Ybor City, pronounced 'e bore,' is a historic neighborhood located northeast of downtown Tampa, Florida, in the United States. Once known as the 'Cigar Capital of the World,' it holds the distinction of being a designated National Historic Landmark District. This vibrant area is renowned for its historic architecture, lively nightlife, and diverse range of restaurants.
During our stay in Tampa, we stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa/Ybor City/Downtown, conveniently situated at the west end of the Ybor City historic district on E 7th Avenue. This prime location provided us with ample opportunities and excuses to explore the charm of Ybor City. Upon our arrival on an early Saturday evening, we ventured out to the historic district after a brief rainfall.
The street
As we strolled along E 7th Avenue, the main street of Ybor City, we were captivated by the sight of brick buildings adorned with wrought-iron balconies. The street exuded an unmistakable atmosphere with its bustling cigar stores on the south side, where patrons leisurely sat in chairs outside, indulging in cigars. As we walked by, we were enveloped in the aroma of cigars, occasionally mixed with the scent of marijuana.
Palm trees along E 7th Avenue
Cigar stores with smokers siting in the front
Window shopping at a Cigar Store
Food and restaurants
Ybor City boasts a diverse culinary scene, with numerous bars, nightclubs, and restaurants to choose from. Our initial choice for dinner, Bernini of Ybor, unfortunately had a long wait, with eager diners spilling onto the sidewalk. Our second option, La Terrazza, also had a substantial wait time. Eventually, we settled on Carmine's, another delightful Italian restaurant.
For lunch on Monday, before attending our conference registration, we treated ourselves to a Spanish culinary experience at the esteemed Columbia Restaurant. This historic, high-end establishment featured two stories of elegantly set dining tables adorned with white tablecloths. Our table was attended to by an elderly gentleman who provided formal, courteous, and professional service. We indulged in a shared appetizer of Ybor Devil Crab, followed by two delectable entrees: Paella and Champions Rellenos. The fresh and flavorful paella, although taking 30 minutes to prepare, proved to be well worth the wait.
The dinning hall at Columnia
Paella
Given the limited dining options in downtown Tampa, we returned to Ybor City for dinner on both Thursday and Friday. On Thursday evening, Bernini had plenty of available tables, and we enjoyed a satisfying meal featuring crispy duck and shrimp Florentine. On Friday evening, prior to departing for the airport, we ventured back to Ybor City from Tampa to dine at Rasoi Indian Cuisine on 8th Avenue, just north of 7th Avenue. Once again, we shared delightful dishes, including Lamb Rogan Josh, Vegetable Biryani, and Lacha Paratha.
Miscellaneous
In addition to the vibrant culinary scene, I also had some unique observations. Notably, on Saturday night, I noticed many individuals, particularly African Americans, elegantly dressed for their visits to bars, nightclubs, or dinners. Men donned shirts, while women wore stylish dresses, enhancing the vibrant atmosphere of the area.
Adjacent to our hotel, there was a pride club that appeared relatively quiet on Saturday night when we passed by around 9:30 PM. However, on Friday evening, the night of our departure, we observed a line of patrons outside the night club, predominantly consisting of females.
While Ybor City is approximately one mile north of downtown, it is not the most convenient walking distance. Fortunately, a trolley service, known as the streetcar, regularly connects downtown Tampa to Ybor City, operating from early morning until late at night, every day, and free of charge.
In fact, we made excellent use of this service on our final day in Tampa. After checking out of our hotel at noon and leaving our rental car in the hotel parking garage, we hopped on the streetcar to downtown. Our destination was the aquarium and a delightful dolphin cruise along the waterfront. The streetcar provided a convenient and hassle-free mode of transportation.
As the day came to a close, we returned to Ybor City in the evening and decided to indulge in a delicious dinner at Rasoi before heading to the airport. This plan worked out seamlessly, allowing us to savor one last memorable meal before concluding our trip. The streetcar service was a convenient and efficient way to explore different parts of Tampa, and it greatly enhanced our experience of the city.
The streetcar station at convention center is well decorated
Streetcar station at 13th street/7th street is primitive
A old man was playing instrument and joking with passengers on our Friday ride to downtown
On our way back from a technical conference in Tampa, Florida, we found ourselves with an 8-hour layover in Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland. Rather than spending the entire time at the airport, my young colleague Ian and I decided to make the most of it by visiting Zurich's old town for a few hours. Prior to our trip, we did our homework: 1) Switzerland didn't require a visa for us to visit, which was convenient; 2) We discovered that there was a train connecting Zurich airport to the old town, with a quick 15-minute journey between the airport and Zurich HB station, where the old town is located; 3) Sunset wasn't until 9 PM, and our flight had landed at 3:30 PM, so we had plenty of daylight hours to explore Zurich's charming old town.
During our sightseeing adventure, I was pleasantly surprised when Ian noticed me frequently setting aside my carry-on to take pictures and kindly offered to help me carry it.
Our time in Zurich's old town was delightful, and I share with you a photo journal of our short but memorable excursion.
train station at Zurich Airport
Zurich HB - major train station. The security check was surprisingly loose but we did see police carrying machine guns around
light rails are the main public transportation at Zurich Oldtown
River Sihl which merges with River Limmat at Zurich, the water is crystal clear
River Limmat originates from Zurichsee (Lake Zurich) - the river is clean and crystal clear. Major business district and several churches lined along the downtown portion of the river bank
Lake Zurich - which is considered to be an inland see - it has an extreme length of 30km, and max width 4km, an habitat for many water fowls
Narrow side streets
Unique tables at a café
A couple enjoying the afternoon with wine and cigarettes at a boat pier by River Limmat. Smoking is very common here, like many other places in Europe, and there is no outdoor designated smoking area. The city is clean except the litter of cigarette butts
St. Peters Cathedral is one of the three churches along River Limmat at old town
Kirche Fraumünster - Church Fraumunster. Elegant church with a delicate, copper-topped spire,
a crypt museum & stained glass by Marc Chagall
Grossmünster - A protestant Church
View of the old town from a bridge over Limmat
We could not resist to feel the water
An outdoor dinning area of a restaurant
On the way back to train station we encountered a quiet march by Ukrainians
We walked back to the train station along the streets
downstream side of the River Limmat
Another view of the upstream of River Limmat
Find the train station was easy
Find the terminal for the train back to Airport required a bit effort. There is no English signs, all in Swiss German. But the locals were very help and speak good English. A young woman saw us befuddled by all the sign in German, volunteered to help and told us Flughhafen is airport - of course there is airplane figure by it :)
Note:
This is the 7th European country I visited:
1) Luxenberg and Belgium ( a business trip, prior the start of my blog)
Among the myriad of fascinating creatures found in the Botanic Garden, our attention was captivated by a family of fantails yesterday, which are pretty common, small insectivorous songbirds known for their distinctive appearance in its tails. Native to Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent, these are delightful birds.
Yesterday, as luck would have it, we stumbled upon a nest on the stem of a big plant, housing these feathered beauties during our visit to Foliage Garden at the Botanic Garden. Regrettably, all we had at the time was a cellphone to capture the moment. Determined to capture their enchanting presence in all its elegancy, we returned this evening armed with my trusty big camera. To our delight, within a mere five minutes, our patience and perseverance were rewarded as we witnessed a heartwarming sight: both parents diligently feeding butterflies to their hungry chicks.
The scene unfolded before our eyes, a testament to the wonders of nature's intricate cycles and the remarkable dedication of these nurturing avian parents. With each delicate flutter of their wings and melodious chirp, the fantails painted a picture of harmony and grace, reminding us of the precious connections that exist within the natural world.
As we savored these beautiful moments, the camera lens captured the intricate details of their plumage and the tender interactions between the parents and their offspring. It was a sight to behold, filled with tenderness and a profound appreciation of nature. It serves as a gentle reminder of the hidden treasures that await us when we take the time to immerse ourselves in the beauty and tranquility of nature.
Lettuce Lake, located north of Tampa, Florida, is a picturesque waterway formed by a bend of the Hillsborough River, surrounded by lush wetlands. It was on a sunny morning, Sunday, May 14th, 2023, the day before a technical conference in Tampa, that my colleague Ian and I embarked on a memorable canoeing adventure.
As we arrived, the gentle breeze added a touch of serenity to the already beautiful day. After a slight struggle to release a canoe from its rack, we finally managed to bring it to the riverbank. Eager to capture the moment, we posed for a few photos before carefully launching the canoe into the shallow water of the gently sloping riverbed. Ian took his place at the front of the canoe, while I settled in at the back. With a gentle back and forth motion from me, the canoe gracefully floated onto the lake, and we began our paddle, heading upstream to the right.
On our journey, we were first greeted by the sight of elegant egrets gracefully wading on the left side of the river, while a few curious limpkins lingered on the right, not far from us. To enjoy a closer encounter with the wildlife, we paddled close to the shoreline, taking in the fascinating diversity of creatures both in and around the water. It wasn't long before we reached the observation tower, where we turned right and ventured into a swampy area. Our first encounters were with a few timid limpkins who stepped away as we approached. Soon after, we marveled at a gathering of egrets and herons standing in the shallows. As we tried to paddle a bit further, the canoe's bottom gently brushed against the riverbed, prompting us to backtrack and return to the main river stream.
Lettuce Lake/Hillsborough River
at launching point
Egret
Limpkin
From the water's surface, we had a much more intimate and unobstructed view of the waterfowl compared to those observing from the tower. Excitement filled the air when we spotted a moving object in the river, which turned out to be an alligator! This was the first of many thrilling encounters with these fearsome creatures. Most of the alligators we encountered were juveniles, relatively small in size, and typically swam away as we approached, seeking refuge. Due to the sunlight reflecting on the water, I could usually only catch a glimpse of their heads, but on one occasion, I was fortunate to witness a full-bodied alligator swimming parallel to the canoe. Ian, positioned at the front, had a clearer view and could observe the alligators directly beneath him.
limpkins
egrets and herons
In our attempt to approach a couple of larger alligators, they initially swam away and then disappeared beneath the water's surface. Continuing our journey, hugging the upstream shoreline, we delighted in the sight of turtles and fish in the water along the way. The larger fish swiftly darted away, leaving behind a cloud of stirred-up mud, while the turtles scurried off in their own unique manner.
An allegator
An image of an alligator - head above water, body submersed
A small alligator near the bow of our canoe
We got real close to this alligator - the object at lower right corner of the photo is the bow of the canoe
our paddling trail - red curve for the upstream paddling and yellow for downstream
As the river narrowed, its flow became swifter, creating a shallow passage. Sensing the need to turn back, we allowed the current to carry the canoe downstream. At this point, we turned right once more, navigating into a tranquil cove. The water here was nearly motionless, providing a serene habitat for numerous egrets and herons. Among them, we spotted the elegant roseate spoonbills, gracefully searching for their meals in the calm waters. It was in this peaceful setting that we allowed our canoe to gently drift, immersing ourselves in the surrounding beauty. The scene was further enhanced by the arrival of a tricolor heron, captivating us with its remarkable fishing prowess.
We also witnessed ospreys diving for fishes a couple times.
As our time on the water drew to a close, we paddled back to the canoe docking area, where we were greeted by the familiar presence of the charming limpkins. Some of them stood gracefully on land, while one remained in the water, skillfully catching its prey. Our attention was quickly captured by the emergence of an alligator from the depths, adding an extra touch of excitement to the scene. Nearby, a family of three—a young couple and their daughter—prepared to embark on their own canoeing adventure. Taking a moment to connect with them, I engaged in a brief conversation, expressing my awe at the beauty of the surroundings and the abundance of wildlife we had encountered. Upon reaching the shore, to my surprise and gratitude, the father kindly helped pull our canoe all the way onto the land, saving me the trouble of removing my running shoes.
Reflecting on the entire experience, I found immense joy and fulfillment in our canoeing expedition. For Ian, who embarked on his first canoeing adventure, the thrill and wonderment were evident in his expressions. Without a doubt, this outing ranks among the very best kayak/canoe experiences I have ever had, leaving an indelible mark on my memory.
In the embrace of nature's wonders, Lettuce Lake had truly revealed its enchanting allure, making our journey an unforgettable one.
A limpkin ready to strike, a family about to start their canoeing
An alligator near the canoe launching area
Note:
1. the park charges $2 entrance fee, and $25 for a canoe + paddles + life jackets for 4 hours
2. there are many trails and a board walk, which are well shaded.
