Miami!

Last night I was too tired to type this up as well, but there's a new morning, another day off, so I'll share everything! I also just put all the pictures on my laptop, and will soon sort them out and upload a batch of them. You're going to love them! As you know, they can be found here, at my photo album.
We woke up around 9, and headed down to the reception to rent ourselves a car. The ever helpful Christian, who usually drives us around, lives in Miami and he demanded we'd take a convertible, as the weather was just amazing that day. Ten dollars per person extra, and we'd be set. Am I glad that we decided to go for that option. Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats driving Miami on a lovely sunny day in a Mustang Convertible (there are photos of the car, obviously).
Anyway, before we were able to get away, we had to sign yet another few papers for the transfer of the house, which should be imminent now. This morning we went off to settle some payments and I hope that's the last step for a while.
Before we hit the Interstate highways, we stopped at a 7/11 store to get some quick lunch and a drink, as we hadn't had anything proper just yet. Yatha was driving on the way there, which gave me time to take a few picture from in the car already. We parked our car at First Street, straight in from well-known Biscayne Blvd. Headed a few streets inland, before we took the free "skyrail" kind of transport vehicle (google image search; "Mini Rail Miami" first two photos, as I didn't make those myself).
Crossed Biscayne Blvd later, to find ourselves at the Bayside Marketplace. We all got great fresh smoothies at one of the stands over there, and after being fed up with all the small tourist-like shopping booths, we decided to take a boat trip that would take us through the intercoastal waters of Biscayne Bay, passing Fisher Island, Star Island and along the Miami Port (photos of the huge houses on the islands and the cruise ships docked in the port will all be uploaded into the album). We came along houses used in Scarface, Rocky Balboa and The Specialist, saw residences of Gloria Estefan, the founder of Parker Pens (Ed Parker) and one of the many mansions of both Puff Daddy and Julio Iglesias. On that tour, we also passed Monument Island, which has its name from the lovely monument on the middle of the public island. It looks like the Washington Monument, one of those Egyptian pillars. You'll see what I'm talking about. Anyway, that island is public, but only accessible by boat or jetski, so not that many people actually get on there. There are no facilities on the island so it just looks nice and quiet, and I guess it's somewhat exclusive like that. Might be something for later. I could tell about what kind of amazing things we've seen there, but it's better to just look through the entire photo album and look things up for yourself. I'll once again, add a little description to the photo as good as I can, so that should help.
After the boat trip we went to the Hard Rock Cafe, also at the Bayside Marketplace to get ourselves a drink. Worst lemonade ever. The stuff was way too sweet, and not even nicely flavored to start with. Needless to say I didn't finish the glass. I guess that was a one-timer there. Next time I'll just take a Coke or something. Suppose they can't screw thát up.
Bart's turn to drive, as we went from Downtown to Miami Beach! Yes we did! As we crossed the bridge over Biscayne Bay, our 93 Rock radio station played Paradise City by Guns N Roses. Feel free to suggest other songs, but I'd like to think nothing else would fit better when you're heading towards sunny Miami Beach in a convertible. Entered the island way up north, as Bart took another exit than the one most suitable, but we managed to get around nonetheless. After we took a drive over Ocean Drive by daylight (there are a few photos), we parked our car at 17th street, and from there went straight to South Beach to enjoy the ocean water over there. The sun started to set and clouds looked a bit like this. We were quite far up north at South Beach, so it was reasonably quiet (add to that, it was monday afternoon/evening, everyone probably went back to work/school after the weekend). Next time we'll try it further south, because there definately will be a next time in Miami.
For dinner we went looking at the Lincoln Road Pedestrian Mall. This part of Lincoln Road is limited to pedestrians only, and is kind of like the Barcelona Ramblas. A nice median with fountains and art and such, and boutiques and restaurants on both sides. It also reminded me of Tunesia, as people were out on the streets, trying to talk you in to coming to their restaurant with all kinds of promotions etc. We ate out at Locanda Sibilla there. Entrees for all of us were good. Bart loved his melon with ham, Yatha once again has some seafood I believe, and my roast bread with balsamico and tomatoes also really worked for me. The main dish, however, was a bit weak for me. I had penne with spicy tomato sauce and it was just, really plain and simple, and it got boring after so many bites. Paid around 90 bucks in total for all that, and went to Ghirardelli a little further down, to get some ice cream. I saw them on the way and remembered their store and everything, so I told them to have our dessert there. Great chocolate chip cookie dough stuff there. Reasonable expensive, but really good.
Also, on Lincoln, I found this Energie store and got myself a grey t-shirt.

After dinner and all that, it was my turn to drive. First stop, Ocean Drive by night! As I drove there are no real pictures of this as parking was impossible, and we had been walking enough already. Drove up north to just cruise around town, and decided to go to Nikki Beach, at the south most point of Miami Beach, as we heard something about parties in weekends there. Looked the place up, saw how and what, and noticed that it looked brilliant. We'll head there some weekend for a proper party. Drove over Ocean Drive a second time, and Yatha made a few pictures while I was driving down there. They're not perfect, but they will do. Next time, if walking, I'll try to make a few proper ones to share. Then again, you can look up lots of nightly photos of Ocean Drive online already. I'm sure there are tons!

Drove over A1A all the way up north, to Hollywood. At one point we crossed a bridge and there was just all straight road with no other cars on it, right in front of us. As I hit the gas driving down that bridge, on to the straight, I hit 85 miles an hour when noticing the 40 mile speed limit. Just was so amazing to have the wind strike your hair going that fast on a great road like that. I'd do it again! Parked at a 7/11 in Hollywood where I met Bob The Limo Driver in the waiting line there.
Told the guys about Bob, and we decided to ask for some close view of the interior. Bob took our pictures, Yatha took the driver's seat for another photo and we went on again. Bart drove us back to Fort Lauderdale, where Yatha took over for some late night cruising through the city, not always minding the speed limits. Drove past our new house again and then went back to the hotel. Upon arrival we heard that Yatha had to change rooms still. It had been a week for him since he last moved. Nice way to end your day, moving all your stuff. But well.

As I wrote another blog and got myself the album from Carolina Liar, Bart went to bed already. Did the same thing as soon as I finished writing the one from last night.
Then, today at 9:40, the phone rang. Time to settle the payments and such. That call woke me up. And the rest of the week is work for me. No easy mornings for me anymore, it seems.

Of course, with a blog like this, I need to share Will Smith's "Miami" with you all. I'm off to upload all the Miami pictures! Check them out if you haven't already.