Day 54 - Key West

05/01/17

After getting to bed later than usual last night, we don't need an alarm to wake up. While Marco sleeps in a bit longer, Yves gets up earlier and writes some emails after a short fitness program. After 10:00 am, we have a good breakfast and pack for the trip to Key West. It's important to bring swimsuits because we finally want to go into the sea in Florida! Just before departure, our hearts jump a bit as we wonder where our passports and Yves' wallet are?!? After 10 minutes of searching, we find them hidden under a beach towel on the back seat of the car. We must have been tired while unpacking yesterday and (unconsciously) placed them there.

Finally, we're off and we continue driving over many bridges towards the southwest. Destination: Key West, the westernmost island of the Keys. We park Alfred on the side of the road and go on foot to explore. It's relatively warm, so we soon take off our t-shirts and stroll through the streets. At first, it's relatively unremarkable. But as we slowly approach the harbor, Key West starts to reveal its true face and exudes a lot of charm. Large yachts in the harbor, cool restaurants and bars, numerous shops, and interesting buildings.

We're not alone, there are numerous other tourists. Since a cruise ship has docked in the harbor, dozens are on a shore excursion.

Along the way, we make a first stop at a patisserie/gelateria and have homemade ice cream - simply top-notch. We continue to stroll through the streets and let ourselves be enchanted by the impressions. But slowly, it's time to go to the beach and enjoy the last rays of sunshine and go for a swim. By chance, we pass a landmark where people are lined up to take a photo. It's the southernmost point of the USA - only 90 miles away from Cuba.

After 5 hours of walking, strolling, and wandering, we reach the beach where we parked Alfred. We grab the beach volleyball to play a few games while the sun sets. In between, we manage to take a snapshot with the camera.

And then, for the first time since arriving on the American mainland, we go into the sea. Yippee. It's warm, although there's a lot of seaweed in it. But no matter: What more could you want than a sunset and a dip in the sea.

Afterwards, we head home for the usual cooking, eating, showering, writing reports, uploading, and going to sleep - as a short version ;-)

Photo of the day: Chillin' Dog