Miami but nae Vice!

After a great meal in San Francisco with Tava and her friends I was very kindly given a contact for Miami, a good friend of Tava called Richard. Because of spring break in the states every damn hostel in the city seemed booked up but I managed to find 1 online, here is a quotation from a recent online critique of the place: "What can I say -- bloody awful! Worse hostel we've ever experienced and we've been to many all over the world! Firstly we were given the option of bed linen over sleeping bags and as per usual we took the sheets, then the kitchen was absolutely disgusting -- milk in the fridge had been there so long that it had separated and full of rust, there were no cooking facilities, and TV didn't work. Then the biggest problem of all problems in a hostel bedbugs! Lots and lots of them -- we freaked out as you can imagine! Staff were completely rude and unhelpful, they would not accept responsibilty for their actions and even called us troublemakers and liars. They continued to tell us they did not care if we infected other hostels! Be advised -- for your own safety do not stay here. Damn you suckers -- we're taking you to the health board!"

Luckily for me on arrival to Miami, Richard picked me up at the airport in one of the largest jeeps I’ve ever been in, massif. The 2 of us got along straight off and I was instantly made to feel welcome in this new city. We were both hungry so went straight along to “little Cuba” for a traditional Cuban meal and a couple of Mohito’s. During the meal Richard told me he had only left the states once before and that was to go to Scotland for 2 weeks holiday. He managed to tour most of the country and because of the kind generosity shown to him he was determined to repay the hospitality. Lucky me. The offer of a free place to stay was even more appealing after reading about the hostel I was supposed to be staying at.
A few of us went ten-pin bowling after supper and then went back to his mates’ house where I then realised they were all pretty serious musicians. 4 of them sharing a house with this incredible practise room; guitars, bass, drum kits, Fender Rhodes organ, soundboards with Mac set up. Really was pretty much an in house recording studio, which even had the egg boxes on the walls to prove it.
After a jam with the lads and me playing stairway badly the offer of a bike ride was suggested, ok well it is only 2 in the morning, why not. On leaving the house it was easily recognisable that this was a pretty swanky area, wide-open streets were quiet lined with massif trees to obscure the size of the private houses each of course with private pools.
After 20 minutes of peddling we reached our 1st stop on the midnight bike tour, the infamous hotel where Al Capone was murdered, awesome place really reminded me of Spain. We all snuck in through the back terrace that revealed an enormous outdoor swimming pool, surrounded by trees and shrubs with a gorgeous bar terrace amidst the tropical growth. Fantastic. The guest sitting at the hotel bar didn’t seem to be bothered even with me acting as paparazzi.
On to the golf course now, which hailed the largest trees in girth that, I certainly have ever seen. Starting as single trunks then hundreds of single vines that hang down eventually develop into new roots, the end result is a tree made up of multiple trunks. I would hazard a guess that the largest was approximately 20ft in diameter, Jurassic Park style indeed.
A few more local sites on the way with Nic and Richard then back to Nic’s house where it was decided we would a crash. Not a bad night for the first few hours in Miami.
1st morning in Miami, Richard was working early so Nic gave me a lift down to south beach, that was of course after a wee pit stop round at Barry Gibb’s house (the lead singer from the Bee Gee’s). Pulled up the driveway to this huge mansion on the beachfront with its own private jetty and yacht. So this is how the other side live. Went round one of the back gardens (yes one of 3) and entered the in house recording studio. 2 rooms fully sound proofed with 300mm walls and separating doors. Huge plasma screen on wall with triple flat screen monitors below and many mixing boards. Mikey you’ll know all the tech stuff, all I could see was an affa muckle amount of buttons and knobs with flashy lights. Anyway, after a brief inspection, a bleather with Barry’s producer and a sneak preview of Mr Gibbs 1st country album I reckoned it was time for an American idol photo shoot, and why not. Did you know Barry’s wife was miss Scotland in the 70’s; aye the shiny teeth guy and I go way back. Staying alive!
South beach was madness and not being a great fan of the beach I didn’t stay to long. Decided against a swim for fear of being gobbled by Jaws, I know, more chance of being hit by lighting but not ready for that chance, surfing in Oz mmmmm I dinna think so.
That evening after a good old wander round downtown looking for Crocket & Tubs I donned the Miami shirt and was treated to dinner by my newfound pals. First Sushi restaurant for me, went down pretty well actually and must say I enjoyed it after all. Nae to fishy, nicely presented, muy bueno.
Early start the next day, off to see the Everglades, totally amazing, apparently no other eco system like it on the planet, shame it’s rapidly diminishing due to rapid population growth, a problem they are trying to counteract. Saw numerous species of birds, turtles and big bastard alligators. They do have the Florida panther there but he must have been sleeping. My favourite creature was a Alligator called ‘snappy’, he had a belter of a smile and kept on winking at me as if to say “fit like en min” or maybe “aye aye, ye look affa gid fer lunch”, whichever it was we got on well from a distance.
Back on the road and heading south for the most southerly point of USA, incredible series of islands on the way to cross and the 12 mile bridge where True Lies was filmed lay ahead. Stopped off at the ocean and managed to summon up the courage to go paddling up to my knees,,,whoa you may say but I hear the little shark blighters can get you in 3ft of water, call me paranoid.
All in all I wasn’t expecting much out of the Miami trip but it turned out to be incredible only for the great hospitality and friendship shown by Richard, Nic and all their friends. I managed to cram so much into a short stay thanks to being chauffeured around the place and toured to places I never would have found on my own, muchas gracias amigos.
I flew out early the next morning and due to the spring break the airport was absolute chaos. I had to scam my way to the front of the cue as not to miss my gate, much to the distaste of many behind me, “comin though!” Just as well I did because I only had minutes to spare. Miami – La Paz, South America next continent here I come. Wahae!