Goodbye Key West

It’s been a nice visit over the last two nights but it’s our favourite part- moving on.

Was Key West worth the drive? Yes and no. On the one hand this is just another seaside resort full of tatty gift shops and plenty of bars, and patrons sampling them until the early hours. It’s a party town full of party people enjoying the usual Happy Hours. If you only see Duval Street and Mallory Square along with many others then I think you’ve missed the heart of Key West.

Wandering further afield into and around the old town opens up a charming southern town, much akin to Savannah or St Augustine further north. A delightful mix of wooden clapperboard houses with sheltered verandas squished together really show what this island once must have looked like. Apparently it was far smaller once so they built houses so close together that there was no room for front yards or back yards, just tiny little tree lined alleys between properties so that your neighbour could get to their front door too.

The island was enlarged a long time ago and more houses built. Hemingway lived here, his house is behind Duval Street. They did not get mains water until 1948 and only then because the US Army moved onto the island to stare at Cuba more, so they laid a pipe. Before that, the residents used to collect water on the roof during rainy season and store it, making it last until the following year.

So I think I’d come back some time…

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Better than Sex

Now what an idea for a restaurant? Create a restaurant that purely serves desserts. Drape it inside in sensual red velvets, candles and keep the lights low. Display sexy black and white pictures (all very tasteful). Then creat sumptuous desserts all with very sexual names.

Fancy going?? Hell yes. So we did. Even the drinks are all sexy! Definitely not a place for kiddies but nothing seedy, just a nice and intimate experience with a difference.

So to start we had a glass of pink champagne each- ah but with a twist, “Tia’s Tickler” comes with a glass draped in rich dark chocolate. The trick is to lick the chocolate and sip the bubbles. Bliss.

Next was the desserts. I chose Tongue Bath Truffle and Mr Fogg picked Cookie Nookie Pie. Both pure ecstasy.

Just look for yourself Better Than Sex

A very enjoyable and fun experience.

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Bottom of the US

Here we are at the southern most point of the US, a mere 90 miles from Cuba. queuing behind the twotta generation who spend all day looking down at their phones updating everyone on their movements (not unlike a blog I guess).

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Sunsets and Mojitos

A fun day wandering around the interesting city of Key West, the most southerly point of the US. Cool sunsets, interesting stores with a feel of Blackpool meets P-Town. The area is very non-discriminatory to any personal persuasions.

Yesterday saw shrimps by the bucket load, Margaritas and Mojitos, which appear to be Mrs Fogg’s new best fwend.

Today is another amble round the Conch Republic, more food and more relaxing before the hike back up the US1 and 7 mile bridge tomorrow, providing the out of control bush fire hasn’t closed it.

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The Key to A Good Life

Ah the Keys, what a cool run down today was, miles of sea and sand and the world famous 7 mile bridge which to coin a hippy phrase was “AWESOME”.

Here we are in Key West the tip of the US and just oh so cool. An early up then healthy brekky at a small shack with Tarpon carnivore fish

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On then Across the 7 mile bridge, which surprisingly is is a bridge and has a span of 7 miles, before hitting downtown Key West and you guessed it cohol

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Lobster and Sunset

Despite the over priced nature of this resort, the views, sunset and company (as always) were amazing.

Walking along the jetty the sea is beautifully clear with white sand and baby sharks to boot

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This is America after all so the little kitch touches come in to play, such as the battery operated tee light

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Whilst our hotel room boasts 2 queen sized beds (so we messed em both up) and a sliding door to the bathing area

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Luxury slow style

Ah the beautiful Keys. We’ve spent the afternoon having a dip in a lovely pool, ambling along a wooden jetty and watching “cocktail” style waiters sorting drinks for their customers.

A nice location albeit at a ridiculous price. So we opted also to eat in the hotel restaurant. Sat outside, candlelit table watching the sunset and served by the slowest waitress ever! She was that slow that our table neighbour – Vladimir from the Czech Republic (who has been coming to this resort for dinner and breakfast for the past 25 years) also was complaining loudly.

Still, despite the slow service we enjoyed a wonderful meal and a bottle of champagne. Bliss. Tomorrow we are moving on to the tip of America, Key West. Our Czech friend tells us it’s full of weirdos, so we shall see.

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Couldn’t help it, honest

I like the Keys so far. Unfortunately the planned accommodation is fully booked so we had to find alternative lodgings.

Choices were the Bates motel or an unknown Cheeeca Lodge and Spa. I suggested to Mr Fogg that we go gave a look up the tree-lined drive past the security man and the numerous porsches parked.

Oh boy, one luxury resort, complete with resident Tiffany on Guest reception. What could we do eh? Book in of course. Pure unadulterated luxury at a price. Sorry, just gotta do it. Oh, did I mention the free glass if welcome champagne??

So here is us in our motorbike gear slumming it in Reception waiting for our room to be ready. We’re people watching and planning snap (for the uninitiated this is spotting mother and facsimile daughter dressed in matching designer outfits). Hoorah!

We’re English don’t you know daarlings, just popped in with our luxury Harley for a spot of chill and chav.

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Miami nightlife – now where is we??

Last night we took a cab from the hotel to a recommended area called Lincoln Road which is a pedestrianised area with shops and food. It was too far to walk (2.5 miles) after so long on the bike.

So our cab driver says yup and sets off. No talking to this guy, he just sat and hummed to himself. We got stuck in lots of traffic and again kept seeing how the other half live – there’s money in this city judging by the women’s dresses and the multitude of Lambourginis.

So after about 20mins of humming and driving/sitting in traffic he pulled up and muttered, Ocean Drive. Nope says I, we asked for Lincoln Road! Nope he says you asked for Ocean Drive. Off with the humming again as we are trying to ask him to take us back to where we wanted to be. Then of course I asked about the fare on the meter that was still running. More humming and a muttered, pay me what you want, only 1 dollar difference. Grumpy guy. We paid him what we felt the trip was worth and no more and left him to his humming.

So, back to Lincoln Road through more traffic and to a nice area filled with outdoor restaurants and lots of people.

This is Miami beach, which is a big area, but to be fair is just another large overpriced city. Our restaurant was good but as with all cities, overpriced- £60 for two for pasta basically.

Nice to visit, not interested in the Art Deco district as we saw plenty from the cab- now get me out of here and back to the small places…

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