Miami - Finally at the Beach -

On the last day, I finally had some free time.

So, Aiko and I took a walk to the beach just outside our hotel.

WOOOOOOOOOWWW!! This is what people are talking about.

Florida does have beautiful beaches. Creamy sand, sky blue water.

And with the beautiful weather, it was just plain gorgeous.

After a short walk, we ate breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Champagne was tasty, but my Eggs Benedict was dry.

Very unfortunate, I must say.

After breakfast, Aiko headed back to the room to work a little bit,

so I decided to chill at the pool.

It was Sunday morning, so most of the guests checked out already

and the pool was somewhat empty. Love it.

I read, relaxed with a glass of wine. Ahh. I love vacations.

Miami - 2nd night in Miami Beach -

After a quick trip to Key West, we took the long drive back to Miami Beach.

We got stuck in traffic for a while, but managed to attend the event we wanted to go to.

It was an art opening party at Miami Museum of Arts.

The exhibition about vinyl record history just started there.

The museum was in downtown, and the crowd was much more mature and sophisticated than the parties in South Beach. There was art, music, and bars. This is my kind of party!!!

By the dinner time, two of my clients were passed out like a zombie from jet lag.

So Aiko and I went out to dinner by ourselves.

We desperately wanted to eat something Asian, but the choices were limited.

I did not see ANY Thai or Vietnamese restaurants in Miami Beach.

Only a few Americanized sushi bars and Chinese restaurants.

So, we went into the first Chinese spot we saw.

Ahhhhh!!! After a long and hot day, the cold beer never tasted better.

The food was just oh-kay, but still, those Asian flavors really hit the spot.

Miami - Key West -

On the 2nd day, we decided to take a road trip to Key West.

It is 4 hours drive away from Miami Beach.

I would have never thought of going to Key West if I wasn't with them,

so I was grateful for the opportunity.

After about 3 hours into driving, we crossed the 7-mile bridge.

It runs on top of ocean really low. It was super cool.

We were driving on a "new" 7-mile bridge.

I assume that on the right was the original one.

An hour later, we arrived to downtown Key West.

I thought Key West was a resort town, but it was more like an adult Disney Land.

Bars, restaurants and bars, and trolleys strolling around.

It was a St. Patrick day, so everybody in the mother was wearing green.

Including the senior citizen looking people.

We went into Sloppy Joe's.

The people I was with were very happy to experience a traditional American bar scene.

After lunch at the bar, we took a walk to the Hemingway House.

It didn't look all that interesting, so we just took pictures and took off.

And then, we headed to the Southernmost part of the US.

Only 90 miles away from Cuba!!

Miami - South Beach -

I got to go to Miami this past weekend. It was sort of work, sort of not really.

I did have to be a coordinator/interpreter for the people that came from Japan for the most part.

But one of them is my friend and other people were fun and nice,

so the overall trip was just fun times.

First day, we checked out the party scenes in South Beach.

Can you say, spring break?!

I wasn't really feeling the whole South Beach scene. It's a little snobby, over-priced, over-packed place with bunch of college kids. Maybe it was something to do with the timing I went there, but still, I didn't really like it. I know I sound like an old fart. But it was really just Meh...

But the hotel we stayed in was gorgeous. We stayed in Grand Beach Hotel, which is located about 30 blocks North of where all those clubs and restaurants are.

The guests look very European, more sophisticated, more my age and older.

I mean, look at this view!! This is more like it.

And the sunset. Bomb.

Miami - Prologue: Virgin America -

I flew on Virgin America for the first time to go to Miami.

Woo! The whole airplane was pink!! Cuteness.

Each seat had a screen in front of it.

The safety announcement was made on a short quirky animation on the screen.

They had good entertainment selection... for $8/movie!! WTF.

The headphone was $2/piece if you didn't bring yours like me. BAH!!

We could buy alcohol and food too, but they were also for a fee.

And you can't just flag the flight attendant to get a bottle of water.

You have to order it (free) on the screen at your seat.

World has changed...

Overall, it was a pretty cool airline. I liked it.