Arts and Craft....

We are joined at our breakfast in The Daily cafe by several tables of policemen, their belts heavy with all manner of gadgets; radios, truncheons, handcuffs, and of course, guns. Not what we're used to, but here, the norm.
We stroll along the waterfront to the beautifully manicured Museums Park, dotted with Palm tres and marble seating. The Perez Art Museum building itself is hung outside with exotic creepers. Inside are contemporary art exhibitions - not all to our taste or comprehension (one was an aviary of 4 live parrots!?), but some ceramics and giant colourful gauches of ladies were stunning.





Another wander along the waters edge where dolphins are milling around near the shore, and in the distance a red cruise ship backs slowly into dock. Alongside the park is moored the gleaming 87m long Motor Yacht "Fountainhead", the size of a small hotel. With a web search we find the amazing coincidence that it is owned by Mark Cuban. We hadn't heard of him until last week, when we became hooked on the brilliant TV programme "Shark Tank". This is the US equivalent of "The Dragons Den", but sooo much better. We are watching 3 episodes a night! Mark is a very successful genius entrepreneur on the panel, and the current owner of the Dallas Basketball
Team.

Location:Miami

Swanky houses & cigars...

No wind and clear blue skies are the perfect conditions to cycle south to Key Biscayne. We take a cycle path beneath the elevated railway, then cross steep Rickenbacker Causeway. A detour winds through pristine neighbourhoods, where homes front the water with some of the priciest addresses in the USA. The houses are individually designed from gaudy copies of Venetian palaces to modern glass boxes. One has its own waterfall pouring down the front elevation. At the end of Key Biscayne is Bill Baggs State park. A dedicated cycle path follows the waters edge, and through lush vegetation of palms and mangroves, to the lighthouse at the point.


We know this time not to stop here for a picnic as chubby racoons pester anyone pausing for a snack. Over the ocean squadrons of brown or white pelicans stream past. The occasional sea plane or helicopter buzzes overhead.
On the return pedal we detour west in the city suburbs to visit " Little Havanna" where folks of more modest income live in old style bungalows and narrow shops sell cigars to tourists - the whole area has that Cuban feeling.

Location:Key Biscayne & Little Havanna

Freedom...

The Freedom Tower in Downtown Miami stands out as one of the few historic buildings.


Originally built in the 1920s for a media baron, it eventually became the Miami equivalent of Ellis Island. It was here, in the early 1960s, that 14,000 unaccompanied children from Cuba were processed as emigrants escaping communism. Their parents did not want them raised as communists following Castro's coup, so sent them to the US, hoping they too could join them later. For some, this happened, but alas, not for all. Their poignant stories are recalled in the museum here, some eventually reunited with families, others never to see their parents again. The building also houses a small gallery, with a few Salvador Dalis, and an iconic Marilyn Monroe screen print by Andy Warhol.

Location:Downtown Miami

On the wind...

On opening the blinds this morning a Northern Harrier is hovering just off our 4th floor balcony.


A bit later we watch a Peregrine Falcon landing 20 floors up on a balcony rail on the neighbouring block of flats. There are never less than a dozen Black or Turkey Vultures on the thermals overhead.
By late afternoon the wind is howling, with palm trees bent right over, loosening green coconuts onto the grass verges. Other evenings we have enjoyed watching basketball being played on the court just opposite, but no one will be out in this wind, so we head to the on-site gym for some gentle cycling, walking and rowing.

Location:Miami

Margaret Pace Park...

Between our apartment and the shore line is the small Margaret Pace Park, (about the size of Belle Isle Pk in Exeter), crammed full of sporting opportunities. An outside gym (and a separate one for dogs on astro turf!), beach volley ball and tennis courts. On our regular early morning stroll we spot these amorous lizards things.


Along the rocky shore are Herons, Egrets and Pelicans. Northern Mockingbirds flit and call through the trees. At day break the rough sleepers are packing up their belongings to make way for the many dog walkers. As we head back across the road to the apartment, Sue spots a licence plate with a cyclist on it!

Location:Miami

Wall Art...

The north/south railway line divides the developed high rise districts of Miami from the older single storey blocks yet to be gentrified, like the district of Wynwood. We pedal there to admire the fantastic street art that has taken over the walls of derelict buildings and small businesses.


As it is Saturday, the streets are crowded with many folks on foot, cameras around their necks. A wedding party are having their photos taken in front of a wall painted with flowers. Mike likes an image of Star Wars.

Location:Wynwood, Miami

Happy New Year...

Venetian Way, the quiet bridge we have taken before to South Beach, is closed for repairs, so we follow the diversion along a six lane freeway! Not too busy though as it is a holiday. Over the island where cruise boats anchor and then a big high bridge. This is the tallest spot around so the bike lane is littered with broken champagne bottles, from the revellers who used this vantage point to watch the fireworks last night.


Ocean Drive runs parallel to the beach, in front of all the historic Art Deco hotels that this area is famous for. The road is closed to traffic for the day so there is a lovely holiday atmosphere as the pavement cafés can spread out onto the road. The other cyclists are mainly using their equivalent of the "Boris" hire bikes.
Next we are alongside marinas of gin palaces and the waterside homes of the seriously rich - each with a giant motor yacht moored at the end of their gardens. Returning home, on our circular route, we wait as our bridge is opened to allow boats to pass. Finally we call on at a local supermarket where all the other customers are speaking Spanish.

Location:South Beach, Miami