sunshine2blue
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2006
- Messages
- 78
Cast
Me - worrier, florida lover, credit card spender and a big kid!
DH - credit card payer, non-worrier, level head!
DS - 14yrs old, teenager with attitude! loves sport!
Sat 10 June High of 96
Up this morning around 4:50am (yawn!) the bus was picking us up at 6:20. We had a bit of trouble getting DS to get up, being a typical teenager anytime before dinnertime is early to him!! The bus turned up at 6:40 and Susie was our driver for this trip.
It took about 3-4 hours to get to Miami although we had a stop of about 15 minutes to stretch our legs, eat and empty bladders!
When we arrived in Miami we passed through the financial district, which has the Intercontinental Bank and hotel, the outside of which is made from Italian marble. We arrived at the Bayside area, which has shops, stalls and restaurants. On the bus we were offered an optional boat cruise for $16, this was booked for 12pm so we had a wander round the shops for an hour before going to get on the boat.
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This cruise was excellent. The captain knew a lot of information about the various sights such as he pointed out the memorial to the people that died on the Challenger space shuttle, the highest building in Miami etc. Then we went on towards the islands, not sure now which was which but there was Fisher island, Star Island, Memorial island and another one (cant remember name of).
There was an island only accessible by boat or helicopter, which was very exclusive. The condos on this island were a few million dollars. Cheap at half the price I hear you say!! Well it did have its own golf course!!
On now to Star island, surprise surprise this is where the stars live!! The tour guide pointed out homes belonging to Shaquille ONeal, P Diddy, Elizabeth Taylor, Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Estefan and Vanilla Ice amongst others. Did you know Vanilla Ice made $18 million from that one song alone?? Wow!! These homes were out of this world. There was a piece of land for sale in between 2 houses for $6 million. Wonder if we all chipped in .!!
Shaquille O'Neal's house (Miami Heat)
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American Airline stadium (Miami Heat basketball games played here)
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The boat trip lasted about an hour and a half and when we got back to the bayside we had lunch in a place called Le Café. Chicken breast in a bun with fries and side salad $7 each. By now it was time to return to the bus, we were going to South Beach.
It started to rain as we arrived on Ocean Drive so we drove around and then parked up for a while to see if the rain would stop. It cleared up a bit so we all went on to the beach (just to say wed been on South Beach, even if it was raining!). We had a stroll down Ocean Drive, which is full of restaurants and bars and cut up through one of the streets off it to find another street with a few shops. We had a look in a few shops and headed back to 5th and Ocean Drive to catch our bus. I got a little disorientated on the way back and found I was heading totally the wrong way! Luckily we found a policeman who pointed us in the right direction and we got there with a few minutes to spare!!
Back on the bus and off to Orlando, arrived about 10pm. We had a Smirnoff Ice tonight (first drink of the hols, except for the wine on the plane) and chilled until we fell asleep about 12.
Really enjoyed this trip, but would have liked more time to spend in Miami and would like it not to rain when we are going to the beach!!!
Me - worrier, florida lover, credit card spender and a big kid!
DH - credit card payer, non-worrier, level head!
DS - 14yrs old, teenager with attitude! loves sport!
Sat 10 June High of 96
Up this morning around 4:50am (yawn!) the bus was picking us up at 6:20. We had a bit of trouble getting DS to get up, being a typical teenager anytime before dinnertime is early to him!! The bus turned up at 6:40 and Susie was our driver for this trip.
It took about 3-4 hours to get to Miami although we had a stop of about 15 minutes to stretch our legs, eat and empty bladders!
When we arrived in Miami we passed through the financial district, which has the Intercontinental Bank and hotel, the outside of which is made from Italian marble. We arrived at the Bayside area, which has shops, stalls and restaurants. On the bus we were offered an optional boat cruise for $16, this was booked for 12pm so we had a wander round the shops for an hour before going to get on the boat.
This cruise was excellent. The captain knew a lot of information about the various sights such as he pointed out the memorial to the people that died on the Challenger space shuttle, the highest building in Miami etc. Then we went on towards the islands, not sure now which was which but there was Fisher island, Star Island, Memorial island and another one (cant remember name of).
There was an island only accessible by boat or helicopter, which was very exclusive. The condos on this island were a few million dollars. Cheap at half the price I hear you say!! Well it did have its own golf course!!
On now to Star island, surprise surprise this is where the stars live!! The tour guide pointed out homes belonging to Shaquille ONeal, P Diddy, Elizabeth Taylor, Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Estefan and Vanilla Ice amongst others. Did you know Vanilla Ice made $18 million from that one song alone?? Wow!! These homes were out of this world. There was a piece of land for sale in between 2 houses for $6 million. Wonder if we all chipped in .!!
Shaquille O'Neal's house (Miami Heat)
American Airline stadium (Miami Heat basketball games played here)
The boat trip lasted about an hour and a half and when we got back to the bayside we had lunch in a place called Le Café. Chicken breast in a bun with fries and side salad $7 each. By now it was time to return to the bus, we were going to South Beach.
It started to rain as we arrived on Ocean Drive so we drove around and then parked up for a while to see if the rain would stop. It cleared up a bit so we all went on to the beach (just to say wed been on South Beach, even if it was raining!). We had a stroll down Ocean Drive, which is full of restaurants and bars and cut up through one of the streets off it to find another street with a few shops. We had a look in a few shops and headed back to 5th and Ocean Drive to catch our bus. I got a little disorientated on the way back and found I was heading totally the wrong way! Luckily we found a policeman who pointed us in the right direction and we got there with a few minutes to spare!!
Back on the bus and off to Orlando, arrived about 10pm. We had a Smirnoff Ice tonight (first drink of the hols, except for the wine on the plane) and chilled until we fell asleep about 12.
Really enjoyed this trip, but would have liked more time to spend in Miami and would like it not to rain when we are going to the beach!!!
