The switch to Miami

Miami was fun this past week, a fizzy party with Latin influence. Always happening, no waning with seasons, and warm to hot.

In our ongoing quest in whatever city we're in to explore the restaurants, we made it to Azul, a high end restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental hotel that I walk by every morning. Brett and Maria joined us which made it a festive night, and while it was good, in my opinion the food didn't live up to the prices or the hype. Service was outstanding though - they even brought purse stands to the table. So your purse doesn't have to touch the questionable floor.  Really....

Don't know who to attribute the quote too but an inspiring thought

Old and New - cruise ship and 2,000 year old Tequesta Indian site

Speaking of my walk, there's much to see on any given morning. Statues are all over, some I couldn't miss some I've just noticed.

The sunrises were spectacular. You know, I think they must be everywhere if you just take the time to look.

This one is fun. It's a permanent site to help fund the food for Manny the cat, It's outside the Mandarin and I walk by every morning. He's very cute, black with white paws. I meant to take a photo of Manny this trip but alas, he was absent from the scene. Sleeping in perhaps? Google him if you're interested - he's on various sites including Instagram.

My friend Mark Cuban was not in residence but never fear, other mega yachts were - Idol and Blackhawk

Lots to see in every direction even tennis below me. That infinity pool is quite massive -2 acres and part of the largest condo complex in downtown. ICON Brickell. Alas, all is not well in the luxury pool world. Construction problems (leaking in the garage?) which may shut it down for at least a year...

our hall

Here's a view you haven't seen. Our hall, consisting of 4 condos and elevator. In which you never ever see or hear anyone. Ghostly quiet. And all the floors are like this, but the garage with many levels has heaps of cars. And there are not normal cars or very few. That is a story for another time. It's a land of different manners. You do say hello on the elevator, you do not say hello or anything else on the walk around the island.

Back to Naples for the weekend, then Mark turns around for Miami. We did get to O'Mei for Peking duck last week before Miami and it was spectacular. Definitely will go back. And tonight, since I'm on a food theme, we're going to Escargot 41, an old favorite for many of us, but haven't been back since one visit after new owners took over. We're jumping back in to see...I'll report.