Monday, January 12, 2009

South Florida vacation

I trust that all my blogger friends had a joyous Holiday season and a very grand new year! I am back and ready to dazzle you( or not ha! ha!) with my culinary creations but first I share with you, my vacation in South Florida!

South Florida could very well be a playground for sun seekers, especially if one wants to escape the snow and the cold, even for just a little while. Unwinding and having fun comes to mind and is this not ultimately the premise of a vacation?

While this destination boasts the sun, surf and clubbing in South Beach ( mind you activities of which we did and enjoyed), it was actually an exhilarating helicopter ride that was the highlight of our vacation this time! At times it was pretty unnerving, flying over tall buildings because the airflow can become turbulent and cause the helicopter to "sway "from side to side. This did make me a little giddy! The view from the helicopter into the blue ocean was spectacular and I swore I saw a shark but quickly dismissed the thought for fear of trusting my vivid imagination which can be quite overactive during extreme bouts of fear coupled with pleasure.

Miami to me is the gateway to South America and most of all, Cuba. There is a jamboree of nationalities that screams warmth and good times and they have this profound naivete' ( I mean no disrespect!) that South Florida is the best place to live. I, on the other hand, love the mountains, skiing and the four seasons.




En route to the Florida Keys















Flying over West Palm Beach












Even though, I had fun with my family and friends in South Florida, I missed my home in Colorado. Some would exclaim that I am the one being delusional, preferring an icy Tundra above a tropical paradise. Why shovel and scrape snow when you could bask in the lap of the sun and the surf! I say, "home is where you hang your hat" and Colorado surely for me is where I lay my head!!!

This is the sun room in the front part of my home







Scraping the snow from our truck, comes with the territory!


You decide! Where would you rather live in Colorado or in Florida?

Nazarina A

31 comments:

Dewi said...

Hmm, I think both! Winter in Colorado, so that my son will be able to do his favorite sport, snow boarding. Then Florida in Spring, so that he can do surfing. That sounds fantastic, isn't it. Problem is, he might want to go with his friends rather then his parent, ha..ha..ha..
Cheers,
Elra

Yasmeen said...

Gosh o golly! I thought we were snowed under here with about a foot of snow during the weekend,colorado looks dangerously snowy.
Good to know you soaked up some sun babe and had a gala time in the sunshine state:)

Jo A. T.B. said...

Welcome back Nazarina!

If I had my way I probrably would go to Florida in the Winter, and come back here in the Spring!

I've been to Florida twice. Once many years ago in March, and it was cold there. I took all warm clothes and had to buy a hoodie to keep warm! The second time we went was 8 years ago in August, and the weather was too hot and humid!

I loved your photos, and I'm glad to see you're back!

Live.Love.Eat said...

Hey!!! Welcome Back!! Your trip looks awesome!!!! I do love FL, that's why I live here, but I do understand your love for Colorado!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I sure missed you.. so glad you are back from Vay-Cay.. did you have a blast? OH my.. look at all that snow.. gesh....

ochikeron said...

Hi! I'm glad to hear that you are back with energy!

Helicopter, sounds fun!!!

Wow! How much could you remove the snow?!
It reminds me of my car under the snow in NY. It took me few hours to dig my car out :(

Anyway, hope your 2009 is blessed with good health and creation ;)

Reeni said...

I chose the snowy tundra, too! I like to experience the seasons. That helicopter looks mighty scary! Your brave, girl! I'm so happy that you had a vacation, you deserved it. I thought you were up in the mountains skiing! I have something to send you in the next week or two. So good to have you back!

Bunny said...

Thanks for sharing your pictures ! I would really miss the changing of the seasons, I think just visiting Florida would be nice.

Unknown said...

WOW!!! what a vacation that must have been... the views are awesome... Happy New Year!!! :)

lubnakarim06 said...

Wow it was really fun to experience both the weathers. Nice to know that you had rocking and pleasent time out with family.... Nice pics....

Amy said...

Haha, I'm crazy, I'd pick the snow! I LOVE cold (not so much of a hot weather person).

Looks like you had a wonderful holiday!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Thanks for the great pictures! Happy New Year!

Cheers,

Rosa

NKP said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time. But coming home to all that snow! You have more than us, and we live in Canada!

thecelticcookinshanghai said...

Welcome back, I look forward to reading of your culinary delights once again.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Welcome back and Happy New Year! Looks like you had a wonderful time.

vanillasugarblog said...

Welcome back! You were missed my dear.
And I do think you are crazy for loving the snow better than the sun. I'm at my wits end with cold and snow; I'm ready to move back to california for the sun and no more artic temps. I need a good soaking in the sun to 'revive' me.

The Food Hunter said...

Looks like you had a great trip. Happy New Year!

Anjum said...

wow lovely pics..thanks for posting the helicopter ride must b great!!!...hey i prefer to visit both the places ....both are awesome

Anonymous said...

Looks like fun!

With the awful weather I've been having here... I think I'd take Florida:)

Teresa Cordero Cordell said...

Hey there my friend. I'm so happy for you. Did you have a wonderful holiday in the sun? I can hear you now, "Yes, but I miss the snow!" I've always wanted to go up in a helicopter. I hope it was a lot of fun. I missed you and your wonderful creations. I just wanted to say have a glorious 2009 and may all your wishes come true. Big hugs.

Snooky doodle said...

wow what a nice adventure! seems you had lots of fun :) welcome back.

Anonymous said...

Hi Nazarina. Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. I am in your blog now and love it here:)

I have never been to Florida but would like to go one day. Looks like you had a great time there. Cheers:)

MaryBeth said...

I would take both locations, Colorado because my daughter is there in Denver at school and Florida because it has Disney world. I am so glad to see that you had such a great time. I cant wait to be dazzled by your fabulous creations.

Navita (Gupta) Hakim said...

hi first time here...n m already sure i will be back for more ;p

m new to blogosphere, 3 months old...so wud love it if u cud stop by sometime :)

Couture Carrie said...

Wow - great photos! Tough choice on where to live, but I think I'll have to pick skiing over swimming!

xoxox,
CC

MACMAN said...

What a contrast, sunny florida photos and winter in colorado, very cool. I have never done a helicopter ride before, maybe soon. Next time you are south again, you need to swim with the dolphins in Miami. Its a blast!!!
Great Blog,
God bless,
John

kimvee said...

WOW! I haven't seen that much snow in years! HAHA I really like your site and the food that you post look absolutely delicious! :)

Noor said...

Ahh I miss Florida, I have been there so many times. I missed reading your blog glad to be back from traveling myself to catch up.

Vaala ◪ said...

I love the scenery! Helicopters are the most amazing way to view the world.

Hmmm, I think I'd chose Florida (but I'm sticking with New Zealand!). Not much of a snow person (unless it's just a holiday of course).

Salt N Turmeric said...

It's been so long since I came here. The last time I checked, there was no update. ;)

That's a lot of snow Nazarina! I think I wouldn't mind the snow but not much when it comes to the cleaning. Unless I can pay somebody else to do it for me! lol.

Anonymous said...

Haha! I do live in Florida! It certainly has its benfits (warm, balmy winters), but also its downsides (hot, humid summers).
It is nice to be so close to the ocean, as I love, love, love seafood, and it means we get some outstanding fresh fish!
Though, I do also love buffalo, which I'm sure is easier to get fresh (and cheap) in Colorado. In Florida, it's terribly pricey, and sold in tiny, vacuum-sealed packs, which makes it hard to enjoy often.