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Travel Review April 2017
Miami Boat Tour

We also learned from our guide that the original Venetian bridge was constructed of wood but was destroyed during the 1926 Miami hurricane. It was then refurbished by Mr. Carl Fisher who sold the island that currently bears his name for $88 million-dollars (U.S.) only to lose that fortune in the stock market crash in 1929. He then returned to the area and later died as a poor alcoholic according to our guide. The bridge has been featured in the blockbuster Fast and Furious movie franchise and a JLo (Jennifer Lopez) video she said. In addition, you could literally walk from Downtown Miami to Miami Beach (approximately 2 miles) in the waste deep shallow water before all of the dredging took place.

Our guide then began to point out the current and former homes of the rich and famous along the corridor of islands on the north and south just pass Watson and Jungle Islands. First up was the home of actor and martial artist Jackie Chan, of the Rush Hour movie fame also starring the very funny comedian Chris Tucker, on San Marco Island to the left/north. We then cruised past the former home of crooner Frank Sinatra on Hibiscus Island to the right/south, as well as Latin singing sensations Ricky Martin and then Shakira (Shakira); a home rented by R&B (Rhythm and Blues) hit maker Usher Raymond. Next up was the former home of the infamous Chicago crime boss Al Capone located at 93 Palm Ave. on Palm Island to the left/south. It was built in 1922 by Clarence M. Busch of the beer family. Capone purchased the home for reportedly $40K (thousand dollars, U.S.) in 1928 after being released from prison and when he was just 29 years old. He died in the home in 1947 after having a stroke and then pneumonia when he was just 48 years old. He had been treated for syphilis in 1939 after originally being diagnosed while serving time in an Atlanta penitentiary. Capone’s former estate was sold in 2016 for over $9 million-dollars (U.S.) to a European soccer agent.

We then cruised past the home of self-proclaimed bad boy Sean Puffy Combs, or is it PDiddy, or Puff Daddy? Our guide predicted that he was about to hit town because the staff was out and about cleaning the grounds on his Star Island estate which is visible from the Venetian Causeway. From there we headed north again past the home of Latin singer Julio Iglesias, then by a home rented by rapper-turned-actor Will Smith while in town filming the hit movie Bad Boys (1995, 2003) which also stars comedian-turned-actor Martin Lawrence.

Next up were the former homes of the late Carl Fisher (mentioned above), the late actress Elizabeth Taylor, NBA all-star Shaquille (Shaq) O’Neal (formerly of the Miami Heat), actor Sylvester (Sly) Stallone of Rocky (1976) fame; the material girl singer Madonna, the home that was featured in the blockbuster movie Bad Boys (mentioned above), and the home featured in the hit movie Scarface (1983) starring Al Pacino. The chainsaw scene was filmed at the hotel near 7^th Street and Ocean Drive on South Beach as mentioned in our review of the walking tour. Scarface was the nickname of notorious crime boss Al Capone (mentioned earlier) who reportedly did not like that label although his face bore two scars -- go figure!Our guide and boat Captain then cruised by South Beach where, she mentioned, movies and shows like Scarface (1983, Al Pacino), Cocoon (1985; Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley), Bad Boys I and II (1995, 2003; Will Smith, Martin Lawrence), Birdcage (1996; Robin Williams, Gene Hackman), Fast N Furious (2003; Paul Walker, Tyrese Gibson), and CSI Miami (2002 - 2012, David Caruso) were filmed to name a few. Next up was Fisher Island which is sometimes mentioned as having the highest per capita income in the United States with current and former residence’s like champion tennis greats Andre’ Agassi and Boris Becker, actress Julia Roberts, and media mogul Oprah Winfrey to name a few. The island is only officially accessible by helicopter or the ferry off the MacArthur Causeway near the Coast Guard marina. Our guide then pointed out that the ever growing Miami skyline is now number three in the U.S. behind Chicago and of course New York City. Lastly she covered my favorite yacht that is usually parked near the Intercontinental Hotel near Bayfront Park. She said that the Seafair yacht sometimes carries as much as $55 million-dollars (U.S.) of art and jewelry and is known as a floating gallery. I have seen signs where you can also rent it out for parties like on New Year’s.

All in all this was a great learning and entertaining experience that was made even more exciting from the viewpoint of the Biscayne Bay. In addition, I look forward to covering these sites from land during the QCT Miami Daily City Tour^sm and bringing some friends along to enjoy learning and seeing the lifestyles of the bona-fide rich and famous along the stretch of a dozen islands on either side of the MacArthur Causeway a.k.a I-395.