Blog 767. Days 13  Port Everglades/Miami, and 14, At Sea en route for Grand Turk.

I don’t quite know how this happened, but I found myself “committed” to share various private cars on a trip to a one-time favourite haunt of mine, Miami.  I was here on two occasions in the late 1990s and I was very taken with the then, fairly recently renovated Art Deco district on and around Ocean Drive. 

To begin with, we travelled to the fabulous Vizcaya Museum and gardens.  As the pictures illustrate, every aspect of this mansion is quite magnificent, with endless rooms styled in previous historic fashions, and, very authentically, too.  As is probably the case almost anywhere these days, one can adapt your mobile phone to become a virtual and informative guide.  Whereas my two table companions had no problem whatsoever, I struggled, and reverted to the old fashioned method of reading the information on well illustrated plaques outside each room, photographing some for unlikely future reference.  I enjoyed visiting the mansion, and was awestruck by the creativity and imagination of its original owner. 

I realise that my mindset still remains in the late 20th century.  However, the table companions who kindly invited me to join them organised the private travel on their phones as they day progressed.  Cars turned up more or less “on cue” and the appropriate charges paid automatically.  My unsophisticated mind was suitably “boggled!”

Right now, I am in a sidewalk cafe in Miami’s Art Deco Ocean Drive. Over the road is South Beach, but it really is too warm….

….to do much walking about.  It’s very vibrant and noisy here, but I am, for the time being, alone.  We meet back at the Art Deco Centre at 3.30.  Needless to say, I did attempt to take some interesting art deco pictures, but, for once, heat, fatigue, booming disco sounds of the nineties, modern day rap, mega noisy vehicles/motorbikes, and screaming kids all conspired to sabotage any attempt at writing my blog.  I “downed” two bottles of ice cold water, and was soon (in good time) making my way to the Art Deco Center on Ocean Drive, where I would meet up with my two friends.   We would then return to Port Everglades in luxury air-conditioned private transport.  For reasons I may put in a different blog, this didn’t work out quite as planned, but we were back in good time…very good time as it turned out; because of a technical malfunction, we would not leave Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale until 7am the following morning.

SUNDAY 15th MAY,   The 5th Sunday of Easter, 11.25 approx.

It was strange waking up in the night, not yet having slipped our moorings.  We’re we a total failure?  I think that this might have made for not the best night’s sleep; I kept waking up!    But at seven o’clock, looking out from my cabin to the training ship State of Maine, directly opposite, I detected very slight movement; we were on our way, much to the relief, I would guess,  of most of the passengers.  Around perhaps an hour later, the Captain announced the reason for the twelve and a half hour late departure, and assured us that with the ship’s speed increased from an average of 10 knots to 12, we would arrive at our fourth port of call, Grand Turk on time, at 8am. 

Being awake and now up much earlier than I get up normally, I treated myself to breakfast served in the main restaurant, getting to meet five other passengers in the process.  All were seasoned cruisers, and all seeming well pleased with this voyage, despite lingering memories of the disappointing crossing from Vigo. 

As it is Sunday, I attended the interdemoninational church service in the Royal Court Theatre.  It was well attended and very well conducted by the Deputy Captain.  I met a couple (Methodists) who reside in the next county to where I live, and enjoyed a brief conversation after the service.  Harry then presented an excellent port lecture covering our next two ports of call, Grand Turk and Oranjestad, Aruba.  After his presentation, I got into long conversation with a passenger from Dorset thereby missing lunch and relying on an unhealthy scone and sandwiches for Afternoon Tea in lieu.  We then attended the almost daily art presentation, like afternoon tea, also in the Queens Room. Today’s lecture followed the fascinating life of Salvador Dali.  There were, and remains, the opportunity to acquire works associated with and signed by the man himself.  I do like the Art Gallery and some of its offerings, but I would buy only (if I could afford to) works which would give me a lasting pleasure to own. 

It was Gala Night with Red and Gold as the suggested theme.  I tried the red shirt and gold/black tie with white tuxedo.  Although the shirt was not officially formal, it seemed to work well with the white tux’ and black trousers.

I chose not to go to tonight’s show in The Royal Court Theatre, instead completing this blog while a first rate string trio play in the Atrium at the bottom on 1 deck.  I plan to round off the evening   walking.  Actually, I only managed a Deck lap, but still came away with a respectable steps total, which now stands at 813,767 over a 70 day period. I should easily reach the 1 million target in the remaining 62 days. Already, the Challenge in support of Christian Aid Week 2022 has been worthwhile.

It’s now 20 minutes into Monday Morning. and I’m really ready for some sleep.   Goodnight folks, David, 00.22hrs 16th May 2022, in my room.

Checked and amended as necessary, Monday 16th May, 09.12 hrs. There may still be typos and poor English grammar and “construction.”