USA : San Francisco, Chicago, New York City, Boston, Tampa, Miami & Key West
Winter 2007
 |
| Where is the Big Apple? A rocky spot in NYC's Central Park (jan, feb-2007) |
Journal Entry... A month's worth of itinerary in continental U.S.A.
 |
| San Francisco, 2007 |
20-jan: Arrival in San Francisco... via Northwest Airlines (Manila-Tokyo Narita-San Francisco). BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), which connects to San Francisco Muni Metro trains at four downtown stations: Embarcadero; Montgomery, Powell, and Civic Center, was the cheapest at US$2/pax. A good deal. Hubby was hesitant hauling two luggage in both hands, mine included. But it's one hefty savings riding the BART vs. pricey taxi or shuttle van service for the airport-hotel transfer. It'd be an experience doing the public transport.
After some convincing from my end, we hopped on the BART. Hop off, Civic Center. A street level trolley was rolling in for US$2.50/pax. I'm on a money roll! Hop off, Fisherman's Wharf. From there, we walked on foot to the hotel on North Point Street. Check-in: Hyatt Hotel at Fisherman's Wharf (4D, 3N, US$659.44)
It's my second time visiting in San Francisco. My first visit was in 2000, I traveled with my Mom&Dad. With the hubby, it's our first time, together.
21-jan: Around the block... Fisherman's Wharf, with hubby's must-eat: In-N-Out burger. It was one of too many burgers he would eat from the burger joint. For me, a burger is a burger, anywhere. Took three freebie In-N-Out stickers, which hubby claimed for himself, and an In-N-Out Application Form (as if I was even applying for a job there.) Souvenir items.
Powell-Hyde street level cable car terminus was at block's end. Who goes to San Francisco without riding them? I didn't on my first visit, just drove around the streets of San Francisco in a car. I want to ride it, I said. Bought us full tickets to Union Square. A cable car museum stopover interrupted our ride. No worries, our full ticket price allowed hop on, hop off between route stops to Union Square.
On return to Fisherman's Wharf aboard on the Powell-Hyde line was the "ZA pizza place" on Green Street. Street cable car momentarily slowed down, approaching Green Street, for the box of ZA pizza the driver had ordered, like it was a drive-thru. Because the driver said, "It's the "best-tasting pizza in the city!" Out of curiosity, we went to the pizza place come dinner time. It was forno pizza. Nothing beats a traditional forno pizza.
In-N-Out burger was within eye range on the walk back to the hotel; I told hubby he better stop it. The Coldstone ice cream did not escape me. All of a sudden, the outdoor temperature dipped to the feels.
P.s. Took the Powell-Hyde line street cable car two more times, extra effort walking to block's end of Fisherman's Wharf for it. Only to find out after we're done with the street cable car rides that there was another line, Powell-Mason, terminating at Bay Street, which was a corner away from Hyatt Hotel. [facepalm]
22-jan: The Girl in the Golden Gate Bridge... Meet-up with Rhoda, on Day 2; a college friend who had migrated to the USA, and now based in California. Drove in her silver Volkswagen beetle; she and her car were a match. Joy ride was her itinerary-for-the-day: Lombard Street, the world's crookedest street; the Palace of Fine Arts; Marina Green, also best spot for photo-op with the Golden Gate Bridge; crossing the Golden Gate Bridge all the way up Hawkhill, where Rhoda had confided, she would there gaze over the Pacific Ocean and miss her homeland; and last stop, Sausalito, where I bought souvenir shirts, and where those heart-pumping burgers from the restaurant with a nondescript green "Hamburger" sign are sold; the burger snack gave me a nightmare during an afternoon nap.
The next day, I met-up with Rhoda, for the second time, at Cheesecake Factory in Macy's. Open balcony seat with a view. Waitress kept interrupting us though, asking if we were ordering more than a slice of cake given our premium seats. Having experienced waiting on tables, Rhoda assured the waitress of a generous tip if she'd stop bugging us. That evening was the third, and last meet-up with Rhoda to cap our San Francisco reunion. She was with her significant other when we had dinner at the Bay side restaurant. My friend's treat, and dollar savings for me. Thanks, Rhoda!
 |
| Chicago, 2007 |
24-jan: Off to Chicago... The song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," was playing in my head. Arranged for shuttle van service. Shuttle van: US$32 for 2 pax, plus US$2 tip. BART was out of the picture. Luggage put on some weight from my souvenir haul of aprons, mittens, coin purse with "San Francisco" design on it; add Rhoda's gift bottles of body lotion and spray she had dropped off early in the morning, unexpectedly. Convenience spelled the difference with the shuttle van service.
Arrival in Chicago, 1:05pm via Northwest Airlines (San Francisco-Minneapolis-Chicago).
Sigh of relief... We were that close to missing the connecting flight at Minneapolis; clueless to plus 1-hour time difference. Pre-departure shops and restaurants had our undivided attention. Lunch at Charley's Steakery ate up the extra hour. Walked ahead to the boarding gate. Hubby was sidetracked by the row of airside shops. Boarding area was sparse of humans when I reached it. Then, I heard the NW's ground staff standing there, curtly say, "This gate is closing, Madam." Boarding area was empty because all passengers were already seat belted inside the plane! I got frantic! I shouted out hubby's name! Loud enough for him to hear me from 50 meters away, strolling on his way. The NW's ground staff followed suit, hollering, "Hey [insert, hubby's name], you better hurry, or your plane's gonna leave you!" Hubby did a 50-meter dash run to catch his flight to Chicago.
Shuttle van service: US$36 for 2 pax, plus US$2 tip. Passenger drop-off depended with the route taken. We were for last. Shuttle ride became tour-like, with the driver caring to point to city landmarks along the way. Check-in: Embassy Suites Hotel on North Columbus Drive (7D, 6N, US$893.22). Hotel room had a microwave oven. Was it a coincidence the Walgreens supermarket was across the street and had a selection of microwaveable food.
How best to describe Chicago in winter? ICE AGE. Dubbed the 'windy city', as well, wind plus snow equals ice age. That night, snow flurries fell. My first time seeing it had me prancing about to catch the falling snow.
In his new Cole Hann wool coat (70%off, SRP US$695 at Bloomingdales, San Francisco), hubby was loving the Chicago chilly weather; Bloomingdales salesman, who has a daughter living in Chicago updating him on the weather, had assured the hubby the wool coat would beat Chicago's freeze." I, on the other hand, was shivering plenty in my Zara polyester coat, complemented with a flesh-coordinated white bonnet, scarf and mittens I had bagged in Manila for free c/o hubby's manufacturing co. employee-friend.
 |
| Chicago skyline on Navy Pier |
25-jan: "Top of Chicago"... Cousin Noy suggested a meet-up over dinner at the Signature Lounge of John Hancock Center, after learning we had plans to go to the Observatory (a.k.a. Top of Chicago) that day.
Trivia: The Observatory dazzles visitors with Chicago's best views at 1000-ft., its elevators traveling 1800-ft. per minute is the world's fastest. Admission ticket: US$11.30/pax.
Before that, a visitor's souvenir photo was first taken, while queuing for the elevator ride. A yellow claim stub was handed to me, which read: See Your Photo on the Observation Deck (No Obligation to Purchase). Elevator ride opens up at the 94th floor. There's a TV monitor, with our photograph taken flashing on its screen, for US$20. First photo - in Chicago cityscape at night; second photo - in Chicago cityscape by day; third photo - at Wrigley Field entrance; and fourth photo - before the Buckingham fountain. Impressive, not having to leave the building. Fancied the photos, and paid for it.
Then there's the Skywalk. "An open-air viewing area like no other; feel the wind in your hair and hear the dynamic buzz of the city from 1000 feet in the air!" At that moment, the strong winds high up there would almost steal my freebie bonnet away from me.
Done with the Observatory stuff, we took the elevator up another floor for dinner with cousin Noy. The Signature Lounge at the 95th floor had identical panorama, like the Observatory. What's more, the Signature Lounge even had floor-to-ceiling glass windows, unlike the Observatory. I was blaming cousin Noy for not telling us beforehand. He teased, the Observatory experience was for photo-op, and the Signature Lounge was for his free dinner, US$50 (plus US$8 tip). Gah!
26-jan: In downtown Chicago... Snow had fallen overnight. Braved the nearly freezing outdoors to Navy Pier in the morning. Wind factor brought down temperature feels. In the afternoon, Magnificent Mile. Winter sale in stores (Lord & Taylors, Carson Pirie Scott, Talbots, Gap, Old Navy, Coach, Nine West...) marked down prices for a steal. Hubby cautioned, "Your hoardings better fit in your luggage, mine is off limits!@#$%^&* Scored here two Coach footwear, two Talbots footwear, a Nine West purse, some fancy jewelry, to name a few.
27-jan: Road trip to Danville... Family relatives awaited my arrival. Cousin Noy, who was based in Chicago, picked us up for the 2-hour long drive to his family home in the Danville suburbs.
(Insert Flashback: 2000... Uncle Pepe driving. Aunt Fe in front passenger seat. My parents & I are side by side in the back seat. Just arrived in Detroit airport. On the road, crossing the Canadian border to Toronto. Toronto city tour; up CN Tower and sat on the glass floor that scared me batsh*t; dinner at Wayne Gretzsky, the famed hockey player, who dropped by the table greeting the diners - he mistook the 26-year old me for a minor who can't order an alcoholic beverage. On the road, driving to Ontario. Ontario city tour; boat ride aboard the 'Maid of the Mist' against the thundering water falls of Niagara; dinner in Skylon Tower's revolving restaurant overlooking Niagara falls. On the road, crossing the 'Rainbow Bridge' to the US border at Buffalo, New York. Stopover at West Point-US Military Academy; random photo-op with Major Isaiah Wilson & Major Levisque. On the road, driving to Manhattan. NYC city tour; boat tour to the Statue of Liberty; stops at Times Square, Empire State bldg., Twin Towers lobby. On the road, driving to Washington D.C.. Washington D.C. city tour: inside the White House, FBI and Treasury Department. On the road, driving to St. Louis, Missouri. Up the Gateway Arch. On the road, driving to Indianapolis. Motor speedway tour; photo-op with visiting Rick Smith of Indiana Pacers. On the road, driving to New Salem. Abraham Lincoln's old neighborhood. On the road, driving to Danville.)
Danville, 2007. For afternoon snack, Uncle Pepe prepped his specialty "lechon kawali" (roasted pork), hot and crackling from the Turbo broiler. Nom, nom, nom... We were not cautioned that in an hour's time, we will be on the road, crossing the border to Covington's The Beef House, in Indiana. The Beef House is known for aged beef, cooked over hardwood briquettes on open-hearth charcoal broiler. One gets to choose the beef cut, and weight of beef. Uncle Pepe's "lechon kawali" was still undigested inside my belly. I mustered to consume up to a half-slice portion of the steak, and brown bagged the rest of the steak for the hotel microwave for midnight snack, or if not, breakfast. Burp!
28-jan: Meeting Sue, the T-Rex... Chicago's ice age won't be complete without coming nose-to-snout with "SUE", the biggest T-Rex dinosaur ever found. Sue once ruled the Earth, she's now all bones at the Field Museum. Admission:US$12/pax.
Food trip, next. Must-eat traditional deep dish pizza at Pizzeria Uno, and Chicago-style hotdogs at Portillos.
 |
| New York City, 2007 |
NYPD officers were doing their strict rounds, post-9/11 attack. (During the road trip in 2000, I had the opportunity to enter the World Trade Center, and had a photo-op at the lobby. From another vantage point over at Statue of Liberty, the Twin Towers formed part of the cityscape.) The new "Freedom Tower" was (still) underway to replace the Twin Towers.
That night, there were three police officers standing watch in front of the hotel when we came back. Asked if we could have a photo-op with them. They agreed. When it was hubby's turn, the male police officer said, "Do you want him [hubby] in handcuffs?" A second of silence, then laughter erupted.
31-jan: A-round Big Apple... Not the fruit, but it's the city that never sleeps. Song goes, where vagabond shoes are longing to stray. Not hard to see why. Manhattan is a busy bee of a city, 24/7. Purchased a 7-day, Metrocard Pass; this would give us unlimited access to public transport - trains, bus.
Central Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, South Street Sea Port... Later exiting the New York Public Library, we're ready to hop on another bus ride with a Metrocard Pass. Bus arrives. Hop on. Hubby behind me. I find vacant seats, and about to slide in, when... I heard the hubby hiss from behind me, "Wait, we need to go down this bus!" I turn around, and follow the hubby, stepping out of the bus. Bus door shuts close, leaving us in the pavement. I see hubby frisk searching himself. He could not locate his Metrocard Pass. It's in his coat pocket, he says. I tell him, you think it is but it must have missed the coat pocket and fallen to the ground, somewhere.
1-feb: Hubby had a fit at the MET on his birthday... Who spends a birthday at the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Arts), to begin with? Hubby says, one can donate any amount to enter the MET, and not pay for the printed admission fee, which is a suggested amount. Dropped US$1 for 2 pax. It's hubby's birthday.
Innumerable paintings and sculptures, and a mural of the Garden of Versailles... I got wind of following the birthday boy, or I lost him, whichever came first. I proceeded to the exit. Hubby had a fit looking for me inside the MET. And I would not text him of my whereabouts, because of the pricey text rates. My bad. Peace sign. Hubby had seemingly calmed down over a big slice of New York-style pizza at Rey Bono. But he was still having a fit. He called his birthday celebration off.
Next day's agenda was the Broadway show, "Phantom of the Opera." Best choice for a first timer. The scene with a boat on the river was cinematic for a stage play. Hubby knew about the off-ticket prices not sold from the Majestic Theater booth; 50% off at US$56.25/pax. What's more, aunt Fe even mailed to me US$100 to cover for those off-ticket prices. Thanks, Tita Fe!
 |
| Manhattan skyline on the Staten Island ferry cruise |
 |
| Boston, 2007 |
5-feb: NYC to Boston... Taxi to NYC's Pennsylvania Station. Amtrak train ride to Boston; US$150/pax. Train stop: Boston South Station. Short taxi ride to the hotel for US$6. Check-in: Boston Marriott Long Wharf (6D, 5N, US$1321.26).
4-hour train journey from NYC to Boston got me tired, and sleepy. I did not sleep on the train. I guarded the luggage, while the hubby slept intermittently. My head on the comfy pillows had me dozing off in a snap. Zzzzzz.
I was hungry. It woke me up. The underground walkway connected the hotel to Quincy Marketplace. Scent of food from the food court was inviting. Must-eat the calorific "Boston Clam Chowder." Such comfort meal, after a long nap, capped the day's transit.
Looked forward to do the 2.5 mile Freedom Trail to "steepled churches, grand meeting halls, and battlegrounds to America's oldest commissioned warship"... in the morning.
6-feb: Boston's Freedom Trail... Can't remember from what marker on the trail did we start from. First sight of "black footprints" on cobblestone had us following it. Faneuil Hall came up first; it was beside the Quincy Marketplace.
Faneuil Hall looked familiar. Nicolas Cage searched the landmark for clues "National Treasure" (2004 film). Trivia: Faneuil Hall was built in 1742 as a central marketplace upon the idea of Peter Faneuil, a wealth merchant in Boston. Faneuil Hall included a hall for town meetings. On the third floor was a museum/armory of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts.
Nearby was the "Cheers" restaurant, which also looked familiar from a TV sitcom. It's the replica of the original restaurant in Beacon Street.
Next set of black footprints where it appeared: at the Old State House, Old South Meeting House, Old Corner Bookstore and Old City Hall. Emphasis on "old", historical time element there. Until... the black footprints had altogether vanished from the route we've taken. At a loss, we walked, and walked, and reached the Boston Common.
The Freedom Trail Map from the park's Visitor's Information Center was surely enlightening. It indicated that the trail (should) begin from the Boston Common-park. That gold dome on the Old State House was glowing with the rays of the sun hitting it. Was that the building where Jason Bourne had ran off to to evade his captors? The park frog croaked. Signal to call off I the Freedom Trail expedition. Fresh start, in the morning.
 |
| Boston Common historic park is where the 'Freedom Trail' begins |
 |
| The oldest commissioned naval vessel, USS Constitution, seen afloat on Boston Harbour |
7-feb: Freedom Trail continues... Trail map on hand. Black footprints reappeared before the Paul Revere House, sans the old prefix. Around the corner was the Old North Church.
From there, the Freedom Trail continues. There was the task of crossing the Charlestown Bridge - a steel bridge over Charles river; connecting downtown Boston to Charlestown; where the USS Constitution was docked, and retired. Innocent-looking bridge. Mesh flooring, one can see right through it. ONE CAN SEE RIGHT THROUGH IT! I froze in my steps. It triggered a panic attack in me, like I was going for a free fall in a second, to the cold river water several meters down; it had mesh flooring, and one can see right through it. Blowing winds did nothing to calm my jittery nerves. Knees are trembling, I held tightly onto hubby's arm, and I managed to cross the bridge, screaming a sigh of relief out loud on the other end.
In Charlestown. The USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned naval vessel, was afloat on the Boston harbour. President George Washington named it after the US Constitution. Over Bunker Hill on a distance towered the monument commemorating the Battle of Bunker Hill, in1775.
The bridge awaited our return. Thankfully, we did get a Boston Pass, with unlimited access to public transport, i.e., Metro, including the water taxi cruising the Charles River, from USS Constitution dock to Long Wharf dock. The Long Wharf dock happened to be right smack to the hotel's location. Charlestown Bridge had greatly missed us, we were told.
Elle's (Legally Blonde, 2001) alma mater, Harvard University, was next day's agenda. The law department in particular took our interest being lawyers ourselves. Only a fellow lawyer will understand, a photo-op felt being part of the Ivy league.
I craved so badly for Asian cuisine, rice included. The Vietnamese Xinh Xinh restaurant satisfied the craving - steaming bowl of pho noodles in broth, spring rolls. Energy booster. We were only halfway through the US trip.
Marshall's discount store at Downtown Crossing was have its 3-day sale, at 25% off. I scored a cool pink Coach hand bag. I know. Don't remind me. My luggage was now heavy as a rock! All because of my friend Rhoda's 4-Victoria Secret body spray and lotion gift bottles, Aunt Fe's three 1-kilo bags of walnuts, my own shopping haul, plus a loot-full of hotel toiletries argh!@#$%) Hubby was fuming; he says, his luggage was (still) off-limits. I remember not sleeping early on our last night in Boston. I circled around the two luggage, like a lone wolf on the hunt. Hubby falls into deep slumber. Lone wolf attacks, sorting deep into the crevices of hubby's luggage, to make room for my stuff. What one does not know, will not hurt*wink;)
10-feb: Amtrak train debacle... 11:45 am, ride on Amtrak train, Boston's South Station to NYC's Penn Station. Then, ride taxi from Penn Station to JFK airport; 7:50pm, Delta Airlines flight, NYC to Tampa, Florida. That's the schedule. That's the plan. Until Murphy's law come into play.
We did arrive at Boston South Station, early. It was a short taxi ride from the hotel. The train departure and track no. were up on the Schedule Board. I took a video of it to be sure. Hubby looked at it as well. We were early. Hubby bought food. I people-watched. At certain points, horde of passengers were arriving, and leaving the station. I felt a connection with one Amtrak train arriving at the station. I sensed it was our Amtrak train to NYC. But our Amtrak train ticket departure time did not match the Schedule Board. Yet my gut feel would not let up. Hubby said, he'll check with Information Office. What's taking him long, I was antsy by then. Horde of passengers were walking towards the train to board it, until they have thinned out from the platform. Then came rushing from the opposite direction the hubby, frantically pointing to the Amtrak train outside, telling me it's our Amtrak train. Grabbed the luggage, and out the gate we ran as fast as we could... only to catch the red tail lights of the outbound Amtrak moving away. The ticket checker on the platform declared the obvious, that we MISSED THE AMTRAK TRAIN TO NYC. Ticket checker said our tickets can be rescheduled for the next available train.
What was the error? Mixed-up the 'Arrival' and the 'Departure' time on the Schedule Board.
Next Amtrak train to NYC was at 1:45pm. Crossed fingers we'd catch the 7:50pm Delta Airlines outbound flight at JFK airport. But when you're in a tight schedule is when delays happen. 1:45pm Amtrak train kept slowing down a couple of times, adding up to minutes of delay. Buildings in Manhattan already had lights on when the Amtrak train approached the Penn station. Then, there was the long line at the taxi stand outside Penn station. The Pakistani taxi driver made a huge effort to drive fast to JFK airport, in fact, giving us 45-minutes to spare.
That is, if we did not have check-in luggage. Delta Airlines ground staff at the check-in counter informed us we are short by an hour. Boarding gate was closing. Delta Airlines outbound flight to Tampa was at 8:40am was the NEXT DAY!!! Rebooked our missed out 7:50pm Delta Airlines outbound flight to Tampa from the ticket dispensing machine, to 8:40am the next day. (This Feb 11 flight tickets to Tampa will be the third flight tickets. Booked original flight tickets to Tampa, from NYC, for Feb 5. Second flight tickets to Tampa came about, when we decided to insert Boston in the itinerary, from NYC, and the Feb 5 original flight to Tampa was moved to Feb 10.)
Told the hubby not to fuss over the all nighter layover in the airport. It's still better than Tom Hank's nine months of waiting at JFK airport in the "The Terminal". Only bummer was the lack of comfy quarters at the JFK airport. We were not as resourceful as Tom Hanks did in the movie. Had to take turns getting a shuteye on cold and hard, stone bench, one guarding the luggage as the other sleeps, until the Delta Airlines check-in counter reopened in the morning.
Must I say, "All's well when one reaches a destination... no matter what."
 |
| Key West, 2007 |
It's Sunday in the Sunshine State. I want a day of rest; God rested on the seventh day. Or not. My brother had "Tampa State Fair" calendared that Sunday. Scrap my afternoon siesta, crap! Relaxation on a Sunday afternoon in Tampa, where there is a state fair, meant going outdoors to bask in the sunshine... gobble smoked turkey legs... munch on caramel popcorn... sip lemonade juice... and watch my brave niece wall climb. The Tampa State Fair was on its 103rd run, the week-long annual event ending in 2 days.
My much-awaited Sunday rest came to fore. There was a newly installed protective screen cover in the back porch of my brother's home to keep unwanted alligators and snakes away. The man-made pond in the common backyard serves as the alligator's and snake's backdoor to city life. The thought of me gallivanting around the ungated man-made pond when I first visited, in 2000, amidst lurking reptiles whatnot sent shivers down my spine. My brother says, there was one incident a 'baby alligator' had crawled its way into the pond through the sewage pipes.
17-feb: On a road trip down South... Destination: Miami & Key West. My brother, the designated driver, pointed out his known Miami landmarks. I, on the other hand, caught sight of a much bigger Marshalls store, or rather a commercial building, in Miami. My eager announcement fell on deaf ears amongst the company of my brother, my sister-in-law, my niece, and my hubby.
(I've been red flagged prior due to my shopping sprints the last five days in Tampa, sweeping over the racks of Marshalls, Ross and TJ Maxx, hunting for 70%-80% discounts off brands. What's the fuss, I dare say. My checked-in luggage could take on a higher weight limit on the outbound international flight home from Tampa. It could well fit even those cross-state shopping haul the hubby had earlier dumped out from the crevices of his luggage when we arrived in Tampa, plus my friend's gift bottles, plus Aunt Fe's hoard of walnuts. Runs in the family. Not only did my shopping sprints got to the nerves of the family, but my routine of buying and returning items for the refund of $$$ in my hands. My young niece had whined, "Why does Tita (Auntie) keep buying things, and buying more, and then returning them to the store??!" LOL)
My brother drove past the massive Marshall's store in Miami, to a parking spot along South Beach. I gave the company the silent treatment while lunching in a restaurant. The infamous Versace mansion was right off the next block, the mood by the gate was quite eerie to be honest.
After a night's rest at La Quinta Inn in Miami, my brother, still the designated driver, drove further south of Miami through interlocking bridges that connected the Florida keys (islands) all the way to the southernmost point of Continental USA: Key West. It was roughly 90 ninety miles to Cuba from the thimble-shaped marker on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.
 |
| Seascape on the Atlantic Ocean in Key West |
 |
| 'Gibraltar of the Key West' |
23-feb: Ahoy! Blue Crabs of Tampa Bay... The Skyway Pier bridge was dimly illuminated. Post sunset. Another outdoor activity of my brother is catching crabs. Stuffed in his trusty Coleman chest were: catch net poles, dismembered sea creatures for bait, flashlights, boxed of Colonel Sander's fried chicken, and ice cold colas. There at the bridge we awaited the Blue Crabs of Tampa Bay to be swept inland by the strong currents of the Gulf of Mexico.
From my vantage point, I spot the cast of blue crabs. Voice of excitement can be heard from the other blue crab catchers. I also realized I was high above sea water from my vantage point on the bridge... and acrophobia once again hit to my core. I tried my best to shake it off. Not only was I battling acrophobia attack, the catch net pole I was holding was slipping from my grip which also got heavier to the hold the more I extended it down to reach the sea water, and I feared the catch net pole would drag me to fall into the sea water. My very young niece was yelling at every successful catch. Gah.
By 10PM, three grueling hours later, I was able to net one tiny Blue Crab for the Coleman chest.
1-mar: Shiekraaaaa!!! There was nothing more to do in Tampa. I have put a stop to my shopping spree. There's an amusement park, with daring rides, at the Busche Gardens in Tampa. My brother dropped me and the hubby there, promising to pick us up come closing time.
One particular ride I avoided the whole day: the Sheikra ride. It's a dive coaster from 200 feet, with two 360-degree loops and a water splash towards the finish. I was unsure if my 36 y/o heart could take the ride. Near park's closing time was when I changed my mind, pushed the hubby to get on the ride with me; it was a free ride that came with the pricey park ticket. There was no line anymore. As I walked straight to my ride seat-of-no-return, my heart was pounding hard against the chest. Hubby got to sit first, but the safety clip would not lock; he must have amassed weight since San Francisco. The Sheikra staff told us to change row. Whew, hubby's safety clip finally locked him in; otherwise, it's a no-go. My safety lock to my seat clicked, too. But then, I got worried about that safety lock feature. What if it unlocked during the ride? It could unlock right? Right?? It was over before my doubts got answered. What a Sheikra-ride it was!!! Seeing our Shiekra photo in our seats during the 200-feet drop sent us in a fit of laughter. I had no qualms claiming the photo souvenir, if any, to keep it from flashing on Shiekra's TV monitor.
3-mar: Sendoff dinner in Orlando... Drove 2 hours to Downtown Disney, capped by a family dinner in a fancy Chinese restaurant, Ming Court, in Orlando. No different ending in my prior 2000 visit-- sendoff brought tears to my eyes. Tears were flowing down my cheeks uncontrollably as the Northwest Airlines flight geared for takeoff from Tampa International Airport the next day: 4 March, NW Flight 49, 9:36am, Tampa-Detroit, 12:20pm; NW Flight 71, 2:40pm, Detroit-Manila, 10:55pm.
Until the next travel, xo. ungkler.
(Note to self: Total airfare - Php128,628.80/2pax c/o Transnational Travel & Tours)
