North to Miami, go North, the rush is on

Busy morning, we had to vacate the little condo by 10 am which is usually when I'm having my fourth cup of coffee and wondering what to do about my hair. I like my coffee hot - hot! Hot, I say! - so I prefer small narrow cups to things that can also be used as chili bowls. After a few of these I can cope, much of the time.
one last sunset
Before getting on the road we stopped for breakfast at the Local Food and Crafts Fair, part of the KW Food and Wine Festival - enjoyed more coffee, conch ceviche, cannoli, cinnamon roll, still more coffee - thus fortified, we got on the road.
When we drive from Key West to Miami we always break the trip with a stop at the Bird Sanctuary. Over time they've cared for a number of pelicans, herons, ibises whose injuries have been healed but who still can't survive in the wild. This is a friendly cheerful goofy crew, they come right up to you and wait for you to make the next move. I found this touching, because the injuries that brought them to the sanctuary were caused by humans - fishing line, garbage, poison - and yet they trust.









The sanctuary had a new permanent resident:





This is how she was introduced:
She's old and wise and her name is Fred. Well.

And now here we are at the Mondrian Hotel in Miami. I have fallen in love with this hotel. There's no turquoise anywhere, although there is plenty of whimsy. Like the chandelier in the shower:




And the gnome on a neighboring terrace:


The bathroom sink:


The Dutch tiles in the kitchen in an otherwise all-white room



The pool, seen from our terrace:






So tomorrow's agenda is to lounge around by the pool and gaze at the bay...

Although we knew the address, we had trouble finding the place because the hotel's name doesn't appear on its front... a twee little touch but forgivable because everything else seems to be such a delight.


24 comments:

  1. Looks like you are having a great vacation! Thanks for sharing pics with us! The bird's name is Fred? I'd take it as a sign. ;)

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    1. Hi, Rose, it was a sign that we should get out of there before Himself decided to adopt the bird, that's what it was!

      The staff told us that Fred-the-bird likes to imitate cars and motorcycles and her specialty is a truck changing gears and backing up.

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  2. I do like quirky things in hotels - as long as they get the rest right. A chandelier in a shower? Now that's a first!
    Enjoy x

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    1. Hi, Trish! I'm still discovering things about our room. For one thing, I have learned that it is a suite.

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  3. Hotel looks great! I wish I could fly away from my domestic chaos and spend a few nights there. Would also love to visit that bird sanctuary. We love birds in our house.

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    1. Hi, Ruth, long line of bird-lovers here. My aunt always had a few. She'd let them out of their cage to zoom around for exercise and then when she told them "OK, birds, time to go back," they would.

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  4. Ooh the new hotel looks fab! Sounds like you guys are have a fab and warm time!

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    1. Hi, Lisa, so far so good! We discovered that the chandelier on the shower disguises a rainshowerhead. And for once, there's enough light to read by in every room. Usually I avoid "hip" hotels because the design features tend to take precedence over comfort - not the case here.

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  5. Will be there in three weeks, I can't wait (in Miami I mean, not the Mondrian. We are staying at the Palms again which is becoming one of my favorite places to stay, I love the atmosphere there). I will wait for your restaurant reccomandations (especially a crab legs place not owned by the Mob and where you don't have to get in the line the day before).
    It was so cold here yesterday, good for you to be away!

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    1. Hi, Ema, so far, sadly, I've been underwhelmed by breakfast, lunch and dinner all in one day, but will update if I get inspired.

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    2. Hi, Ema, yesterday friends insisted on going to Joe's and although they're known for their stone crabs they had the Ling Crab legs on the menu as well!

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  6. Your holiday looks great - and those tiles in the kitchen are fab, I do love a bit of delft inspired design. Love that the bird was called Fred too!! Sadly, we have too many parrots around my place, so I'm not keen on birds as a rule. They taunt me from the tree tops, waiting for me to leave so they can destroy my garden and eat the fruit on the trees. Although they make up for their fruit and garden destroying to some extent as I do like hearing the bird song/ squaking (and definitely appreciate it compared to hearing pigeons only for 10 years in our former city).

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    1. Hi, Heidi, there are packs of feral parrots and parakeets (budgies) in Florida, one famous group stalks an outdoor shopping mall.

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  7. You are on my turf. Let me know if you would like some dining suggestions.

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    1. hi, yippee, thank you and your timing is perfect! We have nice memories of Doug Rodriguez from his time in New York, and have always visited at least one of his places while in Miami, but last night we felt really let down at De Rodriguez.

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    2. Hi,
      Naoe, Zak the Baker, Michy's(wherein you will be treated to Zak's bread), Scarpetta(I know there is one in NYC), Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, Panther Coffee, Harry's Pizza( a derivative of Michael's).
      Personal favorite and off the beaten path-Hy Vong-great Vietnamese-get there early 6p or you will wait hours for a table-no reservations unless six or more. Tell Kathy or Tung that Gail sent you. Spring rolls are a must, any soup-particularly pumpkin, Any fish with mango,most anything wrapped in pastry or just ask your server, best beers ever, vietnamese coffee and if vegetarian is your mood-homemade rice noodles with tofu. Worth making the trip. Enjoy your vacation.

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    3. Distracted for a moment. Hakkassan and Zuma. Yes both are chains, but elite chains. Dim Sum at Hak and anything from the robata grill at Zuma. The valet parking is free until 4p, ideal for lunch. Sit outside or in the lounge and don't miss the lady's room.

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    4. The little cafe at the Wolfsonian Design Museum and the new cafe at PAMM-the new art Museum directly on the bay. Should you venture to HyVong-be sure and allow time to visit Luminaire as it is close by and should you venture to the design district (Micheal's and close to Michy's and Panther Coffee) visit Luminaire Lab.

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    5. Pubbelly and the Italian cousin Macchialina. Area 31-upstairs at the Epic where Zuma presides downstairs, Florida Cookery (Wessel of TV fame-but solid and beautiful room).

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    6. Wow, I'll be saving these for our next trip, thank you!!

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  8. Nice place! I hope it's still warm there-- the south is getting hammered with snow and ice today.

    I am a bird lover, but mostly the outside kind. One of the things I love about my tiny FL condo is the bird life right outside. I can work with my binocs at the ready.

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    1. Hi, Lane, we have regular visitors to our deck on Long Island, and the chickadees come over and peck at the window if the feeder is empty.

      Supposed to be warm today, not so much tomorrow. Wishing I could stay longer.

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