The South Florida Traveler » South Florida

The Morikami Museum

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:12:13 +0000

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens was developed in 1977. Ever since that time, it has been a center for Japanese art and culture in South Florida. Along with rotating exhibitions, tea ceremonies, and an educational outreach program, The Morikami is home to many Japanese festivals including The Bon Festival which will take place on August 9th.The Bon Festival celebrates Obon, Japan’s traditional 3-day holiday honoring ancestors and thanking for the high quality of life being enjoyed by the living. This festival takes place on one evening and includes drum performances, traditional Japanese folk dancing, and a street fair. At sunset, the Morikami Pond is filled with lighted lanterns which guide the departure of the ancestors’ souls away. Attendees can purchase lantern sleeves for the Toro Nagashi, or the lantern floating, to honor a lost loved one.

The Bon Festival takes place on Saturday, August 9th from 5:00 9:00 pm. Tickets are $10, $5 for children (7-17) and free for museum members and children 6 and under.

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Rubi Rey and the 86 Collective

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:27:17 +0000

Back in May, I posted about The 86 Collective - a digital arts revolution. Well, the time has come and the exhibit will launch next week at the Art Center/South Florida. Once again, the collection will boast a gallery of 86 works created by well established and talented artists in the digital art medium. The exhibit will kick off next Friday, July 18th at an invite only reception hosted by Ami James, star of Miami Ink and owner of Love Hate Tattoos. The exhibit will remain open through July 26th.

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What Would You Like More Of?

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:57:27 +0000

I have posted my first poll on The South Florida Traveler. Mary Jo from The Seattle Traveler gave me this idea. I thought it would be a great way to learn more about my readers, know what they are looking for, and what keeps them coming back. The poll is listed on the side, but here are some of the options you have to choose from: The question: What do you want to see more of on The South Florida Traveler?Here are a few of the answers that you have to choose from.

Restaurants & Bars
Area Attractions
Hotels
Festivals
Theatre and Art
Shopping
Weekend Getaways

So scroll on over to the side and let me know what you’d like to read more about. If I don’t have a topic listed, just leave a comment for me. I’ll be sure to take a look at everyone’s comments. Thank you!!

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If You Can’t Afford a Hotel, Stay at a Hostel

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:35:54 +0000

When I traveled in Europe, hostels were the place to go. I spent some time in Stockholm and I chose to stay in a hostel that was on a ship. It was a memorable experience as I traveled by myself, made dinner in the community kitchen and made friends along the way that I was able to explore the city with. It’s very different when you are in a foreign country, then when you are at home, but everyone just seemed extremely friendly. Jump forward 10 years, and as everyone is trying to save that extra dollar, staying at a hostel just seems to make sense. I’ve never been to one in the United States, but I know they are around and it just sounds good to only have pay $20 for a room for the night. Are you willing to risk it to bunk with random strangers or is an experience worth checking out?Here’s a guide to some hostels in South Florida:

The Tropics Hotel and Hostel, 1550 Collins Ave – located in the center of the Art Deco District, The Tropics is in the middle of the action and only 1 minute from the beach and right across the street from The Loews. Beds start at $21.95, but you must have a passport to stay there. All rooms have AC and their own bathroom and telephone.
Miami Beach International Travelers Hostel is located at 236 9th Street in Miami Beach. 305-534-0268 Open for 13 years now, this hostel is only 1 block away from the beach. They offer a game room, a lounge room and an outdoor terrace. They also offer free breakfast daily, and free lunch and dinner twice a week. Free drinks during special happy hour, free wi-fi, you can’t go wrong. At Miami Beach International Travelers Hostel, beds start at only $12/night.
The Clay Hotel and Hostel is located at 1438 Washington Avenue in South Beach. 305-534-2988 Offering male dorms, female dorms, private single and double rooms, AC, refrigerator, a telephone, shared kitchen and satellite tv. Beds start at $22.60.
Backpackers Beach Hostel is located at 2115 N Ocean Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale(954) 567-9697 for those of you that don’t want to stay in Miami. Offering discount rooms or individual beds, this is an alternative that you may choose. They also offer guests free cable, free parking, free lockers, internet access and use of gas grill. Individual beds start at just $20/night.

Photo Credit [flicker goatopolis]

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Seminole Paradise Hard Rock Casino Welcomes Blackjack to its Lineup

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:50:47 +0000

Often lauded as being one of South Florida’s top entertainment districts, Seminole Paradise Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is home to over 25 trendy retails outlets, more than 10 restaurants and over 10 entertainments locales. Visitors also come from around the world to try their luck at the popular games such as: video poker, video roulette, video keno, Cleopatra, Enchanted Unicorn and Little Green Men. Now after 17 years of failed attempts to bring in blackjack and other Vegas style games, The Hollywood Casino unveiled 71 new card tables on Sunday night. 55 of these tables are for blackjack, while the others are divided up between mini-baccarat, pai gow, Let it Ride and Three Card Poker. They even have a high-limit room where bets up to $10,000 can be made.

Photo Credit [SM Walton]

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The First Lego Creation Challenge

Wed, 28 May 2008 01:35:45 +0000

Legos! The ultimate childhood memory. Remember the days when you spent hours creating the most magnificent castle or turned the living room into a city of legos, never to be destroyed. Even now, you can’t resist sneaking through the Lego aisle at the toy store catching a glimpse of latest additions or even wrapping up the newest set for any child you know, so you have a reason to indulge in those childhood memories. Years later you discovered there was an actual Legoland, but it was built in Denmark. Oh please, just let it be a little bit closer. As more Legolands popped up in California, England and Germany, you swore that you would find your way out there. No such luck.

Well, the time has come. Legoland is coming to South Florida. (Well, not quite, but this is as close as it gets.)

Nathan Sawaya has created the first major museum exhibition called The Art of the Brick that focuses exclusively on using the Lego Block as an art medium. This exhibit is breaking records and is attracting fans, both old and young alike. He created over 30 sculptures (from 2002-2007) that will be on display using nearly one million standard Lego pieces. His conceptual vision and outstanding use of space is admirable.

Now, Sawaya has created a second exhibition and his first stop will be at The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood from June 7th through August 10th.

Now, even more exciting – The Art and Culture Center is pleased to announce its first LEGO Creation Challenge. This challenge is open to South Florida residents 6 years and older. Contestants (or groups of contestants) will design and build their very own LEGO creation. Contestants can do this at home and will then bring their creation to the center for display and judging. There will be different categories for judging, but hurry up, as they will only accept the first 50 entries. Good Luck!

Photo Credit [The California Tourist Guide and Resources Directory]

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What Restaurants will do to Survive in South Florida

Thu, 22 May 2008 05:30:53 +0000

Right now, the restaurants in South Florida are hurting. They will do anything to bring in business. Mark Militello, who was once named one of the “Ten Best Chefs in America by Food and Wine Magazine has just closed the last of his 4 restaurants – all 4 closing within the last 30 days. Restaurants need to be creative and distinguish themselves from the rest in order to bring in business. When I heard about the opening of a new bakery in Key West, it made me think about the crazy things restaurants will do to bring in traffic.

Better than Sex, a bakery in Key West, opened up yesterday and it has created quite a buzz in the area. Items on the menu include Missionary Crisp, Pump-in Pie and the Pop My Cherry Cheesecake. What’s the story behind this?

Here are a few more outlandish marketing techniques to drive more traffic. They will make you wonder:

Not just for your grandfather anymore! Whether you are at a restaurant or visiting a friend, finding dentures in your glass will not let the moment slip by. This unique and rather frightening product lets you freeze up a batch of, you’ve got it – Frozen Smiles – a definite conversation piece.

[source worldwidefred.com]

I saw this on a favorite blog of mine, and it just calls for trouble. Designed to be used to put your favorite condiment on your food, I’d have to guard myself closely.

[Source stuff4restaurants.com]

Der Wiener Deewan located in Vienna stands in a class by itself. Offering five types of Pakistani curry, customers not only choose what they want to eat, but also what they want to pay or can afford. (Prices on drinks are fixed.) Some might expect that this relaxed attitude would drive a restaurant out of business quickly, but most customers offer a fair share and some even pay extra to make up for those customers who can’t afford to pay. Customers also specify what portion size they prefer. Some other restaurants that offer something similar include: One World Cafe in Salt Lake City and the SAME Cafe (So All May Eat) in Denver.

[Source Springwise]

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