Lonely Planet

Dear UK
As I suspected, it's been a quiet, lazy day here in Key West. Had a light breakfast, took a gallon of water and sat by one of the pools. The nearest one to my room, why should I walk anywhere.... See, look how well I'm fitting in with the Americans....

Had the poolside area all to myself which was fab, showered and lazed on my enormous sofa on my veranda (isn't there an 'h' in that word??) reading the paper and tried to get into anyone of the 3 novels I got at the airport. It felt total bliss, I'd recommend it to anyone.

Talking of recommendations, if anyone is thinking of coming to Key West and hasn't been here before, here's my advice.
1) Arrive by car
2)Stay in a Motel/Inn off Duval Street and as center as possible. That way you can get to everything on foot.
3) Do NOT pay for parking, not needed, 2 blocks off Duval and you have safe free parking, despite what your motel/Inn or travel agent will tell you.
4) You do NOT need a reservation. The place is almost at its high season and there are loads and loads of vacancies, at all levels. All official recommendations get a backhander. That said I was very grateful to the Tourist Center at the start of the Keys that 'recommended' the Simonton Inn
5) If you must have transport to get around, hire a bike or scooter, of which there are an abundance. That's how everyone gets around here.
6) DO take the Conch City Tour before you do anything
7) Pick up all the free mags, they have loads of money off coupons, and the YAnks lurve their coupons.
8) Do visit Hemmingway's House
9) Do have at least one drink at the original Sloppy Joe's & Willy T's
10) Do catch a sunset at Mallory square, make sure it's a clear night, they're not so good on a cloudy day.
11) Most of all remember it's relaively safe and have loads and loads of fun.....