Holocaust Memorial

Another view of Golden Gate bridge. Notice the waves.

A Parrothead must live here.

Any one want some fresh turtle, turtle eggs, or shrimp from Chinatown?

I have been busy the last few days getting everything ready to go and think I have most of it done.  I have even been in contact with the president of the Parrothead club in Australia and plan on trying to meet him and some of the club while there.  I couldn't find a club in New Zealand but I am sure I can find a few Parrotheads there too.

Last night I booked tickets for my next adventure, one that will take me nearly half-way around the world.More...

Sorry for my delay in posting but here is a brief list of events so far, will update all later.  Connections and trying to make connections have kept me busy.More...

I woke early and made my way to the ferry terminal at Potter's Cay where I bought my ticket and then waited to board.  After just a short wait we boarded and headed out.  The trip was nice and the colors of the water continue to amaze me.More...

This morning I ate at the hotel and then decided to go to Paradise Island to see the other side of Nassau, one fueled by lots of money and casinos.  Atlantis alone just spent approx $650 million on improvements.  The place is beautiful and very Las Vegas-ish.  I couldn't resist and put $5 in a slot machine and proceeded to win $50 before deciding that I better quit while I was ahead.  I had hoped to look around on the Atlantis beach but was told I would have to pay $35 to just to be able to visit their beach.  (Note to others visiting here-- A vendor on Cabbage beach just out from Atlantis said that you can walk from Cabbage beach to Atlantis beach and they can't stop you since the beach area is owned by the government -- I will try this tomorrow)

The water and sand was beautiful and there was a rock jetty on the upper end that I walked to.  A vendor there offers fresh coconuts with mixed drinks for $20 with unlimited refills till you leave the beach area, a good deal for a hot day. 

After a while looking around and taking pictures I walked back to the hotel and had a great meal there.  It is raining a little so I decided to work on the blog and pictures.

  Atlantis

 Paradise Island Shops

 Atlantis Aquarium

Atlantis Waterfall

Coconut Drink-I had one of these for all my phriends! Hope everyone enjoyed!

 And I had a Kalik for all my beer drinking phriends

 On the rock jetty at Cabbage Beach

After a night of working on the blog posts, pictures, and a bit of cat-napping at the airport it was finally time to board the plane for the next part of this journey.  As a single male traveling with only carry on luggage I was immediately pegged for the "extra" security scan.  Everything I had was checked and some re-checked before I was cleared my flight.  At the gate I was checked against my passport one last time and allowed to board the plane.  The flight was quick and only had minimal turbulance (surprising since a hurricane ahd just hit Cuba).  The cloud cover the ocean from my view in all but a few spots.  After we landed I got a taxi to the Towne Hotel in Nassau.  The fare for the short ride seemed high at $27 but everything here is high in my opinion (a bottle of beer at most places is in excess of $5).

The hotel rate is $85 but that does include everything and a continental breakfast.  It is located near the middle of town and I have walked everywhere so far even though the bus stop is just down the street.  The port is just down from the bus stop and there was two cruise ships in port when I went walking around.  The Straw Market is there too along with Senor Frog's and other shops.  Across from the hotel a church had a big event going on and everyone was dressed in their finest.  The police and security were no exception and their uniforms really stand out in a good way. 

I ate and walked around town to find my bearings here.  The people of Bahamas are very friendly and happy to wish everyone a good day.  Of course the vendors are always trying to make a sale but all are respectful when I explained I was just looking around, quickly moving on to the next victim.

Later I went out to Senor Frog's to have a few drinks but the place was nearly empty.  I wish some of my Phlocker Phriends had been along with me to liven up the place but I was all alone.  I made my way back to the hotel and had a good nights sleep to get ready for tomorrow.

 Senor Frog's

I got things together early and started for Biscayne National Park, stopping at a Duncan Doughnuts for breakfast.  The ride out was not too bad once I got about 3 miles out of town.  Just before the park I saw approx. 50 cyclists and talked to a few of them.  It was good to see a lot of people taking advantage of these rural roads and beautiful surroundings.  There are plenty of palm tree farms out there and I saw a great variety of different palms.  Biscayne National Park was nice and I learned that at one time the area was bought up and the planned use was a six-lane highway to as an extension of Miami Beach.  I'm really glad that was stopped and it was made into a national park.  I rode my bike around the walkway and out onto the jetty.  From there the view of Miami is nice but I preferred the one looking out into open water.

As I left I saw many young people visiting the park.  There is a lot to see and do here and I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.  

I chose to ride the rural roads as much as possible toward Miami and then searched for a reasonably priced storage facility to put my bicycle in.  As I entered Miami I did see one sign that I thought others would find funny.  It was a sign for a park and I have a picture below.  See the humor?  I tried A-1 but they have fees for their fees and it would have cost nearly $100 to just leave my bike there for a month.  Luckily I saw a Public Storage and there a months rent, a new lock, and all fees were only $41, saving me more than 50% over their competitor.  I really don't like making anyone look bad but when you make up fees just to charge more I think you deserve it.  A-1 even charges you $20 for "administrative fee" for filling out their paper!

In the unit I packed as much as I could into my backpack and locked the door on the rest.  I decided to walk to the airport and enjoyed just walking around for a while.  It was near dinner time and I stopped into a Cuban restaurant for a meal.  There was very little English spoken here.  The food was very good and I had a dessert and espresso to top off the tank.

I was looking to the west and as the sun set it developed a brilliant redish purple hue but there was nothing to frame it with.  I took a couple pictures anyway.  I continued my walk and eventually came to the Hertz rental car facility where I caught the shuttle to the airport since it is not designed for pedestrians.  I got to the airport and was able to work on a few pictures and do some of my blog posting while waiting for the early morning flight to Nassau, Bahamas.

 Biscayne National Park

 Anyone else see humor in this sign?

This morning I had breakfast at the inn and then spent most of the morning looking around Key Largo.  I visited John Pennekamp state park and as I was leaving Key Largo I noticed a sign for Caribbean Club.  I'm sure many will remember that this is where parts of Key Largo with Bogart and Bacall was filmed.  I had to have a beer there and look around.  The place had many posters and other memorabilia about the film.  It was a quaint and friendly place that any film buff should visit.

I had a headwind but was making good time until I hit the road construction on US 1.  The pylons were on the shoulder and that made avoiding traffic even more of a challenge.  I did get to meet the first long-distance cyclist I have seen so far on this trip.  Pat is from Detroit and on his was to Key West.  If you see him be sure to wave or toot your horn.

I made it to Homestead and found a room for the night.

Stats: 31.1 miles, 12.1 mph avg., 26.6 max., 5:07 total time, 2:34 moving time, 2327 calories,  107 avg. HR, 154max. HR.

Dressed for the Phlockers Street Fest. Did I mention that Catholic school girls are HOT!

Key Largo Sunset

Bogart and Me at the Caribbean Club

The Caribbean Club sign