A LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING TODAY:
ENJOYED FIRST FULL DAY IN MIAMI✔ NICE LONG WALKS AROUND MIAMI✔ VISITED PORT OF MIAMI✔ DINNER FROM LA PROVENCE FRENCH BAKERY & CAFE ✔
Since 2007, this marks our sixth pre-criuse stay in Miami. We used to not have a very favorable opinion of Miami, having more to do with visiting the area back in the 1970's but our view of Miami quickly changed with that 2007 visit. In 2007, tremendous construction related activity was taking place throughout many parts of the downtown area, including the financial district, with many mid-size buildings being removed and replaced by taller and more modern type structures for use as condominiums and office space along with some new hotels. Although, it still paled in comparison to the transformation of Dubai, UAE, during that time Miami was booming,with construction, including the vast number of cranes which could be seen throughout the city. Back then, walking along Brickell say from the Four Seasons Hotel in the direction of the Port Of Miami was a major challenge as sidewalks were closed off in many areas on both sides of the street.
Even with all of that construction we still had a tremendous time on that first stay in Miami. Fast forward to December, 2009 and almost all of the construction had been completed, although several buildings stood empty given the economic collapse that had only recently taken place. However, by around 2012 those same buildings were were rapidly being filled with commercial and residential tenants respectively.
We were last in Miami from December 29, 2012 thru January 4, 2013 and the one change we notice in the past year is that a lot of construction is going on again, particularly on roads that run parallel to Brickell as well as roads that intersect Brickell.
Overall, while for us Miami is not in the same league as say New York City or San Francisco, we have found Miami to be a wonderful city to visit this time of year between the milder weather, its diversity and culture, places to go and see, as well as the high level of service and friendliness provided at hotels, restaurants, and other establishments.
We spent time last evening getting settled in our room with all of the items we will need for our pre-cruise unpacked and put in their rightful spot.
We slept extremely well. We were both tired and it is amazing what a good nights sleep can do for you.
Keith awoke first. One of the reasons we enjoy this hotel, is because our room includes a living area that is separate from the bedroom area. This works perfectly for us since we both get up early Keith is an even earlier riser than Anne Marie, so he can read and write, without disturbing Anne Marie's sleep.
Some views of the living area.
Our hotel package includes breakfast which we can have at the restaurant (even the buffet) or via room service and as we did last year we enjoyed breakfast in our room. We try to have a light and healthy breakfast so we went with cereal and a banana, along with melon and berries and of course coffee.
We were out and about by around 8:30 AM so that we could enjoy our first of many long walks in Miami.
After we left the hotel we walked along the Bay. We then made our way back to Brickell and a little while later we made a right and walked over a bridge that took us to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
We then proceeded to walk the surrounding area which is always well manicured and enjoyed the views.
We then continued our walk and near Bayside there was an exhibit of various statues which included people who supported peace yet each one had a weapon. We can only assume that the theme of this display had to do with War and Peace. Some of the statues included: Mother Teresa Muhammad Ali, Ghandi and even Charlie Chaplin
On the left hand side was the iconic Freedom Tower.
We then came to the entranceway to the Port Of Miami
On the right hand-side was Bayside which has many restaurants and shops.
Six passengers ships were in port including the Royal Caribbean and the Resorts World Bimini Super Fast.
As we made our way a little further we could see a Disney, Carnival and NCL Cruise Ship along with one other ship.
We then made our way from the Port Back over to the other side. Each time we have done this in the past, we will see a few crew members and one or two passengers crossing the bridge. This time we saw several passengers who had disembarked their cruises walking across the bridge with their luggage in hand.
By the time we had arrived back to the Hotel we had walked ten miles. Although the skies were overcast the weather was very nice. We had lunch and then we went out again for another walk.
We are keeping track of miles using two methods this year. As we did last year we utilized an APP on our iPhone which tracks distance covered, and also let's us know average distance per mile.
At the same time we are using a Nike Fuel Wrist Band which each of us started using recently which let's us know total steps walked, miles, estimated calories and what they call Nike Fuel.
We went back out in the afternoon and walked to several other locations in the downtown area. We likely stopped at every Publix (Supermarket) and CVS and Walgreen's in the city (just kidding but we went to several of them) to continue to pick up those remaining items on our list that we need for this adventure. The good news is that we now have most of them.
Today, we walked close to 17 miles so it was a good walking day.
Our original plan was to dine this evening at the River Seafood & Oyster Bar in downtown Miami. However, we decided to cancel our dinner reservation since we thought we would have a lighter dinner this evening. Tomorrow night we have dinner plans to ring in the New Year.
We will close now.
In the spirit of waking up early.....
Even with all of that construction we still had a tremendous time on that first stay in Miami. Fast forward to December, 2009 and almost all of the construction had been completed, although several buildings stood empty given the economic collapse that had only recently taken place. However, by around 2012 those same buildings were were rapidly being filled with commercial and residential tenants respectively.
We were last in Miami from December 29, 2012 thru January 4, 2013 and the one change we notice in the past year is that a lot of construction is going on again, particularly on roads that run parallel to Brickell as well as roads that intersect Brickell.
Overall, while for us Miami is not in the same league as say New York City or San Francisco, we have found Miami to be a wonderful city to visit this time of year between the milder weather, its diversity and culture, places to go and see, as well as the high level of service and friendliness provided at hotels, restaurants, and other establishments.
We spent time last evening getting settled in our room with all of the items we will need for our pre-cruise unpacked and put in their rightful spot.
We slept extremely well. We were both tired and it is amazing what a good nights sleep can do for you.
Keith awoke first. One of the reasons we enjoy this hotel, is because our room includes a living area that is separate from the bedroom area. This works perfectly for us since we both get up early Keith is an even earlier riser than Anne Marie, so he can read and write, without disturbing Anne Marie's sleep.
Some views of the living area.
Our hotel package includes breakfast which we can have at the restaurant (even the buffet) or via room service and as we did last year we enjoyed breakfast in our room. We try to have a light and healthy breakfast so we went with cereal and a banana, along with melon and berries and of course coffee.
We were out and about by around 8:30 AM so that we could enjoy our first of many long walks in Miami.
After we left the hotel we walked along the Bay. We then made our way back to Brickell and a little while later we made a right and walked over a bridge that took us to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
We then proceeded to walk the surrounding area which is always well manicured and enjoyed the views.
After walking around the area for quite awhile we headed back over the bridge we had arrived on.
We then continued our walk and near Bayside there was an exhibit of various statues which included people who supported peace yet each one had a weapon. We can only assume that the theme of this display had to do with War and Peace. Some of the statues included: Mother Teresa Muhammad Ali, Ghandi and even Charlie Chaplin
On the left hand side was the iconic Freedom Tower.
We then came to the entranceway to the Port Of Miami
We then arrived to the bridge that takes you to the Port Of Miami. There was more traffic than usual between the industrial traffic related to the port and vehicles taking disembarking passengers to other locations and embarking passengers over to the Cruise Ships.
We then walked over the Bridge using the pedestrian walkway.
On the right hand-side was Bayside which has many restaurants and shops.
Six passengers ships were in port including the Royal Caribbean and the Resorts World Bimini Super Fast.
As we made our way a little further we could see a Disney, Carnival and NCL Cruise Ship along with one other ship.
We then made our way from the Port Back over to the other side. Each time we have done this in the past, we will see a few crew members and one or two passengers crossing the bridge. This time we saw several passengers who had disembarked their cruises walking across the bridge with their luggage in hand.
We then walked up and down several streets and eventually stopped at an area with Holiday Decorations which we have seen in prior years.
By the time we had arrived back to the Hotel we had walked ten miles. Although the skies were overcast the weather was very nice. We had lunch and then we went out again for another walk.
We are keeping track of miles using two methods this year. As we did last year we utilized an APP on our iPhone which tracks distance covered, and also let's us know average distance per mile.
At the same time we are using a Nike Fuel Wrist Band which each of us started using recently which let's us know total steps walked, miles, estimated calories and what they call Nike Fuel.
We went back out in the afternoon and walked to several other locations in the downtown area. We likely stopped at every Publix (Supermarket) and CVS and Walgreen's in the city (just kidding but we went to several of them) to continue to pick up those remaining items on our list that we need for this adventure. The good news is that we now have most of them.
Today, we walked close to 17 miles so it was a good walking day.
Our original plan was to dine this evening at the River Seafood & Oyster Bar in downtown Miami. However, we decided to cancel our dinner reservation since we thought we would have a lighter dinner this evening. Tomorrow night we have dinner plans to ring in the New Year.
We will close now.
In the spirit of waking up early.....
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY............
“Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” – Benjamin Franklin
Keith and Anne Marie
17 miles; while I love you two, I hate you!
ReplyDeleteBill
17 miles is amazing! While my husband and I are still in our 30s and do not have much time off of work, you are inspiration to keep working hard to someday have the ability to do a world cruise!
ReplyDelete