Day 529 - Barbados to Miami to Atlanta

This morning we enjoyed a nice lie-in & woke up around 1000. We went outside for one last glorious dip in the ocean. Jaco swam a LONG way out & I bobbed in the waves for a while, returning to the lounger to soak up some last-minute sun. The water looked absolutely stunning & was far too inviting to pass up. I didn’t want to leave!

We rushed back to the room, showered & packed up the room. The cab driver was patiently waiting for us as we slowly arrived with our luggage. I managed to drag a suitcase over my big toe & partially ripped it off & partially bent it backwards. Ouch. A little blood, but I’m still walking strong!

We made it to the airport in about 20 minutes. I’m not sure how fast we were driving & neither was the cab driver. His speedometer didn’t work! Jaco was impressed with the Tom Adams roundabout & I was impressed with the frangipani trees lining the sides of the road. I would love to live somewhere they grow freely!

We checked in & hooray! We were flying Business Class! That meant, 3 bags each at 32 kgs! No baggage fees! It certainly is my lucky day! We sat on a bench & enjoyed the warmth a little longer. Jaco stayed with the luggage while I walked out & sat in the sunshine for a few minutes – one last time! The air was nice & fresh, with a warm breeze to keep you somewhat cooler.

I took one last sip of my water before we passed through security. I was happy they had a little garden area so I could at least dump my water on the plants, rather than in the garbage! I think all airport security areas should have plants! Think of how many mini gardens we could feed!

Jaco found a few magazine he wanted & I found stamps for my postcards. We rushed to our gate, only to arrive in time to hear an announcement telling us that our flight was delayed by an hour. Last night we checked the forecast in Miami & they were forecasting thunderstorms. Apparently the weatherman was right for a change, as our delay was due to thunderstorms! We relaxed & passed the time with free wi-fi. I must say, I sure appreciate free wi-fi, especially when traveling!

When it was time to board, we were supposed to leave the terminal & walk out to the plane on the tarmac. As I left the building, one of the staff told me I had been selected for special security screening. Great! I don’t mind so much, but it is kind of annoying, considering that I already passed through the regular screening with x-ray machines & such & now they want to go through ALL of my bags with a fine toothed comb. The part that bothered me the most was the fact that I carry a lot of my valuables & camera gear in my carry-on. The lady screening me didn’t know what was what & managed to mess up my packing job quite sufficiently. Then she tried to rush me out of the way, when I obviously had to repack my bag with due care. When I finally had it re-packed, I joined Jaco & we headed over to the plane. It was beautiful – blue sky in the background, shiny silver plane, my handsome husband – time for a photo! I took one photo while Jaco was getting ready & all of a sudden I’m being hollered at! I can’t take a photo of the plane! What?!? Groan. AMERICAN Airlines. What is it with this country? They think I’ve never seen a plane before? They think I can’t gain access to a photo of whatever kind of plane it is we’re flying on? Give me a break! I’m taking a souvenir photo of my husband as we begin our long journey home. Which, by the way, after this moment, just got THAT much longer. Jerks.

Thankfully, once we were finally on the plane, it got a whole lot better! I’ve never flown Business Class before. It was awesome! Plenty of leg room, reclining chairs with a leg lift, cushy seats, frequent drink service, decent food (I never understood how Jaco could say that airplane food was good. Now I do!) , touch screen tv’s… I’m being spoiled now!

We arrived in Miami just past 2000 & managed to collect our luggage straight away. We had no issues passing through Customs & before we knew it, we had an hour or so to kill. Our flight to Atlanta was delayed by 1.5 hours, so we wandered around the airport for a while. We bought a few snacks & tried to go online. Wouldn’t you know it, but they charge for access. Since we only had 30 minutes before we were boarding, it wasn’t worth the money. Hopefully the hotel will have access.

As I type this, we’re on our way to Georgia. It’s only 9 degrees there! I think we’ll be quite cold, considering our previous evening cooled off to 29 degrees! (We slept with the balcony door open – listening to the waves crash on the beach all night. Perfect!) We’re in First Class, but it’s nothing compared to the previous flight. No tv’s, no food, no foot recliner… Listen to me complain. Help when I’m back in economy!

Stay tuned for tomorrow we fly ALL the way to Africa! Yay!

xxxxMaria

Last day in paradise! 

 My Baby after a morning swim

 Sigh. So sad to say goodbye to this!

 Flying fish in the airport

 Oh Yeah Baby! First Class!

 In the airport

 Leaving on a jet plane! (Shortly before I was yelled at by AA staff - apparently there isn't to be a record of their planes. ??)

 Having fun with Photobooth in Miami

 Aren't we cute?

Mini kiss.

Day 464 - South Beach

This morning we went to the beach! I didn’t have a lot of time before I had to catch the train, so we went to South Beach & my roomie showed me around some of the fancy Art-Deco hotels. She is studying Interior Design & Fashion Design, so this was right up her alley!

She knew which designers had decorated which hotel, where the parties & get-togethers happened on what days of the week, and of course, the history of the hotels in the area. After the beach & the hotels, we walked down the main pedestrian street. There was a Sunday market in full swing, so we checked out the orchids, cocoa butter, pastries… of course, we didn’t eat any! I took a salad with me for yesterday & tonight I’d be back at the Institute for dinner.

We zipped back to the house, picked up the suitcase & made our way to the train station with a few minutes to spare. I was sad to say goodbye to my roomie. We got along so well last week & had a lot of fun times together. I was worried about who my roommate would be this coming week.

I told her I’d see her in the coming months, as I was certain one of Jaco’s ships would be sailing out of Fort Lauderdale at some point in the game!

The train ride went well. The bus, not so much. I had the address written down & I knew it was a left hand turn after the freeway. I thought it was I-95. Apparently it was the Turnpike. Minor detail! I had half the bus trying to figure out where I was going. One lady was convinced I was headed to a rehab place for alcoholics & drug addicts. I assured her it was not. Finally one gal got on the bus & she knew where Hippocrates was. The bus driver dropped me off in the middle of nowhere & I walked about a mile back to the Institute. The last leg seemed forever away. I was beginning to wonder if I’d taken the wrong road! Suddenly this white Avalanche pulled up beside me, the window rolled down & I cringed as I didn’t know what was about to come…

It was John! My friend from the Institute! He cleans the main hall every night & although it usually closes at 2100, he lets me stay later & use the internet to talk to Jaco. He’s a real sweetheart & tonight his timing was impeccable! He was on his way to work. He gave me a ride home & I was safe & sound by 1730 – just in time for dinner!

I was plenty hungry! Sprouts have never looked so good! Needless to say I had a heaping plate! Yum!

What a whirlwind of a weekend… I won’t forget it anytime soon… That’s for certain!

xxxxMaria

High rise on the beach

South Beach

Pretty water, pretty beach

Ooh la la

Yours truly on the beach

More high rises & hotels

Fancy decor

Funky chairs

Help me out - who is the designer?

Loved the curtains blowing in the breeze

White washed

More creative designs

Crazy designs

Wheel barrow/wheelchair

Pool party anyone?

The 'it' place one day of the week!

Another funky hotel - same designer

I want a bed outside! Thanks!

Hotel

Sunday market

Orchids!

Beautiful!

I've been here! In 2003 with Jenn & the men of the past!

My bus stop. A lot of miscommunication!

Day 463 - CSI:Miami (Crazy Stay In:Miami)

Today will most certainly go down in the history books as one of the most intriguing days of my life. Today was ‘Turnaround’ day at the Institute. Guests are leaving & some will be arriving today & tomorrow. Some were up early to catch a flight & some were hanging around until the afternoon.

The sun was finally out! It was warm! I sat outside & called Mom. She told me all about the snow & cold weather on it’s way. I don’t miss that!

My roommate had graciously invited me to come & stay at her place tonight & spend some time in Miami. Alessandra was busy, so it worked out well! I looked up bus/train schedules & it will be an easy way for me to get back tomorrow afternoon.

When I was a little girl, I always dreamed big. I have no idea where it came from. I grew up in the country, on a ranch, surrounded by all things rural. In any case, I never dreamed this big. My head is still spinning. Here’s a snippet of 29^th January, 2011:

We drove to Miami in a convertible Bentley. To a small island.

I could see the cruise ships docked waiting to set sail for another week of adventure & sunshine. They each blew the ship’s whistle as they sailed out of the harbor. (Just a few more weeks until I see Jaco!)

I am certain I have walked into a magazine - something from Island Living, or Beach Homes. There is a water fountain as we walk up the steps. Tall & white, plenty of windows, infinity pool, elaborate artwork & décor, a gym, a 4^th floor balcony where I watched the sunset, speakers in all the rooms, a jet-ski dock, worldly carvings & statues – I knew that people lived like this, but I’ve never experienced it! My roommate showed me some books from her & her husband’s travels – one book covered about 10 years worth of travel for you & me. They did it one summer! I commented on the books & how nice they were. She said, ‘Oh, yes, it’s a little company my husband started. It’s called Shutterfly.’ (For all you photo/scrapbookers out there – yeah. ‘Nuff said.)

I watched the sunset over Miami & then typed this post. We’re off to a 30^th birthday party this evening – should be interesting! I’ll take my camera, but no promises! I’m feeling slightly ‘under-dressed’ I have Lulu capris, a grey tank top & flipflops! Oh & no hair & no wig! I’ll only stand out a little bit.

xxxxMaria

Sunset over Miami

Palm Trees & Sunshine

Reflections

Pur-dy

Love the water & colour

Long tall shadows

My feet in the infinity pool

The view

Somebody pinch me!

Sunshine sinking away for the night

Miami by night

My roomie & her husband

My raw roomie & I

You're looking at 2 Hodgkin's survivors! YAY!!!

The scene of the party!