Hop on and Off in Miami

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Hi all

You can see a heck of a lot in 2 days if you plan it just right. We had booked ( 3 nights)into a little motel suite Sorrento Villas a block away from Miami Beach North - all the real action takes place at Miami Beach South but this great value motel was right on a bus route which took us either Downtown or to South Beach. And being a block away from North Beach it was great for a late afternoon beach stroll when we arrived. I didn't quite know what to expect of Miami - it hadn't been on my radar but it was on Suzanne's and I am so pleased we spent some time there, A huge city of course - driving in on these roads is not for the fainthearted - but there are lots of distinct areas - the Beaches, Downtown, Financial District, Coconut Grove, Little Havannaa, and along by the rivers and a few islands there are marinas with billion dollar yachts and homes to match. So all of this we tackled on the Hop on Hop Off bus -giving us a good overall sense of the city. It is bright and colouful ,vibrant, modern and clean ( well I am sure there are some scruffy run down areas but we didnt see those) and the special architectural features of Art Deco and Mediteranean Revival complement the modern skyscrapers to give the city a distinct style. ( As I write this I realsie I have missed out a few days and havent reported on our trip to Key West - well I will have to do that later). So it was lots of walking to look at these buildings and walking round in the sunshine certainly helps...plus of course a few cocktail stops and Cuban mojitos. And if you ever get to Miami try the Cuban pulled pork sandwich - yummy.

It shouldn't really surprse me to hear so many people speaking Spanish here but it definitely seems to be the first language...and signs are also written in Spanish as well as English. As I said the main action at night is in a few blocks on South Beach and it was such fun to see all the glitzy lights and the pavements lined with restaurants and bars - with music and dancing. So of course it was cocktails and dinner there and I have to say an earlybird menu was not expensive and good food too...you might have expected higher prices but I didn't feel like they were trying to rip you off at all.

So thumbs up to Miami - a great place to come for a holiday in the sun especially in our winter.

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Photos

Enjoying a Pina Colada
After in drive into Miami I deserved one - and then it was happy hour so I had to have abother one!!

Cuban Mojitos
Suz says the are the best she ever had.

Comments

[Angela Ardington]

good times
you look so happy and relaxed-and Miami looks cool too. order some waffles and berries for me please! hope to see you in (euro) summer. plans hatching...

[Hils]

Hi girls ....
Miami looks lovely; I really wish I could have been there for a couple of days to enjoy it with you. Been a while since I've had a mojito; with this weather it's hot chocolates all the way! Much love, Hils x

[robert aitken]

Miami Beach
Fun to see your Florida adventures. Makes me want to go here. We have two weeks to go in Palm Springs before we head home. It was 90 degrees here yesterday and expect the same today. Marti and I are in dialogue with a couple from Germany about their visit to Seattle next June. (we have a couple from Madrid set up for Early July) We are not sure when we would go to Germany but plan to at some later date. We are thinking about Spain and France in Spring of 2015 Safe travels and get your umbrella ready for England

[D MJ Binkley]

Embracing Miami
You've taken in the beaches, the architecture and the drinks. Good job. Next time you are in the area check out Ft. Lauderdale as it has a lot to offer also and maybe a drive down to Key West. Loved these waffles.