Coral Gables Adventures: Part Four - Venetian Pool

The Venetian Pool was the last leg of our journey through the Gables. Unfortunately we didn't have bathing suits on so we couldn't swim but I am dying to go back and spend an entire day there. It's amazing!







a.maz.ing

I can't wait.

Coral Gables Adventures: Part Tres

After the ruins we cruised around a little, hit up a yard sale and then headed over towards the Biltmore (my favorite hotel in Miami, hands-down, no questions asked.)

And for those of you who don't know, Miami is actually pretty religious. You can find all the churches here, from the Hare Krishna church in the grove, Scientologists in the Gables, and tons and tons of Catholic churches. El Hombre went to the Church of the Little Flower from the time he was young, and this is my first time being there. Its beautiful and it reminds me of the types of churches you see in Italy.


The fountain you see before you get to the Biltmore, Coral Gables Congregational, Church of the Little Flower and the Venetian Pools.



The Biltmore peeking above the trees.


Church of the Little Flower



The entire Church



Pretty Fountain



Lizard!!!!

Coral Gables Adventures: Part Dos

Because of the water tower discovery, El Hombre was inspired and gave me a tour of other landmarks in the Gables, and next we ended up at what I refer to as "the ruins."
















as you can see from here, alot of people come to shoot their quince pictures and wedding pictures. Two girls were there for their quinces this day.


El Hombre found an "artifact"

Coral Gables Adventures: The Alhambra Water Tower

This Saturday, El Hombre and I were on the search for something to do, when I spotted a tower. I made him pull the car over and find said tower (which, considering he grew up in the Gables, wasn't difficult.)

This lead us on an adventure through the Gables, looking at all sorts of landmarks.







local fauna.....


local flora....

BBQ at Crandon - Part 2 of Sunday at the Park

So, after tennis this morning, we went to my friend's birthday/citizenship party/BBQ at Crandon and it was a blast. Being one of the few non-Spanish speaking people there but welcomed like I was one, it was a great cultural experience. As always, there was too much food and too many drinks and an impromptu game of volleyball with some dudes who had been drinking out in the sun for too long, but it was a fine ol' time until the bands of Fay came sweeping through to dump buckets on us. But by then it was time to vamos anyway. Here are some photos - check out the skyline pics from earlier in the day. Totally disappeared in the rain:

The Game:

As the storm rolls in:

On the way home - Brickell disappeared:

Raindrops:

Miami Spice: China Grill

Today I went with a group of people to China Grill to take advantage of their Miami Spice menu, and I have to say I was somewhat disappointed. Having lived on Miami Beach for 3 years, I have heard many rave about China Grill, but for the price you pay, the service is sub-par. The waiter didn't serve drinks on the right side (as a result one of my friends spilled his $14 dollar drink, and got a smart-assed comment from the waitress.) The snarky, "don't you want to order something from the regular menu?" comments also left something to be desired.
Our appetizers were good, probably the best part of the meal, the entrees were also good, but definitely a step down, and the desserts were somewhat forgettable.

All in all? The food was good but I probably won't go back.

Tennis at Crandon Park - Part 1 of Sunday at the Park

This morning in the 90 degree heat, I went to play tennis at the Crandon Tennis Center for the first time and it was awesome! It's $3 to play per hour on the hard courts (they are purple and adorable) and are really REALLY nice courts. Plus it's fun to play where all of those "other" tennis players have played - if you've been to the Sony Ericsson you know who I am talking about). We made it out right before the clouds of doom from Tropical Storm Fay were coming ashore. Here are some photos: