My sister, her boyfriend and I went to Florida for Chrismas and New Year. After nearly 24 hours of travel, I finally met them at Orlando. We surely spent 3 days at Disney World and went through the stress of beating the crowds at the one of top vacation destinations over holiday. The weather, no doubt, was pretty nice. We drove down to Miami on 26th. We made one day trip to Miami and Miami beach and one day to the Florida keys. It was hot and humid. Miami consists of Miami and Miami beach, with Biscayne Bay separating the two areas. Miami turns out quite different than I expected. The city is not pretty. In the effort of seeking Cuban flavor, we made a special trip to little Havana. It turned out a disappointment. The Cuban lunch we had is still pretty good though. Not much impressed me. Miami beach is on the opposite side of Biscayne bay with the completely opposite scenes. Here again comes to the beach party scene swarmed with tons, tons tourists. I have to say the beach itself is gorgeous with lots of palm trees and Arco Deco style hotels lining along the beach. The vibe was holdiay party hype- beautiful party goers running around, all the restaurants and bars over flowed with party, party, street party, beach party, endless party. All the parties are about two things: alcohol and sex. All the parties only last one night or maybe through Jan 1st. I was just not quite into it.
Our second day of the Key West trip turned out a very nice one. The journey counts half of the fun. That is right! We enjoyed the ride, lunch at a little Cuban cafe and a few hours of tour around the Key West and a sunset covered by clouds ( not perfect, but real and still pretty). We had a nice fish dinner that night.
I was left alone and continued my own adventures in the Miami areas from 29th thru Jan 1st. I moved down to South beach for that period. I took a bike ride for one day around Miami beach, which gave me a chance to check out the harbor, residential areas and other quiet areas. I also took a bus, a train, another train and another bus to Fort Lauderdale beach. The beach is very much similar to Miami. The journey was still fun. On new year eve day, I took a paid tour to Everglade National Park for the alligator air boat cruise. It's one of those tourist things. Nothing is really striking to me except that the swamp seems pretty unique. Hung out on the beach for a couple of hours, I went back to hostel and hung out with some folks from there over NYE. The beach was quite crazy, similar to Copacabana beach at Rio I went to last year. Most of folks at hostel are party goers. They are there for the New Year party. Therefore casual acquaintance was the flavor. I had a little nice mellow hangout till after the firework was finished. When I went to bed, the party just started for most of people: after street party, there were parties in bars or clubs on the beach till 5am and then more parties in Miami till whenever. For me, I was done with that day, I was done with year 2007 and I'm ready for a fresh start of 2008.
I started my first day of 2008 with a little nice walk on the beach. Streets and beaches were a mess from last night party; a lot of people were roaming around seeming so lost; the air was still steaming. I had a very strange feeling about this strong contrast.
I still made the best of my first day of new year (also the last day of my stay at Miami): I continued to check out Coconut Grove and Bay front park during the day. I meant to wrap up my trip with a delicious Paella dinner. However I didn't make it due to the rain and tight flight schedule. I took off at that evening, leaving the beach town in a heavy pouring rain. It needs such a rain washing off all the mess and heat left from last year. Tomorrow will be a new fresh start for the beautiful Miami beach. I, on my way home, was very satisfied with my journey and was so ready to go back to my cool and calm California home and move along to a new fresh year.
Our second day of the Key West trip turned out a very nice one. The journey counts half of the fun. That is right! We enjoyed the ride, lunch at a little Cuban cafe and a few hours of tour around the Key West and a sunset covered by clouds ( not perfect, but real and still pretty). We had a nice fish dinner that night.
I was left alone and continued my own adventures in the Miami areas from 29th thru Jan 1st. I moved down to South beach for that period. I took a bike ride for one day around Miami beach, which gave me a chance to check out the harbor, residential areas and other quiet areas. I also took a bus, a train, another train and another bus to Fort Lauderdale beach. The beach is very much similar to Miami. The journey was still fun. On new year eve day, I took a paid tour to Everglade National Park for the alligator air boat cruise. It's one of those tourist things. Nothing is really striking to me except that the swamp seems pretty unique. Hung out on the beach for a couple of hours, I went back to hostel and hung out with some folks from there over NYE. The beach was quite crazy, similar to Copacabana beach at Rio I went to last year. Most of folks at hostel are party goers. They are there for the New Year party. Therefore casual acquaintance was the flavor. I had a little nice mellow hangout till after the firework was finished. When I went to bed, the party just started for most of people: after street party, there were parties in bars or clubs on the beach till 5am and then more parties in Miami till whenever. For me, I was done with that day, I was done with year 2007 and I'm ready for a fresh start of 2008.
I started my first day of 2008 with a little nice walk on the beach. Streets and beaches were a mess from last night party; a lot of people were roaming around seeming so lost; the air was still steaming. I had a very strange feeling about this strong contrast.
I still made the best of my first day of new year (also the last day of my stay at Miami): I continued to check out Coconut Grove and Bay front park during the day. I meant to wrap up my trip with a delicious Paella dinner. However I didn't make it due to the rain and tight flight schedule. I took off at that evening, leaving the beach town in a heavy pouring rain. It needs such a rain washing off all the mess and heat left from last year. Tomorrow will be a new fresh start for the beautiful Miami beach. I, on my way home, was very satisfied with my journey and was so ready to go back to my cool and calm California home and move along to a new fresh year.
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