During the two-day Thanksgiving holiday, we embarked on an intensive two-day trip to Miami. From Philadelphia to Miami = from winter coats to short sleeves, we achieved a seasonal leap and once again returned to summer 😎.
We landed punctually a little after 11 PM, took a taxi for about 20 minutes to reach the hotel on Miami Beach. After freshening up, we went straight to bed and ‘collapsed’ because of exhaustion. The next morning, we woke up early (set the alarm for 7 AM), climbed out of bed, and opened the balcony door to be greeted by the rising sun over the sea. Perhaps the sun, like me, hadn’t fully woken up and stayed hidden behind the clouds for a while.
The itinerary for the first day was a road trip to Key West, the southernmost point of the United States. The drive took three hours, passing through numerous gas stations and convenience stores. This three-hour journey was a crucial part of the trip, mostly consisting of one-way roads and bridges connecting several islands. It is a highway built over the sea, resembling a drive on the endless ocean. It’s an experience worth going through.
Upon reaching our destination, the first thing on our agenda was to find some food. In Key West, it seemed like there was no need to make reservations in advance for a restaurant. We casually chose a highly-rated small eatery by the seaside and were pleasantly surprised to have extremely fresh oysters and the claws of stone crabs. In Florida, it is illegal to harvest whole stone crabs, so fishermen remove the claws and release the crabs since the claws can grow back. The crab claws we had by the seaside were clearly cooked, yet their texture was incredibly tender and smooth. Speaking of prices, three crab claws cost $34 😑. I randomly ordered a fish sandwich, made with locally caught fish of the day, pan-fried without too many seasonings. It was simple yet delicious, melting in the mouth.
After our meal, we visited the Ernest Hemingway Home, conveniently crossing through the town of Key West: bars, music, Cuban coffee-flavored ice cream, fresh coconut water, light-colored houses, coconut trees 🌴, and the faint scent of sea air. At Hemingway’s residence, we gained a brief understanding of his life and even indulged in a bit of cat spotting. There’s a polydactyl cat – can you find it?
Arriving in Key West, a must-visit recommendation is DJ’s Crab Shack, where you can enjoy affordable, fresh, and delicious lobster rolls:
There are so many details to explore in Key West, and it feels like there’s never enough space to write about it all. Watching the sea and sunset with loved ones, witnessing street performances at the seaside pier, and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere.
Returning to the hotel at night, after freshening up, we ‘collapsed’ again, this time due to fatigue.
The next day, we slept in, had breakfast at the hotel – worth mentioning that the hotel’s buffet breakfast was really good, although we felt a bit nervous with a group of birds eyeing our food.
After checking out, we headed to the beach, and it started raining right after we finished playing in the water 😂. The weather on Miami Beach can be quite unpredictable – one moment you’re sweating under the hot sun, and the next moment there’s a torrential downpour. We found a branch of the gym we use in Miami, spent some time in the sauna, and took a hot shower. Later, we went to a highly-rated Cuban restaurant near the airport. The pineapple fried rice was delicious, and the coconut milkshake was so good that we ordered an extra one to take with us before leaving 😂. We enjoyed them on the way to the airport.
