Florida Rest

Florida is smaller than California, driving from Key Largo to Orlando took about 4 hours. Kudos to my driver, San.

Key Largo is a strip of land that stretches beyond the town of Homeland located on the tip of Florida. The Keys has a tropical island feel, flanked with swampland, cypresses, coconut trees, mosquitoes and alligators. As we drove down the turnpike (or what I like to refer to as loose coin dumping) then onto Card Sound Road, it felt like we were drawn into an old movie of Thelma and Louise. On Thursday the weather was gorgeous, the sun bright and the wind slightly blowing, and just remnants of a tropical storm from previous days. We stopped by a clothing and sandal outlet stores on our way to Sundiver boat for some water fun. Snorkeling in my bikini felt good because the water was about 78C for the month of October; visibility was for at least 60ft and the waves were not choppy. Underwater photography of jellyfishes, along with nurse sharks and tropical fishes was easily captured. Coral reefs were far and in between and nothing to write about. Kudos again for San, 1) for going into the waters with me and 2) not regurgitating her lunch with motion of the waves.

Traveling from the tip of Florida to Miami Beach, Hollywood Beach, and South Beach was relatively close. MB was not memorable. The heart of HB were old retirement homes where the air is humid and stale, with the feel of old money (as opposed to crisp new dollar bills ;- ) and its boardwalk are lined by endless surf shops and bars. Waved in by old guy, we ate sandwich and seafood appetizers while gazing out to the beach, but the food was mediocre, so we moseyed onto another bar. This time, before noon (PST) we ordered beer and margaritas, and satisfying seafood. SB is the quintessential art deco personified by the multitude of restaurants / bars where we felt like we were transported back into the 20s the Great Gatsby era with its neon lights and building architecture.

Tuesday nite entertainment was totally fun. I wanted to go gambling so we embarked on a 4 hour cruise on board the Aquasino with free buffet and drinks and $100 comp. San and I gambled mostly at roulette table and some at craps to win $300. What good luck we have together. For the rest of the nite, we laid on deck and watched the stars and night skies.

Kissimmee and Orlando and Daytona were bunched together but driving to each city was a feat in itself (evident on Friday nite when we missed dropping San off at the Orlando Airport although dinner at Slingapore restaurant on Wall Street in downtown Orlando was quaint). Florida not only had turnpikes every few miles, but also last minute exits and multiple freeways turnoffs (at least 3-4). We were astounded by the highway system and wished east meant land and west meant coastline. The cities were tourist traps full of attractions and hotels. On Friday we found the Daytona Speedway where the Bikotober Festival was taking place. Everywhere were Motorcycles and its vendor wares. We purchased leather jackets, chaps and goggles. On Saturday we visited the Kennedy Space Center and experienced simulated rocket ride, watched IMAX movie “Space Station 3D” narrated by Tom Cruise and toured the facility site. On Sunday, we relaxed at the waterpark “Blizzard Beach” with its circular pool, vertical drops, and long winding waterslides.

I needed a vacation to relax. San came with me. We enjoyed and endured being together 24/7. Florida is warm and humid but too old for me. I thank my lucky stars i live in California. There was a Vietnamese Sushi restaurant. Overall, I had fun and can say I've been to Florida Keys.