Antique car
Used as an item of decoration in the hotel entrance
Date: 02/06/2008
I am fascinated by cars even though I drive a rather humble car myself. Antique cars are even more fun to watch because not only are they interesting to look at, they also are part of our history and tell us so much about how our forefathers lived. This beautiful model was parked as an item of decoration in the Casa Monica Hotel in St Augustine, Florida.
Casa Monica Hotel balcony
A place to view the plaza
Date: 02/06/2008
When I saw this part of the hotel I was reminded so much of what is known as a jharokha in a haveli in Rajasthan, India. A place to admire the views outside or just to chill out in the evening during hot summer.
Casa Monica Hotel building
A delight to watch if you are a fan of architecture
Date: 02/06/2008
Like the Hill Fort Kesroli hotel in Alwar, the Casa Monica hotel in St Augustine, FL is a historic landmark. Take a look at this photo from the street opposite and you will realize what a great building it is.
Casa Monica Hotel rooms
View of the front of the hotel
Date: 02/06/2008
If I have been singing praises of the hotel, this view will convince you to at least visit it if not to stay there (I didn't either since it was so expensive). I think just the architecture of the building is a good enough reason to spend a few hours in the hotel. It has great restaurants and a coffee shop where coffee is free if you buy dessert.
Flagler College in St Augstine, FL
A college that was a hotel!
Date: 02/06/2008
When you think of a college building, of course, you do imagine historical buildings like those of Yale or Princeton or Harvard, but they can often be rather bare. Flagler College, which started out as Hotel Ponce de Leon, is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also full of luxuries that students are not used. And you can take a tour of the campus. Definitely the second best building after the Casa Monica Hotel.
Historica streets in downtown St Augustine
A walk down the memory lane
Date: 02/06/2008
When you are in downtown St Augustine, you will see an America that does not exist any more, at least not in the suburbs, where we now have almost identical looking houses with no personality. For some reasons, these streets reminded me of being in a city in Latin America or even Spain.
Methodist Church in St Augustine Florida
Notice the influence of Spanish architecture
Date: 02/06/2008
In the downtown historical St Augustine as can be expected there are several churches. In this beautiful, pink building you can see a clear influence of Spanish and Moroccan architecture visible in those doorway arches.
Minaret in St Augustine building
Why this unique design?
Date: 02/06/2008
This interesting looking building is right next to Flagler College and its design did not remind me of anything else that I saw in St Augustine. The only area where I have seen such minaret type designs are the Middle East.
Modeling photo shoot in Downtown St Augustine
A photographer prepares to shoot a beautiful Latina model
Date: 02/06/2008
For obvious reasons, downtown St Augustine is a great place for modeling photo shoots. Those cobblestone road provide a perfect backdrop for taking great pictures. Take a look at this skinny Latina posing to be photographed by a photographer.
Spanish Moss on the trees
Great decoration for trees
Date: 02/06/2008
Since I am from the Northeast and during my previous trips to Tampa, Miami, and Orlando , I never noticed the Spanish moss, I was fascinated when I saw it in St Augustine, Florida. It almost looks as if someone has purposely put something on the branches but it is all natural.
Presbyterian church in St Augustine, Florida
Beautiful place of worship
Date: 02/06/2008
In the Downtown St Augustine area, the Presbyterian Church is a historic landmark as much as the Flagler College or Casa Monica Hotel. Just take a walk around the church building to admire its beautiful architecture and the arched entrance similar to the Methodist Church.
Water mill in downtown St. Augustine
Great place for romantic photos
Date: 02/06/2008
Right in the middle of downtown St Augustine is this fully functional, giant watermill. I don't know what it does but it sure is a great place to take pictures. When I was taking this snap, this cute girl was posing and her mama with a big butt stepped right in front of me.
