Hi, Enjoy Your Life here. Today, I will share my visit to Miami, FL.
Miami, FL
Miami, Florida is a very attractive vacation destination. However, since it is far from Asia, there aren’t many Asians living there. In contrast, Western California has many Asian communities. Miami is also famous for its retirement homes. With its warm weather all year round, it’s perfect as a vacation spot.
Miami is a large city with many skyscrapers.
Personally, I love driving, so I’ve explored Miami quite a lot.
There are also many yachts, which often remind me of Monaco.
I’m heading to Miami Beach and South Beach. Usually, when I visit Miami, I stay at a hotel near South Beach and enjoy the beach right in front of the hotel.
Now, I’m going to cross the bridge into downtown Miami.
The weather is beautiful and, best of all, there’s no fine dust.
Bal Harbour Shops
Address: 9700 Collins Ave, Bal Harbour, FL 33154
Phone #: 305-866-0311
Hours: Mon~Sat (10AM-9PM)
Sun (12AM-6PM)
You’ll probably go shopping a lot when you visit Miami. If you’re staying in South Beach, chances are you’ll find yourself visiting the Bal Harbour Shops frequently. This shopping mall offers a wide variety of luxury brands.
Since it wasn’t crowded, I was able to shop at a leisurely pace.
Because the mall mainly carries luxury and high-end brands, it seems to attract mostly wealthy visitors.
I had the best lobster dish I’ve ever had in the U.S. When I returned to Miami, I was very sad to find that the restaurant had either gone out of business or moved elsewhere.
There’s also a must-visit restaurant in Miami called Joe’s Stone Crab, famous for its crab and seafood dishes. Every time I go to Miami, I make sure to visit this place. I always think it would be a huge success if someone opened a branch in Korea.
Enjoy Your Life Recommended Miami - Key West Travel Route!!
Miami ->Key West
About 3 hrs 15 min by car
Enjoy Your Life Recommended Travel Period:
Key West One night and two days
Miami At least one week
Enjoy Your Life Pick Hotel: Oceans Edge Resort & Marina Key West Hotel (4 Star)
Enjoy Your Life Pick Restaurant: El Siboney Restaurant
Hogfish Bar & Grill Restaurant
Summary: Miami is a great city to relax in. Since it’s a large city with plenty of activities and places to visit, I recommend staying for at least a week to truly enjoy it. Personally, I’d give it a five out of five.
Norwegian Cruise - Miami<->Bahamas
Norwegian Cruise Booking site: https://www.ncl.com/in/en/
Phone #: 852-2165-6000
I had really high expectations for this cruise trip. I’m always excited when I travel, but it had been a long time since I felt this kind of anticipation. I think watching the movie Titanic made me even more eager for the experience.
My cruise departed from the Port of Miami with Norwegian Cruise Line. The itinerary was three days: leaving Miami, stopping at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, and then returning to Miami.
The weather was perfect that day.
When I arrived at the Port of Miami, I was already thrilled just seeing the massive cruise ship waiting. Entering the terminal felt a bit like boarding a plane—but once inside, I was welcomed warmly.
The cruise ship itself was enormous.
Finally, it was time to depart. The weather was beautiful, and I could feel the excitement as we set sail.
The food onboard was incredible. Since meals were included in the cruise price, I tried a variety of dishes—and ate a lot! Everything inside the ship was wonderful.
Our first stop was Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. It felt like stepping into paradise. The island, owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, was breathtaking. I even found myself wondering how much it would cost to buy an island like this! From the shore, you could see our cruise ship anchored offshore. To get to the island, we had to take a small boat from the ship.
Our next destination was Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas.
Once again, the cruise ship looked massive in the harbor. I explored the city, visited shopping centers, and enjoyed the nearby beaches. From a distance, I could see The Cove at Atlantis—a famous five-star hotel. I also spotted The Reef at Atlantis, another luxurious five-star resort.
Eventually, it was time to head back. The trip had been unforgettable, and I felt sad when it ended. I’m already planning to try another cruise route in the future.
Summary: The Norwegian cruise was absolutely the best. I made memories that will last a lifetime. Every day felt like heaven, from the shows on board and the variety of restaurants to the lively festivals and events. It had been a long time since I felt so happy while traveling.
During the three-day trip, I loved not only enjoying life on the cruise but also getting off to explore each destination along the way. I would recommend a cruise vacation to anyone, and I’m already looking forward to trying a different route next time.
That said, cruising may not be for everyone. If you’re prone to seasickness, it can be difficult to fully enjoy the experience, so that’s something to consider.
Personally, I’d give it more than 5 out of 5.
Key West
Key West is the southernmost city in Florida, located about 90 miles (145 kilometers) from Cuba. If you’re interested in American literature, you may know it as the place where Ernest Hemingway—Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize–winning author—once lived. I drove from Miami to Key West, and the trip took about three and a half hours by car.
The day started off perfectly—the weather was beautiful, the skies were clear, and I was full of excitement.
Although Key West is technically an island, it’s connected by a series of bridges, so you can drive there. Passing over countless bridges, I dare say the views along the drive are some of the best in the world.
Since it’s a long drive, I stopped at a gas station halfway, stretched my legs, enjoyed the scenery, and continued on at an easy pace. The color of the sea was stunningly beautiful.
Along the way, I saw a few cars, but traffic wasn’t too heavy. Some bridges were even under construction, but the journey still felt smooth.
At certain spots, I spotted giant lizards by the roadside—so big that I was both amazed and a little scared!
Finally, after the long drive, I arrived in Key West. I was exhausted, but the fresh air and breathtaking scenery quickly washed away all the fatigue.
El Siboney Restaurant (Key West)
Address: 900 Catherine St, Key West, FL 33040
Phone #: 305-296-4184
Hours: Mon~Sun (11AM-9:30PM)
Since Key West is so close to Cuba, I decided to visit a Cuban restaurant to try some authentic Cuban food.
The exterior of the restaurant is small and simple.
Inside, the atmosphere was modest and unpretentious, but cozy.
At first, bread was served as a starter, followed by the main dishes. The restaurant was quite popular, so it was full of people.
One of the meat dishes reminded me of Korean galbi or bulgogi—the meat was tender and flavorful. Another dish had sweet fried plantains (banana) on top of the rice, which paired really well.
The shrimp, on the other hand, was just average. It wasn’t spicy, but the flavor didn’t really suit my taste.
There was also another meat dish, again similar in taste to galbi or bulgogi, which I enjoyed very much.
Overall, I ate a lot and found the bread, which was served at the beginning, surprisingly delicious. The food in general was good. I especially liked the black bean soup and the crab dish.
Since Key West doesn’t have a large Asian community, we were the only Asians in the restaurant, but it didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.
That wraps up my short Key West travel review and my visit to El Siboney, a well-known Cuban restaurant.
Summary: Key West is a city I would recommend to anyone planning an extended stay in Miami, Florida. I loved the natural environment and would recommend it to people of all ages. That said, it may feel a bit boring if you stay too long, so I think one or two days is the perfect amount of time to explore. Personally, I’d give it a solid five out of five.
Have a great day.
I forbid unauthorized use of my writing and photos!!
