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03/03/2007 08:03:07 PM · #1 |
I'm making a short trip (4 days) to Key West with my wife next weekend. We'd like to party at night and explore/relax during the day (as well as shoot pics whenever I can.\
Any advice from someone who's been there? |
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03/03/2007 09:11:39 PM · #2 |
its a blast. Don't drive at night (drunk moped people). Enjoy the sunset party. a lot. Great pics to be had. There is a bar on the main drag where you used to be able to go out on the roof and watch the crowd below. It was a blast the later it got - people stumbling back and forth - its much like mardi gras with smaller crowds.
Oh, and relax. Everyone else is... |
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03/03/2007 09:45:38 PM · #3 |
Thanks for the advice. Even more excited!
I have a lens plan. Use the 10-20mm one day at the beach and everywhere else I can get away with having a camera (ok maybe the beach isn't a good place ... I'll decide that later). Polarizing filter in effect.
I'm gonna try the 15mm fisheye during the nightlife (oh man I don't even know whether i should bother with the camera ... at night ?? Especially if drinky drinky ... hmmm. i have an SB600 flash so maybe one night at teh sunset party -- I think having pics of that would be memorable ... or is that tabu????
Anyway, as for the other times the 18-200 is meant to be versatile so that will be the staple.
Message edited by author 2007-03-03 21:50:17. |
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03/03/2007 09:58:07 PM · #4 |
Hey Tate,
Did I tell you about The Green Parrot?
If you are going to hit the bars, this is a favorite amongst the locals.
Have a great time!
Message edited by author 2007-03-03 21:59:10. |
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03/03/2007 10:06:37 PM · #5 |
I've been there a couple times and was just there for New Years Eve.
Thoughts:
1. 4 days in Key West is almost perfect. Don't want to stay too long so you are excited to come back again. That is not a short trip for Key West honestly.
2. Contrary to what is commonly thought, I find Key West to be absolutely relaxing. Yes, of course the partying is available at night, but even the nighttime is normal fun, plenty of families around as well as party animals. A wonderful mix.
3. Polarizer is a must.
4. I use my walk around lens the most 17-55 2.8. A long lens for sunsets. Actually my highest scoring image on DPC came from Key West so who am I to not love that place.
5. Bring your camera anywhere you want. It is so laid back and almost anything goes, no one cares about you or me with a camera. I didn't take my big boy out on New Year's for obvious reasons though
6. Check out the grounds of the some the really nice hotels around Mallory Square and at the end of Duvall Street. Very pretty and unique.
7. Small beach about a 15 min leisurely bike ride from Duvall.
8. Hint: Find Mallory Square and walk down to where the yachts are. There is an upscale hotel (Hilton or Marriott) that looks very Key West-ish. Walk past the Ice Cream shop on your right and enter the first street. Turn right and you enter an wondeful area with classic "Key West Homes" with beautifully manicured streets. It is near the Truman White House or whatever it is called.
9. Sounds touristy but do the tour of Ernest Hemingway's house. Closeby and very memorable, informative and just cool.
10. Take pictures of the bizarre types, street performers, partyers, bums, birds, boats, colors, street signs, balconies, buildings...
Those are some random thoughts....If you want an awesome brunch/breakfast go to that Hilton/Marriott balcony/patio restaurant in the morning for a great buffett thing for a good price. Plus you are right on the water, yachts, looking due West. breeze....yeah. Good place. PM me if you have specific questions....
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03/03/2007 10:47:26 PM · #6 |
semi-top secret tip from someone who has been there multiple times:
find the crowne plaza on duval st. you don't have to stay there, but there is a rooftop bar with amazing sunset views (and booze!) it's a little out of the way and most tourists don't know to go up there, so it's really fun for a night.
but my favorite way to see the sunset is on mallory dock or one of the bars nearby. used to be that everyone would applaud as soon as the sun slipped under the water. i hope that's still the case. :)
also, i love walking around the truman annex if they let you in (sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.) it's really the last green space left on the island and the banyan trees are amazing.
don't expect lots of beach time. the beaches are pretty shelly and rocky and not really that comfortable to walk or lay on. there's plenty to do anyway.
eat a conch burger or conch fritters. they're really good and you can't find them in a lot of places.
oh, and only eat key lime pie if it's yellow. if it's green, it's either been dyed or it's not key lime. real key limes make yellow pie.
it's really so laid back. i hope there aren't a ton of cruise ships there...it's really a lot better if there's not. have fun! |
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03/03/2007 11:08:42 PM · #7 |
Drive to Key Largo and back. Just the drive is way cool. Stop on the way and check out for turtles in the water and pelicans in the sky. One of the keys has minuature deers that just walk all over the island.
One think you must must must do is take a boat ride to Dry Tortugas/ Fort Jefferson:
//images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=//www.seaplanesofkeywest.com/images/ftjefferson1Lg.jpg&imgrefurl=//www.seaplanesofkeywest.com/&h=425&w=600&sz=71&tbnid=6VU3-i7o62kYLM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddry%2Btortugas&start=2&sa=X&oi=images&ct=image&cd=2
Nick
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03/08/2007 11:59:31 PM · #8 |
Here are some photos from my trip to Key Largo in case you interested:
//www.nikolaipozdniakov.com/WebGalleriesTrips/Key%20Largo%20March%202007/
Nick
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03/09/2007 12:56:01 AM · #9 |
I agree with every suggestion in this thread...
The Green Parrot is a great bar. I kinda remember being there, I think (I was setting some kind of beer drinking record). If it's the same place (?) they had a Jam Night and I was given a 1957, Fender Telecaster to jam with. I held court(quart) for five tunes....and nobody beat me up, afterwards.
Like Nik suggested...drive...drive....drive. Best cruise evah. I went from Miami to KW. Stunning. Even if you fly straight into KW, I would suggest getting a car and driving north to a few different Keys.
Whatever Muck said is probably sage advice...correction, it IS sage advice.
IMO you can't miss Hemingway's House. It's touristy but you can feel the ghosts and his cat's...gggggggggreat grand kids are fun to watch roaming around the grounds.
Have a great time.
Message edited by author 2007-03-09 01:04:45. |
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03/09/2007 01:00:42 AM · #10 |
| Don't forget to get some Key West Chicken pictures. Also, Magnificent Frigatebirds should be in. They are soo cool to see and shoot. |
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