Solo in South Beach

Last week I took a trip to South Beach, Miami. This trip was significant for me, as I had wanted to return to Miami beach since Rich and I had traveled there 6 years ago. (I actually traveled through Miami as a teenager with my family, but we didn't get out of the car). Miami was amazing to me, filled with color, excitement, and tall buildings. I had never taken a trip alone, and this was the perfect opportunity, since Rich was going skiing  with his buddies. I was hoping to take in the beach, enjoy the culinary treats, do some dancing, and take a zumba class. So after a little online research and planning, off I went on my three day solo excursion!

One thing that I learned from my last Miami trip was that I wanted to stay in the Art Deco District. Hotels in this are known for their striking pastel colors, and lobbies with cool antique furniture. Most of the hotels in this area were built in the twenties through the forties. The Hotel Viscay, where I stayed, was in the heart of the Deco district, with a short stroll to the beach, and equally short walk to the restaurants and nightclubs. There were a lot of people mixed with a lot of cars, but I was pleasantly surprised at how pedestrian friendly the traffic was, compared to other American cities. Cars really did stop at the crosswalks!

I was looking forward to eating some good food in Miami, including Cuban fare, seafood, and desserts. As soon as I arrived, I stopped at a little Cuban cafe called Puerto Sagua, that I had read about on Trip Adviser. Just about 3 blocks from my hotel, this place lived up to its 4 plus rating, with traditional shredded beef and fried plantains. Diners and servers were primarily Spanish speaking locals, who were enjoying the authentic fare. Breakfast and brunch are favorites for me when I am on vacation, so I devoured Belgian waffles and eggs at the Orange Blossom Cafe. Brunch seems to be popular in South Beach, with a number of restaurants serving all day breakfast. Finally, for my dessert craving, I decided to look for a Key Lime pie. I read that Grillfish on Collins Ave. had one of the best in town, so I stopped here at tea time (3:00 pm) for a slice of key lime pie and tea. The pie was wonderful, and the portion generous, so that I was able to take part of it back to my room to enjoy later!

Even though the temperatures were a little cooler than normal, walking on the beach was still a pleasure. The sunshine and blue skies of South Beach made it seem warmer than the 66 degree thermometer reading. The bright and funky lifeguard stands still fascinate me and added to the ambience of the peaceful beach atmosphere. An alternative to the beach walk is a paved path where walkers, bicyclists, and skateboarders abound.

One of my must do's for my trip was to find a good place to participate in salsa dancing. I did online research, and thought that I had found a couple of places. But alas, this was one disappointment in South Beach. There were places to listen to DJ pop playlists at bars, but no places I saw where people were actually dancing. I did enjoy Latin music and professional performers at Mango, right in the heart of Ocean Blvd. I listened to the music, liked the dance numbers and sipped my margarita. And who can criticize a nightclub where men on stage take off their shirts and where a Michael Jackson impersonator does an awesome routine? On my next trip, I will venture into the city to Little Havana, as my cab driver on my departure told me there is definitely salsa dancing there!

My first trip alone had several standout activities. One was my first pole dancing class, which will be discussed on another day in this blog. Another was watching Super Bowl at the Shelley Hotel lounge. I had considered watching the big game alone, as I was rather tired after my first day of walking and exploring. But I am glad that I decided to watch the game at the Shelley. The bartender was great, giving us free Kahlua shots in the second half. The bar patrons were mostly Panthers fans, which was fortunate for me, even though the game's outcome was disappointing. But the best part was the cultural diversity here, with Latinos, African Americans, and Asians all watching the game together. And they were young. (except for me, of course). The youth and energy of South Beach are probably what I appreciate the most. I will be back!!