The blog is finally up and I’m happy with it for the most part! More on the setup later in a post called “I am my worst client!”.

We went to Miami to chill and celebrate. It was Mandy’s 30th (!!!!)birthday and we wanted to do something special – Miami is special!

I was planning on taking the most pictures I’ve ever taken on a trip but that dream didn’t last long. When we arrived at the airport at 4AM I realized I forgot my laptop power adapter – ok no problem, I have enough power to just download the pics. Moments later I realize I forgot the Camera battery charger – Ok what else?! If that wasn’t enough when we get there I realized I didn’t bring my phone charger because I was going to use my laptop to charge the phone (you know, the one that barely had enough power to last a couple of hours).

This pain was soon forgotten as we arrived on the beach!

This is my newest toy – the Joby Gorillapod. It’s sweet! Now I don’t have to be behind the camera all the time.

This was taken with the Gorillapod.

Walking along the beach you’re bound to run into a Movie Star…

The Ocean

We hadn’t really slept since our flight as was at 6 in the morning and I was still packing so when we got there we just had breakfast at Denny’s and chilled on the beach with some drinks. Waking up on the beach after a nap is the sweetest thing! Pina Colodas all around!

That’s ME!

Mandy in Sunny Isles – The perfect place for us, not too loud and everything near by. This wasn’t right in south beach but our Hotel had a shuttle for us which was great! That’s our hotel in the back – Trump International. One of the best places we’ve stayed – Thanks Marissa!

The Food

Fried Mahi Mahi tacos with a Mojito. For someone that can’t make decisions very easily, Tapas are made for me.

That’s Mandy’s “Lunch” portion… She was taking a “break” from her “diet”.

Sobe – South Beach

Mandy on Ocean Drive – On her Birthday (the weather wasn’t that bad… not sure what was up with her winter coat)

They gave me a Jetta of all cars, a JETTA?! I guess it wasn’t bad, pretty zippy.

Art Deco stuff – funky colors on Ocean Drive. Some of the best MOJITOs ever!

The Florida Keys

I was looking forward to Keys more than anything – after seeing them blow up in True Lies I just had to visit. It was a 3 hour drive ending at Key West. What a disappointment – we must have stayed in Key west for 20 minutes and drove 3 hours back, not even stopping to have a snack. I guess I just had my expectations way too high and they blew up like the keys in movie.

Ok, the drive was beautiful though! Nothing but a tiny bridge and ocean all around.

The Sights – Beaches, Coconut Grove

This is a residential street in Coconut Grove!

Our Hotel in the moonlight

Windsurfers in the Rain – If only I knew how to swim I would dare to try this.

This image I call “Snooze“. Why? Because I was totally pumped up to take a picture of the sunrise on the ocean but I pushed snooze too many times on the alarm, missing what would have been an epic view. This is still my favourite image of the trip – looks like a painting, no?

Our flight was delayed from our stop over at Cincinnati so what to besides chill and have a frogurt. It sucked!

As usual, we’re glad to be back home. Although, Miami is one of those places that’s just so close that it would be easy to go back. I managed to do without my laptop the entire 5 days we were there. My camera battery lasted long enough and we managed with the phone as well. Here’s the stinker though, the only charger I did bring was for my flash (didn’t use it once!) – I plugged it in to the wall in case I needed it.  Well… It’s still plugged into the wall, in Miami.

I need a vacation!