We got back on Thursday afternoon, and feasted on Papa John's pizza--her first time! Last minute packing and bedtime!
We were up early on Friday, even though we weren't planning on getting up that early. Exciting! We loaded up, checked for the passports for the 7th time, and headed out. Traffic started out fine, then the sign said there was a lane closed in the Express lanes. So we moved over to the Collectors but it all pretty much stopped. At one point we almost had a rear-ender. That's what was the slowdown in the Express lanes. It picked up...and then stopped again. We finally got to the parking lot and Rob drove around to find the best spot.
We found free luggage carts which were really handy, though once we got onto the sidewalk area, Lucy had a lot of trouble keeping it straight LOL. Unfortunately we couldn't take the carts up and onto the "Automated People Mover" train. We had our first experience with suitcases and escalators. It wasn't all that bad! Most of the time. Short train ride to Terminal 3. Much nicer than the Park N Fly shuttle!
Once at Terminal 3, we found the check in computers and paid for our one checked bag, then got it sent on it's way. $30Cdn, one way. We headed on to security. We had a wait, as they sent us to one line which seemed to be doing mainly families and was quite slow. I was with mom and asked the agent how she did for her first time. She gave her an A+. Megan's skates went in and out of the x-rays a few times, but Grandma's bag really caught their eye.
She had a tiny jack-knife in her toiletry bag!! They said she could mail it to herself, but she opted to have it discarded.
Then on to customs. The girls were concerned when they saw their printed photo didn't match what was shown on the screen when the flash went. I look like I had major scoliosis, and Grandma looked like she had already hit the complimentary lounge LOL.
Our departure gate sucked. No windows. No good food outlets. I stayed with the bags while everyone else went looking for food. They finally came back with Starbucks. Grandma's first Starbucks!
While they were gone, it was announced that the plane was at capacity, and people in groups 7-9 would not likely get their carryon suitcases in the overheads. They were looking for 15-20 volunteers to check their carry on, for free, or else those in groups 7-9 would likely have to check carry ons. Six people volunteered. Then they upped it to 25 volunteers!
They called groups 1-4, and they were strict! Then group 5, then a bit later, our group, group 6. We boogied on up but the line was not precise. Then, before we got very far, they called group 7, and many of them just sort of merged in. We got onboard, Rob and Megan were ahead of us. Rob went to put his luggage up and someone had put their computer case up there. He moved it, and the other guy got mad. Dude, they said it's a full load! There was an announcement to take out any small bags from the overheads and put them under the seat.
The seats seemed smaller than ever. We were quite squishy. This isn't my photo, but it was the same plane. There wasn't much legroom. Like, no way to lean forward to get the bag out from the seat in front. It was Megan, Lucy, stranger, aisle, Rob, Me, Mom. It was a decent flight, not much good entertainment on the little screen. Lucy even did some math home work! Once we landed, we let everyone else get off. While we only had one checked bag, the last time we were in Miami it took an hour for luggage to even start coming.
We had to make a detour on the way to baggage for a washroom. Then we retraced our steps to follow the original baggage signs, even though there were other signs. We followed the signs up an escalator to a landing. The next up escalator was closed! We didn't want to go up the stairs! So we turned around, and headed back to where we detoured for the bathroom and saw the other signs. We followed those signs, up and down escalators, then down the long luggage carousel hall. It was conveyors 21-27 and ours was 26. Sooooo far. Rob walked on ahead and most of the luggage had gone. Ours was still there. A woman who was at the back of the plane and had been really pushy trying to get out--she was still waiting for her suitcase. Karma.
Then we headed back to the doors and the signs for Hotel Shuttles. Had to go back up an escalator. And back down the hall to door/zone 5. We went and stood on the island between the lanes of crazy traffic and waited. It poured rain, but at least we were covered. Rob eventually called the hotel and they said the van comes by every half hour, aprox on the hour and halfs. It was 4:55 so we thought it'd be a couple more minutes. I guess we had just missed the last one. About 10 minutes later it did come. Full load!
Crazy rush hour traffic of course. Some guy drove along the curb/sidewalk so he could merge in front of us. We learned this morning that the causeway was shut down so that might have contributed.
Hilton Embassy Suites, Miami Airport.
Hotel lobby was so lovely. It opens up into an open area between four towers, the center covered by a glass paneled roof.
We debated on if it had once been open air and Rob finally declared it must have been. Two years ago, we were going to stay there but Rob found out they were under renovations. I found some pictures of what it must have looked like before. I kind of like that better:
We went up to our rooms and came back down for Happy Hour. I got a margarita. It was delicious. The snacks were some veggies, chips and salsa, and snack mix. Then we went back for another drink. OMG. Suddenly it was so strong!!! The drinks were free, of course there was a tip jar but I hadn't brought down my cash.
We looked at the restaurant menu. The prices didn't seem bad, but times 5, and convert to Canadian. It adds up quickly.
We went to ask about local food. Nothing in walking distance. There's a shuttle service within a 3 mile radius...but the driver never showed up for work. We really didn't want to take a cab. They gave us some menus for places that deliver. We finally chose a BBQ place (Paladar Okeechobee Ribs) and got a big family platter ($67US). It was quite good and a nice change from pizza. However, we didn't have any plates, or enough cutlery because it was a dinner for four. We managed though.
We said we were going to go to the pool but there was suddenly thunder and lightening. So we waited a bit then went down and had a little dip and hot tub, and then it started pouring so we headed back in. It was still pretty early but we went to our rooms to chill and refresh. The pool area was quite nice. I think the girls went to the gym after we left them.
I can't say we were impressed with the rooms. Obviously the renos hadn't extended to the rooms. We had nicer rooms on our road trip to Florida, in smaller hotels. The room was adequate, but not what we were expecting after walking into the lobby. It was pretty noisy with the airport right across the road but that did improve after midnight. There was also a train nearby that used it's horn frequently.
And that was pre-day 1.
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