Publishing the notes that I had kept regarding our first trip with Akshara in Jan 2015. The trip was planned by Anitha as a way to celebrate Akshara turning 4 months old.
Just keeping the notes as is. Someday I might want to edit.
Day 1 : Jan 29, 2015
- First flight journey for Akshara. from SFO to Miami on American Airlines flight
- We were worried how you would take it but you handled it well
- You were looking out of the window while being fed
- Started at 4.30 am to the airport and parked the car at the airport
- You cried for a short time in the flight (at the beginning of the flight) and later were ok. Played and slept in the flight
- This was your 4th month birthday
- Rented a car and drove to the apartment that we got from Airbnb. Chose this place since we wanted to cook as your grandmom was also there
- The apartment wasn't good. It was located in North Miami Beach
- The whole place (Miami) reminded me of India with Coconut, Papaya and Mango trees around
- Didn't do much the rest of the day as we were tired of the flight journey and the time difference between SFO and Miami
- Picked up some groceries from Walmart nearby and slept
- Mom and Grandma took care of you during the night as usual
Day 2 : Jan 30, 2015
- Drove in the morning to Everglade's National Wildlife Refuge
- It was a little hot
- There's water everywhere in Florida
- Unfortunately realized we couldn't drive inside the park
- Luckily found alligators at the stream near the parking area. Took a picture of you with them. I was excited to see them in the wild. Quite close by and they were not doing anything other than lying idle and sleeping
- Also spotted some turtles, fish and birds
- Had lunch there and headed off to the apartment as there wasn't much to do
- Picked up some hashbrowns from a Dunkin Donuts. Your mom's fav
- Then headed off to Crandon Park
- Drove through the downtown and reached Crandon Park. It was a nice island connected by a bridge
- Driving through the bridge gave a good view of the highrises in downtown Miami. Your grandma liked the view
- Unfortunately it was 5.30 pm by the time we reached Crandon Park and so we had to leave and we drove to Ocean Drive instead
- The downtown was alive with music and you liked it a lot
- We walked along Ocean Drive along the restaurants
- Went to the beach near Ocean Drive in the moonlight and both Mommy and I wet our feet in the warm water of the Altlantic Ocean
- Had dinner at an Indian Restaurant. The dosas were good and we ate to our stomach full
Day 3 : Jan 31, 2015
- Got up early to drive to Keywest but it was 10.30 by the time we checked out and started driving. It was supposed to be a 4 hour drive. We planned to stop at some placed along the drive of 1 south
- Stopped at "Robert's is Here" farm where we finally found some coconuts and other topical fruits. Bought many fruits there. There was sugarcane, mangoes, papaya, sapote, guava, starfruit and many others
- There were farm animals along with Tortoises and Emu's
- It was a nice place and you seemed to enjoy it
- Later stopped at Islamadora Marina where we clicked many photos with the turquoise water in the background
- It was 6.30 pm by the time we reached the hotel
- Unfortunately we couldn't reach in time to get into water in the beach in Keywest. Decided to go in the morning to the beach
