and fastest in the world, its many attractions for children, water park, the dinosaur park, with its forty life-size dinosaurs, restaurants and shops and family attractions classics like the carousel and Ferris wheel, Canada’s Wonderland has everything you need to entertain adults and children. In addition, various special events such as fireworks and circus performances are presented during the summer.

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The Toronto Zoo is also a great site for tourists. There is in this zoo over 5,000 animals representing 500 species. The site is divided by region of origin of the animals. There are seven zones: the Americas, Australia, Africa, Canada, tundra, Eurasia and Indo-Malaysia. Linked by a dozen kilometers of trails, these sections allow visitors to discover the international wildlife, sometimes in indoor tropical pavilions built or in natural outdoor spaces. All this, in addition to water games, other attractions and restaurants, makes the Toronto Zoo a place to visit.

There is also in the city of Toronto’s museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts and the Ontario Science Centre. It also has several shopping centers there, including the Eaton Centre. The latter, located in downtown Toronto, has over 230 stores and is the largest shopping center in the city. It is also found in Canada’s largest city theaters with various shows and many restaurants. For hot summer days, there are several beaches along the shores of Lake Ontario. Ferry services are offered to go to the Toronto Islands. On some of these, there are rides and restaurants in addition to some beaches.

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Sports fans will also find their account in Toronto, because there are in the city stadium where we can watch football games, baseball, hockey, basketball and soccer professionals. For those wanting to see more, shuttle services offer transportation to the very popular tourist city of Niagara Falls, about half past one in Toronto.

In short, the City of Toronto offers a variety of activities of all kinds that will allow tourists to experience beautiful moments whatever their interests and is a destination of choice for all.

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Turkey is the Best Country

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Turkey is one of the best countries in the entire world.

After traveling for years, I have learned that life is pretty much the same.  A lot of the  countries have nice buildings, nice beaches, nice food, etc.  So why is Turkey have earned my recognition as of being the best country in the entire world?  What is so different about Turkey?

The answer: People and philanthropic way of living

People is what is comes down to.   The culture of Turkey has impressed me with its unconditional hospitality, generosity and most important respect.   Turkey is a very unique country.  It is the only country in Middle east that is Christian.  Yes, the Muslim people live there too, but in harmony with Christians.  The country has old fascinate qualities and believes, yet the women are treated there equal.  There, the women can wear the short skirts and smoke the cigarettes.  There, the women’s opinion is valid.  Their views are highly respected.  There, the women are not the second class.   They are welcomed to have the marriages outside of the arranged marriages, unlike all other countries in Middle East.  How about that?   Me coming out of south Russian, it was a good news.

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Turkey is a beautiful country.  The architecture, old and modern, is designed to compliment each other.  It is the place where the old fashionate way is respected and it is the place where modern world is respected.  Hey do you want to wear a scarf to cover your face, you are welcome.  Hey, do you want to wear a low cut ti shirt,  you are welcome!

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I am a foodie.  The country is reach in its spices, produce and meats.  The traditional way of preparing the food was obviously a treat.  I just do not see the kebabs to be well prepared in the microwave.  Me coming out of the south Russia in late 80s and early 90s, just looking in all that food was enough.  Personally, I could afford only chubuk chorba.  It was the instant soup that was sold in small packages for about 0.15 cents.  At this moment of my life, I could not afford $15.00 dollar fish dish.  Luckily, some locals at the villages were giving me food for free, when I was not even asking.  What a treat that was!  I will remember the taste of that fish for the rest of my life.  The sweet and juicy taste of two fish on the plate, covered in light brown creamy souse.  The people who gave me that fish were smiling, saying that I do not need to give anything in return.  I was only a teenager, but already could understand and appreciate with the philanthropic way of living of the Turkish society. Till this day, I am amused with the behavior of villagers. Philanthropic way of living is the most rare quality that most countries do not have.  Certainly, I do not see it in America, where what can I do for to help you and here is the bill for my my help is widely practiced.  In most cultures philanthropic way of living shall be hidden, for most people will just take advantage of it.  Because after all, what is it there for me?

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As I was hitchhiking from city to city and from village to village, with my small back pack, I was introduced to the beautiful coast of mediterranean seas.  What a beauty?  Not one beach was alike.  The nature, the fresh air, the warm breeze ….the beautiful life… the start of my adventurous life was on!   There, I was exposed to the beauty of waters…  Sitting in the beat up car that I flagged down, I was dreaming that one day, I will travel the world and visit the most amazing beaches of this planet.  My dream came trough…

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TURKEY is the best country on this planet, one of those few countries on this planet that preserved philanthropic way of living.

Later in my adult life, I have visited Turkey a couple of more times to see if this was only my first country, my imagination or the country is truly amazing as I have described above.  As I was sitting in the nice court ear restaurant, eating $15.00 nice fish dish, I realized that the country did not changed.   Till this days, I regret that I have not made this country my home.  I still think that some day, I may go there and do that.

I miss you Turkey…. the best country in the whole world.