Florida Keys/Miami Vac 2016

So, we got back from our family vacation last month from Florida Keys/Miami and wow was it ever beautiful. I am never disappointed when I step onto Florida soil. The beautiful rays of Florida sunshine just really make me so happy.  Really, why wouldn’t make it you happy? The keys are spectacular with the view of the ocean where ever you turn. We rented a vacation home by the canal at the Key Colony Beach in Marathon, Florida Keys. From the kitchen, as I/we prepared breakfast you can see boats of all sizes float lazily by. It was awesome to witness that right from your kitchen slash dining room slash living room… It was amazing…!

Our very first morning there, was Mother’s Day, and to my surprise, the children cooked me breakfast and prepared a lovely/pretty table in the backyard patio, overlooking the canal. I was commanded to stay the hell inside my room until everything was set. Then when I went outside I was presented with an awesome meal and background music of my favorite; Karen Carpenter, on my son’s laptop. LOL. Yesssss… These are my awesome kids, who make me happy even though they hate my “elevator” music. But will still put up with it. as my husband watched me with a big grin on his face, another LOL.

The house we rented had 4 bedrooms and could sleep 10 people, had plenty of space and the backyard as you can see was fantastic. It also came with a free membership to the Cabana Beach Club which was located a couple of minutes down the street which had a great size pool, bar, a tiny beach, plenty lounge chairs, great service and lots of rays for that tan you want to work on. You can’t bring any kind of outside food though, not even your own water bottle or anything. When we went in May it wasn’t crowded at all, so it was so heavenly and peaceful.

We had the utmost perfect weather every single solitary day and I couldn’t be more thankful, as all I did in the Tdot was complain my head off about the cold weather ! We visited Key West two times for shopping at Mallory Square and Duval Street and of course the Sunset! I loved it here, so many shops and restaurants to visit (you should wear comfortable shoes to really enjoy yourself girls) and for those who don’t want to walk, I saw that bike rentals were available and carts that seats 2 to 6 people were also a good option. As we drove from one location to another, all  you see was the ocean. Water, water everywhere, it was so beautiful and clear and fresh and just sooooo paradise like… I thought to myself, how I never wanted to leave this place, how this is where I belong. the sun in my eyes, the sun in my hair, who needs to pay for more highlights?? the sand between my toes… God I need to retire here. No wonder everyone comes here to retire… things that make you go hmmmmmm….. The Keys is beautiful….

Before leaving Key West, we waited for the sunset at Mallory Square. Obviously that is the main attraction, that is not to be missed!

We  drove to Islamorada and ate twice at Marker88 restaurant, where you can eat your dinner seated on swings! Its totally fun, but after having a huge and delicious meal, uh not such a wonderful feeling. Laughing out loud. The sunset is truly romantic here and I swear if the kids weren’t here, it would have been an amazing date night. But, yeah, a truly beautiful setting!

We took a gander twice into Miami for sightseeing and more shopping. We shopped at the Aventura Mall, which we didn’t find any bargains. Though this mall was beautiful and posh and we did eat at the Cheesefactory Restaurant which served awesome pasta! Next we headed over to the Dolphin Mall and here was where the men took longer than my daughter and I.. Like, what the hell? Imagine that, the men taking longer than us? In shopping? I actually had to phone my husband and ask where the hell they are, envisioning them somethere on the bench bored out of their minds, probably swearing underneath their breaths muttering “can we leave already”, but here I am, astonished, that they: my husband and two son’s weren’t even done shopping yet. My goodness, so yeah, this mall in my opinion is a great mall to shop in. There is variety for everyone, and my daughter and I bought six pairs of shoes, each! We also went to walk around Lincoln Rd where you can find a cluster of restaurants/shops/resorts and hotels. This is also where South Beach is located and where we just hung around on the beach.

Our second visit to Miami was a visit to Miami Beach Botanical Garden, a horrid Botanical Garden, what garden? It was horridly small. Just go round in a circle and your done. My hellllll. Thank God you don’t have to pay to get in, can you imagine if you had to? Ugggh! It had a 4.2 rating on Google when my daughter googled it, so we went. It was boiling hot out too so we were miserable, can you just picture us, how amazing did we must all look? Plus we were all starving by the time we hightailed out of there, my God! Never mind, I could go on. You get the picture.

We went back to Lincoln Rd which was just a walking distance from that horrific Botantical Garden anyways, and ate a Cuban Restaurant, which everything was hell delicious and all was well again.

Overall I enjoyed my time off as usual with my family. Its not often we can spend the whole week with the children with all of them living away. When I  wake up and they are under the same roof, it always makes me happy and content. The weather was always hot and beautiful just as I prefer it. The beach and water was always accessible, just as I prefer it. The scenery was breathtaking. I loved the Keys, with is serenity and tranquility, leaving me feeling refreshed and peaceful and rejuvenated. I was recharged and ready to head back to the city life of the Tdot.  Ready to plan yet another little excursion, to feed my hunger of travelling and exploring, this Bella world…

Tessiebelle