WEEK 2 - IN SEARCH OF THE VICE....

......touchdown and hey presto, we're at MIAMI international airport and, before too long, on the shuttle bus to the epicentre of the sun'n'surf action - SOUTH BEACH. The Aimster makes the entirely valid observation that "it's just like it is in the movies and on TV", and we are in total consensus as images of Miami Vice, Marley & Me, CSI:Miami, and Charlie's Angels flood the mind (and I'm hoping that Aimee wasn't referring to that 1972 classic 'Deep Throat'!). After a long year of work and school, and a busy time in New York, we've come here to do nothing but CHILL OUT. It turns out to be the perfect destination.

Catalina Hotel

Our room - cosily intimate!

Enjoying Happy Hour - very civilised

We check in to our hotel, the CATALINA HOTEL & BEACH RESORT consisting of 3 separate ART DECO buildings. It's a little run down and in need of some TLC (and some motivated staff wouldn't have gone astray), but it doesn't detract from our stay, especially as 7.00-8.00pm every night is HAPPY HOUR - which translated into free drinks of your own choice!!! As we soon see, the description fits a significant number of properties along South Beach. The beach itself is fantastic; ridiculously wide and stretching as far as the eye can see, it's populated by lounges and umbrellas made available by the individual hotels (it gives it all a feeling of being a giant semi-private beachfront). The water is shallow and warm and, somewhat surprisingly, devoid of waves. It's perfect for kids. The sun is fierce, so not  lot of time is spent on the beach, far more time basking in and around the 2 hotel pools.

South Beach

In search of the lost wave......

This is the life...

Nice work

Don L flashes 'the rig' - OARSOME!!

Catalina Hotel - the bamboo pool....

...the rooftop pool

Buzzy gets a few pointers on poolside l'amour (so did we)!

Our favourite pastime is people watching. Firstly, I've never seen so many people with tats all over them (including New Orleans) and I have to say that there's nothing feminine about arms, legs, backs and shoulders being covered in ink; secondly, we were surprised by the number of African-Americans at the beach and around the pools (note that this is merely an observation); and thirdly, Americans come in all shapes and sizes (regardless of heritage) and baby, they let it all hang out and are very clearly comfortable in their (usually ample) skin. Good on them I say.

Store mannequins - what can one say...

Would anyone seriously wear this??

Girls from Washington DC (I asked them)

Still no waves

And not a harpoon in sight...

Cowgirl mannequin

Just what is going on here???

Poolside babe

Tats life

Look around his neck and in his hands!!!

Cheers boyz - now THAT's what I call a glass...

Walking around the area brings a genuine surprise - Miami is the ART DECO mecca of the US, and the buildings are a sight to behold. They are in various states of repair - from pristine to dilapidated - but it's a spectacular backdrop.

 

Home of Gianni Versace - where he was murdered in 1997

 

Inside the amazing Delano Hotel.....fantastique

 

The post office

The actual city of Miami is the 3rd most recognised skyline in the US (other suggestions on a postcard, please), and approximately 65% of the population speak Spanish as a first language! It was quite a surprise to find that we were able to speak Spanish to everybody we met! With such a large Spanish, Puerto Rican and Cuban population, we were able to find some terrific eateries on Espanola Way and Lincoln Lane, and los ninos took a real shine to Cuban food. We also stumbled upon the gallery of feted Brazilian pop artist Romero Britto, who has designed the official artwork for the 2014 World Cup (and is also the official Ambassador); check out his website - he's kinda like a Brazilian Ken Done, only better!

Espanola Way - full of great restaurants

Bucatini Allatriciana - excellent Italian bistro

Al fresco dining - Lincoln Lane

 

Havana 1957 - brilliant Cuban cuisine

 

 

There were hookahs everywhere!

The Romero Britto gallery

 

 

World Cup futbol

Official 2014 World Cup logo - with minor improvements!

Brilliant poster - look closely

Now THIS is a lolly shop....

Even had some of this!!!!

Britto sculpture on 5th Street

The only other activity we partook was a 2 hour trip through the canals and islands of Miami aboard the Pirate Duck, an amphibious beast that had Liam wondering where the wheels went when we entered the water! It sounds corny, but it was great fun. we saw the mansions of the rich and famous on Star Island (some people really do have too much money!) and Fisher Island (this one takes the cake - a private island full of condos. To get on the ferry you need to have a letter from a resident, eg Steffi & Andre!). We also go past the port and realise that Miami is the Love Boat capital of the world, the largest cruise ship haven on the planet and worth billions to the economy.

The Pirate Duck!!!

Ahoy thar maties...

Entering the water with Pirate Pete

 

Shacks on Star Island

Landlubbers

Bligh & Christian

The 'Addams Family' house - now occupied solely by 14 cats!

Snoop Hot Doggedy Dog's backwater cabin

Miami skyline

Love Boat

US Coast Guard

Fisher Island - keep out!

The girls sing up a storm

Seatbelts? What seatbelts....

So apart from sunning and swimming and eating, we did very little else. We wanted to simply relax and achieved our goal; doing nothing proved to be the highlight of los ninos' holiday! Two weeks gone, we packed our bags and it was back to MIA to board our American Airlines flight for the next leg.
Week 3 here we come...............