HAWAII: My trip to heaven

Upon exiting the plane, I have passed Agricultural duties(that checks are you carying "something" that could endanger their flora and fauna).

Although it was my first time, I felt Hawaii, - 25C, perfect humidity, it's full of healthy  green forest, that is the sound of birds, clouds hanging over the mountains, i felt like i am on a earth paradise.

Upon entering the car, my friends gave me a necklace of fresh hibiscus indescribable colors and then we went right on the beach. Honolulu, the capital of the state of Hawaii is the only urban city which can be seen in this group of islands.

I immediately headed to one of the most popular beaches in the world, Waikiki Beach, which holds in plain view of Honolulu.

Next to Waikiki is Kalakaua Boulevard full of luxury hotels, boutiques, shops and tourists, mostly Japanese who buy like that for free. The city is a combination of relaxed Hawaiian natives, riant Americans and Japanese organized harmony.

At each step, everyone is relaxed welcome with specific greeting - throw the thumb and little finger (Shaka Sign) anything you do.

It could not understand how are all the locals obese cause they live in the center of the Pacific.

While fillets of swordfish were roasting, the crew peeled beer, grilled pineapple, and Ahi Poke (Hawaiian appetizer best - Pieces of marinated fresh Yelow Fin tuna in soy and sesame sauce with lemon and seaweed) that simply melts in your mouth.

Swordfish steaks looked like a sausage topped with Japanese teryjaki. Cops on bikes were greeting  us and checking did we camouflage beer bottles. The best is that the locals are gathering like this every weekend.

After dinner, instead of a luxury bar in Waikiki we went to the old part of city Honolulu, and we popped down to some pubs where American Vietnam veterans in aloha shirts were tearing beer early in the morning and debating about Pearl Harbor.

With beer, I had to try Spam (aka pork from cans that Hawaii is producing since World War II), I must admit I was awful but i ate can to the end.

I wanted to go to bed earlier and not to miss that famously morning in Hawaii, but I was not able to do that. At 5 in the morning I descend into Strarbucks espresso caffee, thinking it was empty but then i got surprised.

Coffee table was  full of people who also want to see one of the most beautiful dawn , and the ocean is full of surfers too, they were  floating like buoys waiting to ride the wave.

We rented a broken down jeep, like, Nick Slaughter and began a tour of the island. As we all know that Hawaii is mecca for surfers of the world, we went up to the North Shore.

The waves can reach up to 15 feet and  when slam on the beach you can feel them under your feet.

We have continued  patrolling the island, and finally we got stucked on a shrimp farm - broken car trailer all drawn with graffiti, which are drawned by customers from around the world. "Giovanni's Truck" is a trailer that sells the best shrimps with garlic.

When I saw the Japanese in a limo from the Sheraton Hotel to sitting on plastic chairs in addition to trailers and eat everything got clear.

On the way back to Honolulu we took a couple of fresh pineapples and coconuts from the locals that are selling them by the roadside to refresh and "kill" garlic.

Eating shrimp wrapped in paper with a "sweaty" Corona and watch the surfers riding the waves of the Pacific is priceless.

Travel story: Nenad Prodanovic
Photo: Honolulu, Ivan Cimbaljevic

Read More

Free Tourist Attractions in New York

Approximately 47 million visitors travel to New York City every year. A visit to the city can be quite expensive if you plan to see iconic attractions such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. Fortunately, the Big Apple boasts cultural centers and park facilities that are open to the public and free of charge.
 

Ellis Island in New York harbor is a symbol of immigrants entering the United States from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century.There is a museum of imigrants on island since 1990. Statue of Liberty is a New York simbol it was gifted by France as an act of friendship to American colonists in their fight for independence from Great Britain in 1886. And in 1984 it was included in the UNESCO cultural heritage.

Broadway is a wide boulevard in Manhattan, New York, it spreads from the Bronx to Westchester County, and it si famous because of  Times Square and many theaters. Metropolitan Museum of Art's was founded in 1872. It preserves and exhibits one of the world's most significant collections of fine art, two million exhibits are divided into 19 departments, annual number of visit is 5 milion people.

Central Park in the heart of Manhattan in New York City, is visited by about 25 million people. It is fully furnished, has few natural lakes and ponds, extensive walking trails, equestrian trail, a zoo, a greenhouse, a wildlife sanctuary. It is a favorite destination for jogging. Times Square is one of the most important intersections in Manhattan.

It is know for its huge and bright flashing neon signs, and adjacent to the Broadway theater. 
Annually it is visited by 39 million people, and was named in the early twentieth century, when the New York newspaper were moved here, The New York Times.

Fifth Avenue, specifically the part between her 34th and 59 Streets, is one of the most famous shopping streets in the world, and it is keeping the highest price of office space in the world. 

Fifth Avenue divides the streets of Manhattan to the east and west. Part of Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 105 street is called Museum Mile because of the large number of museums in that area.

The Empire State Building is a skyscraper. It was built in 1931. 
It was named after the nickname of New York and is currently the tallest building in New York.
American Society of Civil Engineers declared it as one of the seven modern wonders of the world

Photo: Nikola M. NewYork OC

Read More

Best Places to eat in Los Angeles

From street food to high-end dining, there is something for everyone here. Below are some of the best places to eat in Los Angeles.

Pink’s Hot Dogs 
This is a Los Angeles institute, having been in business since 1939. Hot dogs are a quintessential American food, and you’ll find dogs done right at this family stand. You can get your dogs loaded up with all kinds of savory toppings that are bad for your health but so good on the way down. There are also vegetarian-friendly menu items for non-meat eaters, so everyone can get in on the action at Pink’s.

Angelini Osteria 
If you’re looking to take a few steps up from seafood, try this highly rated Italian restaurant, where you’ll find excellent pasta and meat dishes that will satisfy you and all your travel companions. It’s ranked number 10 in Los Angeles by Zagat’s.

Echigo 
Having a yen for good Japanese? Head to this joint, where you can enjoy perfectly fresh and delectable fish courses and other delectable dishes on this renowned menu. Zagat ranks this one at number eight in the city, so you really can’t go wrong here.

Patina 
This one is not for the frugal traveler but if you’re willing to shell out, it will make for one of the nicest dining experiences you will have in Los Angeles. Situated in the Walt Disney Concert Hall, which was designed by Frank Gehry, this elegant restaurant offers a wholly elegant, delicious experience.

Loteria 
If a meal at Patina is unrealistic for you, head to Loteria, at the Los Angeles Farmer’s Market. The vibe here is low-key and prices for the delicious, fresh tortillas are budget friendly. Other items on offer include veggie versions of the tortillas and yummy tortilla soup.

Pizzeria Mozza 
Any venture involving Mario Batali is going to be a good one, so it comes as no surprise that Pizzeria Mozza serves up some the tastiest and most sophisticated pizzas in the city. Here you’ll find classic pies and more innovative takes on the pizza, as well as melt-in-your-mouth, out-of-this-world baked goods.

Piccolo 
Traveling with a special someone? Then pick a night and splash out at this charming little eatery. You’ll find excellent Venetian-style Italian food that will surpass most other meals you’ll eat in the area and the reportedly romantic ambiance will set the mood for a special night with your significant other.

STK
If you’re craving a good steak and a chance to spot some of Hollywood’s hottest young stars, head over to STK for a good meal and a good schmooze. The meats, of course, are excellent but the side dishes are equally delectable and all reflect the innovative, slightly off-the-wall flare that hot Los Angeles eateries are known for. 

Read More

Welcome to Chicago!

Welcome to Chicago The city that gave us achievements of modern civilization such as pinball machines, rollers and house music.

The city that is less than 200 years old and after a devastating fire in 1871. that destroyed a good part, Chicago got younger but failed to develop into one of the major world cities.

The first thing I thought about Chicago is that it is magnificent. Indeed, it seems to me that if you are looking to find the word that best describes it, it would be just that one.

I would say that Chicago served as the right course where architects can realize their ideas of ​​skyscrapers and modern buildings.

The downtown of Chicago is called The Loop, it was named so because of the railroads that run the city, and the streets look like they are on floors. Down floor is for cars and the upper is for metro.

Between “The Loop” and Michigan park is Millennium park which is probably in line with the city that it is located.

North of the downtown is the richer area of Chicago named Gold Coast (I thing that the name is explaining everything) and Lincoln park. The main area of the town is Michigan Avenue, Chicago's equivalent of New York's Fifth Avenue.

This is shopping area, and  probably the most beautiful street of Chicago, especially the part of it which is called the "Magnificent Mile".

It is one of the few buildings that survived the great fire zone - Water Tower, probably because it was not made ​​of wood.

Walking along the GOLDEN COAST you rich down to Navy Pier which is the right place to take kids if you got one.

There is a large Ferris wheel from which you have an excellent view of the city and the lake.

Story: Slobodan
Photo: Marija Stosic

Read More

New York restaurants and more then fantastic cuisine

One of the halmarks of New York are his restaurants and more then fantastic cuisine. Here you can try almost evry world cuisine. You have got ethiopean one just right around the corner. In Brooklyn you have got a Uighur one, and also Vietnamese, Korean, Malaysian, Brazilian ... My personal favorite so far is tai. Beside the restaurants you have a fast food restaurants like a Indian guy that you can find with his mobile behind the counter at Washington Square Park. Ther is also Mamoun's Falafel who is real hit, and the queue is enormous, subsequently israelian, marokan, chinese food, bakerys and pizzerias.

(Here you can not find anything salty except empty kroasan) Restoran cuisine is very developed here, Peopla are oten eating in restaurants, some of then 3 meals a day. Here you can breakfats in restaurants, and I guess nobody is making coffee at home because everybody buys it- usually in Starbucks. You can find Starbuch in almost every street. Contrary to good restaurants there are food chains like McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Dunkin Donuts, Subway. Somethimes they are hard to resist esspecialy when you want to eat something sweat. Only for comparison a sandwich with cheese and ham in Dunkin Donats costs 3 Dollars, and in restaurant it costs 6 dollars. In Dunkin Donats they are Dunkin sandwich that you create one removed from the refrigerator roll of yellow color, cut a reel and reel with cheese and ham inserted into a bagel or croissant, and all together in the microwave, while in café they bake eggs in front of you. Anyway, that was the one of the most interesting things there- omelet sandwich, we did not hear than anyone is making a sandwich with eggs. In fact here they literally push all in the sandwich, so I'm not much surprised. I definetly learned how to make a sandwich in 100 ways.

 

Who wants to skip the restaurant and eat well, he can buy in"gourmet food stores" ,the store that sell organic food and it is than the one you can buy in a regular supermarket or small grocery stores.

One of better places you can buy is Zabar on Upper West Side who is there since 20s last century.

They have a large selection of cheeses, and in the end of  buisiness hour they have got a sandwiches on sale.

In ordianary supermarkets which are also suplied well, they are selling "food for the masses" that churns out the big, food is atrifical and they are doing everything to make it cheaper but therefore food is unhealthy.

Of course there are exceptions everywhere, I do not want to sound too harsh, but it really has that effect. In America, it is noticeable that the poorer the federal state is.You can find more obese, which can be detected from the New York City when you go down in poorer neighborhoods.

Of all the things put in the food you can only think when some products stand out as "no antibiotics", or cheese but if you look better you can see smaller inscribed "cheese like product", or "product that looks like cheese" and immediately it is clear therefore that cost $ 1.5 and the other, real cheese $ 4. Not to mention that something called "corn syrup" is present in almost every processed food item, or in some canned beans says "vegetarian" and then try to imagine what you have in those where is not written that it is vegetarian ...

 

Another weird thing are  pharmacies, cause you can buy there almost everything. Pharmacies are open 24 hours, selling sweets, snacks, soft drinks, bread, home care. ... If you call and even drug stores for a wider range it is overdoed again.

They is a lot of "Vitamin Shop's" where you can buy all kinds of products that will help make up for the lack of this or any other minerals, vitamins and fatty acids. Proteins, capsules, energy, anti-depressants, the entire pharmaceutical industry in this kind of stores.

Buy and consume, because it is important to enter the daily antioxidants and minerals and amino acids and vitamins, and enzymes. So buying cheap bad food and then going to vitamin shop to buy additional supplements. So it is best to immediately save time and buy something worthwhile,  for a little more money (again, if you want to be healthy), but sometimes the situation can still lead to a lower price, and try not to think too much about what you eat.

Judging by the crowds in the stores that sell good food, it would seem that New Yorkers are still aware of what they are putting in thereselves, but again other stores would not exist at every corner that there are not those who buy there ...

Story:  Slobodan, Photo:  Ana Carolina

Read More