Florida

 January 2023

 Welcome to Miami.

Sculpture

Art Deco Weekend in South Beach, Miami.

Creative bench on patio.

View from bridge over International Waterway.

With the clear blue skies, I can see our hotel from here.

Breakwater Hotel on Ocean Drive, South Beach.

Roadway was restricted to pedestrians and bicycles only!

Flamingo sculpture (looks like it is grimacing).

 

Antique cars lining the street.

Winter weather in Florida was 18 - 22 degrees C.

Good enough to eat on the various patios (no exhaust fumes!)

This is The Villa Casa Casuarina, once home to Versace (Gianni Versace, Italian fashion mogul).

 

Palace bar (famous for its drag shows).

And ripped bartenders!

Colourful Nightlife:

 

Beach for hotel.

Bye-Bye.

Victoria

Just before Christmas, last year, my sister and I took the BC Ferry to Vancouver Island.

 

It takes about an hour and 30 minutes to cross the Strait of Georgia and through the Southern Gulf Islands.

Once on dry land we were met by Marcia's sister Fran and her partner Paul. They graciously motored us to our hotel in Victoria.

The next day, Christmas Eve, Leona and I walked over to Beacon Hill, a 200 acre park with ponds, gardens, trails and peacocks.

 

The day was sunny, but a little cool as we continued up the hill and over to the shoreline. We walked along a multi-use pathway that followed the Strait of Juan de Fuca, enjoying some of the superb views.

Soon it was time to take the bus to Buchart Gardens....which will be on another post.

On Christmas day, the city woke to a bit of snow. We had a small breakfast (Continental style) in our hotel lobby, since their restaurant was closed for the Holiday.

We wandered around the city for awhile, but there was not much open.

Christmas dinner reservations were made at an expensive restaurant, but the food was a little disappointing.

Afterwards, it was time to enjoy the lights in the harbour.

 

The BC Legislature building was also lit up for Christmas.

It looks like a gingerbread castle.

Vancouver, Christmas Lights

The other day, I posted pictures of the “Fleurs de Ville”, in Vancouver, but this city also has Christmas lights at various locations.

Not just buildings, signs and window displays, but sculptured lights, as well.

The best ones are the installations in the west end called “Lumiere Lights ".

Here are some pictures of a few illuminated animals installed at the foot of Davie Street, near English Bay.

Folks were taking selfies and pictures of the animals in the square.

This year, the organizers introduced "Barclay the Beaver".

Fleurs de Ville, Vancouver

Flew out to B.C. to visit my sister in Vancouver and spend Christmas with her. The weather was cool and rainy, but no snow!

I noticed an advert for “Fleurs de Villes – Noel” (a floral trail on the streets of Vancouver).

I thought we should check out the displays and take some pictures to show our friends, AND post on my blog.

These pop-up installations (over 40 of them) ranged from couture mannequins and holiday wreaths, to flowers adorning the doorways of some businesses. 

It began in the  lobby of the Fairmont Hotel, where this "Lady in Red" is showcased.

 

        Nearby is another one, that is adorned with white orchids.

  

Outside, on the streets, there are lollipops and a few reindeer.

All are created with fresh flowers and/or confer stems.

 

There is a "Sugar Plum Fairy" atop a bus shelter on Robson, and a telephone booth surrounded by a floral display.
 

                   

This is of course, is the Eiffel Tower.

An interesting installation was the mannequin at the Hawksworth Restaurant (Johnny Walker).

This pop-up was a mannequin on a rental bicycle (sponsored by Mobi).

 

Lastly, a picture of my sis beside a toboggan filled with flowers.