Shopping in Miami

Unfortunately, when it comes to shopping in Miami you are faced with two problems. Firstly, the big chains of ‘I’ve seen it all before’ dominate the city. This weekend it’s Miami Fashion Fest (21-23 October) so you might notice a few good deals or discounts in the larger stores. Secondly, although the innovative interior design stores of the Design District make for fabulous window shopping, they rarely fit our humble budgets.

Once you’ve ticked off our 10 cheap things to do in Miami, find a few more bargains in our dedicated guide to shopping in Miami. And because everyone feels so much better shopping on a full stomach, we’ve found a few of Miami’s best bargain fuelling stations (cheap cafes, restaurants and budget bars in Miami) to boost your energy levels along the way. You’re most welcome.

Need accommodation? Find Miami hostels.

Antique & Flea Market

Located in Miami Beach, the market runs from October through May on two Sunday mornings a month. As with most things the best sales are for the early birds so drag yourself out of bed for old school antiques and stylish fashionistas selling thrifty homemade frocks. Admission is free and upcoming dates include 10th & 24th October and 7th & 21st November. The spot itself is rather nice for aimless wandering and people-watching over brunch.

Lincoln Road Mall.

Ice Box Cafe

Just down the road from the Antiques and Flea Market lies a little slice of heaven. Raspberry chocolate mousse, coconut buttercream cake and Florida’s own delicious deep-dish key lime pie, we say skip the mains and go straight to the decadent desserts. But if you’re coming from the morning flea market, they do a delicious brunch of home-baked granola parfait, stuffed French toast or the hearty sausage, eggs and bacon combos, some given a Mexican twist. Remember your getting 2 meals in 1 with brunch, so it’s a good budget clincher.

1657 Michigan Avenue

Douglas Gardens Thrift Shop

No doubt you’ve ogled the ornate furniture and homeware displays in Miami’s Design District but hung your head at the price tag. Located in the not-so-fashion conscious Liberty City, Douglas Gardens Thrift Store is the place to get realistic. There are real gems to be had in here, but finding them might require some light rummaging or a beady eye in this large sprawling warehouse.

5713 NW 27th Ave

Free Airline Upgrade

Voluntary bumping occurs when you agree to give up a seat on an overbooked plane in exchange for some compensation. Most of the time, that compensation comes in the form of a voucher for free future travel. Personally, that's the way I like to receive a reward for waiting around an airport until the next available flight.

But if you want a free airline upgrade, why not agree to be bumped in exchange for a better seat? If there is a spot available, and the flight isn't a long-haul, the airlines might just agree to your request. After all, filling one first class seat could be cheaper than giving you a free trip.

Just how do you go about being bumped? Simply present yourself to the airline on the day of travel as someone who is willing to give up your seat in exchange for considerations in the event the flight is overbooked. If there is an overbooking (and frequently this does occur because airlines have to avoid empty seats), airline personnel might appreciate your offer -- even if it is motivated by more than kindness.

Bali....chasing the elusive Mola Mola

Leslie has a week of holidays at school, so we are back on the road. Our first stop is Bali. We have dived of fair share lately, but we still haven't had any proper with a Mola Mola. Mind you, I've seen a lot of them few days ago in Namibia...but this may have been at 300 feet up in the air, or even a little more.

The Mola Mola. If you don't dive, don't live in Asia, it may tell you nothing. It is also name the Moon Fish. It is a huge disc of at least 2 meters diameted...but still a very slim fish, may be 30cm large maximum. It is...a big disc to put it simply. With his mouth up looking at the sky most of the time.

You will find the Mola Mola around Nusa Penida, a small Island just off Bali, and this for a short time between July and October. But the Mola Mola is shy...and some divers do come here trying to find him four days in a row, without any success. So we are lucky...I know...on our second dive, 21 meters down, here we are facing the Moon Fish, just meters Nudibranch away from us. He is shy, so he escaped pretty fast, but we had our perfect sighting! We dive 2 days (4 dives) in Bali, while Leslie was enjoying some snorkeling. The diving is nice, but also on the pretty expensive side if you want to enjoy Nusa Penida. We came to see the Mola Mola, we saw it...happy, done, not sure i'll be diving again here very soon. Our pics are from 4 dives. nothing massive, but still a lot of good looking little nudibranches, a very cute frog fish...and plenty of others...

We stay a total of 3 nights in Bali. Usual nice hotel, aka suite and lounge, nothing too fancy as we were away from the hotel each day from 7am to 4pm. Ma'ri and I would have wished to go party at one of our favorite spot aka Ku De Ta, but we have to admit it, we were dead each and every single night...enjoying a nice bottle of wine on our terrace was more "de rigueur" each night.

By; Maisondubonheur