With my visit to America already having taken in Miami and Fort Lauderdale the Visit Florida road trip thundered down the highway towards Palm Beach and our hotel for the night, the Omphoy Ocean Resort. With the water just meters from the resorts door (see above for image snapped from my bedroom window) it was easy to see Florida is all about the sun, sand and water.
In Palm Beach we slowed our pace a little and stopped to take some time and walk. Stopping at Worth Ave, perhaps the most affluent street in all of Palm Beach. It was everything you’d expect a high-end shopping street in America to look like. Tiffany & Co, Louis Vuitton, Gucci they were all there. I felt a little under dressed walking past these shops, as if my wallet didn’t have enough money in it for me to belong there.
Having walked up an appetite we headed south from Palm Beach and over to nearby Delray Beach to stop for lunch at Deck 84. A relaxed waterfront restaurant with an outdoor seating area that felt perfect for the climate. It was the sort of place you’d go to for a drink while out on an evening walk or stop in for a relaxed bite. What I loved the most was the sign below allowing people to stop in with their catch from the day and have it cooked up for you.
With a belly full of food it was onwards to explore the nearby Morikami Japanese Museum and Gardens. The mission of the site is to offer an authentic Japanese cultural experience that entertains, educates, and inspires. Having walked through the museum and gardens it was most certainly an experience and I loved how much detail had been taken in developing the gardens.
Now the experience of exploring a new country or destination is as much about enjoying the attractions as it is about visiting sights that are iconic to the country. Thus with my avid addiction to watching The Big Bang Theory and how I always see friends in America talk about The Cheesecake Factory I just had to visit for myself.
While I didn’t have my OMG this looks just like the set from Big Bang moment it was a nice way to enjoy a little afternoon treat. Sometimes its about the small things and I think for my first visit to America I’m allowed to be a little cheesy in my experience 🙂
It had been a quick experience of Palm Beach but none the less a lovely insight into a different part of Florida as we travel up the coast. Tomorrow we would head for the Space Coast and a visit to the Kennedy Space Center. Which I was sure would be an out of this world experience.
While all views are my own, my stay in Florida was organised by Visit Florida with cars provided by Hertz from their Adrenaline Range and the flight to Florida was provided by Virgin Atlantic.
I love Palm beach, there would be hardly anyone who would not love to get rinsed in the waves and relaxed on sand. By the way “Deck 84” is now listed in my list of places to eat. Did you visit Nick and Johnnie’s,? it’s awesome place for local seafood. Thanks
Suzanne no my time was limited so didn’t visit them but there is a chance I’ll be back that way soon so might see if I can make the time.
Always good to read other people’s first impressions of a place, especially the USA. My first trip there was to New York and I loved it, and immediately wondered why on earth it took me 42 years to get over there. Will try to get to the States once a year from now on, and this might just be my next destination 🙂
Andy, before the trip I was interested in heading the the USA but had no real pull like I do to Europe. Having now been I’m keen to go back and see more, especially of Florida as this trip made me realise how different the area can be just within a state.