17.03.2013
Titusville, Holiday Inn Express
When the Mood Hits Rock Bottom…
After an evening where the atmosphere between me and the girls was already hovering around freezing point, one would assume that the dark clouds had cleared by the next morning. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
After getting up and going through our morning routines in the bathroom, it felt as if we had all taken a vow of silence in some imaginary monastery during the night—one that now demanded strict adherence. The girls exchanged a few scattered words here and there, but that was about it. Even when we all sat down together for breakfast, silence mostly reigned. No one wanted to make the first move, no one wanted to back down.
At some point, I’d had enough of the whole situation. It just felt ridiculous. So after breakfast, while we were still sitting by the pool sipping our coffee, I decided to break the ice.
“At some point, you just have to draw a line and start moving toward each other again,” I said. “We still have a few days left together, and honestly, I’d much rather spend them enjoying the trip than ending it on a sour note.”
They all looked at me with wide eyes. You could practically feel how hard it was for them to take that first step toward reconciliation. But reason won out, and they realized how pointless it was to keep up the tension. We slowly began to talk again.
It wasn’t quite like before—less familiar, a bit awkward—but the important thing was that we had started communicating again. We packed our things, loaded up the car, and continued our journey.
When I brought up the topics of “NASA,” the “Kennedy Space Center,” the “launch site of the Space Shuttles,” and the “largest building in the world,” the others were so enthusiastic that their only response was: “So, when can we finally go to the beach – we want to sunbathe.” Well, let’s just say enthusiasm looks a bit different. The fact that we were at a historic site didn’t interest them in the slightest. At least we reached a compromise: I was allowed to take a closer look at the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB).
This is the assembly hall where the Space Shuttle was connected to its external tank and solid rocket boosters and prepared for launch. It ranks among the largest buildings on Earth and features the tallest doors in the world at 139 meters. But enough technical talk for now.
We drove north, passing through Titusville, then over the bridge crossing the Indian River, and continued along the Max Brewer Memorial Parkway into the restricted area. We were getting closer and closer to the VAB. We could already see it in the distance, and even from afar, it looked absolutely massive. Like a giant cube, it rose straight out of the flat landscape of grass and shrubs, towering into the sky.
But then, suddenly, our journey was halted. A barrier and military guards blocked the road — this was as far as we could go. So I had to take my photos from a distance, as we simply couldn’t get any closer from this side.
I’ve loved history since my school days, and it’s always an indescribable feeling to stand in places where historic events took place — events that shaped the course of humanity. And now we were at one of those places: where the first astronauts once set off to walk on the moon, and where the Space Shuttle program both began and came to an end.
A cold shiver ran down my spine as I thought about that tragic day in January 1986, when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded in the sky shortly after takeoff. But today, the blue sky, the shining sun, and the peaceful silence quickly pushed that somber thought aside, and we left the cube behind us.
We headed back across the bridge and then further south over the next bridge toward the Atlantic, driving along Astronaut Boulevard past Cape Canaveral — one of the largest cruise ship hubs in the U.S. Most of the Disney Cruise Line ships set sail from here, heading to the Caribbean and other destinations.
Now the blue Atlantic lay to our left, smiling at us invitingly, practically begging us to stop. The girls were still on my case with their repeated question: “When are we going to the beach?”
Not that I didn’t want to hit the beach myself — but, as always, I was torn. One part of me longed for the beach, the other was focused on the remaining leg of our journey. Still, I had already started scanning the coastline for a perfect spot where they could finally soak up the sun.
From Cape Canaveral on, it was crystal clear: today was Sunday. The gorgeous weather had drawn crowds to the beach — in droves.
Blindly following the GPS, we left the direct coastal road and lost any chance of getting back to the beach quickly, as we crossed a bridge that led us back to the mainland.
The road did run right along the water, but it was only an inland waterway, just behind the coastal strip—not exactly inviting for a swim. You can imagine how Melly and Mary’s mood noticeably took a turn for the worse when I had to tell them that I still didn’t know when we’d reach a nice beach again. About 45 minutes later, in the town of Vero Beach, we finally saw a sign pointing to the beach—and without thinking twice, I followed it.
The tension within the group was palpable…
And then, finally, we made it to the beach. In that moment, Melly and Mary no longer knew the meaning of friendship – they charged ahead without looking back, racing toward their long-awaited goal: sunbathing and taking photos of themselves. As mentioned, the mood within the team had been toxic ever since Orlando. That didn’t change just because we were speaking to each other again. For the first time, I caught myself actually looking forward to the end of the tour – to the moment when the team would finally go their separate ways. Still, I hoped that things might turn around. After all, we still had five more days to spend together. After about two hours, we set off again, heading toward our destination for the day: Palm Beach.
We had picked the Best Western Hotel – which, in hindsight, turned out to be an absolute disaster when it came to Wi-Fi. That’s when it really hit me how important an internet connection had become – especially when there was none. It was so crucial that I actually got back in the car and drove to the nearest McDonald’s, just to sit there at 9 p.m. with a large, strong coffee and keep my connection to Germany alive.
March 18, 2013 – Palm Beach, Best Western Hotel
Fuck, Wi-Fi. That was my first thought when I woke up and tried to quickly check Facebook on my iPad. Everywhere else we had been in Florida – even in the tiniest backwater towns – every hotel had great internet access. But not here in Palm Beach, not at the Best Western. I’m seriously wondering why they even call themselves “Best.” “Last Western” would’ve been way more accurate. After finally giving up on trying to load a single page at snail speed, I grumpily dragged myself into the bathroom.
Breakfast today was way more relaxed than the day before in Titusville, where we’d just silently stared at each other across the table. This time, there was laughter, planning, and excitement – especially among the girls – about our plan for the day. We were heading to the largest shopping mall in the U.S.: Sawgrass Mills. Over 350 stores under one roof. A nightmare for any woman who only has half a day to shop – considering the overwhelming number of options.
Extensive shopping lifted the girls’ spirits once again…
As mentioned, the girls were already in full shopping frenzy. The car was quickly packed, and off we went towards the shopping mecca. Since we had already covered quite a distance the day before, it took us just about 45 minutes today before we found ourselves on one of the massive parking lots surrounding the mall.
Through an inconspicuous side corridor—which at first made us quite skeptical whether we were even in the right place—we eventually found our way into the heart of the mall. And just after turning the first corner, we saw a circular room where walkways from all directions converged. So, we were in the right place after all. But without a map, you’re quickly lost here: the paths are winding, and if it’s your first time—like it was for us—it’s easy to lose your sense of direction.
Melly and Mary immediately set off on their own mission to explore the mall as a duo. After checking in with Kathy, we decided to do the same: go our separate ways for about an hour and then meet up again to continue our shopping adventure together.
Price-wise, this mall is a paradise, and I can only recommend that anyone planning a vacation in Florida should definitely set aside at least one full day for shopping. Nowhere else can you find brand-name clothing this cheap.
And a little side note: I’ve never seen so many people walking through a shopping mall with brand-new suitcases. I guess that’s the moment when most people realized they hadn’t planned enough luggage space for their return trip. Unfortunately, I was one of them too. *lol
Sometime between 5 and 6 p.m., we met back up at the entrance where we had come in and, full of that successful post-shopping happiness, we made our way to Fort Lauderdale.
That happiness was just about the only positive thing at that moment, because out of nowhere it started to rain. The sudden downpour and the dark clouds that now covered the sky slightly dampened the mood. All we wanted was to get to the hotel.
For our last night before heading to Miami, we had chosen the Crowne Plaza near Fort Lauderdale Airport.
How much I would’ve loved to take a dip in the pool here, which was located on the fourth or fifth floor and offered a great view of the runway. But the rain ruined that plan. So I stayed behind alone in the room, while my two companions went down to the hotel bar to satisfy their hunger. They weren’t gone for long though – after just an hour, they were back. And since we were all more than exhausted from our shopping marathon, the Sandman sent us off to dreamland especially early tonight.
March 19, 2013 – Fort Lauderdale, Crowne Plaza Hotel
Finally. Finally, Miami was on the agenda today. Even though we technically landed in Miami at the start of our trip, we hadn’t really seen anything of the city itself – because, first, it was already dark when we left the airport with our rental car, and second, we had driven straight out to the Keys the next morning.
But now, at last, the final highlight of our trip was ahead of us: MIAMI!!!
Since we had booked the night at the Crowne Plaza without breakfast, we were able to head out right after everyone got ready. It wasn’t far to Miami from here, so we cruised east from the hotel toward the water – also known as the Atlantic Ocean. But before we could make it all the way down Sheridan Street to the beach, we had to make a quick stop at McDonald’s – our bodies were demanding it. A solid dose of coffee was needed to stop the hands from shaking. Just kidding. One last check of the internet, a quick burger, and off we went again. We were way too excited to delay the long-awaited destination any further.
When searching for “Dexter’s” apartment almost gets the police involved…
At the end of Sheridan Street, we turned right onto Collins Avenue, heading straight down into Miami Beach. This was the iconic scenery you’d know from documentaries and movies: a wide boulevard with high-rises stacked one after the other on the left, forming a concrete wall that completely hid the endless sandy beach behind it. The skyline stretched on and on all the way into Miami Beach – it was massive. And don’t even get me started on how much one of these apartments must cost. We were constantly in awe of the views unfolding before us.
And I nearly forgot that I had promised myself back in Germany that I absolutely had to visit the exterior of the apartment belonging to the main character from the series Dexter. I had looked it up online – since the show is set in Miami – and discovered the building is located on Bay Harbor Islands. For anyone who doesn’t know the show Dexter, I’d recommend clicking [this link] instead of me explaining everything here.
We parked in front of the residential complex, and I immediately recognized it all from the show. The girls had to come along, of course, but they weren’t fans of Dexter – so naturally, they didn’t share the same excitement I felt at having found something I had seen so many times on screen.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t get any closer to the apartment, as all the access points were blocked off. So I asked an elderly gentleman who was standing behind a locked gate whether there was any chance I could get a bit closer to the object of my desire. Without batting an eye — and clearly unimpressed by my best puppy-dog look — he casually replied, straight from the hip: “NO!”
Alright, I wasn’t ready to give up after one “No,” but when he repeated it a second time — even after I assured him I was a huge fan of the show — I took the hint and decided not to press further. We were left with no choice but to try some awkward, stretched-arm photos over the fence. While doing so, I overheard an older lady asking the same gentleman — whom we had spoken to just 2 or 3 minutes earlier — whether he had already called the police. His response wasn’t exactly chatty either. He simply said: “Yes, I did.”
At that point, I turned to the girls — who, despite not even knowing the series, were now taking even more photos than I was — and suggested that it might be a good idea to move on. As soon as we were all back in the car and I was reversing out of the parking spot, a patrol car came around the corner. I think the fact that we were no longer standing at the fence saved us from a few “nice” and probably very heartfelt words from the charming police officer. Instead, he simply followed us in our wake, and when we turned left at the next intersection, he turned off in the opposite direction.
At the following intersection, we rejoined Collins Avenue and continued on toward Miami Beach. Just driving through this iconic and unique part of Miami was enough to leave us wanting more. It felt like its own little microcosm. Maybe it was the Winter Music Conference, happening at that very moment, that made the streets feel so alive — full of quirky, beautiful, and eccentric people — but I was instantly hooked.
The sky was still slightly overcast, so we decided to head to Downtown first, check into our hotel, and come back to Miami Beach later. So we left this lovely little patch of earth via the MacArthur Causeway, and as the breathtaking Miami skyline came into view, we were already completely captivated by our next destination. The skyscrapers looked like fortresses rising straight from the water, built so close to the shoreline it felt like they were growing out of the sea itself.
We had just been marveling at the view when everything suddenly changed — our road seamlessly merged into the highway and took us, on three wide lanes, straight into the heart of Miami. Only after navigating a tangle of crisscrossing roads were we finally able to exit into Downtown. These massive highways and freeways definitely take some getting used to for a European, but you quickly start to enjoy the freedom that comes with all that space. And I was already deep in “Miami Vice” mode anyway — after all, it had long been one of my favorite series.
Miami, Hampton Inn & Suites.
We finally arrived at the hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites, around 2 p.m. What we didn’t know until then was that it didn’t have an underground parking garage in the usual sense—instead, the hotel itself was housed above the parking structure, with the first five floors entirely occupied by the parking garage. As a result, the actual hotel lobby, meaning the reception area, was located on the sixth floor.
All in all, we were very satisfied with our choice of accommodation. The overall mood within the team was okay, even though it wasn’t as relaxed as it had been before Orlando.
*First time in Miami Beach… krasskowski
Shortly after 5 p.m., we had all finished unpacking, freshening up, and surfing the web — so it was finally time to head out and enjoy a bit of Miami Beach. More specifically, we wanted to check out the famous (and infamous) Ocean Drive. Melly and Mary were already glammed up enough to spend the whole evening there if they felt like it.
Finding a parking spot in Miami Beach is insanely difficult, and once you do find one, feeding the meter costs a small fortune. But we got one! It was a bit of a walk from Ocean Drive, sure — but we were ready to drop some serious cash on it. *smile
Ocean Drive is an entertainment strip – a place for showing off, being seen, admiring others, presenting oneself, and celebrating. A microcosm of good vibes. Visually, it’s defined by the many Art Deco buildings that give the whole area a timeless, elegant, and artistic flair. Thanks to the Winter Music Conference, which was taking place right here at the time, the crowd felt even more international than it usually is. Beauty takes on a whole new name here. The number of beautiful people I saw on this stretch of road – and in Miami in general – was mind-blowing. Here, body culture is not only lived but proudly displayed. More than once, we witnessed the living definition of perfection right before our eyes.
If you’re not at peace with yourself or your body, you should avoid the beach that runs parallel to Ocean Drive – it might just be too much to handle and could make you feel self-conscious. On the other hand, if you’re into it – and especially if you enjoy seeing beautiful people (or, in my case, beautiful women) – you absolutely must visit this stretch of beach. All I can say is: “sensory overload at its finest.”
Since the four of us couldn’t quite agree on where or what to eat, Melly and Mary decided to stay and spend the evening on Ocean Drive, while Katy and I headed back to the hotel for a bit – planning to return to Miami Beach later that night.
On our way to Ocean Drive earlier, I had spotted a name near our hotel that I already knew from back in Germany – and that’s where we finally decided to eat: VAPIANO! I have to admit, I was blown away by the pasta. I never thought I’d ever rave about this restaurant, but here we are. The days before hadn’t exactly blessed us with culinary highlights – which, let’s be honest, can happen in the U.S. But now it was time to continue with the rest of the night’s program.
When a missing ID briefly caused some tension…
Thanks to the well-known female DJ duo 2Elements, I had already been put on the guest list for a party at Nikki Beach Club a week earlier, so we could go visit them. When Katy and I were back in Miami Beach and stood in front of the club entrance, the doorman quickly found our names on the list and just asked for one final thing – a look at our IDs.
I showed mine right away, while Katy just stared at me wide-eyed and said, “I didn’t bring my ID.” – I looked at the doorman, he looked questioningly at Katy, and all I could think was: “What a mess!!” – We asked the doorman if he could make an exception, but he was absolutely strict. So we had no choice but to head back to the hotel and then return again.
I tried to stay calm inside, since Katy really should’ve known better – especially after Spring Break – that in the US, you always better carry your ID. And it’s not like this vacation had just started. grumble Anyway, there was nothing we could do about it now. After 30 minutes, we were finally back at the club entrance. This time, the doorman let us in after Katy obediently showed her ID.
Since I’ve only experienced the famous Nikki Beach Club at night, I can’t say what the vibe is like during the day or in the sunshine – but from what I saw now, it didn’t exactly blow me away.
In hindsight, I also found out that the party hadn’t been very well attended and that the performance by 2Elements on the second floor was canceled entirely due to the lack of guests. So, we only spoke briefly before they said goodbye and headed toward the exit. Katy and I also left the club shortly afterward and made our way to Ocean Drive. We were supposed to pick up Melly and Mary there in an hour anyway, to head back to the hotel together.
The play of colors that this street offered at night surpassed the daytime impression by far.
It was vibrant—just as colorful as the people who gathered here after dark, simply to celebrate life. But it was also hot and sexy. Some women here honestly looked like they needed a weapons permit—for what they were barely wearing on their flawless bodies. Wow.
The Clevelander Club deserves a special mention here—it’s a magnet for such dazzling creatures. With its open entrance area and dancers moving to the beat in full view of everyone, it’s truly a unique location and absolutely worth a visit.
By chance, we ran into Melly and Mary, so we didn’t have to search long and could wrap up the evening together.
March 20, 2013 – Miami Downtown, Hampton Inn & Suites
Day two in Miami had dawned. Looking out the window, I saw nothing but a deep blue, cloudless sky. Another sizzling summer day in March lay ahead. After all four of us had breakfast together, the group split up again. I dropped Melly and Mary off at Miami Beach—they were planning to soak up the sun all day.
Warning! There’s no captain at the helm…
Things went differently for Katy and me—we wanted to explore the city. We set out from the hotel into the heart of Downtown. Since there was a Miami-Dade Metromover station right nearby, we hopped on this unique, fully automated and free mode of transport to get closer to our destination.
It’s a people mover that runs through the downtown area, connecting numerous office buildings and public institutions. The quirky part is probably the rubber tires—because although the vehicle is guided by a central rail, it otherwise moves as if on a concrete road. For locals, this ride is certainly nothing special anymore, but for us, it was an experience to take in our first impressions of Miami from this height and this unique form of transportation.
We got off at the station near Bayfront Park and were immediately surprised by the setting of the Ultra Music Festival. Every year, this electronic music festival takes place in parallel with the Winter Music Conference and showcases the biggest and most famous DJs in the world over the course of two weekends.
What makes it especially remarkable is the location—right in the heart of downtown Miami, with a backdrop of towering skyscrapers and in front of 20,000 party-hungry yet peaceful people, it’s a festival of the highest class. Since we flew back on Friday, we unfortunately couldn’t experience it live. But thanks to the performance of the famous Dutch DJ Hardwell, we got an awesome impression of the overall atmosphere (click here).
By evening, Melly and Mary were back at the hotel, but only to glam up for the night and head back out to Ocean Drive. Katy and I took this opportunity to soak in the impressions of Miami by night. And I have to admit, the city feels different after dark, but no less spectacular and colorful. Driving aimlessly through the city without a plan, stopping on the spot whenever a stunning view appeared to take photos, often felt like a kamikaze mission at night. But it was worth it.
March 21, 2013 – Miami Downtown, Hampton Inn & Suites
The third day began, and much like the movie Groundhog Day, the routine resembled that of the day before. We all had breakfast together—Melly and Mary had apparently returned to the hotel sometime around 3 a.m. Now they were ready to sunbathe again at Miami Beach, while Katy and I decided to use the day to drive out to Biscayne Beach. You can only reach it via a separate bridge, which also has a toll. But what you get in return is a first-class paradise. Even though the Miami skyline is still visible from there, it feels like you’re a world away.
An oasis of calm.
We spent a few peaceful hours here before heading back to the hotel, only to venture out again in the evening to experience downtown at sunset. When the sun sets between the skyscrapers and reflects off the glass facades of the towers, you can’t help but drift into a dream. It’s where modernity meets poetry. You’re surrounded by colossal, futuristic buildings and yet, with open views of the water in so many places, you often feel a sense of solitude. I think it’s this contrast that makes the city so unique. Unlike Los Angeles or New York—where life is driven by stress and chaos and only Central Park offers a break—Miami feels completely different. Since that evening, I’ve been in love with this city.
March 22, 2013 – Miami Downtown, Hampton Inn & Suites
The final day of our trip had begun, and we made sure to fully savor our last “American breakfast” at the hotel.
There was no program scheduled for today. We packed our things, checked out of the room, loaded everything into the car, and spent our final hours in the hotel lobby before heading to the airport. There, we used the remaining time to browse the internet and stay connected with our friends back in Germany.
Departure Day – Miami
At 4 PM, we left the hotel and immediately found ourselves stuck in rush hour traffic on the highway. Clouds began to gather, and the air smelled like rain. Was the sky over Miami about to cry because we had to leave this beautiful city, or was it just trying to make it easier for us to fly away in the rain? By the time we returned our rental car and took the people mover from the rental car terminal to the airport center, it was pouring down with rain.
Even despite the rain, I felt a deep sense of melancholy knowing that I now had to leave the country—and especially Miami—behind. Just the thought of returning to Europe’s winter in a few hours already made me shiver inside. Perhaps it was a bad omen that I was the only one on the American Airlines flight to London whose entire entertainment system wasn’t working.
And I’ll never forget the moment I first felt the cold again, as we exited the plane through the jet bridge in London and the wind shot through the small gap in the door seal. After a few hours in London, we were finally able to continue on to Düsseldorf.
On the return flight, Melly sat next to me for the first time. As soon as she laid her head on my shoulder, she immediately fell asleep. But I also had a first: apparently, I fell asleep even before takeoff and only woke up five to ten minutes later, mid-air. I mistook the clouds outside the window for fog and asked Melly, totally confused, how the fog had come in so quickly in London. She burst out laughing and replied dryly, “Hello, we’ve been in the air for several minutes.” As I said, I’ve never slept through a takeoff before.
My Conclusion About the Trip:
Looking back on the tour, all I can say is: “That trip was absolutely awesome.”
Of course, there were moments where tempers flared, the mood dropped below freezing, and I regretted bringing certain people along. But honestly, when you’re together in such close quarters for three weeks straight, that kind of tension is almost inevitable. Everyone gets irritated at some point and lets their emotions and stress out.
Still, I truly enjoyed having Melly, Katy, and Mary on this adventure. I really hope they had just as much fun as I did and that they, too, feel like they experienced something truly memorable.
