When I think of Miami I think of celebrities, tanned, beautiful people, hot clubs and of course, the beaches.

Having spent a couple of weeks in the Fort Lauderdale area of Florida already, I surprised myself when it took me so long to get here but perhaps the promise of 'all things beautiful' scared me.

Would I be judged by those hard-bodied locals? Would I actually fit in and enjoy myself?

Sitting at the Bellini Italian Bistro on Ocean Drive watching the streams of people walk by the beach I felt nothing but bliss.

Sipping a mango daiquiri offered me a cool relief from the 30 degree heat and my one hour bus ride from Aventura. The people watching was a great way to spend the afternoon.

The man sitting alone across from me with his gorgeous Maltese Terrier downed his red and then white wine with vigour before chasing them with a tequila shot and it made me wonder what was going on behind those big glasses that adorned his face.

Down the road at 1116 Ocean Ave (near the corner of 11th Ave) is the mansion that cult designer Gianni Versace owned and was shot in front of and, whilst it's a place that attracts attention from locals and tourists on a daily basis, I wonder why...

Nevertheless, I strolled down along the beach and asked a passerby to take a photo of me at the steps like so many others had done before me.

The excess of this area of Miami is clear but is in such direct contrast to Downtown that the 120 bus drove through en route to the beach.

That area was where my fellow passengers, the more destitute, disembarked and it seems a world away from the valet parked expensive cars by me now.

My theory is that you need to appreciate all areas of a city and my day in Miami has proved that to me many times over.

The guy on his bike blasting hip hop tunes provides the soundtrack to my afternoon by the beach where you can rent a sun lounge for $10 or an umbrella for $15 and relax on the powdery white sand.

The azure blue water is so inviting and is comfortably refreshing for the diverse mix of beachgoers.

 Near 8th Ave & Washington Blvd is the Kardashian family owned boutique 'Dash' which was made famous by their several reality TV shows. Rather overpriced for the offering, the air conditioning provides welcome relief and I join other fans outside to take a requisite photo.

To shop or not to shop is the question...because whilst all that glitters is not gold here in Miami, like in Vegas, it doesn't mean that a bit of bling might not brighten up my afternoon just a little bit more!