Sequins and Sea Breezes: We just came in from Cuba!

We just came in from Cuba!

7/09/2014

I promised a more detailed recap on my vacation so I hope you guys are ready! In fact, this is probably going to be at least a two day thing just so I don't write a novel in one sitting. 
 
So to start out... randomly me and a group of friends decided to make an annual tradition out of going to Key West for 4th of July weekend and I have to admit, I usually regret it right around Key Largo when I just want the crazy long drive to be over but knowing we're still only about half way there. As soon as we get there the drive is quickly forgotten in lieu of arriving in paradise. We stay at the same amazing hotel every year, The Southernmost Point Guest House (I wish I would have taken more pictures of the grounds because that's one of our favorite parts but I completely slacked there). The hotel name is a real mouthful but the people and the place are perfect. They do a free breakfast every morning and a free happy hour every evening (that right there makes it completely worth it) and they have these amazing hammocks throughout the property that are heaven to just relax in. It really doesn't get any better than relaxing in a hammock with a free drink in hand!

 
This year immediately upon arriving in Key West, we checked in and went straight out to meet the driver of our boat for the afternoon/evening. It was pretty interesting getting picked up (and dropped off) because the place we met them isn't really an ideal area for a boat but we made it work. From there we spent the afternoon relaxing on a sandbar off the coast of the Keys, drinking and relaxing. We ended up watching the sunset from the boat (which also included views of dolphins and sharks) and then going out and watching the fireworks. I have to admit, even though I wasn't driving, navigating a boat in the dark is kind of scary. We ended up going back to the jetty they picked us up at which was crowded with people this time. When we got there the guys on the boat started yelling "We finally made it from Cuba! Hurry up and touch land so they can't send us back!" and literally some lady standing on the jetty said "Oh welcome to America" when we got off the boat.  You can't make this stuff up people. 
 
{Sorry for the quality on these, back to the iPhone since taking the nice camera on the boat seemed like a bad idea}

I'm such a crazy morning person, I literally can't sleep in at all so I spent a lot time walking around the island in the mornings before everyone else was up which actually ended up to be a good thing. Most people in Key West sleep in from partying the night before so it was almost like I had the island to myself. Fun fact, there is NO better time to go to the Southernmost Point than before 9 am. I didn't wait even a minute to take this picture but if you go in the afternoon you can end up waiting forever. 


No, I didn't actually go into Earnest Hemingway's house {pictured above} even though I really wanted to see his six toed cats but I just couldn't justify spending $13 to chase some six toed cats walk through someone's house. 

Getting up early is also one of the best times to get pictures of the major tourist attractions without having a ton of people in your pictures. 

{The "Little White House"}
 
 
Stay tuned for tomorrow's post for more Key West fun!

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35 comments

  1. I've been to the keys a few times but usually just pit stops on cruises!! The house you all stayed at sounds AMAZING!! Free breakfast and drinks every day- winning!! The drive is always brutal, but at least you guys had a great time relaxing!! xo

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  2. Oh what beautiful pictures!! Now I really really really want to visit!! I love all of the old houses. It sounds like an amazing trip!

    Maggie
    www.PolishedClosets.com

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  3. These pictures are beautiful! Brian and I are thinking about going to Key West in November when it's still relatively warm. The place yall stayed out is so cute!

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  4. great photos! ugh ok i'm going with you next time you go down there. just saying :) xo

    cheshirekatblog.com

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  5. Ha ha, welcome to America! These pictures are great. Key West is definitely worth visiting and looks like you had a blast!

    www.girlinahotcity.com

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  6. "We finally made it from Cuba" -- priceless! And yes that drive is brutal, but like you said it's totally worth it. Boo to Southwest for discontinuing service from Orlando :-P

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  7. That place you stayed at looks SO cute! I wish I took more photos of ours too, fail. I still need to write about mineeee!

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  8. What I would do to be in that hammock. Is it friday yet?

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  9. It looks simply beautiful there! I had no idea Ernest Hemingway had a 6-toed cat ... haha, guess I learned something new today! If we ever visit Key West, I'd like to go in his house just because I'm a literary nerd.

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  10. Looks like so much fun!! Jealous :)

    http://fashionistastyle1.blogspot.com

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  11. Hahahahaha I love that a lady said Welcome to America! Hahaha! That's awesome! Usually the 6 toe cats are running around Earnest Hemmingways house so you don't have to go inside! I saw a bunch last time I was there! So cute!! Love the house! So pretty!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com

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  12. Um. I can only imagine how you were feeling at the halfway point on the drive. But key west is so worth it! I love that this is a tradition with you and your friends- what an awesome one

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  13. Girl, you have killer legs! How gorgeous are these photos?! So beautiful. Looks like such a wonderful time! xo

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  14. beautiful pictures! i too have stood at that southern most point a couple of years ago!

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  15. WAIT. FREE HAPPY HOUR?!!! tell me more.
    this post just makes me want to go even more, and good to know about getting up early - i'm such a morning person. It was the same in Vegas, it was a ghost town before 11 am.

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  16. Looks like a nice relaxing trip in a beautiful place! :)
    xo Erin
    http://www.winkandatwirl.com/

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  17. What an amazing vacation!

    pinkandnavystripes.com

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  18. Looks like an awesome trip! I've been itching to make it down to Key West but the drive is quite exhausting. I was thinking of looking into the Key West Express that leaves from Ft Myers to see how much time that saves. Free breakfast and happy hour sound like my kind of hotel too so will check it out!

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  19. What pretty pictures girl, looks like a wonderful place to spend an annual vaca :)

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  20. I made a list of places I wanted to go with DG for the next few years. I just updated it with Key West and wrote down the name of the hotel you stay at. This looks incredible! And love the little story about the Cubans! :) xo

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  21. You are making me want to head to Key West ASAP! It looks gorgeous!

    xo Kylie
    www.dressinsparkles.com

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  22. sounds like such a fun trip! Brittani's been to key west a lot, its so gorgeous there and a lot of fun, you have to get a green thing (a daiquiri type drink) next time you're down there, its by where the cruise ships dock and that cute little outdoor restaurant at the end of the pier where you can watch the gorgeous sunsets on the water at a small little stand!

    xo
    Brittani and Katie
    www.pleasantlypetite.com

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  23. Looks like such a fun time I want to go! <3

    Sweet Madame Blue

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  24. Oh my goodness! so fun! :)

    xo,
    Lindsay
    www.sugarandsomething.com

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  25. Next year I will PayPal you $13 if you get some good shots of those cats - deal!?

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  26. hoooray for fireworks! I'm glad you saw some on your vacation! xo

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  27. Key west is so fun!! The tour of the Hemmingway house is a little boring, but the grounds are so pretty!

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  28. That hotel sounds like it's worth the trip alone! Amazing pictures -- this is making me want to plan a Key West trip ASAP!

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  29. Looks so beautiful and fun. I'm NOT a morning person but always jealous of how much people get done when they r...it takes me a good hour to feel awake even though I have a baby!

    Aesthetic Lounge

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  30. I love seeing these pictures and knowing exactly where you are! Isn't Key West so fun?!?
    xo TJ

    http://www.hislittlelady.com

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  31. Gorgeous pictures! I definitely think you need to plan my next trip down there for me or we can go together! Definitely cracked up about the cats so weird right???

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  32. I absolutely love girls trips, they are the best!! Whenever I book a hotel I'm always looking for that free breakfast and happy hour, makes it so worth it!

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  33. How did I miss this one?! I seriously need to make my maiden Keys voyage ASAP!

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