Fort Lauderale, Florida, is only 6 hours away from SFO.
Just like in Costa Rica, lines move very slow in Florida. It took me 45 minutes to get a rental car.
El Tamarindo Cafe was one of the few places located close to the airport and open after 10pm. It definitely felt like English was optional (and may be even decadent) there.
While I was waiting for my order a complimentary plate of Chimichurri with garlic bread was served. Chimichurri, made of garlic, olive oil, chopped oregano, and wine vinegar, was simply amazing!
Seafood Paella was a little bit salty and on the expensive side $22
The homemade flan was amazing. It truly melted in the mouth,
Next morning we left for the Kennedy Space Center and stopped by at Grills River Side cafe
Latitude: 28° 12' 37.71" N
Longitude: 80° 39' 46.608" W
The city of Cocoa has nice beaches.
Not sure if Kennedy Space Center is run by the government but the entrance fee was insanely expensive $50 plus tax for the museum and $10 to park the car. So we decided to skip it and lucky were we.
Astronaut Hall of Fame is located 10 minutes from the space center. and has a nice model of a shuttle. We could not go inside of the hall because we did not have space center tickets.
Latitude: 28° 31' 38.658" N
Longitude: 80° 46' 56.646" W
Across the street from the Astronaut Hall of Fame one can find Police hall of fame. Democracy is not free and to defend it Huntington Beach, CA police force needs a military armored vehicle...
Because we skipped on the Kennedy Space Center we had time to visit Playalinda Beach.
Latitude: 28° 39' 39.906" N
Longitude: 80° 38' 8.574" W
This reserve has one of the best beaches in Florida. The only problem is that it closes at 6 and rangers are way too serious about it. They start asking you to live around 5 and after 6 they threaten to fine you.
But whatever happens, happens for the best. On the way back home we, by mistake, drove through the most amazing marshes I have ever seen.
Latitude: 28° 38' 8.28" N
Longitude: 80° 46' 32.868" W
The road is dirt road but our small Chevrolet Spark had no troubles driving there,
Time to try 5 guys. Peanuts are free there.
Melbourne beach located 10 minutes from Palm Bay was nice and a little bit crowded because of the Memorial weekend.
Latitude: 28° 5' 31.956" N
Longitude: 80° 33' 53.868" W
Bizarro Famous New York Pizza located next to the beach has the best deep dish spinach pizza around.
Only $4 for two slices.
On the way to Orlando
We stopped by at Sweet! By Good Golly Miss Holly and their cupcakes (only $1 for minis on Monday) were awesome.
Latitude: 28° 33' 26.58" N
Longitude: 81° 12' 23.004" W
Rollins College is definitely worth visiting. I have never seen such a beautiful campus.
A bird house.
A parasite that kills the trees along the shores of Lake Virginia.
Dragonflies love the lake.
Nice benches.
A captain commanding his ship.
And finally Orlando Brewing brews the best organic beers in Florida.
We were told that beers are a little bit on the expensive side here because they are made of good ingredients. In fact majority of their beers are made of just 4 ingredients - water, hops, barley, and yeast. But to me, after crazy expensive California beers, $3 for a pint of organic goodness (during the happy hour that lasts all day on Monday) is nothing short of FREE.
And free 6pm (Mon-Sat) tour of the brewery, Apparently Orlando Brewing is 1 out of only 10 certified organic breweries in the US. And the best part is that its beer is not pasteurized and does not give you a hangover (I attest to that).
Best breakfast ever.
Orlando Downtown.
A sunset at the Lake Baldwin.
The catch of the day ... And the girl kissed the princess and demanded to release it. The guy complied.
Orlando downtown was not dead but also not crowded.
Fire Station One
I was not planning to visit Disney but I really wanted to see Circus De Soleil Orlando.
Disney downtown.
I have been to Circus De Soleil shows twice before and I totally loved it the first time but not so much the second time. My theory was that the second time I saved on tickets and got a section that was pretty far from the stage. So this time I bought tickets for Section 1 Row 1 and I never regretted it. Circus De Soleil is just so much better up and close.
A lily-eating bird
Soft landing
And the sunset
