Caribbean – Diary – Volume II – No. 22
09.03. – 12.03.2025
With trolley and Metromover through Miami…
A catamaran vacation traditionally begins with provisions. Five people need to be fed for 10 days, then we'll cruise the Florida Keys, and then we'll head to Cuba, where provisions are supposed to be difficult—which means Bernd and I need to stock up on provisions for at least another month.
My trip to the Fresh Market near the marina proved that alternatives are desirable. On our way through customs clearance, we spotted an Aldi sign. And yes, there's been an Aldi in Florida for a few years now, and it's open on Sundays, too. So, Sunday morning after breakfast, we set out, armed with backpacks and shopping bags, to catch a trolley to the nearest Aldi. After waiting for a while without success, we discovered that the trolley in our direction doesn't run on Sundays—so we ordered an Uber after all.
Each equipped with a shopping cart, we embark on an Aldi shopping frenzy. Yes, the prices here are significantly cheaper than in the local stores, but – as we discovered at the checkout – you can spend a lot of money here, too. But we got – almost – everything we needed. Amazing discovery – long-life milk doesn't seem to be an issue here... nor do coffee beans.
With our bountiful haul, we push our way to the front of the store. The first Uber driver we call looks horrified at our piles of shopping and quickly makes a run for it... We split up and drive back to the dinghy dock with two XL carts. By the time we've loaded everything, transported it by dinghy, and stowed it away on the catamaran, the day is over and the crew is tired. So we take a siesta and postpone the sightseeing program until tomorrow.
Since we now have plenty of food to choose from, we end the day with a vegetable stir-fry (vegetarian Florian) and a barbecue.
Monday morning, Susi, Gordon, Bernd, and I set off on a sightseeing tour of Miami—of all the many things the city offers, we've chosen one we'd like to see. Florian stays behind on the boat; he wants to do some work and make some improvements to the power system.
This time, the Miami Trolley arrives as expected, and in the Brickell district, we transfer to our first ride on the Metromover, a self-driving elevated train that travels between the skyscrapers. All of this is provided free of charge by the City of Miami.
Despite driving quickly, it takes us over an hour to reach our first destination: the Superblue exhibition – an immersive art experience. We immerse ourselves in this visionary art world for two hours.
We then continue to the Wynhood district, located in northern downtown Miami. This old neighborhood has gained new fame thanks to the murals on its buildings.
But first, hunger drives us to the nearest pizzeria – there is truffle pizza and pizza with honey and figs – served on crispy pizza dough – a surprising culinary delight.
Strengthened in this way, we wander through the district and admire the diverse street art until we are tired, then we take a trolley back to the marina and end the evening on board.
On Tuesday, we'll set off together in the early afternoon for a sightseeing tour. This time, our destination – by trolley and Metromover – is the Frost Science Museum. This impressive building offers an interactive technology experience, an aquarium where you can observe schooling fish, rays, and sharks on various levels, and a special exhibition on beetles.
What remains most impressive in my memory, however, is the view from the 7th level of the harbor and the city of Miami.
On Wednesday morning, Bernd goes out again to get gas, then we head off to refuel. A hammerhead shark comes to the boat to say goodbye and circles us with interest. Gordon is sure he didn't see it while swimming this morning...
We drive into the marina, fill up with diesel and petrol for the dinghy – delight the petrol station attendant with German chocolate and then it’s: Bye Bye Miami.
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