Bayside Miami

Posted on February 8, 2016February 8, 2016 by Dusty Roads | 6 Comments

At the Bayside we were herded off the bus and led through the complex of shops, stalls and retail outlets to the marina. Before we boarded our boat for the Boat Tour we had to have our lunch.

The Tradewinds was expecting us with special menus geared to quick preparation and service. The Tradewinds is outdoor dining on a covered deck. You are protected from a passing rain shower but not from marauding sea gulls , as I was about to find out.

DSC_2214 copy

I was sitting with a mother and daughter who was visiting America for the first time. We had a bit of a language barrier but there were still lots of smiles. I am not a big taco fan so I ordered the fried shrimp which came with tons of french fries. I’d just settled my plate and had a shrimp in my hand when I was dived bombed from behind. Something hit the back of my head and tumbled over my shoulder. It was a big old seagull! (Mine, mine, mine).

Animal Kingdom 035 copy

It landed right on my french fries, grabbed a beak-full and took off. Everyone at the table froze in shock and then we started to laugh. We spent the rest of the lunch on high alert protecting our meals.The restaurant wouldn’t replace my french fries but that was ok. I only wanted the shrimp anyway.

As everyone was gathering after lunch to get ready to trek over to the boat I went in search of the parrot man we’d passed on the way in. I love these beautiful birds but could never have one as a pet myself. They would outlive me for sure but I can enjoy them when I run across these folks who share their pets (for a price).

DSC_2216 copy

Time to board our boat for the views of the Islands of Biscayne Bay and the homes of Miami’s rich and famous.

DSC_2225 copy

Once again we passed the “Fast & Furious” bridge. The drawbridge was open this time.

DSC_2229 copy

DSC_2227 copy

As we slowly cruised by these beautiful homes our tour guide played the music associated with the stars, maybe a theme song from a movie or if the celeb was a musician one of their hits. He shared a snippet about each property. Everything from the price tag to the history of the ownership. It was relaxing and enjoyable although not being a big celebrity follower, I couldn’t tell you much about who owned what.

DSC_2230 copy

As we headed back to the marina everyone crowed the bow for pictures of the Miami skyline.

DSC_2243 copy

DSC_2233 copy

Meanwhile back at the Bayside some free entertainment was getting warmed up. It was time to salsa and I don’t mean on chips. I spent the rest of my afternoon there while my tour companions scattered to shop or drink.

DSC_2235 copy

Eventually it was time to catch the bus back to South Beach. It was a very nice day!

Coral Gables

Posted on February 6, 2016February 6, 2016 by Dusty Roads

As we left Little Havana we passed a sculpture that seemed to reach for the sky. Our tour guide said it was the Challenger sculpture.

DSC_2211 copy

The Challenger Memorial, sculpture by Isamu Noguchi, is located on Southwest corner of Bayfront Park in downtown Miami, Florida. The memorial is white, composed of metal piping, and rises 100 feet, designed with a twisted shaped to symbolize the contrail of the Challenger as it rose on its fateful, final flight.

As we enter the neighborhood known as Coral Gables we were back to ducking tree branches and palm fronds that over hang the streets.

DSC_2199 copy

Coral Gables is unique in a couple of ways. Dubbed “The City Beautiful,” Coral Gables is known for its tree-lined boulevards, ivy-covered mansions and historical landmarks such as the world-famous Biltmore Hotel and the Venetian Pool, both built in the 1920s. According to our tour guide there are no homes valued at under $1,000,000 in Coral Gables.

DSC_2200 copy

Coral Gables was one of the first “planned communities” and prefigured the development of the gated community.

DSC_2202 copy

Most of the homes are made of Coral, the walkways and walls, foundations and decorative features , all coral.

Leaving Coral Gables behind we headed back to the Bayside, a shopping and entertainment complex where we would have lunch and then catch the boat ride through the harbor islands.

DSC_2212 copy

People Movers and Cigars

Posted on February 4, 2016February 4, 2016 by Dusty Roads | 2 Comments

As our tour continued we worked our way along Biscayne Blvd and through downtown Miami. I hate to say it but to me it looked like any large city. One thing that caught my eye was the People Mover. It’s like a little elevated trolley car. It made me think of our “green line” trains in Boston but it’s just one car, not a train.

DSC_2210 copy

The People Mover, officially known as the “Metromover” is a 4.4-mile electrically-powered, fully automated people mover system that connects with the Metrorail at Government Center and Brickell stations and with Metrobus at various locations throughout downtown and the best part…its free. Yup, everyone rides FREE.

DSC_2209 copy

Now that’s something I’d like to take a ride on.

From there we worked our way into Little Havana. Little Havana is an interesting place and one I don’t quite know how I feel about. One of the first things our tour guide stressed is that everyone speaks Spanish there even in the schools. The Cuban traditions are closely guarded and maintained.

DSC_2204 copy

Not to get into a political discussion but I found myself torn because I think anyone who immigrates to another country has an obligation to assimilate into the new country’s culture and language. I guess Little Havana is an exception because the founders were not immigrants. They were/are refugees with the hopes of someday returning to their own country. In any case it makes for an interesting excursion into strange land within our own USA.

DSC_2203 copy

We stopped at a cigar factory where we were given a opportunity to tour the factory and, of course, purchase cigars in the gift shop. I opted to remain in my seat at the top of the bus. Pretty soon a man came around peddling peanuts. About all I understood was that his sleeves of peanuts were a dollar and very, very good. I figured a snack wouldn’t hurt so I bought one of his very, very good peanuts, and they were.

DSC_2205 copy

We passed the legendary 1930’s night club known as the Ball and Chain. Formerly a gambling den, mobster-owned club and jazz venue hosting luminaries like Billie Holiday from the 1930s–1950s, this storied nightspot reemerges in Little Havana once again, embracing its colorful past with a 1930s-inspired design countered by modern-day live-music acts.

DSC_2206 copy

My other observation of Little Havana are the architectural features that reflect the Cuban influence or so I assume. ( Never having been to Cuba) . There are beautiful wall paintings and murals and wrought iron window decorations.

DSC_2197 copy

Once we had a head count the bus rumbled on to Coral Gables.

A Double Decker City Tour

Posted on February 2, 2016February 2, 2016 by Dusty Roads | 2 Comments

After a relaxing and sunny day on Wednesday I was ready for a new adventure. So on Thursday I was headed out for the City Tour on the Double Decker buses. It would take most of the day and include lunch and a boat ride through the islands to look at the million dollar homes of the stars. Miami really loves their movie stars.

DSC_2213 copy

The bus picked up right in front of the resort and I headed to the open top.

DSC_2186 copy

As we wove our way along Ocean Drive and Collins Ave the driver pointed out all the Art deco buildings, a restaurant where Will Smith was spotted having breakfast, (of course he wasn’t there when we drove by) and the famous Versace Mansion where the clothing designed was shot and killed in 1997.

DSC_2183 copy

As we passed one hotel and restaurant after another it seemed they were all owned by famous actors and actresses. Miami Vice was mentioned many times. It seems scenes from the show were shot all up and down Ocean Drive.

DSC_2168 copy

Turns out this was the prequel to the actual tour. We reached the ticket office on Washington Ave and all filed off the bus to trade in our vouchers for the real tickets. Then it was back on the bus for the real tour.

DSC_2182 copy

As our tour began we headed off the Island (Miami Beach is an Island in case you didn’t know) via the MacArthur Causeway. Along the way we learned of the hazards of riding on the top deck of the bus. We did a lot of ducking. We ducked for overhanging palm fronds, electric wires, signal lights and even a bridge. That one was the one that took your breath away!

DSC_2187 copy

Even so this was a super way to get pictures. No window glass and an elevated view!

DSC_2190 copy

As we traveled along the MacArthur Causeway we had the Port of Miami on our left where cruise ships from every line start and end their voyages. There was only one ship in port as we passed by. To our right was the Venetian Causeway.

DSC_2188 copy

The tour guide says this is the bridge from the Fast and Furious movie. I’ve never seen the movie so I’ll just have to take their word for it. But there was the famous Miami Skyline to enjoy from multiple angles.

DSC_2195 copy

DSC_2194 copy

DSC_2192 copy

A Mix of Sun and Laundry

Posted on January 31, 2016January 31, 2016 by Dusty Roads | 2 Comments

On the ride back from Holiday Park the sky opened up again. The rain that had been holding off came down in buckets. By the time we pulled up in front of the resort it was raining so hard that I was once again soaked to the skin before I could cross the street. This was starting to get habit forming!

Once again I arrived dripping wet at the Purple Penguin. It was raining so hard that they had closed the patio and meals were being served in the combination lobby restaurant. I didn’t care. The staff was starting to recognize me, at least when I was wet. I’m not sure they would if I was dry and put together.

IMG_20151208_143506

My afternoon was quiet just hanging out in my room with a book.

But finally Wednesday dawned sunny and warm! By 9 am it was already in the 80’s.

IMG_20151209_092301

This is what I’ve been waiting for. I’m hoping some lazy sun on the beach will toast out my cold.

DSC_2256 copy

One other housekeeping item that I took care of mid day was my laundry. Now you may wonder what was news worthy about doing laundry but I assure you it was the most interesting laundry experience I’ve ever had.

DSC_2167 copy

The public laundromat was several blocks away from the resort so I took a cab over. The facility was the usual except it looked like it had just suffered a roof leak as water stains were evident on the ceilings and walls. As you can imagine it was all local folks and Spanish was the dominant language. I located a machine, tossed in my things and located a chair to wait out the wash cycle.

DSC_2168 copy

As I was sitting there minding my own business a tall, attractive woman came in. She found a machine, added her bundle of clothing but then she started stripping. Off came her shirt, then her pants, she was down to her undies and clearly debating if she could take those off. As she stood there fingering the waistband of her panties one of the attendants came over and sprayed her with Lysol! Instead of being offended, the woman just ignored it. I don’t know what was being said because it was all in Spanish.

DSC_2172 copy

Apparently whatever was said convinced the woman not to strip further and she took a seat a couple of chairs away from me. Soon after another attendant brought over some shorts and a T shirt. Apparently from the lost and found/abandoned clothing bin. She handed them over and the woman put them on.

DSC_2175 copy

If she was embarrassed she didn’t give any sign of it. It was like it was the most natural thing in the world to sit there in her underwear! I suppose it was no worse than a bikini on the beach but I admit, I was surprised.

DSC_2178 copy

I am guessing that she was one of the homeless people that seem to be everywhere. It’s quite the contrast with the high class “beautiful people” parading up and down Ocean Drive and the homeless sitting on benches and napping in the park.