We decided it was time to leave South Beach and see a bit more of Miami. But first we headed to Miami’s seemingly busiest sandwich shop and got some takeaways to eat on the esplanade. They were tasty and fresh (and could have fed two people, especially when accompanied by one of the awesome smoothies – mine was banana and a range of other fresh tropical fruits. It was a bit windy but a pleasant way to enjoy brunch before we jumped on board the B Bus (tourist oriented open top sightseeing bus). The bus first took us to North Miami Beach where we were regaled with tales of the dodgy club owners from the first half of the 20th century and then on to the canals, where the subject turned to seemingly our tour guide’s favourite reference point – Miami vice – he showed us where the opening credits were filmed and talked about the excess of the cocaine barons as we drove along the canals of Millionaire’s row. There were some impressive yachts (floating mansion) including one belonging to Usher. Not one for understatement, the run’s star had a flashing sign on the side to ensure you knew it was his. Probably one of the biggest, it wouldn’t be my choice if I had a spare $10 million lying around. There were some smaller, more modern and sleeker models moored in the canal.
From here the bust took us off the island to the downtown area and the central tourist centre, laden with souvenir stores, expensive food joints and high-end stores catering mostly to the plethora of eastern European tourists. There were also some British tourists on the bus. And the whinging pom tag was definitely accurate. While everyone here seems to love Australians here, we can have a bit of a reputation as boozy travellers who can cause trouble but I am pretty sure the9 English have a worse reputation. For complaining about everything. Tourist central was also the change point for the other Big B Bus route that took in the Wynwood Walls and Little Havana. Unfortunately the former was so mesmerising that we didn’t make it to the latter.
Wynwood Walls started as a sponsored art project in the dilapidated and run-down industrial district. While the curated and manicured murals still remain, the idea has spurned a creative industry in the surrounding district with almost every wall and deserted business premises covered in murals. And inside many of them, cafes and galleries have sprung up. We wandered around for more than an hour just looking at all the works – planned and organic. We visited one gallery where had I not had to carry it for two months. I may well have made a purchase. There was one artist in particular – Cecilia Friere – who creates collage portraits with newsprint used extensively in the design. I really liked her work. [When Doves Cry – Prince – This was the first track of his I heard – I am pretty sure it was at a friend’s place watching Sounds on a Saturday morning although it could have been Countdown. Others are more popular but this remains my favourite.]
Feeling a bit hungry by then, we headed for the Wynwood Yard, a food truck venue with a bar and bands. It was just getting started for the evening so we had to wait about 15 minutes or so until the food trucks kicked off and then it was on. We only got two dishes but there was no way we were going to finish it – Dan’s Jerk chicken mac and cheese was pretty good but for me the xxx signature ribs with sweet plantains (which tasted to me like roasted sugar bananas) were the bomb. After we ate we realised that not only didn’t we have time to even drive through Little Havana on the bus, if we kept going on that loop we wouldn’t make the bus back to South Beach either. We opted to take an uber back to souvenir central to grab the bus back, figuring we had already seen the real Havana. Aware that tomorrow’s activity was going to have us out in the now quite blistering sun, we stopped by a skate shop so I could pick up a hat (a piece of Australia in the end – predictably the store carried quite a few Aussie surf brands including (Roxy) hat. Dan’s eagerness to get a pair of jeans that were comfortable meant we also needed to purchase a belt. We also visited Walgreens – more prolific that any other chain in America, Walgreens is a pharmacy that also seems to carry a lot of snack foods and all bathroom, makeup and laundry needs. It is verging close to be a supermarket that provides medication. Just the spot for Dan to grab a cheap hat. We wandered along the esplanade for a while to take some night shots of the deco hotels before heading back to the hotel. We certainly didn’t need anything else to eat after Wynwood Yard.
US states – 4, t-shirts – 5, fridge magnets – 5
