12/03/2012 VIZCAYA AND SOUTH BEACH

FROM THE ELEGANCE OF VIZCAYA TO  THE TRENDY OPPULANCE OF SOUTH BEACH

 

A total day of play for Garth, Kathy, Dan and me!   We even took Zeke for an overnighter at The Fur Seasons(www.thefurseasonsresort.com) where he could swim in a dog bone shaped pool and cavort with other doggie pals.

Our first stop was the incredible Vizcaya Museum and Gardens(www.VizcayaMuseum.org)  in on the Biscayne Bay in the Coconut Grove area of Miami.  This Renaissance styled villa was commissioned by industrialist James Deering of International Harvester as his winter home in which he took refuge from the harsh realities of the business world from 1916 until his death in 1925.  The 10 acre formal gardens are laid out and manicured to perfection.  We saw several young Cuban girls having photo sessions for their quince anos, or celebration of her fifteenth birthday.  This ceremony represents her transitioning to a young woman.

A AFTERNOON AT VIZCAYA

After our tour of Vizcaya we made our way to Miami’s famed South Beach, the place to see-and-be-seen.  Since its beginning, South Beach has been inhabited by many of the rich and famous.  President Harding stayed at the Flamingo Hotel, Jackie Gleason brought  his weekly variety show here for taping in 1964, it has been a center for illicit drug activities and during the 80’s it became a haven for those white-haired retirees on a fixed income.  Today the streets are lined with trendy restaurants and shops.  Luckily a portion of South Beach has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and many of its Art Deco building are being preserved. 

 ART DECO IN SOUTH BEACH
THE MARLIN

THE SOUTH BEACH PALMS ALL LIT UP FOR
THE HOLIDAYS