Posts tagged ‘Americas’

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December 26, 2022

The Miami Seaquarium !!

Going back to my memorable moments with the family and updating this older post just for the memories’ sake. This is the Seaquarium of Miami. I even visited friends nearby and of course took my kids there. Then we left for France and done with it. However, if in the area is a must to visit. Let me tell you a bit more about it ok

The Seaquarium is an oceanarium in Miami ,county of Miami-Dade, State of Florida on the island of  Key Biscayne.It is the main aquatic oceanarium of this type in the metropolitan area of Miami. The Seaquarium has a dolphinarium with bottlenose dolphins, white-sided dolphins from the Pacific and an orca, named Lolita of 6,2 meters long and weights 3200 kg. It also displays fish, sharks, sea turtles, birds, reptiles and manatees. Since 2014, it has been owned by the Spanish multinational Parques Reunidos.

miami-seaquarium-ent-aug09

You can see the following areas : The Shark Channel one of the most popular attractions in the aquarium when the it opened in 1955; and still going strong. The Tropical Reef holds captive corals and colorful fish, with views of the beautiful beaches of Key Biscayne, At the manatee pool even if shows can be short due to the nature of the shy animals it presents several manatees of the rivers of Florida!

The Top Deck Dolphin and the Flipper Dolphin are shows that feature dolphins. The park has two pools dedicated to bottlenose dolphin shows, the Top Deck Dolphin Show and the Flipper Dolphin Show, as well as a third pool, Dolphin Harbor, dedicated to public interactions with dolphins.TheGolden Dome presents a spectacle of sea lions and seals. The basin hosting the Killer Whale Show, presents Lolita the orca ,and four white-sided dolphins from the Pacific, The Dolphin Odissey allows the most stubborn to swim for half an hour flat with the dolphins, for a fee.

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The Miami Seaquarium is at 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway,on Key Biscayne, Miami. Again the best way to get there is the car. To start you off at popular Miami Beach get on 5th street to the McArthur Causeway (I-395 road) to I-95 highway southbound exit 1A. Stay on I-95 to S W 26 road exit direction Key Biscayne paid toll at Rickenbacker Causeway into Key Biscayne, will see seaquarium on your right.The Miami Dade bus network taking Route 102 B provides bus service from Brickell Station to Miami Seaquarium. Webpage : https://www.miamidade.gov/transportation-publicworks/routes_detail.asp?route=102

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

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The park was founded by Fred D. Coppock and Captain W.B. Gray and was the second marine-life attraction in Florida. When it opened in 1955, it was the largest marine-life attraction in the world. From 1963 through 1967, eighty-eight episodes of the 1960s TV show Flipper (yes!!) and two movies starring Flipper were filmed at the Miami Seaquarium. From 1963 to 1991, the Seaquarium also had the Miami Seaquarium Spacerail, which was the first hanging monorail in the United States.

The Official Miami Seaquarium: https://miamiseaquarium.com/

The Miami and the Beaches tourist office on the Seaquarium : https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/things-to-do/attractions/spend-the-day-at-the-miami-seaquarium

There you go folks, been here more than on the other parks , and always fond memories of family visits , as said memories forever, From the old days some paper pics for the show,growing up in Florida. We enjoy a lot as a family the Miami Seaquarium. Hope you enjoy the post as I,

And remember happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

Posted in Americas, Florida | 2 Comments »

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December 16, 2022

The Parroquia de San Francisco de Asís of Tepatitlan de Morelos !!

So another dandy from my vault, After writing many posts on Mexico and several on the town of Tepatitlan de Morelos in the State of Jalisco; I left this one out ! I just realise it and found me a couple pictures to show in my blog,therefore, here is my take on the Parroquia San Francisco de Asis Church ! Hope you enjoy it as I.

In the town of Tepatitlan de Morelos you have the wonderful monument of the Parish of San Francisco de Asís Church undoubtedly one of the most representative sites of Tepatitlán, both for its architecture and for its historical value. Indeed !

The Franciscan friars evangelized the land and built the first church, which they dedicated to San Francisco de Asís, and thus the town took the name of San Francisco de Tecpatitlán. The Neoclassical style temple with Baroque reminiscences, built between 1742 and 1775. It is the only farm in Tepatitlán that dates from the Viceroyalty and remains to this day, and is built with braza stone ,which a man can transport without the need for equipment, It boasts two towers of elegant slenderness with 63 meters in height. Its main façade is located at the crossing of the streets of Samartín and Jesús Reynoso ,and occupies the north side of the Plaza de Armas. Inside, the main altar is made of white Carrara marble with four sculptures of the same material. In a side chapel is the sculptural group of La Piedad, which, keeping the proper proportions, is not far from the perfection of “La Pietá” in the Vatican. During the Cristero War from 1926 to 1929, from its towers that were carpentered by bullets, the federals answered the granada fire of the cristeros that sprouted from the temple of San Antonio and from the dome of the Hospital de Jesús. It has a two-section cover in a curious architectural aggregate in the shape of a half hexagon.

tepatitlan de morelos parroquia san francisco front night nov15

The main body of the parish of San Francisco, has a tower with two faces of Roman numerals, a clock measures the time of the locals since 1867, ln the interior of the main body is divided into five clauses with plateresque ornamentation and ribs in thevaults, the floor is made of mesquite staves and dates back to 1903, when the temple began to be renovated. The main altar with its cypress is made of white Carrara marble, adorned with statues of the four evangelists, also made of the same marble, the sculpture of Saint John the Evangelist stands out, carved with such perfection of the face, that it does not contradict the side of Michelangelo’s David, The pulpit, which is a combination of marbles, has three medallions in black marble with the images of as many Saints, hammered with such rare mastery, that they look like paintings, taking advantage of the natural veins of the noble material, The three domes deserve a separate line; one in the central nave and two in the transept or transverse nave that forms the arms of the Latin cross. Seen from the inside, the main dome rests on the four main arches, but the two lateral ones seem to “float” on the vaults, because they rise directly above them, in a true architectural display, despite their weight, which is estimated at around 30 tons. . In the lunettes of the arches of the transept, two murals have as their theme “the final judgment” and “the rebellion of the angels”, beautiful and exquisitely made paintings,At the foot of the latter there is a beautiful group of sculptures in wood, of “piedad”, worthy of appearing next to the best works of the great masters of the Renaissance.

tepatitlan de morelos parroquia san francisco side night nov15

The Tepatitlan de Morelos tourist office on the church :https://www.tepatitlan.gob.mx/turismo/

The Jalisco State government on Tepatitlan de Morelos: https://www.jalisco.gob.mx/es/jalisco/municipios/tepatitlan-de-morelos

There you go folks, another wonderful off the beaten path of Mexico, in the State of Jalisco and the city of Tepatitlan de Morelos ! Hope you enjoy the post on the Parroquia San Francisco de Asis and see my other posts on the city.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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December 15, 2022

The Angel and Diana, symbols of Mexico City !!!

I am back in my Americas and Mexico to update text and additional pictures of two symbols of Mexico City that is the Angel de la Independencia and Fuente de Diana Cazadora, In my walks in the city I was lucky to stayed near them and have great memories of it . Let me tell you a bit more on them, and hope you enjoy it as I.

 I have several blog posts on Mexico having visited the country in numerous occasions and with family now there in the Yucatàn peninsula area. The Mexico pretty and loved that I know. 

The fuente de la Diana Cazadora (eng. Huntress Diana Fountain) or originally La flechadora de las estrellas del norte (eng. the arrow of the stars of the North), is a monument located in the roundabout at Paseo de la Reforma and Calle Río Misisipí and Calle Sevilla, on the border of the neighborhoods of Colonia Cuauhtémoc and Colonia Juàrez, and was begun in 1938.

mex-fuente-de-diana-oct12

The sculpture of the Diana , was started to create when a program of beautification of the city that included the creation of several monumental fountains in roundabouts or representative corners was designed.  The model was then 16 years old, it was called Helvia Martínez Verdayes and worked in the evenings as secretary in the offices of Petroleos Mexicanos, (petroleum of Mexico or Pemex). It was there that it was proposed to her the model for the sculpture. The young woman accepted and the sculpture was elaborated from April to September of 1942, month in which finally the bronze smelting of the same one was made. During all that time, Helvia Martínez Verdayes posed naked for the sculptor without receiving another pay than the vanity of seeing her body immortalized in one of the most beautiful avenues of the city. The Fountain of the Arrow star of the North was inaugurated on October 10, 1942 and from that moment the affection of the people was won, who began to call it the Diana the huntress fountain.

Mex fuente de la diosa diana reforma dic11

The Angel de la Independencia or the Independance Angel is a column located on a roundabout in the end of the Paseo de la Reforma. The column has 36 meters high, and the statue, which weighs 7 tons,  and about 7 meters, for a total of 43 meters. Made with gold leaves.  El Ángel was built in 1910 to celebrate the centenary of the independence of Mexico (September 16 1810 Grito de Dolores) . In 1925, a mausoleum was made at its base containing the remains of the heroes of the Independence of Mexico. The statue of the winged Victory located at its summit is inspired and is a quasi-conforming copy of the statue of the Genius of Liberty located on the column of July, Place de la Bastille in Paris, France.

mex-angel-d-ind-reforma-feb13

There are 200 stairs, and the climb is arduous. The first approximately 15 stairs, in the base, are wide and comfortable. The stairs in the column itself, approximately 185, are circular, metal, very narrow and without a landing or resting point until one reaches the top. Visitors who are not in good physical shape will find the climb exhausting, and those not comfortable with tight spaces should avoid the climb as there is insufficient room to allow others to bypass. Some areas of the staircase are very dark, and there are only a few slits to let in light. The top balcony, though narrow, offers a commanding view of the wide avenues that surround the column. The return trip down is by way of the same circular staircase.

Mex El angel de la independecia arriv oct12

Visitors are allowed to enter the monument, view the memorial plaques at the base level, and climb to the top of the tower. Entrance is free. To go up people must get a permit at the Cuauhtémoc borough (delegacion) where you must show ID. Groups of no more than 6 are then allowed into the monument for about 15 minutes. Need to check due to earthquake damage for its opening Cuauhtémoc govt webpage: https://alcaldiacuauhtemoc.mx/nope/angel-de-la-independencia/

Mex el Angel statue reforma dic11

The Mexico city  visitor information on the Angel de la Independencia:https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/venues/el-angel-independencia/

DEFE (DF saying in Spanish) private webpage on the Angel de la Independencia:  https://www.defe.mx/mexico-df/monumentos/angel-independencia

The Mexico city visitor information on the Fuente de Diana :https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/venues/fountain-diana-huntress-cazadora/

The Chilango private webpage on the Fuente Diana Cazadora: https://www.chilango.com/ciudad/la-tormentosa-vida-de-la-diana-cazadora/

There you go folks, two beautiful monuments of Mexico DF or city to see! Enjoy your walks to see the Angel and the Diana , and hope you have enjoy the post as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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December 15, 2022

Memories of Florida !!!

Ok so another of my nostalgic posts, so many memories and family good times, not to mention my single life…in the Sunshine State of Florida. I have several posts on the State, but found me some older pictures and decided as they bring so many wonderful moments in my life to bring them to life in my blog. Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The St. Petersburg Pier, officially known as the St. Pete Pier, is a landmark pleasure pier extending into Tampa Bay from downtown/city center St. Petersburg. Over the years several different structures have been built at the same location. The most recent structure, the third owned by the city, was a five-story inverted pyramid-shaped building ; the Inverted Pyramid Pier opened to the public in late 1973. This is the one of many memorable moments and the seaquarium there with the family , nice for the kids. The Inverted Pyramid, with its unconventional, forward-thinking structure was built on top of the 1926 Pier. Over the years, it housed three restaurants, snack bars, miniature golf, novelty shops, an aquarium and breathtaking views of Tampa Bay. The Inverted Pyramid Pier officially closed on May 31, 2013. There is a brand new one now, the new 26-acre Pier District opened on July 6, 2020.  The renovated St. Pete Pier features a variety of restaurants. Here an old pic for the memories of always.

St Petersburg bay pier c1998

St Petersburg pier closeup c1999

The official new St Pete pier:https://stpetepier.org/explore/

The Clearwater-St Pete tourist office on the new pier: https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/profile/st-pete-pier/138974

The Best Western All Suites hotel near Busch Gardens Tampa, this is where we stayed the couple times visiting Busch Gardens, and apparently is gone or taking over, can’t find it pity, All I remember is that it was north of Busch Gardens very near, They still show rides we enjoyed back before 2003 such as Kumba ride ,Congo river, Serengeti, and of course the animals.  What I do not see and probably discontinued was that at the time the park was owned by Anheuser Busch beer company and you could have free tasting of a glass of beer, which of course I got back for a few until thrown out of the line recognising me the staff lol !!! In the hotel pool my boys and then my dear late wife Martine and the boys at the park

Tampa best western hotel temple terrace c1998

Tampa best western hotel temple terrace pool c2008

Tampa busch gardens kids et MF c1998

The official Busch Gardens: https://buschgardens.com/tampa/

The Walt Disney World Resort is located about 30 km from Orlando, actually by the Lake Buena Vista city area but commonly call Orlando.  I remember the monorail a great ride see it all from high ground and a rest lol !! Once I counted came 20 times over to Walt Disney Orlando (see post) as for many years lived only 1H30 from it, and also came to concerts, I remember one with KC and the Sunshine Band that was awesome going with my then girlfriend from Daytona Beach. The park is very dear to my boys and now we go already 4 times to the one in Seine et Marne, commonly call Disneyland Paris.(see posts)

Orlando Walt Disney monorail c1998

The official Walt Disney on the monorail ride: https://www.disneyworld.eu/guest-services/monorail-transportation/

There you go folks, another memorable if simple post. The pictures as the visits are old, but they remain very much part of my family and the trails we have burned. As said, Florida will always be remembered as the U S A. I am glad was able to do posts like this still today. Again, hope you enjoy the post as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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December 14, 2022

Curiosities of the Americas !! Part IV

Looking at my vault, found some older pictures on paper and took my digital camera to take picture of the pictures and use them in my blog. This allows me to show in my blog places not shown or pics with new angles of places shown in the blog. Nostalgia sets in and here I go on the curiosities of the Americas !!, Part IV.

Fort Myers Beach is located in Lee county , Florida on the Gulf of Mexico and is accessed from the mainland by a bridge over Estero Bay, A popular wonderful beach recently destroyed a lot of it from hurricane Ian, and in the process of rebuilding, Sadly.  Many family memories here bringing my little boys to play with their cousins who live just across in Cape Coral, Memories forever ! You too can eventually enjoy this magnificent white sandy beach on the clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico !

Ft Myers beach and pier c1999

The city of Fort Myers Beach on the beaches: http://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/102/Beaches

Hollywood Beach is located in Broward county,Florida,  just north of Miami, Hollywood Beach is known for its beaches bordering the Atlantic Ocean and its “Old Florida” spirit of palm-lined brick walkway, the broadwalk, roller-skating, bicycling, walking and pedal-cart riding. also finds tikis bars, seafood restaurants, motels and hotels, My last home closest great beach, to enjoy it , party and be seen simply awesome, Memories forever !

Hollywood beach bvld c1999

The city of Hollywood on the Hollywood beach: https://www.hollywoodfl.org/1049/Hollywood-Beach

On March 9, 1994, locals voted to officially change the name to the shorter version of St. Pete Beach, to distinguish it from the city of St. Petersburg a few miles inland, This was another grand beach I recommended to my cousins when afterward they move in into Tampa and Cape Coral areas,. St. Pete Beach is located in Pinellas county , Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico, The downtown is centered on Corey Avenue. This district contains bars, restaurants and shopping and retail outlets , St. Pete Beach occupies the entire space of Long Key, a barrier island of the Gulf of Mexico. Three bridges lead into the city, connecting it to Treasure Island, South Pasadena and the Bayway Isles area of St. Petersburg.

St Petersburg beach c 1999

The Clearwater-St Pete Beach tourist office on the beach : https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/communities/st-pete-beach

Beaches are big event in Florida, and there are so many good ones. Lucky enough to been to most even if some bring more nostalgia than others.  The State of Florida tourist board on beaches :https://www.visitflorida.com/beaches/

These last two are nostalgia and sadness on world events: it happened to far back. However, my last time in Cuba was in 2012. These were my passing by many times as a child under 10, but vividly reminded always by my parents. San Cristobal de La Habana or St Christopher of Havana, my little heart away from it all.

El Templete or small temple built in 1827 on the spot of the first Catholic Mass in Cuba! This was held on November 16, 1519, Experts believe that El Templete was the first building of neoclassical character in Havana, and one of the civil works that have most influenced the architecture of Cuba.

This monument is shaped like a Greek Doric temple. The facade consists of a portico with six Doric columns, supporting a decorated frieze, and a prominent pediment with an inscription commemorating the inauguration. The facade has four pilasters with Doric capitals and other decorative ornaments; flat roof and wide cornice, mansard plinths and interior marble floors. Inside the enclosure are a bust of Christopher Columbus, discoverer of the island and a ceiba tree. In the gardens is the Cajigal column in honor of the Spanish governor who ordered its construction in 1754, when the first ceiba tree planted died. Above this column, an image of the Virgen del Pilar, patroness of Spanish sailors. A marble bust of Don Hernando de Soto, who was the first governor of the city of San Cristóbal de La Habana (Havana), is visible at the base. Inside the small room are three large paintings by French artist Jean Baptiste Vermay, founder of the San Alejandro National School of Fine Arts in Havana. Vermay’s paintings represent the first Mass and the blessing of the Templete during its inauguration.

Havana el Templete c1998

The Parque Central is one of the best known and central sites of the city of Havana It is located between Prado, Neptuno, Zulueta and San José streets, and San Rafael Boulevard. Among the buildings surrounding the park are Gran Teatro de La Habana (The Great Theatre of Havana), the Hotel Inglaterra (England Hotel), the Hotel Telégrafo, el Hotel Parque Central (Central Park Hotel), la Manzana de Gómez, the Hotel Plaza and Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, The gardens surrounding the monument statue of Jose Marti have a series of paths that intersect. There are 28 royal palms that signify Martí’s birth date, as well as 8 coffin-shaped stonework, representing medical students shot by the Spanish colonial government on the Island during the Ten Years’ War on November 27, 1871.

Havana mon Jose Marti parque central c1998

There you go folks, a walk of nostalgia from my very earlier trips in the Americas. The wonders of the Americas that still rings a bell to my ears on each stretch of meter I take on this world. Hope you enjoy the post of curiosities of the Americas , Part IV as I reviving these old pictures into life brings back many memorable moments in my life.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

Posted in Americas, Cuba, Florida | 8 Comments »

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December 5, 2022

My travel stories so far !!!

We are coming to the end of 2022 another year and another battle, My 87 years old father Elio is already 18 days in the hospital recuperating from an episode of epilepsy and coming along slowly in stable condition, He is the last as my mother Gladys died in 2007 and my dear wife Martine in 2018, I am at home with my 3 young men and our dog Rex waiting for Christmas and another year, I decided to look back and briefly tell of my travels and countries visited in my life, All wonderful trips with family and alone that will be in my memory forever, Hope you enjoy the reading along with me of this wonderful post,

I have gone out into the world from the Miami International airport, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale in Florida, Later from CDG Roissy airport (Paris) and Orly airport (Paris), Lastly my trips have been from Nantes Atlantique airport or even the Lorient and Rennes airports. Many experiences all good me think even with some delays, No sad event on any of them.

The countries I have visited are group by region below :

Asia : Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, China, Dubai, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Qatar, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia,Taiwan, and Thailand,(14)

Africa : Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa, Argelia, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania,Angola, Namibia, Mozambique,Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon,and Senegal, (16)

America : Mexico , Brazil, Belize, Chile, Colombia, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Canada, USA, Cuba, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay Bolivia,Dominican Republic,Guatemala, Jamaica, and Haiti (27)

Europe : Spain, France, Portugal , Belgium, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, England, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Italy,Greece, San Marino, Russia,Israel, Austria, Bulgaria, Andorra, Monaco, and the Vatican, (24)

So there you go 81 countries so far, and some were done from France ,the latest ones, and others done from the USA the oldest visits, All wonderful memorable moments in my life.

The family was always sitting down to figure where we are going, and the endless choices mostly turn out to be France or Spain. Lately, alone with the boys we have been concentrating closer to home in our lovely region of Bretagne/Brittany/Breizh, Life goes on, beautiful life but short to many, enjoy it fully while you can, Remember as I needed to, don’t do tomorrow what you can do today, This post will allow me to keep track of where I have been because it took some work to put it together.

And remember, happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!

ps, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2023

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November 23, 2022

My memorable restaurants in México !

Well this is a fun update post of a memorable country visits since 1994 and family living. I have been to many restaurants over the years in Mexico, even before blogging and surely some will be missed, forgotten; however, will put the ones that brings the most memories and remembered them .  This is my treat on the Mexican cuisine, over the latter last few years, restaurants in no particular order or place. Of course, they are, also in the individual posts on the occasions, therefore, this will be on my black and white series, no pictures. These are my memorable restaurant in Mexico! Buen provecho !!!

I had gone to the Wing’s Army bar on Insurgentes Sur to see the football/soccer match between the PSG and Bayern Munich as a French team was playing and won 3×0, the ambiance was nice and plenty of good Miller High Life beers by the liter which have been a long time not drank again, this was neat and the Army hamburger great with good company I later came back in the week and it was equally impressive, definitively will be back here. webpage: http://www.wingsarmy.com/mx/

I had another lunch at a great find: Restaurante La Bella Lula , Oaxaqueño style food (Oaxaca) and had a very nice Tasajo de Res con Enfrijoladas with another nice set of local Dos X beers, nice flan dessert to kill for as well. Ah the dish is about four slices of beef with a tortilla spread in black beans soup, delicious! webpage: https://labellalula.com/

El Bajio for my first dinner there, nice place if a bit hurry up to get rid of me lol! The lady kept giving me dishes to try and I keep saying no thank you have enough, endless, but the food panoches, chicharones, and the pork dish with black mole and sauce and drinks were good, bohemia black beers or negra bohemia. webpage: https://www.restauranteelbajio.com.mx/sucursales

After doing some walking around safe in DF! lol! I met some old friends at the Olive Garden in the Patio Universidad shopping;  here with ravioli stuff champignon and a great Trapiche malbec Argentinian wine, coffee nice, great memories. webpage: https://olivegardenmexico.com.mx/

On another night went for TGI Fridays hahaha yes very original , I remember this resto from back in USA and love them. Found them here with a nice big burger and try Victoria and Pacifico beers !! This was ,also, in the Patio Universidad shopping! webpage: http://www.fridays.mx/tufridays.php?idres=6

Hoot hoot anyone? well did stop by at another old timer joint, this one in DF; Hooters another of my old favorites ::) Great Indio beer and nachos snacks with cheese and the action was good with friendly crowd. webpage: https://hooters.com.mx/

El Paisa, a more rustic restaurant in a working class area with a nice second floor terrace, a very nice welcome with lots of Mexicans families there; nice ambiance and great conversation with many. The area is nice around a corner, and serve in the terrace in the back upper level. One of the places to go when you know the area and want to get away from tourists. Here we had more goodies of the Mexican cuisine such as the alambre with meat and cheese melted sort like a pizza but chewy and yummy, pacifico beers and coffee expresso, first we had some chicharones and all good. yelp webpage: https://www.yelp.com/biz/el-paisa-m%C3%A9xico-3

At the corner of Hamburgo and Niza streets, there is El Lugar del Mariachi, its a restaurant with live music pop and mariachis alternatively, and a dance floor !!! This is right smack in tourist central so a bit high price but very good food, secure,and a very good group of musicians playing from pop to bolero to cha cha cha and then a group of mariachi singers playing their songs as well; a very good ambiance with romantic overtones or in family. webpage: https://ellugardelmariachi.com/contacto/

The wonderful Tezka restaurant basque cuisine of Spain and next to the Royal hotel in Amberes street, Zona Rosa close to Chapultepec always good chic reliable international cuisine. The hotel has been my central for many years, and it has an indoor door directly to the restaurant. This one has closed but keep it for the memories of meeting good friends there still in touch. nostalgic reference to it here: https://www.opentable.com/tezka-zona-rosa

Los Panchos in Condesa, Tolstoi 9, Col. Anzures, open Mondays to Sundays from  9h to 22h authentic Mexican food, I try all different dishes from tacos de carnitas, chicharrones, stuffed peppers , etc etc so much food down with agua de jamaica and agua de leche delicious. webpage: Yelp on Los Panchos: https://www.yelp.com/biz/los-panchos-ciudad-de-m%C3%A9xico

The Sanborns,is a chain very popular in Mexico, my old firm used to sell to them and we of course stop there many times to eat and also to buy essentials electronics. Always had a wonderful time eating at the Peña Pobre mall, by Av. Insurgentes sur y Av. San Fernando, its a shopping center with many stores and restaurant ; clothing, electronics , music, gifts are sold here too. It is one of many all over the city, another one I ate was at the Centro Insurgentes Sanborn’s cafeteria  ,Avenida de los Insurgentes Sur 1605.  webpage: https://www.sanborns.com.mx/c/restaurante/

The Gran Leon de Oro restaurant on calle Mercaderes off Insurgentes Sur is wonderful, very business like and refine, service superb and the food delicious, great tacos con lechon (roast pig) and Victoria beer. webpage: https://www.elgranleondeoro.com.mx/

Puerto Lapice, here it was the filete tampiqueño (Tampico) real beef that was the plate with Mexican wine chateau Domecq. Located at Poniente 128 647 ,Azcapotzalco, corner of Norte 45. RestaurantGuru webpage: https://restaurantguru.com/Puerto-Lapice-Mexico-City

 Cambalache, an Argentine jewel small but all kinds of cuts beef that is, at Insurgentes Sur 1384.webpage: https://www.cambalacherestaurantes.com/#insurgentes

Taqueria Senele at Polanco great tacos alambre and taquitos al pastor,,,,calle Leibnitz, Col Anzures, 11590 just at the corner coming out of hotel Camino Real Polanco back door. webpage: http://www.taqueria-selene.com/

I had to have my Spanish even in Mexico! Wonderfully refined great food and wine service of Spain at the Centro Castellano inside the Camino Real hotel,in Polanco. Webpage: https://grupocastellano.com.mx/restaurantes-2/

I had repeated good experiences at the steakhouse Angus Butcher House, Copenhage 31 , this branch is closed but have other branches in the city. Steaks are big, beers are cold, and the ladies are all beautiful ! webpage: https://www.angus.com.mx/

 VIPS cafeteria chain, the one at Insurgentes Sur 1581 and Mercaderes st is very nice indeed. I ate there several times lunch and dinner there as it was near my hotel. webpage: https://vips.com.mx/

This one is in Mexico City at the airport terminal 1 lol! great nachos and bohemia oscura (dark) beer as well as mashed potatoes chili’s . Oh yes the chain is Chili’s of course to remind me of Miami lol! webpage: https://www.mexico-airport.com/restaurants-and-food/terminal-1/chilis-aeropuerto-t1

 Le Pain Quotidien Belgian chain at Insurgentes Sur.  The Roast Beef platter and a Bohemia oscura beer did the trick as well as tartines later on! webpage: https://www.lepainquotidien.com/mx/es/locations/insurgentes/insurgentes-sur-#1630

Another wonderful Argentinian resto with huge delicious burgers Angus beef, while looking the nice world going by is El Diego, Insurgentes Sur 1581. This has closed but keep here for the memories of always. For reference Yelp on El Diego: https://www.yelp.com/biz/el-diego-m%C3%A9xico-2

Café Paris in the Grand Hotel of Tepatitlàn de Morelos, Jalisco, there is an old world ambiance with the hotel rooms decorated with a theme from Europe like I stayed in rooms Napoléon, and Rangel, and ate at the café, upper floor chic nice refined and all made to order. webpage: https://www.grandhotelboutique.com/

I was introduce to the restaurant Don K, in Tepatitlàn de Morelos,Jalisco.  The sport TV all over, the friendly service, good food, good company was all it took; I came back always to eat here!!! It is at Dr. J. Ricardo Alcala Iñiguez 284, Alameda, 47650 Tepatitlán de Morelos. webpage: https://donkrestaurant.com/

A wonderful place for dinner Bistro 77 right in city center of Tepatitlàn de Morelos, Jalisco,near the wonderful Cathedral and kiosk in the park. Wonderful Pulpo beers and pizzas with hot chili mexican here, great tv screens and wonderful friendly service. Cannot confirm if open but keep it for the memories of always. RestaurantGuru webpage: https://restaurantguru.com/Bistro-77-Tepatitlan-de-Morelos

I had a wonderful lunch while watching a football/soccer game France vs Germany, and really this is heaven around you of natural beauty and the food and cold beers was great; a must. Cenote Azul restaurant in Bacalar , Quintana Roo. Yelp on Cenote Azul Webpage: https://www.yelp.com/biz/restaurante-cenote-azul-bacalar

The above is an incredible site of a lake cave up to 90 meters deep great for scuba diving, the resto is on site, the place webpage: https://cenoteazulbacalar.com/

I had my drinks here at Hotel La Laguna in Bacalar ,Quintana Roo gorgeous place with wonderful views of the lake and I was allowed to roam free afterward, the site picture tells it all !! webpage: https://www.lagunabacalarhotel.com/ubicacion#top

In Quintana Roo had lunch as well in Las Tortugas resto in Calderitas just next to Bacalar, along the Bay of Chetumal, wonderful fresh fried fish, fries, sweet bananas, yellow rice, and beers Modelo Especial, nice. Facebook webpage: https://www.facebook.com/LasTortugasCalderitas/

Had lunch on the road at Birreria Chololo with goat meat and beers Indio oscura. An institution in the area, they are at Carretera  Chapala Km 17, Tlajomulco de Zuñiga.Jalisco. Again, cannot confirm if open but here for the memories of always. Yelp webpage: https://www.yelp.com/biz/birrieria-chololo-tlaquepaque 

And yes, sometimes you have to eat at the airport, and my good one there is this one at Wings in the Guadalajara airport. Guadalajara airport is small and nice. airport webpage: https://www.aeropuertosgap.com.mx/en/guadalajara-3/food.html?limitstart=0

I had lunch at Los Bisquets de Obregon , Ecatepec ,Estado de México, local cuisine restaurant with a great cecina steak (salted and dried by means of air, sun or smoke) with mashed potatoes, Mexican rice, and mango/papaya juices. webpage: https://bisquetsobregon.com/restaurante

I went north into the Sonora State at Ciudad Obregon, and had my lunch here at Los Arbolitos de Cajeme . A great mero fish with butter. webpage: https://www.mariscoslosarbolitos.com/#/

There you go folks, I am sure there are others, and perhaps more famous, but these are the ones that were special for the company kept and the good friendship that endures to this day. Again, the city has a world of food and culinary delights to offer for all tastes and pockets. Hope you enjoy the post as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health and many cheers to all !!!

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November 22, 2022

My memorable moments at the Intercontinental Hotels !!

I have written on them before, but just found me some brochures of those wonderful years spent at the Intercontinetal Hotels of France that made write again this new post, This was a great moment in my life as we had all the family together and had a blast, Memories that are still intact as well as the friendship of those collegues from yesteryear still in touch, Let me tell you briefly on this wonderful experience with especially the so called L’Inter hotel of Paris ! Hope you enjoy it as I.

Paris intercontinental hotel entr brochure

A bit of background to the newcomers to my blog, The Intercontinental Hotel or l’Inter (now the Westin Paris) on rue Castiglione near the Tuileries garden,  and the Le Grand Hotel Intercontinental and its wonderful Café de la Paix by the Opéra Garnier were my hangouts. The HQ handling all the hotels was at the Intercontinental Paris or affectionally called L’Inter. It was at the corner of the streets 3 rue de Castiglione and rue Rivoli. The offices were again in the mezzanine area off the general public but we could walk all over, and I did as my job will take me to see the restaurants/bar personnel as well as the rooms. The walks between the l’Inter and Le Grand were sublime passing by the Place Vendôme into the Place de l’Opéra!!  The Le Grand hotel is at the corner of 2 rue Scribe,and 12 blvd des Capucines.

Other IHG properties, I was responsible for was in Cannes, the Carlton Intercontinental Hotel in the Croisette!  I was, also, responsible for the Holiday Inn -pl de la République in Paris (now a Crown plaza hotel), and the Holiday Inn Disneyland ,(the hotel is now call the Vienna House Magic Circus Hotel), of course, I not only visited on business but also stayed with the family while going to Disneyland Paris (see posts).  So why I have good memories of it and always will remember them? Well , I used to worked in them, and was in charge of all intercontinental hotels in France that were owned by the group IHG at the time base in Windsor, England, with European hq in Brussels Belgium. Two wonderful years bouncing from one to the other in an top management position in the Accounting dept.Memories forever,thanks guys!!

Paris Christmas inter et grand hotels 2005

Paris intercontinental hotel Club level brochure

While at the L’Inter hotel had the distinct pleasure of helping out a fund raiser for the Hurricane Katrina (2005) in New Orleans, LA USA, It as an effort by the entire expat community on providing free host in the great salons (historical monuments of France) for charitable events , This was a huge success with more than 500 guest and musicians from the US and some base in France, All proceeds were to the American Red Cross.

Paris Inter Crescent city jam katrina hurricane 2005

Paris Inter Crescent city jam katrina hurricane program 2005

expats-paris-intercontinental-hotel-katrina-fund-raiser-2005

Paris inter hotel katrina fund raising 2005

We as a family and me employed there went thru wonderful Christmas parties for the employees, to welcoming and meeting some of the famous and known such as U2, Condoleezza Rice , Sec of state USA; Stéphane Bern , French actor, presenter and many many more. Working with the upper class of the French nobility including Princess Napoléon, to the marquis and dukes of France; and the famous brands who held many events in the hotels from Louis Vuitton, to Chanel, to the fabulous Fashion Weeks of Paris !! Never to forget and now fix into my blog for eternity,

Paris Christmas inter hotel 2005

Paris IC hotel Christmas party fam middle seats Dec2005

From the brochures that I kept as souvenir, this one is one of my favorites so will translate here for you and me, Another memorable brochures of a wonderful property and people, the L’Inter or Intercontinental Hotel Paris, (now a Westin Vendôme Paris hotel).

Paris intercontinental hotel winter garden brochure

Paris intercontinental hotel salon napoleon brochure

The first king of France to fall in love with Paris was Philippe Auguste constructed the Louvre dungeon around 1200, while creating the ramparts of the City, The huge tower which was destined to become the royal castle in the 16C was the starting point of the superb promenade whose central section leads into the Champs Elysées, this extends to the top of the Chaillot slopes and is crowned at the Etoile by the Arc de Triomphe, During the Renaissance, Queen Catherine de Médicis ordered the Tuileries Palace (gone see post) situated at the angle of the Seine river to complete the Louvre ensemble whose extremities form the great Marsan and Flore pavilions, The garden was designed and enlarged by André le Nôtre (see post) who previously had created the gardens of the Palace of Versailles,The Tuileries Gardens (see posts) bordered by the Seine river and the future place Louis XV constructed in the 18C, From the Louvre folks passed in front of the Capucins, Cistercians and the convent of the Assumption later the Polish church,

These monasteries emptied during the French revolution became meeting houses and felled quickly into decay, The Fall of the monarchy is marked as August 10th 1792 and from the Tuileries the king Louis XVI sought refuge in the Riding school which was razed to the ground during the construciton of the rue de Rivoli as the crossroads of the rue de Castiglione,It was decided to build a road from the rue de Rivoli to the place Louis XV (now place de la Concorde), The Rue de Castiglione running from the rue de Rivoli to the Place Vendôme commemorates one of Napoléon Ier victories during the Italian campaign of 1796, In May 1871 several areas were burnt to the ground by the great fire including the Rue Royale, Tuileries Palace, and the Ministry of Finance, good fortunes the blaze did not reach the Louvre and its precious collections,

The new parliament of the French Republic refused to replace the roof of the Tuileries Palace whose stone were removed to Corsica by the Pozzo di Borgo family rivals of Bonaparte, In 1878, the Continental Hotel rose up from its ashes, Its portals situated in the Rue de Castiglione were erected on the site of the monk’s former refectory, Gilded drawing rooms enriched by sculptures and mythological scenes , a Moorish style winter garden walnut panneled Henri II drawing rooms and an electric dynamo machine feeding the incandescent lamps from 1887, All the latest discoveries and developements made available by progress were incorporated from the very infancy and the five hundred rooms became the meeting place both for the members of the elite and heads of State, It is here on Saturday April 13 1889 while the inauration of the Tour Eiffel that a sumptous dinner was organised in honor of M, Gustave Eiffel, Some of the menu included gonale cream, Dieppe turbot with Mousseline sauce, Nevers-style lamb saddle, Russian-style lobster, Dombe orange and vanilla glazed cake punch, fruit basket, sweets, small wine ovens: Médoc in a carafe, Pommerol St Emilion, Champagne Frappé, coffee and liqueurs.

In 1883 ,Victor Hugo presided over the luncheon given here to celebrate the publishing of his complete works, From Peter 1st of Serbia, King Fouad of Egypt and on several occasions Empress Eugenie (Spanish wife of Napoléon III) , the last monarch to reside at the Tuileries Palace, all spent periods of time in the hotel, In 1940 Jean Giraudoux set up his information office in the drawing rooms of the last Empress, The Nazis later occupied the building for four years and the Continental Hotel once more renewed its normal activities continuing until 1968, With the Inter-Continental Hotel we witness the ultimate matamorphosis still sparkling from the recent beauty treatment, These lines of historical praise join together to form a magnificent bouquet of which as Montaigne puts it «  I am but the narrow ribbon to tie around » Sublime indeed,

There you go folks, a wonderful experience of many memorable moments never to be forgotten, You in eternal Paris, and in the marvelous area of beauty,luxury and high class, The hotel even today I say its worth a stay, eat in, visit anything there is worth it me think, Again, hope you enjoy the memorable post on the Intercontinental Hotels of France and especially on the L’Inter !!

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

Posted in Americas, Europe, France, Paris | 2 Comments »

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October 14, 2022

Alcalà de Henares and Queen Isabel I !!!

This is a nice story of our Spanish origins that I like to update on this older post, One of the most important historical personage when it comes to Spain and the Americas. I was glad to have visited several times over the years Alcalà de Henares in the Comunidad de Madrid region. Therefore , let me tell you a bit more on Queen Isabel I or the Catholic queen. Hope you enjoy this piece of history of mine as I,

It all started with a visit by a navigator and the queen. This is my rendition to Reina Isabel I La Càtolica or Queen  Elizabeth I the Catholic of Spain and Cristobal Colon or Christopher Colombus.

The court of Isabel I ,the Catholic is, like that of her predecessors, itinerant. The journeys traveled by Isabel I of Castile. In 1503, the trip took place between Alcalá de Henares and Medina del Campo, where the queen died on November 26, 1504. During these trips, the queen administered her kingdom from the place where she was. One of the most important events in the history of the modern world had its beginning in Alcalá de Henares with the interview of Isabel I, La Católica (Catholic) and Cristobal Colón (Columbus) . It was on January 20, 1486 and was held in the Archbishop’s Palace of Alcalá de Henares in that interview the trip to the Indies began to be forged that led to the discovery of the New Continent by Spain.

alcala-palacio-arzobispal-frt-aug16

It ran on October 24, 1485 when a long entourage, which had left Córdoba and stopped in Jaén, arrived in Alcalá de Henares to spend the winter and rest … The stay lasted for almost four months, being one of the longest and most fruitful visits from the Catholic Monarchs to Alcalá de Henares. Christopher Columbus, who had followed the Court from Cordoba, was the last to receive an audience by the Catholic Monarchs on January 20, 1486 at the Archbishop’s Palace. That meeting between the queen and the navigator was produced in the Archbishop’s Palace, which can be seen at the end of Calle San Juan , where the Casa de la Entrevista (Interview House) is located.   Currently, on the cover of the front of the House you can see the Cardinal’s checkered shield and the door hardware is remarkable, in which, in addition to the Cisneros shield, another one with Colombine motifs can also be contemplated.

Columbus was desperate. He needed money to finance his trip to the “Indies.” He had already received the refusal of King Juan II of Portugal to finance his project. It was then that he went to Castile to offer it to the Catholic Monarchs, although the Royal Council rejected it from the first moment. When everything seemed lost in Castile, his great friend and supporter Fray Antonio de Marchena convinced Fray Hernando de Talavera, confessor of Queen Isabel I (Elizabeth), to get the kings to receive the navigator. It was January 20, 1486. And the rest is history I like!!! You can see her wonderful statue in Alcalà de Henares by the Plaza Palacio where there are many monuments including the old Archbishop’s palace. A quiet humble corner for such a great world personage that still influences millions around the world in a common language. The Reina Isabel I, la Càtolica statue at Plaza Palacio. (palace square).

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The Alcalà de Henares tourist office on the episcopal palace : https://www.turismoalcala.es/turismo/palacio-arzobispal/

The Cultural page of Alcalà de Henares on Plaza Palacios: https://culturalcala.es/espacios/plaza-de-palacio/

There you go folks, a huge historical event took place here in Alcalà de Henares and the consequences are still fell today, This area is wonderful to walk full of architecture and historical buildings and of course Queen Isabel I of Spain! Again, hope you enjoy this bit of travel history trivia as I,

And remember, ,happy travel, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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October 3, 2022

Nostalgia of Hallandale, Fla. !!

Here I am again looking at my vault and this time again no pictures, just a simple paper cloth table cover to remind me of a wonderful place and time in my dear Florida! This believe it or not was not from my local south Florida area but coming all the way from Daytona Beach to Hallandale Florida! This was wonderful disco times and my rdv at the Limelight discothéque! Let me tell you a bit about it for the memories of always and a right place in my blog. Hope you enjoy it as I.

Hollywood limelight disco tablepaper c1981

This new find allows me to show in my blog places not shown or pics with lots of nostalgia in my life. I was living in Ormond by the Sea, just north of Ormond Beach on the north peninsula beachside, which is north of Daytona Beach where I attended my university. Looking for places to have fun and hangout I read an article about a place that was to show Sylvester and France Joli and later Gloria Gaynor! So of course, I jumped in my car and head south. 

As the trip was long and over the influence, I remember renting a little hotel Don Sebastian in North Miami Beach ( a separate town from the more famous one). This hotel no longer there but condos! It allowed me to go to different disco places at the time such as Tiffany’s at the Sheraton Bal Harbour and 747 in Miami Springs (another miami). However, the highlight was going to the Limelight discothéque in Hallandale near the Hollywood dog track! The place is closed of course, but they even have a memories Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/134475280210/

As Valenciartist reminds me in the comments, there were many others that I frequented while visiting from up north, sometimes along and others with cousins that still lives there. These were the Banana Boat by Kendall Drive, Casanovas in Hialeah, Faces In The Grove in the Mayfair-Coconut Grove, Firehouse Four (1000 S. Miami Ave, Miami) from my good friend Armandito and the miami exports group, Penrod’s Beach Club in Miami Beach,Scaramouche in the Omni Hotel, Miami, and the 94th Aero in Miami. All memorable spots of crazy youth.

For official info, The Limelight was a chain of nightclubs owned and operated by Peter Gatien. The Limelight had locations in New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, London, and this one at Hallandale, Florida !

A bit of history I like

Peter Gatien opened the first Limelight nightclub in Hallandale, Florida, in the 1970s. Following a devastating fire in the late 1970s, Gatien chose Atlanta for his next incarnation of the club. The Atlanta Limelight opened in February 1980. It was housed in a strip mall at the former site of the Harlequin Dinner Theatre. The Limelight in Chicago was housed in the former home of the Chicago Historical Society; the building itself is a historic structure. It was opened in 1985. From 1985, the Limelight in London was located in a former Welsh Presbyterian church on Shaftesbury Avenue, just off Cambridge Circus, which dates from the 1890s. The London club’s decline in popularity led to the club being sold as a going concern . The club in New York City, situated on Sixth Avenue at West 20th Street, was the most significant and infamous of all the Limelight locations. It opened in November 1983, the site was a former Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion.  There was a movie done called Limelight (2011) with 50 Cent ,Jay-Z, and Lisa Michelle Axelrod

I remember going there a lot and had great fun indeed. One for the memories as can be told it was wild and plenty of action inside and out. The Limelight is well remembered by old timers in the Miami area, including family members.

There you go folks, a walk down nostalgia lane from my earlier life in my Florida. The wonders of the Limelight and the heat of the Sunshine State, Florida , that still rings a bell to my ears on each stretch of meter I take on this world. Hope you enjoy the post as I reviving old memorable moments in life.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!.

Posted in Americas, Florida | 3 Comments »

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