Sunday - Key West
Well it didn’t take too long to figure out that Key West is the “happiest” place in America. Within two blocks of getting off the trolley which delivered us from the boat (security BS won’t let us walk into town from the boat, we had to take a “happy” little train) we noticed posters with either naked men and/or wimin (mostly men) hugging or noticed a “clothing optional” bar.
We got dropped off in Mallory Square which is pretty much the heart/core of Key West; Key West is pretty much like Banff except for the fact that they’ve maintained strict architectural controls. All the houses look like the’re either turn of the century or sixty years old, the only modern building is the court house and the Sheriff’s building. The vegetation is spectacular and controls the lay of the land and each house or lot.
The temperature was right around 21C with a little breeze and the sun was pounding pretty hard as we started walking down Duval Street.
Duval Street is lined with trendy shops on both sides; lots of bars (including the famous Margarita Ville and Sloppy Joes), jewelers, highly suggestive T-Shirt shops, artwork, and the same regular garbage you would see in Banf (minus the bears and/or elk). Same as in Banff everything is over-priced and the store attendants are pushy yet rude.
We walked most of the way down Duval (the island is only 2 miles wide) and then crossed Truman Avenue over to Whitehead Street. Whitehead is where Hemingway’s house along with the famous lighthouse (I don’t know what’s famous about it). The entry fee into Hemingway’s house was $11 so we decided to take a pass.
We kept on walking and decided to sample the local specialty (Key Lime Pie) at Kelly’s (guess which Kelly, she’s famous; HINT: Top Gun). On a side note, it sure wasn’t obvious which places served Key Lime Pie, we actually had to look quite a bit.
Kelly’s was a VERY pleasant break from the bustle of Duval St. We had pie and some cold drinks in a lovely court yard surrounded by beautiful Banyan trees and other plants.
As our last activity of the day we went to the Key West aquarium; I didn’t get to pet the sharks, but everyone who did said it felt like sandpaper. We did see a tank full of piled sharks.
We made our way back to the ship on the trolley. Overall I’d have to say that as pretty as it was Key West can kiss my assets.
Dinner that evening was fabulous if not plain, nothing special other than the great service.