MIAMI, here we go!

October  2014.

Beaches, Shopping, night life, architecture, art, sports, nature... This is Miami baby!

Our stay was in  Room Mate Waldorf Towers located in the heart of South Beach in Miami, on the beach front of world-famous Ocean Drive.

We rented a Ford "Mustang"  to go anywhere we planned, including a trip to Key West after a few days in Miami.

We started the trip exploring our area. Ocean Drive, Lincoln Road and the streets around.
Ocean Drive is the most famous street of Miami. Sculpted bodies skidding along the promenade, great beaches, tropical cocktails, latin music and Art Deco buildings.
Miami Art Deco District is composed of hundreds of buildings designed in this unique architecture style. Mainly they characterized by being based on elementary geometry (cubes, spheres and straight lines) with a large ornamental abundance. This artistic movement emerged in 1920.

During all our stay it was very windy and not specially good weather for swimming at the beach, so we spend nice times walking by the beach.

One of the main highlights of the trip was to fly in a seaplane in Miami. This unforgettable one-hour tour was a wonderful experience. Amazing views of Miami Skyline, lighthouse and saltwater homes in the middle of pristine Biscayne Bay known as Stiltsville. On the way back we saw Matheson Hammock, Coconut Grove and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Flying low enough and slow we saw sharks.

  

After this beautiful flight we drove along Key Biscayne and we had lunch after a sunbathing on the beach front. You may find some seaweed on the sand but it is a beautiful spot. Raccoons may appear by the sand, watch out for your belongings, specialy food.

The same day we visited Holocaust Memorial. The most noticeable features of this memorial include a sculpture of a giant outstretched arm covered with climbing Holocaust victims and an Auschwitz tattoo; the Garden of Meditation, reflecting pool with a dedication to victims. In addition, there is a memorial wall etched with the names of victims.

That night was Halloween. We enjoyed some cocktails with friends and then the huge party at Lincoln Road Mall.

Miami is a good place for shopping. There's a lot of malls to go like Aventura, Dolphin, Dadeland and many more. We choose Aventura Mall basically because it's not an outlet one. Our lunch was in cheesecake factory restaurant located at that mall. We had a huge cheescakes and some drinks. That was enough for us.

Another thing to do in Miami is going to the Everglades. Our choice was Everlages Safari Park. It's number 12 of 183 Tours & Activities in Miami on Tripadvisor. Airboat ride was great fun! Very beautiful nature and cool experience but honestly we just saw three crocodiles there. You have to have a little bit of luck to see a big group of them because nobody knows where they exactly hang around. Later, after the ride, you have a wildlife show and the opportunity to take a photo holding an alligator.

We were looking for good weather. Unfortunately, one of the days of our stay there, started quiet chilly and we had to wear our jackets from NY for a couple of days.

One more thing to do in Miami is millionaire's row cruise.
A 90 minutes sightseeing cruise around Biscayne Bay where you have the opportunity to see Miami skyline, the port of Miami, fisher island, and millionaire's row (the homes of rich & famous)

       Island Queen 

Amazing MIAMI!

" New York" Engagement destination

October 2014.

We have planned a Miami and Key West trip. The big surprise was when my boyfriend told me that we will spend a couple of days in NY before MIA.

The arrival to NY was quite late and we were very tired.
We choose the "Sofitel" hotel which is very elegant, comfortable and in a good location.
As soon as we left our luggage, we jumped to manhattan's streets: 5th av., Broadway, Times square ...

We were so exhausted and luckily we discovered the fast food restaurant "Shakeshack" . We took 2 burgers and fries, and it was so delicious!

I had not idea that the next day would be one of the best days in my life.

First we had breakfast in "Le pain quotidien", then we visited Grand Central Station, Flatiron, Ground Zero and the famous charging bull in wall street.

We didn't have enough time to visit "State of Liberty" so we took the staten island ferry which is free, wifi on board included and we took some nice pictures of the statue from it. If you decided to do the same, go fast and to take the correct side window because a lot of people go for the same.  (right hand side on the way to staten island and left on the way back)

After this, we took a nice walk from staten island pear to Brooklyn bridge. On the way you pass in front of the heliport where you can have sightseen flight over the city.
We had a beautiful side view of the bridge, but you will have a long way to go over the bridge.

While my boyfriend was in Apple Store, I decided to go to Victorias Secret. We met again and suddenly my love  took me by surprise to "Tiffany & Co" 5th av. 
I'm sure that he was planning this marriage proposal in here for a long time.
It was the most beautiful and romantic moment in my life.

"The River Cafe"  was my boyfriend's choice to celebrate it. This restaurant is elegant and romantic with amazing Manhattan skyline views. Food was so delicious and the best is the desert.

Next day I woke up as engaged woman and very excited.

We took Starbucks coffee and during our walk we enjoyed halloween decorations on the street.

Our las visit was the "Empire State Building". The views are amazing whenever the weather is ok. There's quiet a long cue to buy the tickets, buying them online in advance is not a bad idea.

That afternoon, we took an a plane to go to Miami looking for good weather.

First trip together

Bali & Gili

Our first trip together was to Bali & Gili Trawangan. 

First night we stayed at Awan Villas : beautiful and quite, modern concept with Balinese style, privacy and comfortable. Each Villa with their own pool.  

 

The next day we had an amazing breakfast and we spend all day in KuDeTa beach club. Where we enjoyed a stunning sunset. 

The most beautiful experience during this trip was discovering Gili Trawangan island. 

White sandy beaches, palm trees, loud-back parties and stunning sunsets. No cars and motorbikes there. Horse-draw cars and bicycles are the only transport available. The island is small enough to get around by bike or on foot. Most of the action is entered around a 2km stretch of beachfront. 

Our stay was in Pondok Santi Villas. Amazing, peaceful and romantic place. The breakfast was one of the best I ever had. 

There are 2 hours by boatFrom Bali to Gili. Many boat companies offers transportation during the day. 

Sitges Carnival

We live near to the Sitges area and definitely we love this beautiful village. 

We like to go as much events as we can when we are there. 

Sitges Carnival is one of this events which you can not miss. 

It is a celebration bursting with colour and sensuality, with worldwide recognition and covered by national and international media. 

What is in my travel bag?

One of the important things is to take a comfortable bag.

Lately I use a TUMI backpack. 

Inside there are only the things I really need during the trip. 

Documentation, some money, phone (charger & extra battery) and two kits. 

In this photo you can see all the details... I don't know how but everything I have is pink ! )))

Of course I always take my iPad mini & a book, but I keep them in my cabin suitcase. 

About

Originally from Saint-Petersburg living in Barcelona.

In love with my husband. He is the most important person in this world.

We are in aviation business & we love :

Traveling/ Exploring/ Nature/ Food/ Photography & enjoying life together. 

*** Wanderlust couple***

21 countries, more than 85 cities and so many villages.

TOP Destinations so far : 

HK/ Bali/ Gili/ NY/ Miami/ Key West/ Habana/ Chiang Mai/ Ayutthaya

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To contact: 

bynamitravels@gmail.com
Instagram: @_bynami_

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