Nine days can pass by so quickly – especially when you feel like you’re in paradise. It’s warm, you’re wearing light clothes and flip-flops, and the evenings are so pleasant that you can still sit outside. It’s nothing like the winter that has already settled over Germany. The cold temperatures we had even before we left made us look forward to finally flying into the Florida sun all the more.
I also want to thank my partner “Air Berlin,” who not only sponsored my flight but also made it possible for me to visit the cockpit and meet the two friendly pilots: Captain Jürgen Leineweber (left) and his co-pilot Michael Blümel (right). They kindly took the time to explain the technical procedures to me.
I was also allowed to keep my camera in the cockpit, which resulted in some amazing footage—from takeoff in Düsseldorf all the way to landing in Miami, all captured from the cockpit. A detailed video about the flight will be coming soon.
After arriving in Florida, the next highlight was our visit to Disney World in Orlando, which is located three hours north by car. In just one day, we managed to visit three out of the four parks thanks to a “Hopper” pass. From 8:30 in the morning until 11:00 at night, we explored Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Magic Kingdom. It was a non-stop kind of day that ended with us collapsing into bed.
While planning our trip, we completely overlooked an important detail: on November 28, 2013, we were unexpectedly caught off guard in the USA by one of the country’s most famous holidays – Thanksgiving. This surprise, however, gave us the chance to witness a truly iconic event: Black Friday.
Black Friday isn’t just a unique phenomenon in the U.S. – it also did our wallets a huge favor during our shopping spree. Or as Filis would put it: “I’m spending the same amount of money, I just get more for it.”
On Black Friday, stores open as early as 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving and stay open all night long until the evening of the following day. Discounts of up to 70% are not uncommon. It’s shopping madness until you drop – a true consumer happening in the States.
Then we headed back to a good friend in Miami Beach, where we experienced a party night like no other – five clubs in a row and Dom Pérignon as far as the eye could see. The champagne was flowing, gorgeous women everywhere, and we were right in the middle of it all.
Once again, a big thank you to Rishi, who made this unforgettable night possible—where money was no object and we were swept away in a true champagne frenzy. A full video recap is coming soon. Stay tuned!
And last but not least, we made a detour to the Gulf of Mexico, where we were treated not only to dreamlike beaches but also to a deluxe sunset that made us wish we could have stayed much longer.
But unfortunately, our return flight drew closer, and on December 3rd, we had to say a wistful goodbye to Florida—under a blue sky and with temperatures around 30°C—as we flew back to a gloomy and freezing Germany.
At least the memories remain: the warmth in our hearts, the new friends we had the chance to meet there, and the hope of returning soon (maybe in March 2014 for Spring Break and the Ultra Music Festival). We’ll be back!!
In my detailed report, I’ll also provide an in-depth review of the hotels we stayed at, which could be very helpful for potential visitors, as I’ll share our honest impressions and experiences.
