43a Miami - oh no. we ho ho'ed

We debated for days on whether or not to buy HO HO tickets to get us around
to all the places of interest, and in the end we decided we would. Once on
the bus it was not long that I rued that decision. Don't get me wrong this
is a great way to see the city if you don't want to do a lot of walking or
if you are not into taking a lot of pictures and just want to absorb the
sights. We like to do all the above. Trying to take pictures from the top
of a full bus was not easy. Either someone's ipad or wind-swept hair are
in the way or you are just on the wrong side of the bus for any pictures.
Our plan was to do one complete circuit of the red, then the blue lines,
each taking 90 mins. Then hopping off where we wanted to spend more time.
Our wish list was Wynwood Walls, Little Havana and South Beach for a swim.
After completing the red route and heading out on the blue we realised that
this was not going to work, and we had to start hopping off the bus if we
wanted to maximise our time.

43b Miami - South beach

Our first hop off was South Beach - we were hot and wanted a swim. This
area is known for it's gorgeous pastel coloured Art Deco Buildings and it's
long sandy beaches. Bringing Art Deco to the beach, the life guard huts add
a splash a colour with their cute designs.
The sun was hot and the air was humid and although the sea was warm, it was
still refreshing. The water was clear, but you couldn't escape the floating
bits of seaweed that felt rough against your skin as it brushed past you.
Only in Miami would you see advertising displayed on a neon light billboard
mounted on a barge and cruising up and down the coast.

43c Miami - South Beach and Bayside

After our lunch, in what else but an Irish pub, we completed the circuit of
the Blue line. Now back at the Bayside, we contemplated jumping back on the
Red line HO HO to hop off at the Wynwood Walls, an area of excellent
graffiti. But the thought of a 30 min wait for the next bus, then the wait
to get back on the bus, and as this stop was near the beginning of the
route, it meant that we would have another 60min of busing to get back. It
was hot, the rain was imminent, and we were just plain tired.
Being Sunday, Bayside was crazy with not just cruisers but the locals too.
Live music, local shops, restaurants, bars and markets were all on offer.
You don't know what you don't know, and in hindsight a taxi or to tackle
public transport to each of 3 places we wanted to visit probably would have
more beneficial.

Still managed 11,000 steps even though we were on a bus .. Total step count
= 995,362

42 Charleston and it's Southern Charm

It was a beautiful sail in as Charleston welcomed us with clear blue skies
and stunning views of the charming homes that lined the water front.
Silently we glided through the long channel into the bay. The large grey
aircraft carrier stood guard over the smaller yachts anchored at the marina.
With their usual precision the bridge staff spun us around and glided us
into our berthing position.

42a Charlestons old world charm

The city of Charleston is made up of five neighbourhoods, and armed with our
map, we left the ship with the intention of visiting the highlights in each
area. Charleston being one of the South's best-preserved cities sparkled in
the sun against brilliant skies. But alas our penalty for these
picture-perfect conditions was the draining heat and humidity. Deciding on
an abridged version of our walk, we narrowed the area we would cover.
We started with walking along the Waterfront Park heading into the area of
some of Charleston's, most magnificent mansions. Homes beautifully restored
that either serve as homes, Bed & Breakfasts or museums. On some other more
significant homes plaques are displayed on the front explaining their
history.
A feature that struck us the most was a lot of the homes with their huge
columns and wide verandas were actually built side-on to the street. The
purpose of this was that it was the best way to capture the cross-sea
breezes and kept everyone cool.
We walked along Rainbow Row, a section of East Bay Street where each of the
homes are painted in different colours adding to the charm of the area.
Many chose to step back in time and tour with the appeal of riding in a
Horse & Carriage; others were able to pick up small bus tours straight from
the terminal.

42b Charleston - Baby it's warm outside

We walked up King St, through the business district where the beautiful
architecture continued with the stores and banks. Now the brand names of
many exclusive modern stores adorn their frontages.

42 c Charleston - Callies Hot little Biscuits

From my research and my love of a good scone, my mission was to find Callies
Hot Little Biscuit Shop. With agreement from Garry we continued up King St
looking for number 476½, a little further than I had anticipated we kept
walking in the morning heat. By the time we found it, what was going to be
morning tea ended up being lunch. Visions of a table in a shady courtyard
or in air-conditioned comfort and an abundance of free internet, we ended up
with none of the above. Half being the operative part of the street number
as this shop was the skinniest thing you have ever seen, with a menu so
small that every item is on the menu is on display. Like all things it is
not about quantity but quality, and for me these were the most delicious
biscuits I have ever had. We chose their version of a BLT, bacon, lettuce
and tomato served in a biscuit, it's crumbly texture did not deter me, but
Garry reserved his judgement for he is not a fan of messy food. These
biscuits have a different texture, and as they are made with cream cheese
they have a much moister consistency than the scones that we are used to. I
didn't walk all this way for nothing, so I added a small cinnamon biscuit to
the order… OMG that was just divine…

42d Charleston City Markets

Walking back through Marion Square we headed to the French Quarter and
probably Charleston's most historical centre. Filled with churches,
restaurants and bars, buts it's centre piece would have to be the Charleston
City Markets. Filled with 100's for stall of all types of crafts, antiques
and food. Food, did you say food. Well bang smack in the middle was a
little food stall that had a very familiar feel to it. CALLIES HOT LITTLE
BISCUITS, was the sign displayed above .. Damn it, as this was just the
opposite where the ship was docked.
The markets were full with passengers from the ship and covered several
blocks. Sections of it were open with the centre section enclosed and
airconditioned creating a sanctuary from the heat outside. The seagrass
woven baskets and bowls seem to the a specialty but the good ones came with
a price tag.

42e Charleston - Moonshine, grits and green fried tomatoes

The Lowcountry Bistro was where we took refuge and quenched our thirsts.
Garry with a cold beer, me, a Market St Sangria that won me over as soon as
I saw Moonshine in its list of ingredients.
Biscuits .Tick , Moonshine . Tick. Next on the list green fried tomatoes and
grits - for this reason we returned to the same Bistro for dinner. I
redeemed myself with Garry when I suggested he would really like the
Jambalaya, and I was certainly excited with my tomatoes and side of grits.
So good were the grits that the recipe was right up on the black board..
Just need to source the grits back home.

Step Count 976,784