Flamingos are Pink

My simple suitcase: shamanic rattle, thongs, bathing suit.

 

I escaped chilly NYC for a few days with my auntie and headed to Southern Florida for a bit of sunshine, beach, and leisure.

We had a wonderful experience in our few days of exodus, lounging on the white sands of South Beach Miami and Deerfield Beach, sauntering through the gorgeous gardens of the Vizcaya museum, whipping up some delicious meals using the abundant produce (lots of local orange-infused cuisine), sipping on opulent glasses of wine at Vino in Boca Raton (a place where they offer more than 300 wines by the glass served in superb crystal, complimentary olives and shaved Parmesan Reggiano, and live music every night) and frosty fun cocktails at The Breakwaters Hotel in South Beach.

 

The Vizcaya estate in Miami is a national landmark, the home of late American industrialist John Deering. The expansive gardens are particularly noteworthy, combining elements of Renaissance Italian and French designs. Wedding portraits, prenatal soirees, and girls posing for their quinceañera lined the grounds filled with elegant flowers and statues, professional photographers capturing the fairy tales to share. The house certainly is grand, with multiple stories, countless guest rooms, and a central pavilion open to the sunshine. The kitchen was naturally my favorite room, with copper pots and pans large enough for an adult to bathe in (I certainly wanted to hop in!), a huge center island for prep, and wood fired ovens. I can imagine the feasts prepared to be nothing less than regal.

Following the estate tour we cruised over to South Beach, a flamboyant scene quite opposite to Vizcaya. Miami Beach is a place of indulgence in so many dimensions. Beautiful golden bodies lay on the pristine white sand beach as groups of others sipped enormous cocktails while gorging on lavish seafood spreads in the outdoor cafes; shops include a wide selection of chain stores, boutiques, and art galleries. The art deco architecture is as flashy and fun as the colorful minimal attire of most. 80’s colored magenta is hot, hot, hot!

Beach bathing, shopping, strolling, drinking. It was an afternoon of carefree pleasure. Happy hour specials are universal in Miami Beach, each establishment ushering one to commit to imbibing frozen cocktails larger than one’s face. And these were no communal feats. Bright blue, glitzy red, lime green, pink. One could choose any color/flavor to match one’s mood (or attire). Garnishes for the beverages included additional bottles of beer, wine, or liquor floaters along with fruit wedges, cherries, and the adorable and useless paper umbrellas. We were a bit modest and purchased single size rations, which were too buy-one-get-one-free and more than generous in alcohol. The Breakwaters Hotel is a wonderful choice for happy hour hedonism, located directly across the beach with attentive staff and music that is not as obtrusive as many of the other restaurants on the strip. There are many tapas to choose for $9.99. 

Go, dress like a flamingo, and select a refreshment to match. Florida. Fun.