Breakfast on the beach.

**Madabouttigger** · 21-03-2014, 19:03

We had a slower start today and decided to try the cafe - mini market next door for breakfast. The hotel has a buffet breakfast that is good, but we only wanted coffee and toast. At the cafe we got coffee, toast and fresh orange juice to take out, and walked across the road to the beach. Circa 39 has it's own area of beach so we grabbed 2 loungers and had a wonderful lazy breakfast in the sun. We have a car to collect today so grabbed a bus up to the airport. If anyone is coming to Miami the bus service is very good, it cost us $2.65 and took about 35 minuets from Collins Avenue to the airport. We only had a short walk to the car hire and so far so good. We went straight down to the garage (that's what we did in Orlando when we last used Alamo fast track) but got told we had to go back up to the 4th floor and use the kiosk. Ok no problem with this, but the kiosk would not let us register, twice we went through the whole process, having to re input drivers license details and home address and contact number, and when we got to the end it stated it could not accept our contact number. After the 1st attempt we asked for assistance and she told us to go over the process again but leave the 1st zero off the mobile number but it rejected us again. So she told us to join the queue and go to the desk. 45 mins later we managed to register at the desk, Mr M was fit to burst at this point as when we last used this system in Orlando it was so simple, but this time it took forever. Anyway off to the garage and waiting for is was a lovely sparkly black Ford Explorer. Mr M does love his cars and this really cheered him up, it has lots of toys to keep him busy, I'll post photos when I get to Pam's villa with a computer. We drove back to Miami Beach and had to cruse down Ocean Drive. We came back to the Hotel for a pool side lunch, then off to the beach for a wander around. The beach is very busy,the sand and sea are beautiful but I prefer the quite of the gulf coast beaches. Back to hotel to update my trip report then off to Ocean drive for dinner at the Betsy.

**eagleydo** · 22-03-2014, 20:59

Good start, love trip reports and yours are always good

**Madabouttigger** · 22-03-2014, 21:45

thank you, appreciate your comments

**Madabouttigger** · 23-03-2014, 08:20

Washed and scrubbed up we caught the "run away bus" back to Ocean drive. By night it is a completely different place, quite a few people has less clothing on than they had during the day on the beach, and you do see some sights. We stopped off for a drink and people watched, Mr M pointing out the Exotic cars cruising up and down, I was amazed by the beautiful people with their swagger and poise strutting up and down. We wandered up to the Betsy and found our table ready for us out side. This meal for us, was to celebrate Valentines day, Mr M was called away at the last Minute on Feb 14th, and had to go off shore, so we spent valentines alone but agreed we would celebrate in Miami. We started off with Mojito s whilst studying the menu. We both decided on the waguwagu steak, with no starter but possibly a pudding. We also ordered a bottle of wine with the main course. The waiters are. Very helpful and friendly and took time to go over the menu with us. We then got served with a delicious chicken liver pate with brown toast, followed by some enormous Yorkshire puddings made with Parmesan cheese - I can't remember the name of them- but they came served with butte land are delicious. Next was the steak, it was one of the best steaks I have every eaten, beautiful flavour and very tender. However the wind had begun to pick up and the food cooled down very quickly, but it still didn't disappoint. By now we were both stuffed and unable to manage a desert, we took time drinking the last of the wine people watching. We managed to waddle back to Collins Avenue and flag a taxi back to the hotel, there was no way we could face that bus ride back to the hotel. This is our last night in Miami, albeit a very brief visit We have both really loved it, the hotel is lovely and I would stay here again, loved the Art Deco district and the little we did see of down town Miami, we will be back to see more, but for now it's off to bed for tomorrow we drive up to the gulf coast and Siesta Key.

**FraserLynn** · 23-03-2014, 08:49

I am so pleased that The Betsy didn't disappoint, the popovers (yorkshire puds) are just awesome aren't they? We stayed at the hotel for four nights and whilst it did put a bit of a hole in the bank balance, it was worth it. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

**carolmc** · 23-03-2014, 10:58

Thanks Diane - making notes for our next trip

Hope you don't mind - but how much was the bill[msnembarrased]

**Madabouttigger** · 23-03-2014, 11:36

Originally Posted by carolmc

Thanks Diane - making notes for our next trip

Hope you don't mind - but how much was the bill[msnembarrased]

I've messaged you.

**carolmc** · 23-03-2014, 11:48

Thanks Diane

**Macka** · 23-03-2014, 12:07

Hi Diane, I'd be really interested in the drive you have from Miami to Siesta Key. Will you be taking Hwy 41 through the Everglades or I75 through the North of the Glades? Tells us how long that takes if you don't mind and what the journey is like?
Mrs M and I are in Cape Haze for a couple of weeks after a week in the Orlando area and I thought a trip to Miami through the Glades National Park would be nice so a heads up on the journey would be a great help to us.
Great tips for Miami Thanks for taking the time to report back..