...off the Florida Keys

I have to say that although my new job is a bit on the "stressful" side, it has its perks! Lucky for me I have a handful of friends who also share in the same field or enjoy getting away for the day and for the weekend.

Last week, my teacher friends and I decided to take an impromptu trip to the Tiki Bar in Islamorada (Holiday Isle) near the Middle Keys. We were surprised by the fact that this was no longer a "public beach" rather, it became a beach/pool for hotel guests only. We managed to avoid the hotel staff long enough to drink some delicious Rum Runners...and oh boy, was the water perfect. Our peaceful day continued in Key Largo, we did not avoid the hotel staff for too long, so we found another bar with an adjacent pool. And oh...and the weather, the sun, the breeze...was so perfect. Just as late afternoon hit, we saw the thunderclouds approaching and we swiftly grabbed our bags and headed back home. I may have been a little quite tipsy by that time. Hahaa!

The boys holding on to their hats. Not a cloud in the sky meant top down!

Doesn't the pool look refreshing? Oh, and the drinks were perfect to cool us off too! 

We fell in love with Rum Runners

Islamorada on Dwellable

My friend Ally invited to come along on a girls' weekend trip to Key West. I could not say no. So off we left to our little Kokomo. Once we arrived, the sun was brightly shining on us and on the way to the pool, we found a few (yes a few) little green friends! After a nap, we geared up to dance the night away.

Look carefully! Iguanas and lizards galore!

These girls were so much fun to hang out with, the right amount of crazy and loud...you could say.  It was also Hemingway's 113th birthday and there were countless of look-a-likes in the streets. We spent the night at Rick's bar and we apparently had two DJ's...the real DJ and some random wasted dude just playing Air DJ all night long. He switched up the music, looked through his imaginary inventory, and pretended to talk to the crowd while the real DJ did it...I swear!...all night long! And of course it isn't Florida without a little rain hurricane of a storm. That didn't stop the party people, they just moved the party to the decks to dance in the rain!

Girls' Weekend!

He played air DJ all night long!

Day two was spent eating some grub, walking, and doing a little sightseeing from one end of Duval street to the the other. Key West is definitely a place to relax, enjoy some fun, and if you are apt for it, bar crawl on Duval Street under the night sky.

Delicious breakfast!

Kiss my a$$!

Mallory Square in Downtown Key West

Let's Dance!

Reading up on Key West history near the Pier.

I'm on a boat!

I feel so lucky. I don't have to go far from home to enjoy a little paradise.

What are some hidden fun and relaxing gems near your hometown?