Is there a Vama Veche in the Caribbean?

Tonight I was searching, searching for a nice little place to put myself down on some warm sand. Is there a place in the Caribbean that is bohemian and artsy?

For years, maybe 15. I lost track. My friend, Andreea and I were trying to get to this place, shown in the pictures, together for an adventure. Finally it happened, with our families and friends... and our new babies. We all met at the Black Sea and enjoyed the beaches of Vama Veche. We stayed a couple miles away in Doi Mai with a wonderful family. Lazar was their name. If we ever venture back, and I am certain that we will, we will again stay there. I think you should too!

My search for a Mexico back up (US territory) did not pan out--unless Andreea can work some magic at the embassy. (see last post) I will not give up until I find a chic artsy town with blue water and sandy shores for my feet to walk upon, and my eyes to take in.

If anyone knows of this place, do tell us, as we are in search of another. The magic carpet wants to depart and we need a final destination!

all images taken by me this summer in RO

....Take me on a trip upon your magic swirlin' ship. My senses have been stripped. My hands can't feel to grip. My toes too numb to step, wait only for my boot heels to be wanderin'. I'm ready to go anywhere, I'm ready for to fade into my own parade, cast your dancing spell my way, I promise to go under it.

-Bob Dylan

Update: for those that have not read the corresponding travel stories...yes, there is a comparable place...Old San Juan. Althought the shore does not meet the down the way it does at the Black Sea and Ovidiu is replaced by Cristobal and a couple others...El Batey and the vibe are perfect. Although we stayed in Isla Verde at a little boho chic beach house, called "The Beach House", we visited OSJ daily to walk the streets, take photos and get acquainted with El Batey. Ovidiu does have his personality, which no other bartender or bar can duplicate of course, but this is a closer find!

Inspired by F39, and it's country

Festival Creative was inspired by a little place called Festival 39 in Brasov, Romania. You've got to love the Chan Chan playing when you click on the link. Ibrahim would be proud. Aah, to sit in this place with the exposed brick walls and the cool recycled wood floors, a bottle of vin and some friends, is perfection. It is unpretentious and cozy, filled with nostalgic photos from years gone by. In the evenings this place gets pretty busy, as it is a Brasov fav. In Worcester, the equivalent place would have to be Nick's or Vincent's. It was there, at Festival that I finally settled in and felt like I was experiencing life in this provincial mountain town as it should be. Provincial only by way of the cobblestone and pastel stucco buildings of medieval architecture.

Although much of the cobblestone has been replaced with asphalt over the last few years, Brasov has been evolving into a must see town on a visit to Eastern Europe. From Sighisoara to Vama Veche, I could not get enough of the views, the food and the people. Oh yeah, then there's the Murfatlar, La Dinamo in Doi Mai, and The Stuf and Ovidiu in Vama Veche. Noroc to endless inspiration!

photo 1: Brasov, RO
photo 2: First glimpse of water, Techirghiol, a lake on the way to the seaside with 10 hours of driving behind us
photo 3. Miles to NYC on the top of the clock tower in Sighisoara, 3 hours north of Brasov
photo 4. Row houses in Sighisoara
photo 5: Festival 39, Brasov

All photographs in this post by me.