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Tag Archives: oysters

A Day in Morro Bay

22 July 202319 April 2025

Morro Bay was one of my last stops down the Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1) before heading over to Bakersfield to meet up with some friends.  This charming fishing town is most known for its large rock formation which rises 576 feet up from the harbor.  Morro Rock is one of nine volcanic plugs called the Nine Sisters that stretches along California’s Central Coast.  The Rock, as it is known by locals, is one of the best surfing spots, so I wanted to check it out for myself.  Surfing among dolphins, sea lions and harbor seals, I had the time of my life. I was so excited to see the large population of adorable otters that make their home in Morro and couldn’t wait to explore additional sightings of these playful little mammals while immersed in this charming town.

Built as a wharf to transport dairy and food products, the Embarcadero waterfront is now a boardwalk full of locally-owned shops and restaurants.  I decided to dine at the Great American Fish Company and catch another view of the otters frolicking in the sea.

With so many options on the menu, I decided to order the local back bay oysters. With a little hot sauce and horseradish, I slurped them down in seconds.  I was also intrigued by the GAFCO clam steamers and having dipped them in warm butter, they were the perfect taste of saltiness and fish.  Someday I will return for the ceviche, calamari (which comes highly recommended) or the local abalone (ab-ah-LOW-nee), a mild mollusk, which is also referred to as a mild tasting sea snail.

Before leaving Morro Bay, I purchased some salt water taffy at Carousel and made a trek around the base of The Rock to stretch out before leaving this beautiful place.  Rock climbing at Morro Rock requires a permit to ensure the protection of the peregrine falcons that nest here.  Once added to California’s Endangered Species list, there are two nesting pairs of falcons in the area.

I had an amazing adventure in Morro Bay.  Having my fill of seafood, a morning of surfing, an afternoon of otter watching and my lucky box of salt water taffy, it was time for me to set out for the Central Valley.

Have you visited Morro Bay?  What was your favorite experience?  I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for following my short trip to The Rock and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Morro Bay

  • Admission Fee:  Free
  • Hours:  Open daily 24/7
  • Scenic View:  See wildlife and surfers from Morro Rock; hike the local trails.
  • Length of Visit:  1 hour
  • Travel Tip:   Bring a sweater if stopping by in the evening. The weather may include fog, so be prepared.  Bring binoculars to see the peregrine falcons that nest on The Rock.

The Embarcadero

  • Admission Fee:  Free
  • Hours:  Varies depending on the shop/restaurant you visit
  • Scenic View:  See wildlife near the Great American Fish Company
  • Length of Visit:  1 – 3 hours
  • Travel Tip:   Bring a sweater if stopping by in the evening. The weather may include fog, so be prepared.

Where to Stay:

Inn at Morro Bay
60 State Park Road
Morro Bay, CA  93442
Telephone:  805 772 5651

Where to Eat:

Great American Fish Company
1185 Embarcadero
Morro Bay, CA  93442
Telephone:  805 772 4407

What to Eat:

  • Calamari
  • Ceviche
  • Fish and Chips
  • Local Oysters
  • Oyster Shooters
  • Steamed Clams and Mussels

What to Read:

  • Eyes Wide Open by Andrew Gross
  • Vanishing Point by Marcia Muller

Photo Guide for Morro Bay:

  • Photograph The Rock from Morro Creek Beach at sunrise or sunset
  • Morro Bay Dunes
  • The sea otters next to Great American Fish Company

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

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A Walking Tour of the Victoria and Albert Harbor

4 August 202222 September 2024

Filled with adrenaline from having swam with the Great Whites at Gansbaai, I was excited to explore the scenic coast of Cape Town before hopping a plane for Johannesburg.  With a couple of days ahead of me, I planned to explore the coast, sample the local wines and study the fascinating life of Nelson Mandela.

Grabbing my backpack, I exited the Protea Hotel in Sea Point and began my forty-five minute trek towards the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.  Known as the oldest working harbor in the Southern Hemisphere, this lively neighborhood is where I will be catching the jetty over to Robben Island in the afternoon.

Navigating through one of the most affluent suburbs of Cape Town, I quickly reached the coast.  I had arrived in August, the start of South Africa’s winter, greeted with mild temperatures and overcast skies.  The colorful high rises were a welcome site against the gray backdrop and foggy start of my day.

Mounds of seaweed covered the manicured beaches as small whitecaps made their way towards the water’s edge.  The sun was rising and casting a glow on the concrete landscape where locals slowly filled the promenade.  The briny smell of the sea continued to grow stronger as warmer temperatures began to rise.  My walk continued northeast away from Sea Point  towards indigenous gardens, passing the Green Point Lighthouse with a glimpse of the Cape Town Stadium.

Gazing toward the barren mountains in the distance, the palm tree-lined avenue brought me closer to the V&A Waterfront.  Posted signs served as a reminder of Cape Town’s water shortage which was at its peak during my visit.

Within minutes, the landscape grew more beautiful with gardens of purple salvia and elegantly laid brick stretching for miles.  Tall, clusters of palm trees rose from the rocky cliffs sloping down towards the bay. The V&A Waterfront, a part of  Cape Town’s Big 6, includes the Table Mountain Cableway, Kirstensbosch Gardens, Robben Island, Cape Point and Constantia Vineyards.

In the midst of the spectacular countryside was built a beautiful tribute to Queen Victoria and her son Prince Alfred, known by locals as the V&A Waterfront. The venue has become one of South Africa’s most visited historical and cultural destinations.

From the second story of the waterfront’s shopping plaza I noticed the boats moored in South Africa’s oldest working harbor, over 450 shops and restaurants lining the streets and a Ferris wheel offering spectacular views of Signal Hill.  I had purchased a ticket to visit Robben Island and would return to the dock after lunch to board the Robben Island jetty.

Too early for lunch, I strolled the harbor where boats were tied up alongside the dock bringing in the catch of the day and taking out passengers for tours of the coast. Many of the stores and restaurants would soon open, so I strolled the quiet site and found The Harbor House where I decided to dine for lunch.

Starting out with a local Chenin Blanc from Beaumont Wines, I scanned over the menu in hopes of finding a local seafood dish or a platter of sushi for lunch.  The wine was crisp with the flavors of tart apples and melon, chilled perfectly.  Sitting on the second level of the restaurant, the sun was struggling to push its way past the cloudy sky, but its warmth was pressing in.

With each sip, I weighed my options and finally  decided on the Tuna Rainbow Roll and Ultimate Rainbow Roll.  Decadent and full of flavor, I slowly enjoyed each bite as I finished my glass of wine. The weight staff were exceptional and the restaurant views, spectacular.

As I strolled the waterfront with its colorful monuments and museums, I heard the bark of a Cape Fur Seal. Following the sound, I came upon this beautiful mammal tucked in a concrete corner finding a place to rest near the first stop on my self-guided tour, Cape Town’s Clock Tower.

Built in 1882, the Victorian-Gothic Clock Tower was once the office of the Port Captain, who managed the schedule of ships coming in and out of the docks.  The clock tower, originally painted yellow, is the oldest building along the waterfront.  One of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the red-and-gray tower was refurbished in 1997 and is the home to several Cape Fur Seals.

Located at the base of the Swing Bridge, the African Trading Port is a shop focused on selling local African Art to include sculptures, ceramics, pottery and artifacts.  Drawing works from all over the country, this workshop first opened in Zimbabwe in 1978 with additional shops such as the one in Cape Town, opening in 2001.

Looking out across the port, the location where I am standing is Alfred Basin, where the original docks were built at the port of Cape Town.  In the distance are the picturesque Signal Hill and Table Mountain.

One of my favorite experiences was finding the beautifully painted rhinos placed along the waterfront, part of a program to bring awareness to these endangered species.  Poachers have been hunting the rhinoceros for their tusks, bringing about their near extinction since the 1950s.  TRAC, which stands for “The Rhinos are Coming” is  raising money to stop this practice throughout Africa.  From February 1st to March 31st of 2017, one hundred decorated rhinos were strategically placed throughout Cape Town as an outdoor art exhibit, which remained on display.

The V&A Market is now home to the former Pumphouse.  A vibrant marketplace with over forty vendors offering fresh food and produce as well as gourmet meals and local beer and wine.  I couldn’t resist stopping by The Knysna Oyster Company for a half a dozen oysters on the half shell.

A few steps from the market is Nobel Square, another impressive artistic installation, which opened in December of 2005.   The four statues represent Albert Lutuli, Desmond Tutu, F. W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela, four of the country’s Nobel Peace Prize winners.

Checking my watch, I realized the ferry would soon be leaving for Robben Island.  Eager to explore the history of this island prison, I was also curious to learn more about Nelson Mandela’s experience here as a political prisoner.

Have you visited the Victoria and Albert’s Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa?  What was your favorite part of your visit?  I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to Cape Town and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

Where to Stay;

Where to Eat:

What to Eat:

What to Read:

Photo Guide to Capetown:

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Boat Tour and Oysters in Miami

8 July 202225 May 2025

We stayed up late again last night and left South Beach early for Melissa’s vacation rental in Fort Lauderdale.  Planning to spend some time at the pool, we would return to South Beach for a boat ride around the harbor and then find a great spot for dinner.

The weather was overcast, but perfect for sunning by the pool.  Sam went out to pick up some items to grill for lunch.   He returned with a charcuterie plate, small steaks, lobster and hard seltzers.

Our late lunch was absolutely fabulous, which is always the case with Sam and Mel.  We packed our sun-kissed faces into the mid-sized bathroom to get ready for our last night in Miami.  After a few dress changes, we were finally ready after an hour and a half.

We were all so excited for the boat ride that it seemed so long for us to finally arrive.  The traffic was absolutely crazy but we managed to make it on time to board the Biscayne Bay “Millionaire’s Row” Boat Tour sunset cruise.

The tour began along the bay at a dock surrounded by giant skyscrapers and luxurious catamarans.  The weather was perfect with low humidity and moderate temperatures in the mid-70s.   With the exception of one couple, we had the boat all to ourselves.

We passed by elaborate properties with an unknown amount of square footage and luxury yachts.  The boat ride was smooth as we passed through the No Wake zone and began making our way out towards the bay.

I imagined waking up each morning and enjoying coffee along the coast, watching the yachts and tour boats pass by.

My favorite homes were the ones that were surrounded by water with well-manicured yards and second story balconies.

Very few homes were brightly painted with Caribbean-colored exteriors but they were a welcome change to the scenery.

As we approached the overpass, our boat tour was coming to an end.  The sun was also beginning to set, so we discussed where we wanted to stop for dinner.

The last home on our tour was my absolute favorite.  There is something about strings of lights, strewn from pole to pole, creating an ambient setting.  If I had to choose, this would be my kind of home in a world where I could afford it.  I’m just as happy admiring it from the comfort of our tour.

Although cloudy, the golden hour brought out the minimal lighting as the boat began to dock in the intercoastal.  When we learned that Shawna had never eaten oysters, Melissa knew of a great place to stop for dinner.  By now, we were hungry and looked forward to slurping down a few salt-water mollusks.

Sam and the boys were going to meet us at Stiltsville Fish Bar,  We ordered several dozens of oysters knowing it would take a while for them to be shucked.  In the meantime, we also ordered some drinks and checked our departure flights for the next day.   Within ten minutes we had all gathered together and were now waiting for Shawna to try her first oyster.

According to Shawna, the oysters were amazing.  She may have eaten a whole dozen, so I guess that confirms they were worth it.

Have you had the opportunity to take a cruise around Miami to admire the oceanside mansions?  We had a blast during our experience and would do it again.  Many thanks for reading about our coastal tour in Miami and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Miami Mansion Boat Tour

Where to Stay:

The W South Beach
2201 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL  33139
Phone:  305 938 3000

Where to Eat:

Wynwood Bar & Kitchen
2080 North Miami Avenue
Miami, FL  33127
Telephone: 305 632 5362

Mila’s on Lincoln Road
1636 Meridian Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Telephone:   786 673 8374

What to Read:

  • Miami, by Joan Didion
  • Tourist Season, by Carl Hiaasen
  • Miami Blues, by Charles Willeford
  • Birds of Paradise by Diana Abu-Jaber
  • Rum Punch by Elmore Leonard
  • 15 Views of Miami by Jaquira Diaz

Photo Guide for Miami and South Beach:

    • Art Deco Historic District:  The Beach Park Hotel and the Colony Hotel
    • Big Pink
    • Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables
    • Cape Florida Lighthouse
    • Casa Florida
    • Eden Roc Hotel
    • Fontainebleau Hotel
    • Gianni Versace Mansion
    • Life guard stand at South Beach
    • Lincoln Theater
    • Miami Skyline
    • Museum Garage
    • Nikki Beach
    • Ocean Drive:  The Traffic and Palm Trees
    • SOBE sculpture
    • The Delano Hotel
    • The Garden House Restaurant
    • The Standard Hotel and Spa
    • The Views from Juvia
    • The Views from the Mondrian Hotel
    • Venetian Pool
    • Wynwood Art
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I have had a passion to travel for as long as I can remember and landed my dream job at the age of 19 on a cruise ship. The Suite Life of Travel is about those experiences as well as my future endeavor to explore this amazing world!

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