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MIAMI BEACH - STAY FOR LESS "$$"

MIAMI BEACH is sited on a thin barrier island 3 miles East of mainland MIAMI CITY across the Biscayne Bay. Carl Fisher cut out the now Lincoln Road through dense mangrove with circus elephants in 1915. The “SOBE” or South Beach area was made popular after WW11 by returning servicemen who trained here. With the famous DECO District of restored 1930's stylish properties it's now the classiest region in Florida & attracts the rich, famous & beautiful whom add to the visual attractions.

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 – TROPICS HOSTEL at 1550 Collins Avenue, South MB. FL 33139 (around 15 th Street one block from beach) tele 305 531 0361 – Email: mail@tropicshotel.com – www.tropicshotel .com - $17 dorms with linen. Good common kitchen with under cover cooking range & eating area, large inside comfy reception/lounge/ TV room. Olympic swim pool at the rear amongst palms & foliage. This is a smart hostel closest to South Beach & Ocean Drive area & good for the snazzy nightlife

RESERVE – The Clay HI Hostel at 1438 Washington Avenue, South MB. FL 33139 (around 14 th Street corner with Espanola Way) tele 305 673 0346 Email:info@clayhotel.com www. clayhotel.com - $16 dorms, linen $2. Hostel is separate from Hotel at rear through security gates, with kitchen off open quadrangle for eating/meeting/ laundry – separate room with mega TV screen. The rear hostel section is in need of smartening up but the Common Room on the Hotels 1 st floor at the front is a treasure, beautifully decorated.

FOOD – is readily available from ART DÉCOR MARKET, on Washington Ave. opposite the Clay Hostel, where the fruit & veg is especially good value. A larger PUBLIX Supermarket is found up town, off the Collins Canal, walk or take the 25c electric tram.

TRAVELLING AROUND – If arriving by Greyhound Bus you will be dumped at the aptly named Downtown Bus Station, here you need to connect with a METRO C or K bus to take you across the Macarthur Causeway to Washington Ave at 15 th St. & the NO 1 Hostel stop For local journeys the 25c Electrowave shuttle busses run on a loop route from South Pointe around Lincoln Rd. from 8 till 10

FREE SIGHTS TO SEE

1. SOUTH BEACH – on the Atlantic is famous for sun worshipers, joggers & glamour photo shoots
2. LUMMUS PARK – off the Beach is popular for shady palm trees, skaters & volley ball matches
3. OCEAN DRIVE – for Deco buildings, bars / restaurants & people watching, especially at night
4. ART DÉCOR CENTRE – at 1001 OD it has a fascinating info centre, next to vintage temp/clock
5. CLAY HOTEL – the 1920's hangout of Al Capone it retains character with restored décor & style
6. POST OFFICE – call 1300 Wash. Ave to see superb mural sweeping around entrance rotunda
7. SOUTH POINTE PARK – stroll on boardwalk/ jetty to view entry to Port of Miami & Surfers
8. LINCOLN ROAD MALL – trendy Pedestrian Street with Designer shops & cool walkway cafes
9. MACARTHUR CAUSEWAY – see Cruise Liners, Harbour & Miami City skyscrapers beyond
10. FONTAINBLEAU HOTEL – on North Beach, a James Bond location & Richard Hass mural

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. VENETIAN POOL – 2701 Desoto Blvd, quarry turned into Worlds most beautiful swim pool
2. CLEVELANDER BAR – on Ocean Drive for an evening beer with music & the “Hot Bodies”

* Joe, Sanja, Sean, Horatio CSI