Saturday March 7, 2009 Up way to early at 3:30 am to catch out 6:00 flight out of Manchester, NH. Have a connection in Cleveland and arrive in Miami by noon. Van transfer was pretty quick and we are checking into the Sofitel around 1:00 and room was ready - not too bad of a room with a nice view overlooking the pool area. Very, very nice staff and lobby and bar area is kind of neat. We took off in a cab to South Beach to go to the News Cafe for lunch. (I had that in my notes from CC members and that's where the bellman actually told us to go) Got a sidewalk table with front row seat for people watching. Had an Ok meal with a couple of cold beers. We just walked around some and over to the beach - very pretty. Walked over and finally found Lincoln Street - great area but too expensive for us. Getting hot and tired so we catch a cab (who ended up going the wrong way) and headed back to the hotel around 4:00. $75 for the round trip cab ride - ouch. Take a quick dip in the pool - it was freezing! Chill out and watch the sunset and then later hit the bar for some drinks and appetizers. Good quesadillas and yummy coconut shrimp, and a terrific long island ice tea. Back to the room and asleep by 10:00.

Sunday March 8, 2009 Up around 9:00 to pack back up and finally head to Walgreens to pick up some stuff we forgot (staff drove us over in their Mercedes SUV) Just after we get back hubbys doctor finally returns his call and calls in the prescription we forgot so back to Walgreen's we go again (they drove us again) and we finally get his medicine. We check out and the bus picks us up (transfer from NCL) at around 11:30 and brings us (and a full load of passengers) to the pier. Not much of a wait for getting in and then we got put into a Latitudes line so check in was a breeze. Went up to the outdoor buffet for lunch and grabbed yummy burgers and fries. Tables were full so we sat with a couple from Jersey.

Our room, 10568 was ready at about 2:00 so we head there to settle in some. Room is really tiny but bright and cheery - really could usejust one more foot of space at the bottom of the bead. Balcony seems smaller too. Had a monkey towel animal and got a new one everyday. Never was introduced to our stewards but they were always there with a smile to make up the room when we needed it. We took a walk around and hit the spa tour. Really nice and we both ended up signing up for the weekly spa pass. I also signed up for a pedicure tomorrow and a hot stone massage on Cozumel day. Hubby was was tired so he takes a nap and I go out exploring. I got a drink and sat out by the pool for a while. Read more