So this is Miami (Beach)

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We landed in Miami yesterday and found the Albion Hotel in South Beach. This hotel is smack in the middle of the art deco section of Miami Beach. We took a tour that drove us through the various districts of Miami with our guide Fabio. While the city is not all that old it has developed into very distinct areas that are quite visible as you drive around. The most prominent area is the Art Deco area that is now like New Orleans and other older cities that have a society that protects the buildings. While the interior of the buildings can be renovated the facades can't be touched. We also found the other districts fascinating, Little Havana, Coral Gables, Key Biscayne, Little Haiti, the Jungle Island, Coconut Grove and Brickell.

After the bus tour we boarded a catamaran to tour the waterways around South beach and view the mansions on the waterways.

Returned to the hotel to relax around the pool before our pedestrian mall adventure. We needed to fortify ourselves with a GIANT margarita and then on to dinner. We found Quattro Gastrnomia Italiana. We shared a fondue from fontina cheese with truffles. Elke had the linguine with clams and I had Osso buco with saffron risoto. WOW! finished dinner with tiramisu and home made coffee gelato. Thanks to Chef Dario from Venice! (Used to work in Toronto).

Back to the hotel and get ready for boarding the ship tomorrow.

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Photos

Albion Hotel
Art Deco building

Traditional Cuban Sandwich
From Bella Cuba. Smoked ham.Roasted pork, mayo, mustard pickle on a crusty bun

Mansion
from the boat tour

Art Deco
Along the pedestrian mall

Osso Buco
braised veal shank with saffron risotto