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.
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.
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
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
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