Alice, our lovely niece who we rarely see because she lives in Hamburg, Germany, was visiting a friend in Miami in early January. So, less than three days after launching 'Southern Vectis', we were heading, by car, further south to spend two precious days with her in the 'Wonderland' of Florida - The Keys. It's a long drive from Ft. Pierce to Key West, our ultimate destination, and we had driven almost 4,000 kilometres in just over a week by the time we arrived back at the boat three days later. But it was worth every minute!
The weather was set fair when we picked Alice up and set our course for two days of sightseeing, fun and catching up on family news. Our first stop was the 'Lorelei' waterfront restaurant in Islamorada. It has been a favourite of ours since our first trip to the Keys at least fifteen years ago. From there we headed down the long and winding road, past Marathon, over the Seven Mile Bridge, and eventually arrived, bedazzled by sun and turquoise seas, at the Lighthouse Court Hotel in Key West. We had only booked our hotel the day before, but we weren't disappointed. We wanted a bed and breakfast or small hotel with 'old town' charm and character, that was central to all the 'action'. We weren't disappointed. The rooms were small but there were roosters by the backyard pool, and Ernest Hemingway's house, complete with a Hemingway look-a-like and a yard full of cats, was just across the road.
We headed out to show Alice all the sights we had enjoyed during our two recent trips here with 'Southern Vectis'. We watched the sun set at Mallory Square, walked around to the old Seaport Area and watched the majestic old schooners returning, filled to the gunwhales with tourists after their sunset cruises. We showed Alice where 'Southern Vectis' had tied up at the Town Dock, and then decided against a wharf-side restaurant and opted for 'Pepe's' - just across the road from the wharf. This restaurant opened its' doors in 1905 and has been going strong ever since.The line-ups for brunch are something to behold! But there were no crowds for dinner - and it wasn't fried - so unusual and refreshing in this part of the world.
We walked through our favourite streets of the old town to get back to the delights of Duval Street. Maybe we hadn't been out this late before (8:30 p.m.!!)' but we noticed for the first time all the beautifully dressed 'ladies' decorating the streets and beckoning from the bars and restaurants! Alice drew a lot of envious attention!
The next day we set off back to Miami. We stopped in Marathon and showed Alice all our 'special' places. We had a spectacular seafood lunch at Keys Fisheries (upstairs). The freshest oysters ever tasted, heaps of giant shrimps, sashimi raw tuna and lots more. From there we managed to get ourselves the short distance to Marathon's lovely 'Sombrero Beach' where we swam and sunbathed.
We had decided to spend a night in Miami before driving back to Ft. Pierce, so booked ourselves into the Mutiny Hotel, overlooking Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove. It's an 'all suite' hotel and very comfortable. That night we all had dinner with my school friend and fellow Isle-of-Wighter', Sue, at the 'Peacock Garden', right next to the hotel. Then we had to say our farewells to Alice. We'd enjoyed our time with her so much, but it had been all too short.
Now we are back on 'Southern Vectis' in Ft.Pierce. The weather, which until now, has been perfect, has taken a turn for the worst with a cold front and lots of wind and rain. But it's an opportunity for us to get 'Southern Vectis' ship shape and ready for our Bahamas adventures.
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