Key West the reviving place

Duval Street was a shopping paradise in Key West, or should I say the only shopping area in Key West. Key West is a small town, so don't expect too much. Duval Street is always busy during day and night. Especially during nighttime, restaurants and pubs were lit up brightly. Shops sell mostly vibrant-colored T-shirts or plain T-shirts that you could decal with whimsical words and prints.

Smather Beach was located along South Roosevelt Boulevard and dubbed as the "Rest Beach." Hordes of seagulls foraging the coast are prevalent.

At the end of Whitehead Street, there is a remarkable cone-like, multicolor structure painted with the white-and-black words, "90 miles to Cuba. Southernmost Point Continental U.S.A. Home of the Sunset." Marveling at this fact, tourists would at least take a few pictures with it for memento’s sake.

Another popular stretch of beach was Higg Beach, which coincided with the "Key West Aid Memorial." A long boardwalk spanned the shallow water and extended farther out into the deep-turquoise sea, which was a favorite spot for cyclists and strollers. We walked up to the end of the boardwalk, which was a great place for relaxation. A gorgeous view of the ocean, a vista of the horizon, and endless skies could be captured. And the surrounding was a sheer tranquililty.

Every evening there was a Sunset Celebrations at the northern harbor of Key West. This place bustled with activities and became energized. There were street performances – rock n’ roll, stomp dancing, and entertainers in whimsical suits juggling colored balls.

Quick Tips:

Most of the hotels, resorts, or inns will give their guests a free gift coupon to a solar-products shop, where you can exchange it for a solar bag for free! All the products in this shop turned the dull prints on T-shirts, caps, hair accessories, and tote bags into vibrant-colored objects with exposure to ultraviolet light or under the sun. Also grab those pamphlets distributed along the streets. These pamphlets may entitle you to a free key lime pie (very well-known dessert in Key West) or a cup of coffee.

Best Way To Get Around:

A rented car may be the most appropriate and nicest choice, especially if you are a road-trip buff. Driving on US-1 from the Miami airport to Key West is almost the most thrilling thing!

At first sight, I fell in love with this resort. The exterior was so alluring and the lobby was ritzy. It was located along South Roosevelt Boulevard, which was along the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of 5 blocks of condo-like houses, each 3 stories high and aligned neatly in a U-shape. On the concave side of the condo were a lush garden, whimsical curved pools, and an enthralling Jacuzzi. Adjacent to this hot tub was a wooden swing where you could brew a cup of complimentary Starbucks coffee given to you by Hyatt, laze on the swing for hours, and immerse yourself with sodden ocean-air blows.

I stayed in a two-bedroom, two-bath condo. It had one guest room and a master bedroom, with the master room coupled with a Jacuzzi and a separated shower. An ottoman was placed at the end of the king-size bed. The curtains are translucent chalk-white fabric used as the fun layers, and drop-down, mat-like drapes block out the natural light. The kitchen was well-furnished with ample wooden cabinets and laid with varnished tiles. Next to the kitchen was a spacious and posh living room painted in a soothing green, with plush couches and a dozen of cuddlesome cushions tossed on it. The dining table was made of mahogany woods, with a chrome-like chandelier hung over it. There was a long hallway leading to a marbled floor balcony; a round, glassy table was placed in the middle with two rocking chairs. There was a view of the pools and ocean. Also, there was a telescope on the balcony to watch the sky on starry nights. It was a perfect personal retreat and a great place to relax. The stay at Hyatt was just simply perfect.

You can choose to dine indoors or on the balcony. I took the second choice, as I could view Duval Street and see what people were doing down there. Also, during the evening, Key West can be very breezy. So why not take the outdoor seat while you can inhale fresh air!

My dinner was a simple one. I ordered a plate of pasta marinara, fried calamari topped with a spicy sauce, Buffalo wings, and a draft beer. I did not really go for any desserts, as I do not really have a sweet tooth. On the chalkboard, the prices of the seafood were handwritten. The lobsters and flower crabs did not seem to be overpriced, so the total cost for each meal really depends on what you ordered. My dinner cost only $35, including tax and tip.