Miami - plush Hotel, beautiful beach and Art Deco buildings

View from the Hotel Room
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Friday 7^th September – Dulles - Miami

Today was a very early start. We were up at 3.30am to catch a 4am taxi as apparently the queues in Dulles airport are massive due to 3 international flights taking off around the same time. So we arrived around 4.20am and were glad that the queues weren't too long, checked our bags in and went over to security, knowing we were about to get thoroughly searched. We got taken aside and given the once over, including the newish bomb detector machine which blows air at high speeds to detect any particles on your body. Leigh was glad the search didn't include the rubber glove treatment! We headed through and it soon became apparent that we would not be leaving on time. A few minutes after our scheduled departure, it was announced that we would be leaving as soon as there was a replacement air hostess. Yes, our plane was delayed due to someone calling in sick. We thought that an international airport and major airline would have sufficient back up staff, but this is not the case. After a bit of moaning and groaning at American Airlines as we have used them twice so far and one part of the trip was cancelled (New York – Washington) and now this leg was running late!

On the boardwalk by the sea
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We eventually took off an hour late as they got an air hostess from another plane (well done!). We landed in Miami feeling very tired and caught the local bus out to our very flash hotel on South beach - (Rich and Carmen thank you so much for our few days of paradise, you have no idea how nice it was!) We arrived just after 1 o'clock and to our surprise we were informed that our room would not be ready until 4pm. No problems though as we checked our bags into security and hit the pool. Oh the luxury! The hotel was gorgeous! There was a bar right next to the pool, hammocks at one end with sand underneath and plenty of seating with bamboo type umbrellas. You could also walk out the front gate and we were right on the beach! The only downside with being in a flash place is the cost of poolside beverages. The only place we have found them to be reasonable for us was Egypt, but I think Miami takes the cake. A small cocktail was $12 + %18 tip + tax! We had to remind ourselves that we are still backpackers and will just have to enjoy the free water filter in the gym and smuggling in drinks from the local supermarket (much more fun too!).

With the Art Deco restaurants in the background (Ocean Drive)
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After a few hours of sun and swimming we checked into our room, and how luxurious. We were on the top floor (not counting the penthouse above us), with views over the whole of Miami city. The bed was the biggest we had seen in months, the towels were super soft, there were complementary robes and the highlight - a flat screen TV hanging on the wall with around 100 channels of which at least 6 sport channels for Leigh to indulge! We enjoyed the luxury by dressing up in the robes, then decided to walk along the beach towards Ocean Drive to go out for dinner. We ended up picking the cheapest of the bunch, which was a rather expensive burger restaurant. We then headed home for a long and comfortable sleep, while watching a storm take place with lightning and thunder!

Leigh bravely holding the hotel parrot
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Saturday 8^th September – Miami

After not having any sleep the night before (because of the flight) we had a sleep in till in 11am, plus the bed was the most comfortable bed we have slept in for months! Jo decided to go for a run along the beach, which sounds nice, but in the heat and humidity 25 mins was all she could take. Leigh meanwhile went for a swim in the sea. The sea is pretty awesome in Miami and posted by the lifeguards are different flags indicating the risk factors of swimming in the area, i.e. if there is dangerous marine life about (of course Leigh taking no notice!). Leigh then wandered down to the supermarket and got us a nice healthy breakfast of fruit, cereal and yoghurt which we ate while watching the US Open (tennis).

Ocean Drive
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At a very leisurely pace, we decided to hit the pool outside which is a warm water pool so everyone just stands around with their sunglasses on, having extremely loud discussions with their New York broker friends, consuming heaps of drinks! Sick of all the small talk and serious conversations we decided to play some games in the pool, so started having races! Believe it or not this actually caught on and everyone started doing it, obviously not as intensely as us with rugby tackles and head locks going on. We could see in the distance a storm brewing and it wasn't long until the sky turned from a pale grey to almost black! It was actually quite good as the temperature dropped significantly, so no longer was sweat dripping from Leigh's face!

On the boardwalk
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The weather held off so we decided to go for a swim in the sea, however our timing wasn't great as the purple flag was up which means there is dangerous marine life about. Not wanting to be Jaws's next victim we gave it a miss then went back to our room to do some more admin. We realised just how posh this hotel was as there was a birthday party for a 1 year old girl. It was extraordinary with little hand made cakes, a table for about 40, champagne everywhere - we estimated 15 - 20 Grand would have been spent on it! All for a one year old... I bet all she wanted was a caterpillar cake!

Lovely Palm Trees
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We decided to chill out in the evening (pretty much carry on what we had been doing) so Leigh wandered down and got takeaways that we could have while watching more tennis. Later on it was great to get a call from Mum, Dad, Mooch, J, D and Sammy!

Sunday 9^th September – Miami

Today after a bit of a lie (hmm common trend in Miami!) we wandered downstairs to the hotel gym. We both really enjoyed using the treadmills in more bearable conditions. The humidity is just a killer trying to exercise in. After breakfast we decided to walk right to the end of South beach which was awesome.

We started walking alongside the beach then cut in so Leigh could get hassled walking past the restaurants that all want your custom. We ended up getting right to the end of the restaurants at 5^th Ave and walked up a block before coming across a cute little cafe/restaurant that sells pizza and salads. We were uming and arghing about going in and while doing so the heavens opened up and the rain just bucketed down, so in we went. Leigh had the best slice of pizza and Jo a massive salad including olives, sundried tomatoes, roasted eggplant and peppers, it was so good we each got one to take to the hotel for dinner in the evening.

The rain, thunder and lightning slowed down so we decided to walk back and go for a swim at the hotel. Walking along the boardwalk by the beach wasn't the best idea as it was so slippery and Jo went flying a couple of times before walking hanging on to Leigh or the handrail for upward stability. And although it seemed like it was not raining as hard on the walk home we still arrived back to the Hotel dripping wet! We very excitedly jumped into the nice warm pool and ended up talking to a guy from Chicago for a while, mainly about sport and the cost of the cocktails, which he too found outrageous and is not backpacking!

After a couple of hours, we then went up to watch the tennis as it was the men's final. It was pretty cool watching on a flat screen TV in the privacy of our flash room. We left the curtains open all night as there was a massive electrical storm going on which was pretty spectacular. We headed to bed not too late as we knew we had an earlyish start the next day.