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The Florida Keys are a string of tropical islands stretching more than a hundred miles off the southern tip of Florida. The southernmost city of Key West is its quirky heart and it has attracted a long line of pirates, wreckers, writers, artists, bohemians and eccentrics. Sounds like the place for us!

We had a good afternoon wandering around Key West taking in its laid back vibe and pretty architecture.  Of course we had to try Key Lime Pie while watching the pelicans around the harbour near Mallory Square. It’s easy to see why it’s a favourite destination for wealthy Americans looking for some winter sun and the chance to mess around on expensive boats.   Whilst The Keys were very pretty and the scenery stunning it was a tortuous drive.  End to end is about 100 miles but as most of the road is two-way traffic it can be very slow and frustrating in places.  Hey, it’s the famous Florida Keys and it had to be done but it won’t be done again.

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We wanted to stay in Key West the southern most tip of the US.  However, we stayed about a 30 minute drive away as the cost of rooms in Key West itself is horrific.  We took the cheapest place we could find in all The Keys and the simple motel style room still cost £115/night without breakfast.  It turned out to be pretty good, with an unexpected bonus of a balcony view across a canal lined with boats.  The attached bar was, shall we say, amusing with a number of interesting guests and a meat raffle!

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Final stop in Florida was to visit Miami Beach and the historic Art Deco buildings.  Once again rooms are very expensive in Miami but we managed to find a very good place a 20 minute drive from the train that takes you downtown.  You then catch a bus over to the beach.  Using public transport seemed a good idea to beat the traffic and avoid a parking nightmare.  However, the process was baffling from start to finish – including working out how to get into the parking for the metrorail, and then how to pay for it.  We finally managed to work it out but it took ages to get there as the traffic getting across the causeway was shocking.  Maybe going to Ocean Drive on a Saturday afternoon at peak holiday season wasn’t one of our better ideas.

The beach is a huge expanse of white sand and miles long and, as it was spring break, full of wannabees on their college break.  Bikinis everywhere, guys pumping the exercise bars saying ‘look at me babe’ and noisy bars all along the main street.  It was interesting to experience America’s infamous spring break and see the stunning buildings all at the same time.  As the US was coming out of the 1930’s depression, Miami Beach became one of the places to hang out.  Buildings flew up along Ocean Drive with views out across the Atlantic.  They are stunning and hats off to Barbara Baer Capitman who started the preservation society in 1976.  

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For those of you old enough to remember Crockett and Tubbs they were nowhere to be seen but there was a hefty police presence probably because of all the college kids partying hard.   Nor were there signs of any of their late 80’s fashion statements which would have gone well with some of the very expensive cars and boats to be seen all over the city. 

Next…….to infinity and beyond.