One thing that I really miss from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Studio are the idea of living in magical world, like what I've or you've seen on the movies is REAL, they really nail it to the real experience for everyone who love Harry Potter that much, just like me and checked on my bucket list. Experience of the Hogsmeade, Three broomstick, Gringots Bank and Hogwarts School was the best part of this experience, actually all of those places are awesome, still can't believe it and move on. Compare to Three Broomstick, I love Leaky Cauldron better than three broomstick, no offense.
When I step inside the Leaky Cauldron and walked at the aisle, I feel like I'm one of the Gryffindor student whose looking for dinner with my fellas. The wall was cold, the atmosphere was dark but still, it was cool tho and I don't need a map cause I'm not gonna get lost, lol. The bar is so nice, dinning room was not big enough but still okay with the giant lamp and a giant pot on the fireplace. I sat at in the middle of long dinning table, surrounded by frame with stories, old wooden on the ceiling, and love the ancient chandelier. I love the second floor but they are just an accessories, then I sip my butter beer, play a little bit and enjoy the dinner . The food was good, I really enjoyed it but I love butter beer the most. I never had that and I don't know where I can get it outside the Leaky Cauldron while the weather outside is really hot this summer, pretty sad! Anyway, experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is really worth to pay and feel the experience. Stay tuned for the next post. Ciao..
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| The Menu and I'm in front of the Leaky Cauldron and there's no line anyway to get in when I was there. Thank GOD |
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| LOVELY BAR |
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| REG BUTTER BEER AND FROZEN WAS AWESOME! |
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| Playing with my butter beer with my tired face. smooch! |
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| Pretty chic dinning room, love the ambiance |
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| FAV SPOT AFTER ALL! IMAGINE WHEN SNOW FALLIN T.T it's really BEAUTIFUL |
THE LEAKY CAULDRON FOOD
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Back in the day when I travel to Miami by myself and heading to go to Key West by used Greyhound. I had some problems about the directions on how to get here and there. I'm looking on the google for the answer but it's not really work. And, it's not just happened with me, most of traveller from another country or even netizen also faced the same problems, just like me. So, I'm thinking to made this post to help you guys - my fellas traveller from wherever you are, hopefully I can answer the questions that you guys looking for.
TRANSPORTATION FROM MIAMI AIRPORT TO GREYHOUND STATION
I'm taking a bus from Orlando to Miami, it took 4 hours on the road then I stop at the Airport because I thought it's the easy way to stay connect with the local bus to go to the greyhound station or city or even if I want to take a cab.
Note: If you want to go to Key West by bus from Miami, then greyhound is the only one that will take you there. But the problems is they have two station, which is one in 4111 NW 27th St, Miami and the other one at the airport. On my tickets only said that I have to departure from Greyhound St. So what should I do? Which station should I go? Can I go from the airport or what?
Here's the Q&A on my mind and I found out the same question on some discussion web but I didn't get the right answer.
Q: How to get to Greyhound St in 4111 NW 27th St from the Miami airport?
A: No matter how you get to the airport. Uber is the only way to get to the station in 4111 NW 27th St. It's only cost you $10 and about 7 minutes. Avoid bus because it will take you forever and you will be late or do not ever try to walk. I remember last time I'm trying to walk and follow my GPS from airport to the station, my GPS said approximately 20 minutes, but I can't find the right way for walk, because you will cross Highway! stupid GPS. haha
Q: Can I ride from the airport rather than go to the station on 4111 NW 27th St?
A: Yes, I'm asked one of the officer on the station, she said "you can". But you can make you sure again if you want by contact the office, in case they change the rule. Telephone number (305) 871-1810.
Q: How long does it take from airport to greyhound station?
A: 7 minutes. Because the last I went there. I only have 30 minutes spare time from my megabus and change to greyhound. So, you will be fine if you only have 30 minutes before your departure.
TRANSPORTATION FROM MIAMI AIRPORT TO THE CITY.
After explore Key West, I'm heading back to Miami and spend for the weekend. The bus (greyhound) drop me at the Airport, which is good, so it will be easy for me to go to my hostel - Miami Beach International Traveller Hostel located in 9th street. Actually there are two options that I can choose to get the city between from the airport or greyhound station on 4111 NW 27th Street. I suggest you to stop at the airport because it's more safe and easy.
Before to get to public bus, first you should take a shuttle train inside the airport. After the bus drop you off, all you need to do is go inside the terminal building and follow the sign that will take you to the train and public bus.
From Miami Greyhound Bus Station at 4111 NW 27th Street:
Public Bus - you have to walk one block west to Le Jeune Road (27th Street and 42nd Avenue) and get on the metro bus marked "J BEACH". This bus will take you to 41st and Indian Creek where you should transfer to Bus C, K or H going to south. Exit the bus at 9th Street and Washington Ave and the hostel is right cross the street at 236 9th Street.
note: As for me, this route is not recommended!
From Miami International Airport:
Public Bus - do not take J bus or what ever, because you should transfer to another bus. I highly recommend you to take 150 AIRPORT FLIER BUS! Only $2.35 you just sit at the bus, get a free wi-fi on the bus and stop at 9th Street and Washington Ave, which is you don't need to transfer. It's easy right?
note:
- Avoid the cab. But it's okay if you want, but you have to pay $40 just like my friend did or you can take the super shuttle from the airport and it's only $21.
- Avoid to buy a day pass ticket bus. Because you'll not use it daily. Especially if you stay at the hostel that I recommend, all you need to do just walk or even if you take a cab in the city, it's not expensive.
- even if you're not stay at that hostel, you can still use 150 Airport Flier Bus to get in town and vice versa.
- even if you're not stay at that hostel, you can still use 150 Airport Flier Bus to get in town and vice versa.
CIAO and GOODLUCK!
LESS THAN $500 IN FLORIDA! ORLANDO - KEY WEST - MIAMI
Sunday, June 07, 2015
Guys, it's been awhile I haven't post anything since the last two months! It's not because I'm too lazy but I've been spend my summer break before another routine schedule will haunted me as usual, LOL. So, the last two months I've been explored some States like Florida - Orlando, Miami & Key West, South Carolina - Charleston, Georgia - Savannah, Lousiana - New Orleans and the last Tennessee - Ocoee! What a surprise isn't it? I also can't believe about that schedule, everything happened without any plan, yeah I'm kind of person that travel with spontaneous, so if you want to invite me and get lost here and there, just let me know one week before, if my schedule is free then I'm down for any adventures.
Start with Florida, a warm and sunny state that you won't miss for summer break! Some people said travel to florida is quite expensive and a little bit hard if you don't have a car for transport in the city! But, one thing that you should know, I didn't rent any of car on my traveling, unless that I really needed, just like when I was in Denver or Utah. Can you believe that less than $500 you can explore 3 beautiful cities in Florida for 9 days? if you say no, then I will say YES! Nothing is impossible as long as you have courage, then you will find a way.
THEN HOW? I'll explain in general, but will be post separately about every place and more detail.
1. Public Transportation - BUS / TRAIN
If you are solo traveler like me, bus or train is our best friend! But if you have two or three people join with you, that will be okay to split the gas, but still you'll be exhausted to drive for 8-9 hours. So, I use MEGABUS.COM or Greyhound. As a local you might know about it, but if you're traveller/tourist, trust me this is one of the best way to travel in States and save more budget, or you can find any other buses for your destination ! As I remembered I booked all my tickets one week before departure, and I found it that from Atlanta to Florida is really cheap. Here's the details
Atlanta - Orlando $29, Orlando - Miami $1, Miami - Keywest - Miami $50 roundtrip (Greyhound, because megabus doesn't have the route for this), Miami - Orlando $1, Orlando - Atlanta $35, Totally $116 for six tickets buses, that was cheap rather than you drive back & forth and pay for the gas.
Note: I prefer megabus than greyhound, from my personal experience, it more convenience, the seat was comfort, wi-fi and double deck bus. So I always sat at the second floor with the sky view, because their ceiling was covered by glass. Quite pretty huh!
TRANSPORT IN THE CITY!
Orlando: Definitely need a car if you want to go more further to cocoa beach or panama beach, but you can also take a bus! My plan is only go to Universal Studio and Downtown Disney. So, I used uber because it's really cheap!
Key West: You don't need a car. Enjoy the old and historic city by walk is the best thing, because everything is close.
Miami: As for me, you don't need a car! Especially if your hostel located at the main street, all you need to do just walk along the beach. Even from the airport to the city, BUS is very convenience. (will post separately about how to get in the city).
2. MOTEL - HOSTEL - AIR B&B - COUCHSURFING
If you guys backpack traveller and don't have any budget to stay for motel/hostel or even Air B&B. I suggest you to join the biggest travel community in the world, couch surfing! Why and how it works? Basically you'll stay at someone / local home in any other country or city and you will visit. You don't need to pay, it's FREE because the mission of this community is to share and learn each other culture and make a new friend from all over the globe. The best thing from this community is all the host open minded, even if you can speak english fluently, it doesn't matter. Also as for me, I'm glad meet the local because I can ask a lot about the new place thet I visit, where to go for food, nightlife and so many thing. Is it safe? from my experience since I joined, I never had any bad or weird experience with my host, because before you surf and find a host, you can check out their profile and reference from the previous couch surfer. But, if you doesn't feel like comfy to stay with stranger at night, then Motel / Hostel is the best choice that you can get. If you want to give a shot & join with the community, make your profile and get connected with your new friend from over the globe at couchsurfing.org
Orlando:
I only stayed for one night in Orlando, it cost me $60 for two, so each $30 at Days Inn hotel. Not recommended but okay for me because I haven't booked any hostel until I get in town. What a crazy & stupid traveller isn't it? Haha, but I do have my personal reason that I can't explain. Oh, most of the hostel/motel in Orlando quite expensive tho, min is $60 and you can share with 2 - 4 person. It work, cause most of the bed are big enough for two person even for two star motel.
Key West:
I stayed at Seashell hostel in Key West, $110 for two nights, that the cheapest hostel that I can get and it was pretty though. Recommended! (will be post separately)
MIAMI:
Miami Beach International traveller hostel is the best choice and definitely high recommend. I stayed for 3 days and paid $90 include breakfast, lunch and dinner! GOOD DEAL
3. FOOD & ATTRACTION
Food & price are variety, pretty much the same, depends on what and where you eat. Especially in Miami and Key West, food are really expensive, but still, you can find another good food with a good deal in Miami and Key West, don't worry. You better make a budget on how much you will spend for food and drink a day. Also, There are tons of free attractions that you can find in the city. The key is, keep curious with the city, use your technology - internet and social media that will show you everything you need from A to Z! But if you have more budget, then why don't you try something that you really want. Like me, I spend $205 for two days in Universal Studio Orlando, but it was worth after all. Will be post about it separately.
4. Is your expenses is over than that, then it's because of your lifestyle daily. One thing that you can reduce your cost is your budget for hotel, by using Couchsurfing you will save more money, get a new experience and new friend! Cîáo
