Miami Bay cruise with Skyview

 

We find some post holiday shopping that we need to do at a huge mall near us.  We’re amazed at the lines at the Covid testing sites that are set up through the city.  People are required to have a negative to come to work and the lines are

amazingly long.  We find a Ticket to Ride board game for Oscar at the game shop and are trying to figure out how to get it in our suitcase to take home because it’s that good a deal on game.  We have decided we need true Cuban cuisine and head to Versailles in Little Havana.  They have a huge line

out restaurant in the time of Covid, but end up after 40 minutes with a nice table that feels pretty distanced from others.  We have the most amazing food too….so it was worth it.  The boys were all done with shopping, but the women went back out after dropping them off.  I’ve shopped with Julie a couple of times now.  So, when she and Lena went into a certain store that I know that they can spend hours in, I got a chair massage in the middle of the mall.  I love traveling, but it takes a toll on the body

the door and we really don’t want to eat in a crowded and I miss my scheduled massages with my therapist.  So, I decide to practice a little wellness and I’m done with my 30 minute massage before they’re in line to check out.  So, that works.  We walk around some more, hit the Total Wine right beside this mall and find out that limited edition Goose Island Brewery beers that

are held in reserve for people and sell out in hours at home, never get bought here.  So, we buy a ridiculous amount of beer that Dave and John will have to drink before we get on planes.  When they see what we got, they’re good with that and on the case. And extremely happy with the purchases.  

Our last full day in Miami, we’re doing a boat tour of the bay that I bought months ago as our Christmas presents to everyone.

  We head down to Bayside Park and stop at a grocery store on the way in order to get a picnic lunch.  Eating out repeatedly for 8 gets to be quite a bill, so breakfast at the hotel, one restaurant meal for lunch or dinner but not both is the only way to afford it.  We find makings for sandwiches and once we find parking down by the park, we’re golden for the rest of the day.  We look around at the shops, check out some history of

this area of Miami and have our picnic lunches.  We ride the Skyview Miami to get some great view of the city and the Bay and then check in for our boat tour.  Not only do we get to see Miami Bay, but the houses of the rich and famous.  We don’t get to see anyone famous unfortunately, but when there

was a man walking a dog outside Antonio Banderas’ house, my camera’s zoom was not up to the level of excitement I felt.  We enjoy the day and get some Miami Vice drinks (virgin for the kids) that have shots of liquor sticking out of them in vials.  This is a half pina colada, half strawberry dacquiri mix that is amazing.  We head back to the hotel and Julie and Dave find a CityPlace Doral next to the

hotel with dancing fountains.  We head over and watch the fountains dance, watch the kids dance and run around.  Have Sloan’s Ice Cream and just enjoy another night in the warmth.  We know that we head home tomorrow and as I watch Oscar happily eating ice cream in a t shirt and shorts, I can’t help but think how cold it’s going to be when we land in Grand Rapids tomorrow.  But all the talk on the news and everywhere is that every plane in America is being canceled, delayed, etc.  So, maybe we won’t have to head home.