Already for couple times I was trying to illustrate and write about our 12-days trip and every time it was a big disaster. How it is even possible to describe what we saw, heard and tried. How it is possible to describe the paradise?
Costa Rica is the place you dream to visit and the dream to come back… People who live there were so kind and so welcoming us that we even started to think we can live there. Confusing and impossible to path road conditions did not scare us. The nature impressed us with colors and contrasts.

Our trip began from San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. We rented 4×4 and moved to the North to La Fortuna right near the Arenal volcano. Here we hade great opportunity to enjoy volcano view right from our bungalow…During the next several days we took hiking to Rio Celeste and rafting on Rio Toro. It worth to do if you really like “Pura Vida” which means “real life”!
After Arenal we drove to Montverde Cloud Forest reserve and spent there 2 days. This place is one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges in the New World Tropics. It was an unforgettable experience- we were flying above the cloud forest on the Sky Trek Canopy Tour, the most thrilling zip lines in Costa Rica. I truly recommend trying this if you ever will go there!
After the cup of perfect espresso we have put together all our strengths and drove down to Golden coast of Costa Rica – Pacifica.  Warm sand, ocean, hammock and mojitos were waiting for us there.
I would like to share our experience with you. If you planning your trip to Costa Rica, this information can be interesting and helpful:
-Do not miss Montverde when planning your trip.
- November is not high season, however the weather is perfect and you have great opportunity to enjoy silence and nature…Hotels are almost empty at this time.
- If you wish to rent a car, it will help if you print some Google maps with you. You will get some maps in Rental Company and hotels, or you can ask for GPS unit at Rental Company for an additional charge. You should be for this- all these maps will have different names and numbers for roads. The only ways to get to your destination- is proper planning or get a GPS. Never leave you belongings in the car, those can be stolen (personal tips from Lyosha)
- San Jose, this place is not safe (Even locals are saying this). Not much to see there …
- If you pass board “SODAS” you can stop by and have a good lunch. Those are usual places where locals eating. Lunch is delicious - rice with beans and meat, some salad and juice ($5)
- This country is a paradise for gourmets of good coffee. I found 40 types of coffee in our menu. 
- Cows and dogs walk on road and of cause they have priority!
- All beaches are public
- We recommend drinking water only from bottle
-The Pacific Ocean’s cost is excellent for surfing
-Hotels, which we are recommending - Paradisus  Playa Conchal Resort (Golden coast of Costa Rica –Pacifica),  Mountain Paradise Hotel (North to La Fortuna), Capitan Suizo hotel (Golden coast of Costa Rica –Pacifica)

-This cost is not for good interesting  diving

 Here the map which shows how we moved thru the Costa Rica:

View from  Mountain Paradise Hotel

Sky Trek is a system of platforms suspended above the ground in the midst of tree boughs. Zip lines attached from one platform to another allow our to slide with the use of special equipment.

Rain forest

 Yammi!

Wild beach have many surprises….

So cute!

My favorite! Thank you Lesha for this picture and idea!!!!! Love you!

Ummmm!

HOLA!
We have returned back from Costa Rica last night!!!!! It was one of the best adventures in our life!!!! I have a lot of photos to share with you… Right now I will give you a peek of us. This picture was taken during our Sky Trek tour in cloud forest in Monteverde.

I do not worry about weather outside…all my thoughts right now – how to pack all my must -to-have-on vocation-wardrobe in one suitcase……YES! YES! YES!  Today Lyosha and I have flight to Costa Rica!!! We have GREAT plan of our new adventure, maps, car and camera! I will try to upload couple posts from our hotel and when we’ll back home I share with you all details .

Sorry, I will not be able to response  on your e-mails during this time, but I promise to do it as soon as I can.

 Here is the link with an album design from Erin and Andrew wedding! One of my fav!!!!

~ Yuka

Last Saturday we had another beautiful EARLY morning photo shoot in the local Climbing Center. For this event we have been challenged with the time constrain - 2 hours for all our preparations including makeup and hair and  just  2 hours of actual work with camera on the set. Climbing center opens at 10 a.m., so we had to finish before the crowd walks in.

Realization of our idea which we were babysitting for about 3 month began when Anna (makeup artist) appeared at the door of our place at 4 a.m. And all the madness started…. Over all it was an awesome experience bringing climbing, beauty and glamour together.  As a result you can see these pictures….I promise I will show you a lot more when I will finish the whole project.

Ingredients:
Styling - Anna, I
Shoes- Anita
Model- beautiful Marie
Make up- talented Anna Malskaya
Video- Lyosha
Photo- Guess who?
Music- BPM TV
Energizer- cup of coffee

It was one of that days, when you still feel warm wind on your skin but yellow leaves flying around try to take you back to reality - it is October already… We (I and Lyosha) spent whole day resting on the beach. Before we leave I asked him to take couple shots of me… hm…I NEVER knew it is so difficult to model if your husband behind the camera……Yes, we usually take picture of each other when we travel, but….at this time it was more complicated I planned to use these pictures on my profile on website…I t was not the best decision’s mean he is a great photographer, but I felt uncomfortable.. I was clumsy and constrained… Ok, I think we should practice more . As a result I picked these two to upload here:

This weekend was awesome!!!! The weather was so warm and I believed  - it is still summer.
I and Lyosha decided to escape from the daily routine and went to the beach….just to relax ….and it was the best desission we made - I feel fresh and ready to fulfil my plan for this week
Actually this post about my husband. He is not only the talented photographer, Dive master, future pilot, cosmonaut, captain (I think he plans to try all extremes in the life)….So, past Saturday he took part in judo competition and took 2 nd place!!!!
Lyosha, I am very proud of you and if you even do not take this reward seriously, it is your first step forward in this sport.

This information for girls ….only for girls…
Today I found  these two new movies coming soon and  I want to share with you.

I cannot wait to see them:

Bride Wars

Confessions of Shpaholic

~ Have a nice Friday!

 I posted early how I love coffee, I mean REALY good coffee. And it was a difficulty to find good place here, in Buffalo.
Back in Europe we have different coffee culture – no rush, fancy and cozy places, tiny cups and plates, strong espresso and we can spend hours there.

So why I posting this? Because I have a great news! I am so excited to share with you a new Coffee place “Chow chocolate”  in downtown Buffalo. My friend Anna showed me this place yesterday and as of today it is official - my favorite place! I can honestly announce - Best coffee here!!! We tried cappuccino and espresso with hot chocolate, both tasted just perfect! You should try chocolate there also! All chocolate is handmade and so delicious.

Past several weeks were incredibly beautiful! My mom arrived from Ukraine to visit us for 2 weeks (I am so sad it was just 2 weeks……). Those days I kind of put aside all my meetings, schedules and other business related things …Of course I did not forget to check my e-mails and responded timely if it was urgent, all other time I spent with my Mom. Our morning starts with breakfast, then a short walk in the local park, several times we went cycling, and  a lot of shopping.  One day we went to Toronto, obviously did a short trip to some stores, but mostly spent walking in downtown and talked a lot about life. She always gives me invaluable advices and I try to use them in my life.  Oh, by the way I strongly recommend going for cup of cappuccino and crème Brule, or romantic evening or even a couple cocktails with friends to “Panorama” in downtown Toronto (an excellent place on 51st floor with breathtaking view and patio)
The time run so fast and I did not have a minute to take some studio portraits for my mom. Maybe next time 
But I have some iphone snapshots from our hikes: 

I am sorry for not posting every day, but right now I enjoying time with my mom!

She came to visit us from Ukraine and I try to spend as much time with her as I can

Even I damaged my car today ….a little bit….I feel Happy!
Here are some photos from yesterday’s  walk in  beautiful Letchworth State Park : 

My mom!