Ok, the weather got progressively warmer as I went down to Miami. I didn't hear English spoken for the first 10 minutes at the airport!!! The people here are very nice and helpful and friendly. No attitude at all. Great music, I cranked up the salsa stations while driving all the time. Ah, it's good to be Latin and living in Miami.
The first day, my friend's friend took me out to dinner in Coral Gables and then drove me around downtown Miami, and gave me some tips about where to go and what to do. That was a big help.
I started my second day by driving out to Key Biscayne. Gosh, I loved that place. It's like an island. First, condos, highrises, and strip malls, all the conveniences available for residents. Then, some luxury hotels and a tennis center. And finally, at the tip, a state park, which I entered. So peaceful. People fishing, biking. It was paradise. I think that if I lived in Miami, Key Biscayne would be my first choice.
In the afternoon, I did the touristy thing and went to Bayside, in downtown Miami. From there, I took at 2 hour cruise where we toured the celebrities homes by water.
First of all, the Miami skyline is impressive- all those highrises in downtown Miami (banks, banks and banks!!) right on the water...
Then, they showed us Fisher Island, where Tom Cruise, Shakira and Boris Becker have homes. I was not impressed at all, they were just condos, no personality, but i suppose there is a lot of security there, etc.
Then, we toured all the gorgeous estates of Liz Taylor, Julio Iglesias, Gloria Estefan, etc... Anybody who is anybody has a presence in Miami, apparently. Wow. I have to say, kitschy as it was, the cruise was the highlight of my trip to Miami.
Day three - I went to South Beach!!!! It was also nice to see the buildings and the scene. Lots of Europeans visiting. Posing at the cafes.. I loved it. Also, so convenient, just walk across the street from the cafes and you're at the beach. Dip in and then grab a bite to eat. Though it was overcast the day I went and not too many people were swimming.
South Beach reminded me so much of Puerto Vallarta or the beach towns in Turkey. Lots of nice shops, cafes, posing. All beach towns have the same feeling and man do I love that vibe!!!!!
I finished off my trip by working out at my hotel, and doing room service. It was great.
I'll post pics very soon. I'm so glad that I got to see the famous "Miami" now. Everyone should visit at least once in a lifetime.
