As you guys know, I recently returned home from more than two weeks in El Salvador and Honduras.

Before the trip, I communicated my intentions to several friends.  Some of them were happy for me and wished me a happy trip.  Others gave me a nervous smirk and blurted an insincere: “Cool”.  In that case the word “cool”, in conjunction with all the facial gestures, was a synonym of “What the hell are you going to do there?”  One lady even asked me why my husband was forcing me to visit his family (he is from El Salvador).  I explained I wanted to go.  With a perplexed expression, she asked me if I was scared.  I said no.

Sunset in Sukhothai

I get the situation.  When you are announcing vacations plans, it seems like everybody is expecting to hear about “dream destinations”.  I mean who doesn’t want to visit the Eiffel Tower, the Coliseum, the Parthenon or Angkor Wat.  New York, San Francisco, London and Sydney are some of the most popular cities in the world.  Others are interested in natural wonders such as the Iguazu Falls, the Alps or the Cappadocia landscape.  I would love to visit all those places.  I admit I often read about the hottest destinations or the next “it” places.  However, there is something I have learned throughout my travels.

Don’t be so quick to judge.

In this case, I am referring to judging a country, state or area for the number of appearances it makes in glossy magazines.  Or banning a place from my I-want-to-visit list because it is portrayed in the media as too dangerous.  I know better than that.

I am addressing this topic because too often I hear travelers debating if it is worth visiting a country or not.  The exact words they use are the following: “That country has nothing to offer”. Don’t think this is something I have heard from occasional travelers.  Travel bloggers, writers and experts seem to be the ones who like to make this statement more often.

I understand you may not

• Like a place after visiting
• Feel attracted by certain country
• Or are just swamped by all the places you want to visit

But what I don’t get is why there are some who advice not to waste time and money in certain places.  This is why I differ from that line of thought.

First, it is important to differentiate between the realities and offerings of a country. You cannot a say a place is “worthless” because of poverty, poor infrastructure, crime, social unrest or corruption.  A lot of the world’s most famous sights are within the limits of countries experiencing numerous problems.  The social and political situations may obscure certain wonders but you will find out how thousands get to visit every year.

Piece of graffiti addressing social issues

Another aspect is related to the beauty of this planet.  Have you noticed the gorgeous landscapes we can enjoy throughout the world?  I can’t believe there is one country in this planet that does not share some of this awesome beauty.  I have witnessed incredible splendor everywhere I have been.  I have seen it in the form of volcanoes, forests, plains, beaches and sunsets.

Izalco Volcano, El Salvador

But let’s say a country is barren and shock full of ailments.  What about the people who live there?  Are you telling me there are thousands of people who share a unique history /culture and you think they have nothing to offer you?   When I think of my best travel moments, locals are always involved.  The way they smiled or greeted me.  The food they cooked.  The stories they shared.  The things they thought me about their culture.  The time they invited me to their house.  People are the ultimate reason I travel.  I want to share laughs, conversations and points of view with them.  Because I respect them, I cannot say their country is worthless.

People depositing their offerings

You have the right to decide what places you want to visit. But if you truly love this planet and the people who live on it, please take this topic into consideration.

Don’t talk if you haven’t visited a country.

Don’t talk if you visited a country for one or two days and believe you are an expert.

Don’t talk if you only visited a region of a country.

Don’t talk if you believe everything the media says.

Don’t talk if you didn’t meet and talk to the people, the ones that really make up a country.

Lastly, spread the word if you visited an off the beaten path location and had a blast.  I have showed some photos of my recent trip to my friends and have to say they are surprised.

What is your opinion on this topic? I would love to read your comments.

Share and Enjoy

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• Upcoming Travel Plans: El Salvador and Honduras
• Featured Traveler: Mary of The World is a Book
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Sniff. Sniff.  This is my last post about my experience in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro State).

Let me first say Brazil is a country like no other.  The mix of culture, color and diversity makes it unique.  Without a doubt, it is a place that should be visited by all travel lovers.

On day 10 (last day), we were expected to leave the country around 9:00 p.m.  That is why we took a super early departing bus from Paraty.  To give you a proper idea, we left Paraty before 6:00 a.m.  We wanted to have enough time in case of an emergency.

Everything went smooth and we arrived to Rio mid-morning.  It was time for a last stroll around the Marvelous City.  We left our belongings in storage and took the bus to downtown (anyway we had to go back to the bus station to take the another bus to the airport).

We took it easy that day.  Maybe we were a little tired from the entire trip.  In perspective, we should have gotten a little bit crazy and visit Corcovado again (or went to Copacabana for the last time).  Instead, we paid a visit to the Museu de Arte Moderna (Museum of Modern Art).  The museum is housed inside a modernly designed building.  But that was the only enjoyable part of the experience (the building).  You have to be a hard core modern art lover to enjoy the exhibitions.  I found them too hard to understand (I like art but not this kind).

Museu de Arte Moderna

Park next to the Museu de Arte Moderna

We had a feijoada lunch (the country’s national dish) and did some shopping before going to the airport.  Not a bad way to end our amazing 10 days in this country.

Remember I have about 30 posts detailing my Brazilian experience.  Feel free to take a look at them if you are planning a trip.  Ok, take a look even if you are not planning a trip.  You may get some inspiration.

Corcovado

Start the visual trip right now.  Here is a summary by topic:

Rio de Janeiro (city)

• Leme
• Copacabana 1, 2
• Sugarloaf Mountain 1, 2
• Corcovado
• Cathedral
• Centro (Downtown) 1, 2
• Botanical Garden
• Lagos Rodrigo de Freitas
• Arpoador

Rio de Janeiro (state)

• Petropolis
• Paraty (Colonial Center, Island Hopping, Jeep Tour)

Planning

• The cost of traveling in Rio de Janeiro
• It is just me or is Brazil expensive?

Photos

• Exotic Flowers of Rio de Janeiro
• The Doors and Windows of Paraty

Downtown Rio de Janeiro

Hope all this helps you plan your dream trip to this fantastic part of the world.  Share the love and pass this post to friends planning their own trips.

What was your favorite part of my Brazilian adventure? Let me know in the comments section below.

Share and Enjoy

You might also like:

• Cost of Traveling in Rio de Janeiro
• Brazil’s Dusty Azurre: Day 7 (Scene 1)
• Brazil’s Dusty Azure: Day 4

This post is part of a weekly feature called Discovery of the Week. By discovery, I mean a place, a custom or dish that is not widely known. See, I love to read travel magazines, websites and books. Very often, I find beautiful and interesting gems that not a lot of people seem to know about. That is why I thought about introducing this feature because I am sure it will expose a lot of astonishing places. Additionally, I enjoy learning about the many amazing places in the world. I believe my readers also enjoy this activity.

******

This week discovery: Ikaria

Where it is located: Greece

What it is: An island in the Aegean sea located 10 nautical miles southwest of Samos (another island close to the port of Kusadasi, Turkey).

Ikaria and the surrounding sea, got its name from the ancient Greek myth about Ikaros, the boy who was the first aviator in the world.  This was one of my favorite myths when I was a kid.

The story goes that Daedalus, the father of Ikaros, was a skilled Athenian craftsman who was hired by the King of Crete to build his palace. He also built the famous Labyrinth, which held the Minotaur. Daedalus married a slave woman who gave birth to his son Ikaros. When Daedalus and Ikaros tried to leave Crete, the King sent them to prison. This is when Daedalus decided to make wings of feathers and wax. Once the wings were ready Daedalus told Ikaros not to go too close to the sun because the wax could melt. They took off, but Ikaros did not hear his father and when they were above Ikaria, Ikaros flew too close to the sun while playing and the wax melted. He fell to his doom into the sea, now called the Ikarian sea, and Hercules, who happened to see it while he was on the island, dragged Ikaros out of the sea and buried him on the island. This is the myth of how the island Ikaria was named.

This week, I was reading an article about the secrets (or factors) that have made this island a Blue Zone.  A Blue Zone is a place where the population regularly lives to an advanced age.  Ikaria is one of the five places in the world who have gained this distinction.  One in three Ikarians reaches at least 90.  They suffer 50 percent less heart disease than Americans.  Old people are an integral part of the community (no dementia in here).  The secret to live a long life?  They eat copious amounts of greens and drink goat milk and wine.  They also consume raw honey and herbal teas.  Maybe it is time to learn a little bit from the Ikarians.

Seychelles Beach, it is called like this because the rocks resemble the famous islands in the Indian Ocean.

Beautiful natural pool

Seychelles Beach

Small church in front of the sea

Town

Chilling in blue waters

Did you know about Ikaria? Let me know int he comments section below.

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• Discovery of the Week: Kastelorizo, Greece
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Let’s say you are visiting San Francisco and for some reason you have the desire to visit an aquarium.  You may be in the city with kids, you may want to do something different or you may have an interest for underwater creatures.  Or maybe a rainy day limited your sightseeing options.

In that case, where to go?

You have two options, the Aquarium of the Bay or the Steinhart Aquarium. But which one is better?

Today is your lucky day because I am here to give you my opinion on both places.  During my first visit to the city by the bay, I bought a City Pass.  The pass included admission to both aquariums.

Here are my general thought and advice regarding both places.

Steinhart Aquarium

Location: Inside (or integral part) of the Academy of Sciences.

Feather like coral

If I were you, I will pick this aquarium.  Why?  The exhibitions are fabulous and there are tons of exotic creatures.  Because it is part of the Academy of Sciences, you have the opportunity to check their other awesome displays.  I mean you can visit a rainforest, aquarium, planetarium, museum, living roof and many others in one place.  This is one of the top sights in San Francisco and it is totally worthwhile.

However, if you visit, take into considerations the following facts:

• The admission price is $29.95 for adults and $19.95 for kids.  These prices can be hefty if you have a big family.  Remember, you can save using discounts or a City Pass.
• To get the most bang for your buck, you have to turn this visit into an entire day affair.  This may not fit your travel plans.
• The Academy of Sciences is located in the Golden Gate Park.  If you have a car, you will have to pay for parking.  If you are relying on public transportation, take into consideration that you need to take two buses to reach the place from downtown.  The entire trip takes 45 to 60 minutes one way.
• The food inside the Academy is overpriced and with a generic flavor.  There are not a lot of eating options in the area.
• Ideal for a rainy day.  Check weather during your visit.  I messed up and did the Academy on a sunny day.  Then, I wasn’t able to have a good look at the Golden Gate Bridge because of fog.

Here are some pictures of the aquarium:

Jellyfish

Anemone

The rare nautilus

Tropical underwater scene

Claude, the famous albino alligator

Claude is the symbol of the Academy.

Colorful mollusks

Aquarium of the Bay

Location:  Next to Pier 39

Tropical corals and fish

I don’t want to be negative but I don’t think this is “must” or “advisable” thing to do.  Adults pay $16.95 (kids $10.00) to get in.  Ok, in theory, it is cheaper than what you pay at the Academy of Sciences.  However, the exhibitions and offerings are very limited (and I didn’t even paid full price).

You can see the place in 1 or 2 hours because there is not a lot to see.  Maybe I am biased because I visited the Steinhart Aquarium first. You get good information about the species living at the bay and see a lot of interesting creatures but I don’t feel the offering is strong enough to justify the price.  Of course, I am not expecting to get well priced offerings in downtown San Francisco.

Let me say I still liked the place.  My favorite part was a video showing how intelligent octopuses are.  Weird but fascinating.

Anyway, you may want to visit because of several reasons:

• You have discounted tickets.
• You don’t want to travel with kids to the other side of town (this one is in downtown).
• You don’t have a lot of time.
• You are really bored.

Here are some pictures:

Almost transparent jellyfish

Brightly colored jellyfish

Tunnel

Chinchilla

Additional advice:  There is no reason to visit the Aquarium of the Bay if you visited the Steinhart Aquarium.

Have you visited one of these aquariums?  What is your advice? Let me know in the comments section below.

Share and Enjoy

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What happens when a Puerto Rican is surrounded by dozens of Salvadorans?  Well, being as nice as they are, they make sure you taste some of the culinary offerings of the country.  I am not even sure why I am using the term “culinary”.  They will offer you some delicious typical dishes (that’s a given).  But they will also make sure you taste some of the exotic fruits they enjoy on a daily basis (which are not exotic to them).

Last month, when I visited I was the only foreigner among a sea of locals.  Believe me, they made sure I tried a lot of fruits.  Here are some of the ones I have never tried before (even though I have visited Central America more than 10 times).

Mammee Apple

Mammee Apple or Salvadoran Mamey

This is what Salvadorans know as mamey.  Don’t get confused.  For Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and other Latin Americans, mamey is a different fruit (Pouteria sapota which Salvadorans call sapote).  This is an evergreen tree native to tropical South America.  To my surprise, this fruit is closely related to the mangosteen (which I love).

My husband insisted that I had to try the mamey.  The second day we were in the country; we went to the market and got three of the fruits.  Ohhh, it was delicious.  I can eat and eat this all day.  Try it if you have the opportunity. A piece of advice: it is difficult to “peel” this fruit.  You may need to ask for help.

Other names: mammee, mamey, mamey apple, Santo Domingo apricot or South American apricot.

Interesting fact:  The Kolashampan, which many consider El Salvador’s national drink, has a mammee apple flavor.

Carao

Carao

This fruit is similar in many ways to carob, except that the carao tree only grows in Central America and Hawaii. Carao is similar to both carob fruit and sugar cane molasses in its taste and its anti-anemic properties. It is usually used to flavor milk, called leche con carao, and can be used in any number of recipes that call for milk.

We found carao at a local supermarket and my husband bought a pound.  His mom prepared it with milk.  I had to pass on this one.  The smell was horrible.  No wonder it is similar to carob.

Other names: Cañandonga, caña fístula cimarrona

Interesting fact:  A carao concentrate is sold for its medicinal purposes (it is quite expensive).

Chaparron

Chaparron

This fruit is not popular or sold in the markets.  It was introduced to us by one of the guides at El Impossible National Park.  We saw tons of bushels while hiking around the park.  My husband and one of his friends picked tons of berries to eat during the walks.  It has a sweet and pleasant flavor.  I can see myself eating it on a regular basis.

Interesting fact:  Be careful if you use the word “chaparron”.  The word is also used to describe a type of moonshine made in the country.

Marañón

Maranon (Cashew Fruit)

Cashews nuts are famous (and yummy).  I am sure you don’t have a problem recognizing them.  But, do you know the fruit is eaten and used in juices and sauces? When we visited El Salvador, it was cashew season.  The fruit was available at every corner.  A friend asked me if I have ever tasted the fruit.  For some reason, I said no even though I have tried it before (memory loss?).  The flavor is strong and acidic.  I didn’t really like it.  In Portuguese, the fruit is known as caju (super catchy word I cannot stop saying).

Interesting fact:  When eating cashew fruit, don’t let the liquid get to your clothes.  Locals affirm it produces stains that would ruin any textile (nothing removes the stain)

Another interesting fact:  It is very difficult to release the cashew nut from its shell.  In industrial settings, heavy machinery is used to open the shell.  In El Salvador, people roast the nut in an open fire.  After certain time (they know when is ready), it is easy to remove the shell. I had some prepared and they tasted delicious.  Naturally roasted cashews.  I can’t believe I had the amazing opportunity to try them.

Roasted Cashew Seeds

Jocote

Jocotes

This is one of the most popular fruits in El Salvador.  The jocote is a species of flowering plant in the cashew family that is native to tropical regions of the Americas. The name derives from the Nahuatl word xocotl, meaning “fruit.”  The flavor is acidic.

One typical dish in Salvadoran cuisine consists of a syrup made of unrefined whole cane sugar (panela or piloncillo), jocote and mango.

Other names: Red Mombin, Purple Mombin, Hog Plum, Sineguela, and Siriguela

Marañon Japonés

Pomarrosa or Maranon Japones

In here, I am using the names Salvadorans give to the fruits.  This one is known as Japanese Marañon.  I have no idea how they came up with that name.  In Puerto Rico, we know this fruit as pomarrosa.  Its widely accepted name is Malay apple.  I have actually tried it in Thailand. It has a pleasant and refreshing flavor.  This is another one I like a lot.

Manzana Rosa

Manzana Rosa or Rose Apple

This one is closely related to the pomarrosa.  It is even known by that name on some countries.  Its general name is rose apple.  We were also introduced to this fruit at El Imposible National Park.  To me, it has a lemony flavor and smell (which is weird).

Interesting fact:  Salvadorans have a vulgar name for this fruit.  They call it manzana pedorra or fart apple.  I am not kidding.  They call it like that.

Paterna

Paterna

Let me first say this is not a fruit.  It is a pod holding a row of “beans” which are coated by a fluffy, light and sweet substance that resembles a marshmallow pocket. When you have the fresh pod, you only consume the white covering.  Kids love to munch on this.  You cannot eat the remaining green beans because they are hard as a rock. They must be boiled until they are soft, and can then be consumed with salt and lime. Nothing is wasted in this country.

Paterna - white cover and green "beans"

Well, what do you think of all these variety?  Fascinating, right?

Even though I felt like a guinea pig sometimes, I was glad I had the opportunity to try all these (except the carao, yuck).

How many of these have you tried?  Let me know in the comments section below.

Share and Enjoy

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After visiting the Pedra Blanca Waterfall, Tarzan’s Pool and the marmosets, we moved on in order to have a taste of hacienda life.  I am referring to a hacienda involved in the cachaca production several years ago (they still make some).

The place is filled with exhibitions.  You can appreciate the following:

-          Remains of old machinery

-          Antiques used during colonial times

-          Rooms furnished as they were 100 years ago

-          Ingredients used in meals

-          Large pots where cachaca was stored

Hacienda

Pots where cachaca was made

You can also sample different cachaca types.  They have white, aged and fruit infused varieties.  This being Brazil, it is interesting to see passion fruit flavored cachaca.  They even have some varieties made with local (exotic) fruits whose names I have never heard in my life.

Hacienda food exhibition

They have coffee too.  I am not a coffee connoisseur.  I started to drink java when I got married some years ago (thanks to my husband).  Well, I don’t have the ability to distinguish between good or bad, weak or strong coffee.  For me, all cups of coffee were created equal (it has to be really bad for me to cringe).  But the coffee in this place was different.  It didn’t even taste like it.  The flavor was smooth with a touch of natural sugar (caramel like).  The roast was light.  I could have drunk it black but dark, cane sugar was available to sweeten it.  This addition made the drink more delicious.  My husband asked where they were selling the coffee.  A lady responded their brew wasn’t for sale.  All the people on the room almost fainted.  It was something you had at that moment.  Something you have to go to Brazil to taste.

Lady preparing coffee

Cane sugar used to sweeten coffee

Coffee and sugar

After the hacienda, it was time to eat.  We went to a restaurant called Villa Verde.  To reach the place, you have to cross a swinging bridge (very similar to the ones Costa Rica is known for).

Bridge connecting to the restaurant

This place is the ideal to eat because you don’t get isolated from nature.  The tables and chairs are in an open air terrace.  The kitchen is open too so you can see the chefs at work.

Restaurant's Kitchen

Anyway, who wants to stare at a chef when there are tons of trees and birds surrounding you?  Take a look at some of the technicolor birds I saw while waiting for lunch.

Blue Bird

Bird eating fruit

Colorful birds eating fruit

I had to take a bird watching break to enjoy my delicious lunch.

Lunch

After the meal, we had enough time to walk around the restaurant grounds.  Such a beautiful area!!

It was time to go to another waterfall.  We stopped near a town called Penha.  The word Penha means rock.  The town gets its name because of a church built over a huge boulder.  If you are a Christian, I am sure you get the entire concept.

Penha Church

After walking a little bit thru the forest we arrived at Cachoeira do Toboga or Slide Waterfall.  It looks like this area if full of enormous boulders.

Water falls over a huge rock creating a big and slippery slide.  We had so much fun in here.  Maybe I should say the guys had too much in here. They slide and slide like little kids.

Slide Fall (Cachoeira do Toboga)

There were signs prohibiting rock surfing.  This is sliding down the rock while standing.  Of course, everywhere I go, it is like guides are exempt of the rules.

Surfing the rock (Cachoeira do Toboga)

The day was finished by visiting a cachaca distillery and a bromeliad exhibition.  I am not sure how all those experiences were packed into a day.  We return to Paraty at night.  I hugged and kissed good bye my guide.  We made dinner plans with the other tour members.

This was one of the greatest days I had in Brazil.  I would never forget it.

What did you do in one of your most memorable travel days? Let me know in the comments section below.

Share and Enjoy

You might also like:

• Brazil’s Dusty Azurre: Day 9 (Scene 1)
• Brazil’s Dusty Azurre: Day 10
• Brazil’s Dusty Azurre: Day 8 (Scene 2)

This post is part of a weekly feature called Discovery of the Week. By discovery, I mean a place, a custom or dish that is not widely known. See, I love to read travel magazines, websites and books. Very often, I find beautiful and interesting gems that not a lot of people seem to know about. That is why I thought about introducing this feature because I am sure it will expose a lot of astonishing places. Additionally, I enjoy learning about the many amazing places in the world. I believe my readers also enjoy this activity.

**************

Discovery of the Week: Marmahon

What it is: Like couscous, marmahon is a form of pasta made of hard wheat formed into grains or beads.  But do not get confused, couscous is tiny when compared to marmahon which is often known as pearl couscous.  The pearl shape is indigenous to Lebanon and Jordan.  My research shows this grain is also popular in Palestine.  Marmahon is also known as maftoul.  Use this second name if you want to find out more information about it.

To clear up any confusion, take a look at the next photo.  The tiny grains are called couscous.  The medium size grains are called marmahon or maftoul.  The big grains are known as moghrabieh.  All of these are usually boiled or used in soups and stews like regular pastas.  They are used in salads too.

Couscous and Marmahon

Now, how on earth are marmahon and Honduras related? Arabic Christians began to emigrate from Palestine to Latin America at the end of the 19^th century.  A lot of them got established in Honduras due to the god deals the government was offering to foreign investors.  It is estimated that 200,000 people in the country are of Palestinian descent.  Arabic culture is at its strongest in San Pedro Sula, which is home to an Orthodox Christian church and the Centro Social Hondureño Arabe (Honduran Arabic Social Center).  Those are the reasons why the marmahon and other Middle Eastern dishes are so popular in Honduras.

A friend of mine asked me to bring her some marmahon from Honduras.  We stopped in a supermarket in San Pedro Sula and grabbed 4 bags before heading to the airport.

Nassar, one of the most popular marmahon brands in Honduras.

She used the marmahon to produce the next dish.

Marmahon and Chicken Stew

Marmahon and Chicken Stew

It is a thick stew with chicken, carrots, celery and a type of squash.  It was absolutely delicious!!! Now, we are checking Middle Eastern markets to see if we can get some more marmahon (you don’t have to go so far.  In the U.S., stores like Whole Foods sell it.  I even saw it at Big Lots the other day).

So, if you visit Honduras, try to eat a good plate of marmahon with chicken.  You will be indulging in one of the country’s most beloved dishes.

I have put together other sites where you can find marmahon (maftoul) recipes.

Curried Maftoul Salad with Butternut Squash

www.mideats.com

Curried Maftoul Salad with Butternut Squash

Curried Maftoul with Broccoli

www.vegobsession.com

Curried Maftoul with Broccoli

Maftoul and Lentil Salad with Spinach and Grilled Halloumi

www.indulgedevour.com

Maftoul and Lentil Salad with Spinach and Grilled Halloumi

Have you tried marmahon? Let me know in the comments section below.

Share and Enjoy

You might also like:

• Upcoming Travel Plans: El Salvador and Honduras
• Know Your World – Honduras

I have no problem admitting it.

When I visited San Francisco, I checked out all the touristy spots.  And you know what?  I loved them.

What can you expect of a person visiting for the first time?

These places were crowded and noisy. It was difficult to walk.  People were proposing crazy things to get their hands over my Alcatraz tickets.  Then, there was the occasional naked guy passing by at lighting speed while riding a bike (San Francisco fans, you know what I am talking about).

It was chaotic and crazy.  The multitude was trying to get the most of the last week of the year.

But there was something fabulous about all this urban madness.  Most of the time, we were surrounded by food.  Simple, involved or sophisticated.  There was something for every palate in the crowd.

Let me show you what I am talking about.

We started by visiting the Ferry Building Marketplace.  This is a place where local farmers, artisan producers and independently owned food businesses gather.  It has been described to me as the ultimate foodie destination.  Of course, I am always a little hesitant to visit overhyped places (I am looking at you L.A. Farmers Market).

Ferry Building Marketplace

First, I have to say the place is gorgeous and gives you that cozy, warm feeling (even though it’s freezing outside).  Then, the samples start to pile in.    At that moment, a problem starts to develop.  Everything is so delicious that you don’t know where to eat or what to buy.

Cowgirl Creamery

My husband’s eyes caught a glimpse of the Hog Island Oyster Company.  He convinced me to go even though 1) I don’t like oysters 2) the line was insanely long.  And I say that with pain.  Well, I have to say things went better than expected.  We were visiting during happy hour time so certain oysters were half off (my husband ordered those), we moved pretty quickly on the line because we agreed to sit outside and I was able to order a clam chowder.  This was chowder with clams and shells included.  Everything was pretty tasty. Thumbs up for this place.

Oysters at Hog Island Oyster Company

Clam Chowder at Hog Island Oyster Company

We were so hooked with the Ferry Building that we returned next day to have a quick lunch before visiting Alcatraz.  We decided to eat at Out the Door.  This is a small shop selling Vietnamese cuisine from a casual counter.  It is the creation of a recognized chef (of Slanted Door fame).

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the next two pictures.  My husband ordered the Shrimp and Noodles.  I ordered the Hoi An Meatball Sandwich.  Both dishes were out of this world.  Period.  If you enjoy good food, try to eat here.  Note: The lemonade was awesome too.

Shrimp and noodles from Out the Door

Hoi An Meatball Sandwich from Out the Door

That evening, after Alcatraz, we explored Pier 39 (where the sea lions are located!!!).  After walking around, we decided to eat at Pier Market.

Pier Market in Pier 39

My husband had the Seafood Jambalaya.

Jambalaya at Pier Market

I had the Crab Cakes.

Crab Cakes

Verdict:  The food was so-so.  I wouldn’t recommend it.  I enjoyed the meal because I was super hungry.  Let me know if you know a good place in this area.

On a different day, we visited the famous Fisherman’s Wharf.  This place is heaven for seafood lovers (like me).  Or should I say a paradise for crab lovers?

Dungeness Crab

Crab Salad Sandwiches

In here, I felt like a kid in a candy shop.  I didn’t know what to choose.  Everything looked so delicious.  The best part is that there are some items at good prices.  You have the opportunity to try something in here.  There are various options under $10.

Removing meat from crabs

Cleaning oysters

We went here like three times (just to snack ;0)).  One time I ordered a cup full of Dungeness Crab and Shrimp.  It was my first time trying this type of crab.  So sad to say this is not my favorite type of crab.  I felt it too bland.

Shrimp and Dungenes Crab

My husband ordered more oysters.  He almost lost some to seagulls!!! Those seagulls were an aggressive bunch.  They even attacked us by the back.  Thank God my ninja moves scared them away when they were about to snatch an oyster.

At another occasion, we had a bread bowl with lobster bisque.  Delicious!!

Oysters

We really enjoyed our time eating in San Francisco (check what we ate in Chinatown).  We will go back in a second just for the food.  Remember to try at least one of the candies sold throughout the city.  Don’t worry, they are sold at all the touristy places mentioned above. Yum!!!

Candies

Have you visited these touristy spots?  What are your food recommendations? Let me know in the comments section below.

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After getting closer to Paraty’s gorgeous islands and beaches (see them here and here), it was time to discover the other side of this coastal town.

Paraty is located at an incredible stretch of land between the sea and a mountain range.  Those mountains popping in the back of town are part of the Serra do Mar (Mountain Range of the Sea).  This is a 1,500 km long system of mountain ranges which runs parallel to the Atlantic Ocean.  The highest peaks can be found in the Rio de Janeiro State.

The Serra do Mar is a highly biodiverse area covered in tropical rainforest better known as Mata Atlantica (Atlantic Forest) in Brazil.  Urbanization and deforestation (Brazil’s biggest cities, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, are located close to Serra do Mar) have almost destroyed the rainforest ecosystem.  What is left of the Mata Atlantica is protected as state parks, ecological states and biological reserves.  Even the UNESCO has declared some stretches a World Heritage Site.

One of the national parks protecting the Serra do Mar, and located close to Paraty, is called Serra da Bocaina.  We booked a jeep tour with Paraty Tours in order to explore some of the natural wonders this area has to offer.  This decision was a good one since we had a fantastic day exploring waterfalls and the cultural heritage of the surrounding villages.

Our first stop was at a Gold Trail Marker.  As I have discussed in other posts, Paraty was once an important gold port.  It was the end of the infamous “Gold Trail”. At the end of the 1600s, gold was discovered in what is today the Minas Gerais state. A road was built to connect the town of Diamantina (in Minas Gerias) with Paraty. After arriving to Paraty, the gold was later transported to Rio de Janeiro or Portugal.  On our tour, we were able to take a look at part of the trail and take a glimpse of the past.

Gold Trail Mark

Then, it was time to do a little trekking to reach the Pedra Blanca (White Rock) Waterfall.  The waterfall is indeed lovely.  The surroundings are awesome.  But don’t let me make these calls.  I love waterfalls.

Path to Pedra Blanca Waterfall

Pedra Blanca Waterfall

Another perspective of Pedra Blanca Waterfall

The stop at the waterfall proved one thing.  We were in a wild region.  I mean, we saw so many “new species” of trees and flowers.  I say “new” because we have traveled a lot through the North American continent.  The tropics of South America were a new world to us.  I had so many questions.  What is this and that?  Our fantastic guide gave us a lot of information about the flora.  He pointed what was edible, what was used for medicinal purposes and even what was used for painting.  Ohh, and did I mention we were surrounded by tons of colorful birds?

Interesting leaves

Yellow flower

Natural paint

We then moved to Tarzan’s Pool.  This is a shallow pool formed by a river.  They call it Tarzan’s Pool because there are some ropes where you can swing between the trees.  You can let yourself go if you want (over the pool, of course).  We had so much fun swinging over the water.

Tarzan Pool

Tarzan Pool

Tarzan Pool Area

When we were walking to our next stop, we encountered a group of marmosets resting over a branch.  We played with them for some minutes.  There were some babies in the group.  Marmosets may not be considered one of the cutest members of the primate family but I was so happy to see them.  I always get a high when I can see animals in the wild.

Marmosets at Serra da Bocaina National Park

More marmosets

There is much more coming about my day in the Serra da Bocaina.  Stay Tuned.

Have you visited the Serra do Mar?  Let me know in the comments section below.

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This post is part of a weekly feature called Discovery of the Week. By discovery, I mean a place, a custom or dish that is not widely known. See, I love to read travel magazines, websites and books. Very often, I find beautiful and interesting gems that not a lot of people seem to know about. That is why I thought about introducing this feature because I am sure it will expose a lot of astonishing places. Additionally, I enjoy learning about the many amazing places in the world. I believe my readers also enjoy this activity.

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Discovery of the Week: San Andres

Where it is located: 140 miles off the coast of Nicaragua in the Caribbean Sea. Even though it is close to Nicaragua, it is part of Colombia since 1822.

What it is: A coral island which forms a department of Colombia with the nearby islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina.

I have known of San Andres for a long time.  However, the island came to my attention a couple of months ago when I read an incredible story involving a Puerto Rican fisherman.  This guy, as usual, was fishing in the west coast of Puerto Rico.  His motor died and he encountered himself in open sea.  His family reported his disappearance but the Coast Guard couldn’t find him.  He was declared dead.  The incredible part of the story is that he was found more than 20 days later in San Andres. The current took him there.  We are talking about more than 1,000 miles.  The fisherman survived by drinking rainwater and, you bet, fishing to fill his belly a little bit.

But we are here to talk about San Andres.  This paradisiacal island was initially settled by English puritans.  Spaniards and Dutch tried to gain control over the islands without success.  In the 18^th century, the Spaniards spread Catholicism thru the island.  At the start of the 19^th century, the island inhabitants requested to depend on the Viceroy of New Granada (part of the Spanish crown).  Later, the island was occupied by Simon Bolivar’s independent forces and it became part of Colombia.

Another interesting part of the island’s history is its nexus to pirates.  At one time, Henry Morgan used it as the center of its operations.

Today, the archipelago formed by San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina in addition to part of the Caribbean Sea, have been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The islands are very popular because of its perfect beaches, rich culture, excellent water sports, diving and ecotourism.

For more information on how to plan a trip to the islands, check out Colombia’s Official Travel Guide.

Here are some photos so you can take a further look at San Andres.

Boat and Turquoise Sea

Incredible Beach

Incredible colors

Paradise

Tropical Beauty

Did you know about San Andres? Let me know in the comments section below.

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