Grand Beach Hotel & Bayside Miami

Today was our first day in Miami, we decided to have a really lazy day, watched the World Cup semi-final and then went down to the 7th floor pool to catch some sun. Spent a couple of hours there, then came back up to our hotel room and got ready to go out for some food. We are going to go to the Bayside.

Gillian on our balcony:

view from our hotel room is fantastic:

VIDEO at 7th floor pool area: watch HD (gets noisy from the winds)

We then went to the Bayside Miami, and looked around the shops. Gillian got new shoes, again! We then went to a place called “the knife” for some buffet steak. Gillian loved it.

The Bayside Butcher:

We went back to the spot were Katelin got her photo taken when she was 2 years old, and took another photo 16 years later.

My Family:

Katelin in Hard Rock Cafe:

Savannah & Brooklyn pose:

Miami Bayside:

Gillian after some cocktails:
We then went onto Hard Rock Cafe and got Cocktails, maybe one too many..
Below is a video clip after Gillian had her cocktails in Hard Rock. She was so funny, and we had a really fun time.

New York to Miami

Today we set off for our 5 night trip to Miami. We got up at 8.30am with a plan to get the metro then train to Newark airport. However we had far too much luggage and the 100deg heat outside was just too hot. We only managed one block then hailed a yellow cab to take us direct to the airport. It was about 40mins by taxi. We therefore arrived at 11.30am for our 2pm flight to Miami.

Leaving New York with American Airlines:

Plane took off on time, and we headed for Miami Grand Beach Hotel. The flight was 3hours and we arrived at 5pm.

Arriving in Miami:

View from our Hotel Room, Grand Beach Hotel

We arrived at the Grand Beach Hotel Miami

Our Room at Grand Beach Hotel:

Gillian talking about our day:

Walking along Ocean Drive:

We then went out a walk to have a look around, but I think we were just too tired, so we got a cab after walking for an hour to Ocean Drive, and went into a fantastic Cuban restaurant, owned by Gloria Estefan (my daughter said who). Then took a short walk along Ocean Drive, before getting a cab back to the hotel.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

Today we set out to walk the Brooklyn Bridge, and WOW did we walk, walk & walk. With temperatures hitting 100F it was a fantastic achievement. From Brooklyn Heights to our Hotel in Times Square.

The day started in the Marquis Hotel exchanging our money.

We then got the Metro to Brooklyn Heights & got a great lunch. Brooklyn was very quiet, no hustle. We really liked the atmosphere there.

Temp= 100 F

Our walk then started from Brooklyn Bridge – WOW its hot!

Below are VIDEOS & PHOTOS:

We then walked back down to South Street Seaport to get a coke and cool off.

We continued walking through West Village & Soho

And then Washington Square:

Stopped off a few times for drinks and ice-cream, then arrived back at Times Square via Empire State Building, which is lit up red, white & blue for the 4th July.

Finally arrived back at Times Square, WOW what a day..

Now off to Miami tomorrow afternoon

4th of July – NYC

Its the 4th of July in NYC. We are having a fantastic holiday. We started today by going to Macys, then headed to Lexington Avenue to a street market. Also stopped of at Grand Central Station.

Below are photos & videos:

central park videos:

sunset at central park:

American History Museum

We had more of a lazy day today, did not get up till 11am, then walked to “The American Natural History Museum” via Central Park. Later we are going to the cinema to see “Grown Ups”.

Below are some videos & photos from today: