Sunday, January 4, 2015

Miami Moon, Meteorites, and Fireworks

Even with this rolly anchorage and the unruly jet-skiers, this anchorage has proven to be quite fun.  Our first day here, we did the Lincoln Road touristy thing; glad to be a tourist, as I was way underdressed to be a local.  The high heels are so outrageous; makes my feet hurt just to watch people walk in them.  Ouch.

We were on the prowl for Cuban food, good Cuban food, because Miami would be the place for it outside of Cuba, which we just heard had sanctions lifted, so who knows?  Maybe a real Cuban meal is in the offing some time soon.  But not soon enough for today's cravings!

Cuban food, Cuban food, Cuban food.  Oh, look!  There's a Hofbrau Beerhall Munchen!  German food, German food, German food.  This is a stomach that is ADD, but we settled down to a delicious meal with an amazing pretzel that made us very homesick for Germany; we were there a few years ago to visit my relatives and we all loved it so much.  I'd like to go back again within a year or so.  Gary was able to get a Radler, which is a mix of beer and lemonade that he came to enjoy overseas.

We walked all the way to the beach and then back again in time to hop the dinghy to visit Azimuth.  Their teenagers were still at their grandparents, but we had a grand time and the hours raced by, again full of laughter and great stories (I really hope this couple writes a book about their sailing adventures), until finally, a little before midnight, we came back to the boat to sleep.

Long-time friends of ours were in Boca for winter break (can you believe it?), so we made plans for a daysail and a stop at the Flagler Memorial Island, which is a small, uninhabited man-made island within spitting distance of the boat anchorage.  With all the water traffic during the day, I will admit to being nervous that it would not be a calming experience, but somehow the day turned out just perfect.

Our friends, their three daughters, and the daughters' nanny, were brought to the boat from shore and we sailed for about an hour.  Because they came laden with snacks and food and more food and a box of boat gifts, it felt like Christmas! 

The island stop was fun for all, with a little bit of swimming, some lizard watching, sand art, and a short walk to the inner part of the park to look at the monument.  The place is quite neglected with broken down wire fencing, but it was still an adventure.

Dinner out was very special, as we had originally thought about pizza, but that ADD stomach spoke up again when it saw an Argentinian steak restaurant.  Gary had a 32-ounce steak and he was so happy.  Sad to say goodbye to our friends, but their Uber car was coming soon, so we walked them to the designated meeting point and amidst hugs, said goodbye until we meet again.


As we got back to the boat, we noticed fireworks over Miami proper; they were so beautiful and unexpected.   And right during the middle of the man-made display, Gary and I were treated by the Universe sending an exploding meteorite right overhead.  Coolest thing ever as is disintegrated into a burst of color!  

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