Past days I have been touring around in Miami, more or less as a tourist, using the dinghy as transportation.
First I went to downtown, it does stand out that Miami is not just another American city, the whole atmosphere on the street is just different. It feels cosmopolitan and international. But downtown wasn’t the best example, it still a downtown with lots of offices, skyscrapers. I was surprised by the large amount of construction going on, even more skyscrapers being build.
From downtown I took the dinghy across Biscane Bay to Miami Beach. Found a spot for the dinghy, but I don’t have any way of locking it down yet, maybe some anchor rode and a pad lock will be an idea. I walked up Lincoln Road (or Avenue?) and it started to get better as I got closer to the beach. Lots of classy restaurants, lounges and name brand stores. With nice seating on the street, really fun. And, it was by all means obvious that this is a place where you try to impress with your looks. I wasn’t quite up for that myself (my old shorts with plenty of paint and epoxy stains did not quite do it), but I can always be a spectator in all of that.
I walked a little while on the beach, then got on Ocean Drive (or Deco Drive), the boulevard that South Beach is famous for. It is quite amazing, also trendy and classy dressed people around, sipping on their drinks while people were wondering by. It is all a big `look at me while I look at you’-show. Anyone who has some kind of sporty or otherwise expensive car comes here to show it off. Saw 3 Rolls Royce’s on one day, a Lotus. If you have the new BMW coupe, you are just a normal bloke. And of course parking is for losers, use the valet parking. I wandered around for most of the afternoon, thought about hanging around for the evening, expecting it would be a good Friday night out, but the legs were tired (I had been walking around with my computer in the backpack hoping to find some wireless internet somewhere) and I had not brought my dinghy light. So decided to just go back to the boat and save some money.
After dinner I fell asleep on the settee (the boat equivalent of a couch). I woke up at 12:30 and was going to climb in bed, when I noticed that the wind had turned and the boat was moving backwards towards another sailboat. Was hoping at least one anchor would dig in again, but no such luck. So had to crank the engine and lay the anchors out again. For the rest of the night I kept anchor watch, both by turning the GPS anchor watch on and setting the alarm at half hour intervals. The anchors were holding now, but did not get the lazy night sleep I had hoped for.
Saturday morning I did some stuff on the boat. I had noticed that the wind-vane had some play on the last trip, had a look at that. Was able to tighten a few nuts and got most of the play out.
In the afternoon I went in the dinghy a little north of downtown, looking for a little bit of a Cuban part of Miami. Did not really succeed in that, did find the Design District, trendy galleries and nice furniture stores, but pretty much dead on a Saturday afternoon.
So, after some negotiation I decided to head for South Beach. Was not sure if I had enough gasoline in the tank, so walked to a gas station to fill up. That turned out to be the right decision, halfway to South Beach I ran out of gas.
It was busy in South Beach, people everywhere, of course all dressed up in their Saturday night’s best. Went into one bar, but past 6 a back pack was not allowed in. But, if I would be out before 8 the security guy would make an exception. Ah well, then he had to have a look in my back pack. So I just showed him what was inside the bag, luckily he did not need to look into the front pouch. Would have been interesting if he did, I run around with a big adjustable wrench and spare spark plug (and a dirty cloth), just in case the outboard acts up.
They had a reggae band playing, and it was a pretty swinging atmosphere. Though, I must say that most people in there were probably like me: just curious to have a look inside, and it was a little tame. Had a good time nevertheless, it was early and probably would get a lot busier later at night (not sure, but they probably stay open all night or so).
On the way back I decided to treat myself, I sat down on one of the terrases (spell checker doesn’t know that word, I am drawing a blank here). Had a real tasty meal, not cheap, but it was worth it. And waiting for the food wasn’t that bad either, a continuous defile of people. I spotted some fellow Dutchmen as well. Lots of tourists around here. It was a long dinghy run back, and my light batteries ran out (need to buy more rechargeable batteries).
Sunday morning I took it easy, was a little indecisive if I should move on, or stay in Miami for another day. Well, as you linger about longer, it just makes less sense to leave since time is passing by. Dug through some paperwork, and did find the manual for the outboard. That is very helpful, now I know the right fuel mix (50:1), and some other important maintenance information.
Listened to the radio and learned that the Miami Heat was playing the San Antonio Spurs, starting at 1, in the America Airlines Arena (that is right here under the bridge, at most a 10 minute dinghy run). At noon I decided I was going to give it a try. Expected it would probably be sold out, but there was a reasonable (meaning not too long) line for the ticket counter. So, I joined and waited patiently. The line moved extremely slow, and by the time it was my turn the game had already started. I did not quite know what my upper limit for ticket price was going to be, but the $115 plus ticket that was available for sure exceeded that.
So I walked away thinking I might find a place to watch the game on TV (it was nationally televised). There were still plenty of people entering the stadium. Two guys that had been ahead of me in the ticket line bought tickets from a scalper. So, I gave that a try, and the scalper got me one in two minutes, 40 bucks for a 10 dollar seat.
It was nosebleed section (of course), but, I must say, the sight angles in the arena were very good. By the time I found my seat it was almost the end of the first quarter. But still enjoyed the game. The atmosphere wasn’t quite as fanatical for a full stadium, I think there were a lot of neutral spectators (tourists, like me) there. And they mostly just watch, without getting very loud. Shaq (O’Neal) did play, though sparingly. The only free throw he had he made, it actually even had some arc to it. And he slam dunked a few with a vengeance. But, from my seat, I would say he was not running a while lot. Eva Longoria was there too (a celebrity, though I don’t even know what she is famous for). She sat right across from me, only she was on the court, and I sat about 250 rows up ;-). Later I realized that she is going out with Tony Parker (the French point guard on the Spurs), that explains why she was there. The game was close most of the first half, but the Heat managed to make a run in the third quarter. Then at the beginning of the fourth Dwyane Wade finally got loose and had three baskets in a row. He struggled most of the game, but every now and than his leaps to the baskets were really astonishing. Had a great time, I compensated for the expensive ticket by not spending any more at the game.
Was happy to find my dinghy still present after the game (had just tied up at the wall, in the park next to the arena), I am never quite about that. The rest of the day I took it easy, sitting under the cover of the dodger, and monitoring the battery charge.