Yes, we have watched all the Step Up movies multiple times. So when we woke up and told the boys we were going to South Beach and onto Ocean Drive, they were actually excited for once. Only due in part to that darn movie lol. Well actually they were a bit miffed, since we woke them up... teenagers. This is what I had to sleep with last night...
Once we were all up and dressed we went down to the lobby where breakfast is included in our stay. Which normally was going for $200, but found a military deal for $150 a night x 2 nights. Every lil bit helps. It was a king bed with sofa sleeper, nothing spectacular.
Didnt take pics of breakfast but it was your normal continental fair, along with they had scrambled eggs, sausage, and make your own waffles. Even though I was on my 2nd day of vacation, I was still fixing breakfast for my crew... chocolate chip waffles anyone? Thankfully they had a great coffee bar with multiple kinds of flavored creamers that kept me happy.
Once we were done we headed out to South Beach, we wanted to get there early so we could leave early. The Music Festival was going on and had heard on the news it gets crazy after dark, so we didnt want to be anywhere near that ... especially with kids. (Sad part was no seeing the Art Deco District all light up at night though, oh well always next time LOL)
Upon driving towards the freeway we noticed we were just around the corner from the Carnival Corp. Offices. I thought that was neat... no one else in my family did.
We passed the Miami Stadium, then drove by the Port, that got everyone excited to know we would be boarding a ship tmrw!
All of the communities going towards South Beach looked AMAZING. We wanted to check them out but thought that was a bit too stalkerish, so we just did drive by's from the freeway. Oh but that there,.. thats my yacht lol
It was a slow drive into South Beach, it was a Friday so Im sure the tourist were all out by now being that it was about 11am. Eventually we made it to Ocean Drive, and were in aww of the Art Deco District. Boys kept trying to figure out where they stopped traffic in the movie to start dancing.
We drove north on Ocean and just took it in, its a great way to see everything 1st, then eventually found a parking garage. Then walked along the boardwalk checking out hotels on the beach.
We wanted to rent bikes, they had Citi Bikes (citibikemiami.com/) set up around the city but we could never find 4. Thought it would be a great way to get back to the starting point of Ocean, then walk back through it. Instead we hoofed it all the way, checking out stores along the walk that had air conditioning to cool us down. It was a hot one, being from California we are used to the heat, but the humility gets us every time. Poor J was dying, granted he was carrying the backpack full of water.
I was able to take a few pics to check out the ol skool buildings, Im sure it looks amazing all lite up at night.
We forgot the selfie stick (yes we have one, its the only way I get in pictures now adays.) So we took pics of the boys, which by now they were on each others last nerves. Then they took one of hubby and I.
We saw a lot of ... umm interesting sites. Cars were just screaming LOOK AT ME... and we did. My 16yr old, well and for that matter my hubby were enjoying watching a few ladies sunbathe, run or skate by. Oh to be young and have a body again.... lol.
This one was original... and bright.
Who knew General Lee was in South Beach?
Everyone was getting hungry as it was now around 1pm-ish. I had tried to find a Groupon but the boys were all hungry, thirsty, and hot. So we stopped at the next place we saw with food that looked pretty good. (BIG MISTAKE, look for a coupon/groupon etc prior... just saying) Hubby saw a huge Beer-garita go by and said lets get one to share.. ok. He's not a big drinker (I am) so when he said get a drink for him I dont 2nd guess it. My 12yr old J, wanted a strawberry margarita (virgin of course)
One quesadilla, and 3 burgers later we were stuffed. Food was good, drinks hit the spot. Then the bill came and we about died. $204.... $30 service charge, what's that you ask... thats just for dinning on Ocean Drive. No joke we asked about it. We can cross that off our list of things to do once and never do again LOL.
After filling our bellies and emptying our wallet, we hit a few stores on the way back to the car for the usual souvenirs, shirts, coffee mug, thimble for my mom (she lives across the street from us and takes the boys to and from school). Got a few postcards but couldn't find anywhere to mail them... oh well. I'll add them to our scrapbook.
We made it back to the car just in time as it started pouring but didnt last long ....
Nor did the boys, soon as we got in the car the passed out. Really I should be the one passing out since I had the huge Beer-Garita... just goes to show you they cant keep up with their momma!
As we were leaving we did see these signs all over the place, at 1st we though oh SHNAP Emily you go girl, telling Martin off. Then once I got back to the hotel, realized it was all a great promotional get up. #goodjobsales
Also back in the room I filled up our rum runners (yes, we are those people too) with Rumchatta and Bacardi. A lil something for me, and for the hubby. Repacked our suitcases, and got the carryon ready for our big day tmrw. I would say that we would be too excited to sleep but thats not correct, 3 of them would have no prob snoring the night away... me I would be both excited and annoyed from the snores LOL.
I logged into our cruise meet and chatted with everyone, reading what they did for the day or hearing about their flights/drives in.
Couldn't wait to meet everyone finally after months of getting to know each other we all would meet in less than a few hours!
Eventually I put a pillow over my head and was able to muffle the snores enough to fall fast asleep.
Next Up: Call me Gold Member
