THE BEAUTY OF MIAMI LIES IN ITS PEOPLE

THE BEAUTY OF MIAMI LIES IN ITS PEOPLE

Miami may lack towering mountains or expansive rivers, but it boasts beautiful clouds and equally stunning people. Yesterday, at a Japanese Peruvian restaurant—reflective of Miami's cultural fusion—I had the pleasure of meeting individuals from various South American countries. It was delightful to converse with them, each sharing their unique dreams.

This morning, my experience took me to an Argentinean bistro. Its ambiance strongly evoked memories of Plaza Dorrego in Buenos Aires. I indulged in special empanadas—filled with spinach and ricotta cheese, onion, beef, and Malbec, epitomizing Argentinean cuisine. The coffee was exceptional, and the croissant stood up well against the French ones I sample monthly, offering a strong competition.

What stood out most, however, was the warmth of the staff. This, I believe, embodies the essence of the 'new America.' It's a blend of South American openness and Central American kindness, with a touch of Cuban confidence—all wrapped up in good looks!

Thank you. I am truly content with this 'new America.' Out with the old, indeed.

INTI.MO.

Inti is the ancient Inca sun god. He is revered as the national patron of the Inca state. Although most consider Inti the sun god, he is more appropriately viewed as a cluster of solar aspects, since the Inca divided his identity according to the stages of the sun

This is a culinary haven, offering some of the finest dining experiences in Miami. Its roots lie in Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei cuisine, and the Venezuelan chef of the day delivered an exceptional meal. What truly enhanced the experience was the guidance of Sebastian from Bogota, whose recommendations led us to a delightful selection of ceviche, sushi, and the chef's specials. A well-paired Albariño and an espresso martini added a perfect finishing touch. One could sense the personal touch of Juan, the owner—a story of immigrant success.

This embodies the spirit of the 'new America,' where influences from Guatemala bring sweetness, Cuban influences bring warmth, and Colombian influences bring precision. The ambiance was delightful, the food exquisite, the wine superb, and the company fantastic. It was truly a lovely Miami night.

This is a gourmet dining experience, where dietary restrictions take a back seat unless you consult with the chef.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM AT THE FAIRCHILD TROPICAL GARDENS IN MIAMI FLORIDA IN MARCH APRIL 2024

Some flowers in bloom now at the Fairchild Tropical Gardens in Miami, Florida

Poinsettia is a commercially important flowering plant (euphorbia) indigenous to Mexico and Central America 

Brazil Raintree, native to Brazil

Megaskepasma is a monotypic genus of plants containing this single species Megaskepasma erythrochlamys, known by its common name Brazilian red cloak

Native to Venezuela and Suriname 

Red Sage. Found commonly in southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. Native to Mexico

Moth Orchids is a genus of seventy species of plants in the family of orchidaceae. South East Asia, China, Taiwan, Australia , PNG with majority found in the Philippines and Indonesia 

Heliconia native to tropical America

Desert Rose

Plumeria named after the French botanist Charles Plumier (should have been called Plumier?) is of neotropical realm grown as ornamentals.

Euphorbia, this one jamaican flame in common parlance

EUPHORBIA

PLUMERIA

DESERT ROSE

HELICONIA

MOTH ORCHIDS

RED SAGE

MEGASKEPASMA

BRAZIL RAINTREE

POINSETTIA

FAIRCHILD TROPICAL GARDENS THE BEST COLLECTION OF PALMS IN THE WORLD

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami, Florida has the world's largest palm collection, with more than 500 species and 1,000 palms across 13 acres. The collection includes the 13-acre Montgomery Palmetum, which is considered one of the world's most important documented palm collections.

Copernicia fallaensis, also known as the Falla palm, was once widespread in the Camagüey province of Cuba, but now only survives a small community of less than 100 mature trees near the town of Falla. It's now found in secondary savannas and is the best population in Ranchuelo, near Falla. I remember driving up to this village and the locals always in bewilderment as foreigners singly or in groups descend sporadically view the palms in their backyards. Outside of Ranchuelo, Camaguey this is the best strand of Fallaensis , even better than the collection at the National Botanical Gardens outside La Habana in Cuba.  photo 8

Coccothrinax radiata, also known as the Florida thatch palm or Thrinax radiata, is a medium-sized, slow-growing palm tree with a shrub-like fan shape. It's native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and southern Florida, and can grow up to 30 ft tall and 15 ft wide. It has a cluster of 12–20 fan-shaped leaves that are 2–3 ft in diameter, and can form a dense canopy.   photo 7

The Bismarck palm (Bismarckia nobilis) is a tropical evergreen tree native to Madagascar that can grow up to 60 ft tall and 16 ft wide. It has silver-green leaves that are typically 4 ft wide, with a waxy coating that makes them gray-silver in color.  Photo 6

Fishtail palm. photo 5

A Strand of Roystonea Regia or Royal Palm, official tree of Cuba. photo 3

The Madagascar palm (Pachypodium lamerei) is a flowering plant native to Madagascar that has large thorns and spines on its trunk. photo 2

THE EVERGLADES IS WORTH SAVING

A friend of mine is visiting from another part of the USA, so I decided to be her tour guide. Today, I took her to a small town rarely visited by people from Miami, located a hundred miles (160 km) away. There, the river widens as it flows into the sea, creating a stunning view with thousands of islands dotting the water. We enjoyed a delicious meal of freshly grilled fish, and the peaceful atmosphere was incredibly soothing.

Chokoloskee Island is connected to the mainland of Florida by a causeway. The history of this isolated part of Florida, which was once only accessible from Key West by sea, is fascinating. The novel "Killing Mr. Watson" by Peter Matthiessen is a fiction based on the life of an outlaw at the turn of the 20th century and has received excellent reviews.

This place is truly off the beaten path, making it a hidden gem for visitors to Miami.

You understand the sense of forest therapy when you are driving this lonely stretch of road in the Everglades 

Pinecrest is a ghost town located on Loop Road in the Big Cypress National Preserve, about 6 miles west of Fortymile Bend, in Monroe County, Florida. The town was the center of operations during road construction in the 1920s, and at its peak in the 1930s, Pinecrest had a population of almost 400. The town is known for Ervin Rouse, a fiddle player who wrote the musical hit “The Orange Blossom Special,” and who retired to Pinecrest to live alone in a small shack with two dogs.

the smallest post office in USA. Ochopee, Everglades