Heat stroke is no joke, oke!

Driving South, my picturesque expectation of literally driving alongside the coast, cool salty winds elegantly teasing my hair, as I gaze intermittently towards the sparkling sea, hearing the faint sounds of children laughing was defeated by reality. In all honesty, the highway is direct, its faster, therefore more economical, shops and gas stations are convenient and easy. I stopped just outside St Augustine at a Starbucks, called hotels.com, enquired about a cheap, close to the beach, Wifi availability accommodation in Fort Lauderdale, spoke to a lovely lady who was very helpful, met my needs, and with an additional free cocktail on arrival coupon, definitely sealed the deal. I sent a few bbm's while sipping on a White Chocolate Mocha and was back on the road. Arrival time was 7pm. Titusville, Palm Bay, keep driving, Port St Lucie, Jupiter, West Palm Beach, a little further, Boca Raton.

A gas station stop, and traffic, destination 7:45pm. The heat was horrendous, my legs were aching, my eyes heavy and disorientated, night falls, lights are blurred, I can't decide if I want the air con on or the fresh air, either way I am completely irritable and unsatisfied. Traffic lights in Fort Lauderdale are either the longest I have ever come across, or time literally stood still. Pulling into the parking lot of Tropic Cay Beach Resort, I grabbed my purse, checked in, ran up three flights of stairs, dived head first into the toilet and disgorged dismally. The pain was piercing, the heat hateful and the self-pity saddening. I googled Heat stroke, and the words of " Brain Damage " and "Death" scared me into contacting my mom all the way in South Africa, no matter your age, you always want your mom when you sick. Gatorade, a cold shower and peaceful darkness led me into a relief of life. With heat as high as the hundreds, hydration is not an option, my silly self with my peach and my coffee, was not enough to keep me going. Woke up the next morning, feeling better and refreshed. An exciting day, Miami Beach was waiting for my arrival.

Being in Fort Lauderdale, I paged through my USA book, and decided to go see the popular thoroughfare of Las Olas Blvd, with over 30 al fresco dining options, 10 major international art galleries, 2 world class museums, 1 charming historic hotel and 65 shops filled with fashion, accessories, gifts, and more, I parked and walked. Browsing at bikini's and Havainas, teared shorts and summer frocks, I decided to visit the SHARK exhibit in which the Curator, Ellis is an acclaimed wildlife artist, author, and environmentalist and states that "In this artistic underworld of sharks, the exhibit teams with more than 70 artists’ perspectives on sharks portrayed as predator, victim and even pop culture icon. In all, there are more than 130 original pieces of work on display." There was a shark made from hub caps, out of a golf bag and washing machine parts. The kind women at reception gave me a free pass, and I soaked my culture side up like a sponge. On the second floor there was Arts Of Africa and New Guinea, ceramics and abstracts. Due to the meter running and other time restrictions, I made my way back down Las Olas Blvd, and was on my way to Miami baby.....