Washington DC to Miami Beach

“How Many kilometers are there from Washington DC to Miami Beach?” asked a frustrated M A Dhavan (Sreenivasan) to Mohanlal in the movie “Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (MPMK)”.

It was a very famous quote in the movie as MPMK was a roller coaster hit in the mid eighties and, the movie and this question are still etched in the memory of every Malayali. And one should not wonder why this was the theme of the my recent trip to Miami and Orlando even though I didn’t visit Washington.

I was packed off from Pune by my company to work in the USA. I came here with a lot of expectations , but by the end of second day I was let down. Let down by the fact that I am far away from Chicago – in a small time suburb – where you cannot see people walking , where you cannot see big buildings – where you can see vehicles speeding on the free ways , where you cannot live without a car. It was some sort of a realization that made me understand – yes Hoffman Estates in much different from a Pune.

And when my dear friend Sree called me up for a trip down south during the long weekend, I didn’t hesitate to go because I know I would enjoy just because its Sree who is with me :)

So I left on a hot afternoon to Orlando from Chicago O’Hare Airport after a Pizza Lunch with MBT Big bosses. The SPIRIT AIR was late by 40min to land in Orlando Intl Airport and Sree & Gang was there waiting for me. All of them came from Detroit.

Let me introduce the other characters now:
1. Ganesh – The Captain
2. Preethi – Ganesh’s wife and the Account Mgr
3. Abhilash (Abhi) – The Cheelan from CUSAT ( I know this guy through another friend of mine)
4. Manikandan (Mani) – The GECian who was supposed to be my Junior at college. I never knew.
5. Santhosh – Arrived from India on to the trip directly
6. Prashanth – The Poor chap only Kannadiga in the bunch of Malayalees - I bet he is now well versed with Abhi's PJ's

Day 0 - 01/07/2005

After a lot of search we found out our rental car – a brand new Toyota Sienna which was showing 10 miles on the odometer. Abhi was excited and Ganesh hit the road at 8.30 PM local time. It’s a great feeling when you drive through the American Freeways even though I didn’t drive I could feel it sitting in the back. On our way to Florida City we stopped Palm Beach to grab something from SUBWAY. I slept on the way only to wake later when we reached the Econo Lodge in Florda City at 1 AM the next day.

Day 1 – 02/07/2005

We started early in the morning to the Florida Keys – the southern most tip of USA after the light breakfast from the lodge. We were sure we could not cover the entire 120 miles to reach the tip, because that would mean we will reach late in Miami and then Orlando. So we decided to keep driving till some area and the return.

The drive through the keys was excellent and we kept on going through the long bridges that reminded us of the climax scenes of True Lies. I hope to have got a good number of pictures of the Pacific Ocean. The corals and the long bridges were simply great. After we crossed the 7 Mile Bridge we decided to take a U turn and go back. The only adventurous (or funny) stuff that happened during this long drive was when Abhi took the car to the other lane on the thinking that it was a 4 line drive. And Mani/Santhosh from behind was saying “Eda Abhilashe , De Munneennu Oru Vandi Varunnu speed kootti othukada” (Hey Abhilash , A vehicle coming from front. Increase the speed and change the lane). Thank God the person on the right lane reduced the speed and allowed us to overtake him. It took me a moment to realise what was happening. And all the time while driving on the wrong lane Abhi was thinking – “Why the guys on the other lane are going very slow”. I know what the driver of the opposite vehicle would have been thinking :).

The drive back to Miami was smooth and fun. We had Abhi’s cheels (PJ’s) and Anthakshari going on as Ganesh took over the steering. So it was never a tiring journey and we never knew when we reached Miami. We had to ask for the driving directions for the Actual Miami Beach as we were roaming around the Miami Downtown for a few minutes.

Miami Beach on Atlantic Ocean was cool and at peace. But rain decided to play the spoilsport. We couldn’t move into the beach and we were stuck in the middle and rain poured down on us heavily. Sree tried pick up an umbrella only to find the guard not allowing it. What to do ! We came back in the rain to the changing room and we were wet. Only excited people I found there were the two children who were playing in the rain and mud. And their mom was watching all their play and taking the photographs. Another day another mom might have scolded her. I too joined the party and took some pics in the rain and I believe I got some good children pictures this time.

Rain Rain Go Away!
Come again another Day.
The Big Guys want to play !!!!!

And the rain left Miami :) .
We didn’t waste any time and plunged into the Ocean. And there I am in the Miami Beach bathing in the Atlantic Ocean. I told Sree – Had a dream of bathing in Miami Beach, Now that’s over ;) .

Rain came again as you know I cannot control him. We decided to call it a day at 5PM local time and washed ourselves came back to the van, changed our dresses, sipped Hot Cappuccinos and started our journey back to Orlando.

At 11PM we hit Orlando and searched for Woodlands – the Indian Restaurant- only to find that it was closed hours before. Dominos provided us with some good Pizzas and we got into the Econo Lodge after some ‘time’.

Day 2 – 03/07/2005

How can you miss a breakfast at 7.30 AM ? Unfortunately we missed it and I don’t know how. Were all these people in the lodge so hungry. Huh!! Anyways McD was there for us to grab something. 2 more characters joined us on the way to Disney as Mani’s friends.

1. Suma Antony - My junior in college – had given some ragging to her I guess !!
2. Nisha – Suma’s friend.

Disney World was huge!! Huge enough that we could cover only 2 out of the 5-6 ones they have established. We chose to go to the Magic Kingdom first as people said that it was the best of the lot. Suma, Nisha and Mani became the Program Management Office and at times Preeti was the Technical Consultant.

Our exploration started with the Space Ride and Boy that was a really good one to start with. Into the dark the crafts speeding twists and sudden turns , sudden rises and falling – boy that was one hell of a ride. Later we tried some good animation pictures. Donald Duck was good, other rides like .. hmm don’t remember the names now. Leave it – we had lunch a big Smoked Turkey Leg !!! shared by me, Mani and Suma. Rain also played the spoilsport at times especially during the Jungle Ride. But I think the rain made the journey through the (pseudo) wild a bit sexy.

We went to the Epcot after the stint at Magic Kingdom. Epcot was purely Scientific & Technical. Had a good ride of space mission to Mars. Even though it was a simulated one – The effect was good as Gary Sinise as the Instructor. After a brief confusion of going to TechnoTrack or not an exhausted me decided to quit the rides and went to have a great Decaf and Fruit Dish at the Electric Umbrella Restaurant.

At night we decided to give Epcot adieu and caught the monorail back to Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately we could reach only the main entrance as the monorail to MK was closed due to the fireworks display. We wanted to be there before the fireworks but I think this turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I found a position close to the lake where I could see the fireworks at the best. I positioned myself to get the best of the view and got a lot of pics. I had a trouble time holding the camera as I had no tripod. Hoping to get those best.

We waited for the Parade till 12.30 AM and the parade was grand. Grand in every sense. Have no more words to express it.

We reached back our lodge at 2 AM the next day. And Oh Boy – It was one helluva day.

Day 3 – 04/07/2005

Happy 4th of July !!

The day started with the breakfast and driving down to the Universal Studios. Suma and Nisha had bid adieu the morning as they had to fly back to Greenbay.

Frankly, I didn’t like Universal Studios at all. May be because of the hangover of Disney World or may be I didn’t like the Roller Coaster rides J. Anyway it was just ok visiting Universal Studios.

There are two sections in the park - one where they show the Movie based stuff and another Isles of Adventure, where you have all the rides.

The Movie section started with the 4D SHREK. Now don’t wonder what 4D is. It is the normal 3D plus motion. Your seats will get moving according to the scene in the film. If SHREK is riding a horse, you also just feel like that.

The MUMMY Ride was fantastic and daring. It was fast through the fire and water and had steep curves and sudden falls. At times mummies came to frighten us too – it was a bit scary too. The picture that was taken by them reflected – a scared Preeti closing her eyes and covering her head onto Ganesh’s shoulders. I guess this was RIDE.

MIB was a disappointment as we had to shoot pseudo Aliens L . And the boy sitting next to me was complaining when I got bored and stopped shooting – “If you don’t shoot, they will shoot us”. Huh !! How these movies are getting into these kids brains.

We had a heavy Pizza lunch. Mani and I only know how we finished the Medium Pepperoni – I thought Medium was 9 inch in India , but its 12 here :).

The next stop was Hulk – The Roller Coaster ride at Isles of Adventure. I was afraid and so neatly I pulled away from the group – citing some reason ;). Went around and took some pics. It was very hot out. Due to time constraints we decided to make the Jurassic Park River raft our last ride and call it a day. It was another good experience – Dinosaurs coming from the river to eat us and the final plunge to 50ft down below.

We had to rush to the Airport, left our rental back at the parking and checked in at the Spirit. It was time to part. Time flew just like that and as usual the end of every trip is sentimental. Two reasons – parting the jolly group and thought of being back to my boredom world back there in Hoffman. And luck as usual didn’t have any time to visit me as I was boarded onto the flight to Chicago only to be deplaned. The flights to Chicago were held up due to heavy storm there. ATC Order. 1 Hour later the good news came up and we were boarded again. Touched Down O’hare at 10.30 PM and caught the cab to my home. Cops caught the cabbie L. Over speeding, No Seat Belt, No line discipline. Finally at 12 I reached home. Only good stuff during that period after our parting was the Chicken Curry that my roomie had made for the night. Into my dreams Buddy !!

Don’t know when I will make another trip. Don’t know If I will be here for another trip. Don’t know If I would meet any of those characters again. But from the depths of my heart – Thanks Guys for giving me a wonderful trip. You were simply the best. At last we all know where Miami Beach is and how long is it from Washington DC :).

Adiós Amigos.