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).
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.
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
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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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
This is America after all so the little kitch touches come in to play, such as the battery operated tee light
Whilst our hotel room boasts 2 queen sized beds (so we messed em both up) and a sliding door to the bathing area
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.
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.
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…
After the mega thunderstorm that lasted until 7am this morning, the skies cleared to leave a beautiful day. Time to admire the Green Goblin’s motorcycle (a Victory Cross Country) before we set off
Ever the adventurers we decided to take the N Dixie Highway, US1 and the majority of the A1A which is a 30 mph stretch with hundreds of traffic lights, so the 95 mile route took about 6 hours to ride (numb bums r us). The scenery was stunning between the sea, the beach and the oh so opulent houses. We passed through a strange named town
Before stumbling across a British bike and car show with a plethora of immaculate old cars and De Loreans
We eventually hit Miami Beach at 17.30 a little tired and sore, then all set to enjoy the sights of the town and some well earned grub.
We’ve ringside seats tonight to a spectacular thunderstorm show. Sat protected on our third floor balcony we are sat watching fork lightening dance across the sky. Spectacular and very loud.
The two pictures here are if the view from the balcony. The bright one is lightening highlighting the whole sky. Incredibly powerful and glad I’m inside!
And guess what Mr Fogg is doing?? Yup, trying to capture the lightening on video.
The poor bike is getting a wash but at least we are nice and dry.
And the video
So this morning in Titusville we woke to strong winds and torrential rain. Oh dear! Was this Florida or England?
Putting on the many TV channels that discuss weather 24/7 we were cheerily told that Florida is experiencing unseasonably low pressure, the Gulf Stream is in the wrong place- oh and it’s now officially a tornado warning for Central and Eastern Florida. Heavy and damaging rain, winds and thunderstorms. Anyone for biking??
Our very nice hosts for last night offered us the room to stay another night but ever the hardy Brits we decided to wait for a break in the weather and dash for it. Ok yes we thought it a bit mad too, but another night in Titusville just did not appeal.
I am very happy to report that despite expecting to get drenched and stop for shelter we actually managed to stay ahead of the weather. We stayed totally dry!
The weather maps are off the TV just now. Green is bad and just look at the amount of cloud.
Just checking the weather now we seem to be in the clear down here in Fort Pierce. Yippee. Time to go find food then….and maybe a celebratory drink
