Curacao

We really hoped Curacao would have welcomed us for a great few days to wrap up 2012 and kick off the new year in style...

Indeed the premises were rather good...

...but the reality is that Dadda's krankiness turned into a flu which rapidly hit Mamma and myself too... the result was that rather than enjoying our resort and the Island we ended up packing ourselves with medicines to fight off the flu....

Thanks to the drug abuse we managed light up a few fireworks in front of our apartment... but none of us made it past 10pm!!!

Moving on.. off to the Caribbean!!

Mamma and Tino heading off to catch our United Airlines flight to Curacao!!

More Miami South Beach

Dadda woke up a little cranky today... perhaps all the air-con and moving around?!  

Therefore Mamma and I taking the initiative this morning... so off we went for a nice breakfast at a local diner.....

Belly full and feeling up for another day of exploration!

Mamma feeling good after breakfast too!

We took a morning drive out to see Key Biscane..

...Little Havana...

...and the Art District...

... but of all places I sure liked Ocean Drive the most!!

We took a walk on the beach...

...and then refreshed ourselves in a cosy cafe populated by an interesting crowd and mix of cultures...

Some interesting cars we walked past....

Clearly the Miami folks have a better appreciation for kids at the bar too... no ID and no questions asked as we chatted away to the barman while waiting to be seated! 

Music is undoubtedly an integral part of Miami... it's everywhere.. loud car speakers play beats throughout town, and of course every shop, bar and restaurant pump their own tunes all day too...  it's natural that after two days in this city it just gets to you a little like this..

Exploring Miami South Beach

Miami's vibe is contagious... we loved the place immediately!!

Leisuring around while checking in at the Dorchester Hotel!

Then off we went to explore Collins & Lincoln Avenue and all it's shops and art galleries!!!

 

Even had a chance to treat ourselves to Sushi and my first attempt at chop sticks!!  

Was a little rough at first...

... but I soon go the gist of it!!

Mamma was longing for a meal like this in a while (given how expensive this type of food back home in Zurich!!)...  she wiped her place in an instant!!

Loved the place and most of all loved my Mr. Incredibles t-shirt!!

Killing time while Mamma and Dadda browse through one of many shops we saw on Lincoln Avenue...

The famous Delano Hotel on Collins Boulevard at Sunset...

And me getting cuddly at the hotel bar before brushing off a drink and heading for our beds!!

On the road... next stop West Palm Beach!

Energised by the Disney experience and wonderful sunshine we were ready to leave Orlando and head off to the coast...

Ciao Ciao All Star Movies Hotel!

We couldn't resist the temptation of a buffet breakfast in a cheap and cheerful diner on the road... pancakes, muffins, and anything you can imagine with an outrageous amount of calories!!! Oh well.. guess we're going to have them off throughout the day!!

The drive went on longer than I expected so I figured I could take a kip to be fit at destination!

West Palm Beach was a lovely surprise... a delightful beach town with beautiful houses and hotels everywhere... clearly a very well off place where I gather wealthy Americans come and spend their time by the Ocean!

Sun, beach and good vibes... Feel very much in my element!!

Being Dadda & Mamma's 9th year together (27.12.2003) we were in for a special lunch at The Breakers Seafood Bar...

I was invited to remain well behaved as we walked through the beautiful estate & hotel!

Here's me pulling funny faces over lunch!

The estate offered great views on the ocean and long stretches for me to burn a few calories!!!

Mamma and I in the main square in the shopping district..

And then Mamma and I ordering at the bar hoping they wouldn't be asking for my ID!!!

Indeed, they figured I couldn't stay there so we had to settle for crayons and paper again as we shared a pizza before calling it a day!!  

Off to Miami tomorrow!!

Magic Kingdom

Was it jet lagged or excitement I am not sure.. fact is we got to the Magic Kindom earlier than Mickey Mouse and all of Disney's characters!!! But it gave us a chance to explore the park before the crowds came through the gates....

...

...which got me to get a few early rides without having to queue for hours!!

Daylight arrived soon and I had the whole Magic Kingdom yet to explore!!

Major attraction was Maurice's house & workshop... we queued for almost an hour to get in!!  

Once inside we saw all of Maurice's inventions and most amusing of all... a magic mirror through which  we could see the castle where Belle was!

We saw talking clocks and chandeliers and eventually we met Belle too!  I was ever so nervous particularly as I was asked to take place in a little act for Belle herself!!!

Eventually I had a chance to meet Belle face to face and have a picture taken with her!!  How nerve wracking!!

The off to the flying elephants with Mamma and Dadda!!

And then we also met Ariel in her own grotto!!

... and there was plenty more fun and rides, one after the other... Her I was shooting at fancy objects in the galaxy ride with Buzz Lightyear!

Before leaving we couldn't miss Mickey & Minnie's show...

... and a last snap at the firework display!

A huge lollipop on the way out of the park summed up my day...

....I was all packed up and ready for bed well before darkness!!