On Wednesday, April 4th, Jean Guy and Roselind left early in the afternoon to go to the Miami International Airport. They knew the highways would be congested due to the opening of the Miami Marlins New Stadium based in Little Havana, a neighbourhood of Miami, Florida. The couple arrived at the airport 45 minutes early and both of them were anxious to see their second son, Mathieu. Finally, he showed up and all three of them were happy to see each other. He was down in Florida only for a short time and the captain and first mate were glad he could take time off from work to come for a visit. It had been over three months since the last time they saw him. The weather was hot during Mathieu's visit. One day, the weather was at 29 degrees C and with the humidity it felt like 37 degrees C, the hottest Jean Guy and Roselind had seen since they were in Florida.
The three of them spend their days chatting, relaxing and visiting the vicinities of Hollywood and on Saturday morning, father and son drove south to Downtown Miami. They had lunch on Ocean Drive and in the afternoon, Mathieu wanted to go to Miami Beach which they did until the rain started pouring, they then headed back to Oasis. Later that night, they went at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Seminole to listen to some live music.
The next day, being Sunday and Mathieu's last day in Florida, the couple and son drove to Ft Lauderdale to see the boardwalk and the beach. It was a beautiful morning and not as hot as the previous days. In the afternoon, the captain, first mate and Mathieu were joined by Conrad and Mona for an afternoon sailing trip to Ft Lauderdale. They navigated by the Port Everglades Cruise Terminal, passed by big yachts and beautiful mansions and the first mate was again overwhelmed by all the boat traffic on the water, especially in Ft Lauderdale. Everyone really enjoyed their afternoon. Mathieu really enjoyed sailing Oasis and was amazed by what he saw. Oasis trip to Ft Lauderdale was certainly the highlight of Mathieu's trip in Florida.
The next morning, Mathieu flew back home and his parents felt sad to see him leave.
Now only two days to prep Oasis for the next visitors. The captain and first mate were anticipating the arrival of the newcomers!
Afternoon at Aventura Mall!
Mathieu took a picture of this plaque when he and Jean Guy were at the mall.
Jean Guy admiring the luxury cars in demonstration at the mall. This one a Ferrari.
Painted on the concrete wall in the parking garage, Mathieu found this funny, so he took the picture.
Gulfstream Park on Friday night!
After the three of them were done shopping at Aventura Mall, they stopped at The Gulfstream Park in Hallandale to show Mathieu around. While they were there, they decided to eat at the Playwright Irish Pub. Not a recommended place to eat. Thumbs down!!!!
At the Casino, the buildings are illuminated with bright lights.
There a nice ambiance at night at the Gulfstream Park.
Very bright neon colours show off the detail of the building's architecture!
While walking on the street of the Village, this nice black Maserati was parked on the street.
Miami Beach on Saturday afternoon!
Jean Guy on the 6th street and Ocean Drive in South Beach.
Mathieu walking and looking for a place to eat.
Volley Ball Nets at Lummus Park in Miami Beach.
View of South Beach.
It was very cloudy but did not stop people being at the beach and swimming.
But when it started to downpour with thunder and lightning, it cleared the beach in no time.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood at night!
There was a live band playing outside. Very good music.
Mathieu wrestling with an alligator.
At the Hard Rock Hotel.
Now that's a guitar!
Ft Lauderdale Boardwalk, Sunday morning!
Jean Guy and Mathieu walking along the boardwalk of Ft Lauderdale.
Looking north at Ft Lauderdale Beach.
The captain and First Mate posing at Ft Lauderdale by the boardwalk.
Father and son watching the traffic go by.
Looking south at Ft Lauderdale Beach.
Yes, that is definitely a BIG dog!
Sailing to Ft Lauderdale in the afternoon!
Leaving Oasis's berth at Loggerhead, this beautiful powerboat docked at the end of a finger of the marina.
Another nice boat docked at Loggerhead.
Sailing in the ICW, on the way to Ft Lauderdale.
Looks like a party boat! We wondered if it was allowed to have that many people on board? At least they were wearing life jackets!
Mathieu was enjoying the scenery.
At Port Everglades, the water was choppy and there were a lot of currant.
On the way to Ft Lauderdale, Oasis waited for the SE 17 St. Bridge to open, so she could go through. The captain wasn't sure if there enough clearance to go under, the vertical clearance being 55 ft high.
The captain enjoying his sailing trip to Ft Lauderdale.
The 50 foot catamaran, Spirit of Lauderdale is a charter vessel.
Row of powerboats docked at the Hall of Fame Marina.
Those mega yachts are always impressive every time you see them.
Big yachts docked in front of beautiful homes.
Conrad, the captain's cousin and wife Mona joined the Bourgeois's for the sailing trip to Ft Lauderdale.
This mega yacht docked in front of this property is actually 120 feet long.
Incredible!
On the ICW, south of Las Olas Islands, there's an area with shallow waters and boaters were anchored and people swimming.
Nice tall ship docked at the Yacht Regency Pier 66.
On the way back from Ft Lauderdale, this time Oasis went under the SE17 St. Bridge.Tides were low and it permitted Oasis to go under without any problems.
The captain and first mate both enjoying the trip.
Jean Guy looking around....
and Mathieu drove Oasis for a while and enjoyed every bit of it.
Coming back to Loggerhead, the water was calm in the ICW.
The captain proudly displayed the Canadian and Acadian Flags on Oasis.
Jean Guy, Roselind, Conrad and Mona chatting and relaxing at Loggerhead after the day's sailing trip
Roselind and Mathieu, happy to be together.
