Miami

Lynn & Mike ..around the world
Mike Drinkrow & Lynn v/d Hoven
Fri 2 Feb 2018 20:01
25:41.75N 80:10.70W   Miami
 
We arrived in Miami in the early morning – just behind all the massive cruise ships entering the port to change over their weekly passengers. We tied up MiaMarina, which makes a berth available for 3 hours ($50) to check in. Luckily they also let us use their phone to call CBP, as it took ages to get through. Once we had our clearance number we hopped on the free tourist trolley, that took us directly to the CBP offices in the port. We were quickly processed and got our new cruising permit. We took a taxi back, via T-Mobile, so we could get ourselves set up with a local phone/ internet. This is always a high priority.
 
We then motored down the channel to Key Biscayne , where we anchored fairly close to the Yacht Club, with a beautiful view of Miami.
 
blog miami skyline
 
I had made contact online with Gregory Han a member at the Key Biscayne yacht club,  who kindly signed us in as guests and allowed us to use their dinghy dock. Greg and his wife met us for breakfast and took us for a whistle stop tour of the island. Key Biscayne is VERY high end, with some magnificent homes on the canals – which we also took a look at via dinghy.
 
blog white house   blog sqauer house  
 
We were amazed at a few things here: Key Biscayne seems to be populated by a very large, very wealth group of (ex??) South & Central Americans. Spanish is spoken much easier than English and very few people drive American cars. Besides the sports cars, we also saw many Audi; BMW; Mini; Toyota & Mercedes. Property prices and property taxes are very high, unless you have lived in the same home for over 20 years, when there seems to be a tax break. The only way into and out of the island is via a very high, long & congested bridge – so crime rates are low – and there are not too many commuter workers.  The island is spotless and they have a even have a fenced manicured dog walking park, which we were told cost $1mill to set up. We stopped in at the Fire Station, attracted by the antique truck, with its own Dalmatians.   In the USA it is common that fire trucks are also set up as ambulances – with some “ fire-fighters” being highly trained paramedics
 
blog dog park   blog fire
 
 
And then there are the iguana’s ...everywhere! many sizes and colours. These are aliens but seem to flourish on the laws of empty homes
 
blog iguana