Our last day could have been complicated - our driver doesn’t arrive until 19:20, so it’s really a full day to do stuff first. Last night we investigate delaying our checkout at reception, but they cannot arrange this. However the receptionist tells us about hotelsbyday.com where we could then book via an agency what the hotel cannot do itself - what kind of crazy world do we live in? The cost pro-rata is double the cost of the 24h rate!
Anyway after our usual croissant and coffee breakfast we pop down to find out what room we’re allocated and then make our move. We’re downgraded to a standard room, which is fine for eight hours, but goodness knows how a couple can live in one for a number of days.
We aim for an area we haven’t yet explored, north west of where Ocean Drive ends at 15th Street. There is a really great high street, envisioned as the “5th Avenue” of Miami Beach by Carl Fisher - he of Fisher Island, Lincoln Road runs between 16th and 17th. Of course I will deny admitting this later, but with dozens of names from Apple to Zara, and the likes of Dr Martens, Ray Ban, Macy’s and Nike in between sculptures and cafes it was certainly spectacular and briefly enjoyable.
Having had a too-close brush with retail we continue to the Holocaust Monument. This is a very impressive monument around and in the centre of a pond, with several sculptures including the disturbing centrepiece. We make a respectful time for reflection before moving on the the Botanical Gardens nearby.
We then recommence our journey on the beach boardwalk, passing the huge Miami Beach conference centre to get there.occupying six blocks it takes ages to walk past, but we see more great Art Deco buildings a we walk along as far as 34th before turning around.
Having found a Paul bakery on Lincoln we decide to return there for lunch, but it’s quite different to to UK ones and we are able to get a beer with our insanely overpriced sandwich and croque monsieur. There is a side-show, the bus-boys keep feeding a squirrel to the point that (s)he follows them! Entertaining but not really the right thing to do.
The afternoon is spent in and around the pool amongst the young body beautifuls, before we return to our cupboard to prep for flight-mode. Our transport comes in the form of an party-bus complete with disco lights, insane sound system and huge TV!
It’s ages before the flight so go for tomato and mozzarella, salmon and roast chicken all on one plate! It probably will be 23:30 before we get dinner onboard.
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