Leaving Orlando
Gift Shops in the Orlando area carry mostly off season Disney merchandise but at 70% discount. So if you have kids but don't want to pay a fortune for that Mickey T-shirt, do try the gift shops along the freeway. Gift shops are pretty easy to spot as some have wizard or animals emblazoned on them (also generally run by Indians?)

The drive back to Miami took 4-4.5h. An early dinner was called for at Montaditos. On Wednesdays, everything at Montaditos is $1 (including beers) so the place is usually packed to the brim. They serve tiny sandwiches here and chips.

Near Montaditos in El Portal, there is a Target, TJ Maxx (I got a Ralph Lauren Polo T at US$15 from TJ Maxx), and Ross Stores. These are the discount outlets that carry off season merchandise and you can get Havianas for US$5 and Coach sneakers for US$39 here. Marshalls is another one of these discount stores.

South Beach
Today was finally the day to see all the touristy spots in Miami. It is best to see South Beach and the Art Deco District at Ocean Drive in the morning when everyone is still asleep. When the last hurricane hit Miami, all the hotels were destroyed but rebuilt in the current Art Deco 1920-1930s style. Here, you can find the Versace House (where Gianni Versace was infamously shot) along Ocean Drive and do stop for pictures . I was told Madonna lives here when she's in Miami.


Crescent, Leslie and Casa Casuarina (Versace House)


Edison and Breakwater

Flying to Miami from Singapore is one long journey (27h approximately) but thank god I had a great travel agent from Chan Brothers who got me a relatively good deal with Continental Airlines for S$2433. However, this still entailed a stopover in Narita, Tokyo and Newark, New Jersey.

Delayed flights
My flight to Tokyo (6.5h) was unfortunately delayed by an hour due to crew rest so I had to stand in line for 1h at the airport to be rebooked on other transit flights as it was impossible for me to make the Continental connections. As Continental code shares on Star Alliance, I was then booked on American Airlines for the Tokyo(NRT)-New York(JFK) and New York(JFK)-Miami(MIA) legs. Can we say New Yorrrkkk, concrete jungle where dreams are made of!



Changi Airport Terminal 3 and JFK Terminal 9

Things to note when heading to the U.S.: You must apply for your ESTA Visa Waiver in advance and make sure you have no liquids greater than 100ml in your hand carry. All liquids must be in a ziploc bag and do know your U.S. address by heart (be it a hotel or residential address. You will be asked repeatedly for the address).

Ultra Music Festival (UMF) 2011 was held on 25-27 March 11 at the Bicentennial Park in Miami, Florida. UMF did not coincide with Winter Music Conference this year so this standalone event got even more fans I believe.

Bicentennial Park is next to the American Airlines Arena in downtown Miami and faces the Port of Miami (thus affording a great view of the bay area).

Pre-UMF

• Getting tickets: UMF sells tickets months ahead on their official website. Early bird General Admission tickets price around US$120 and this is corrected to US$180-220 closer to date. VIP tickets cost about 2-3x as much and personally, I feel it is not really necessary to get the VIP tix. VIP tix just allow you to go to the artiste tent and to be on a higher platform than the rest of the crowd.
  
  Alternatively, you can buy the tickets off Ebay or at the venue. Do note there are no 1-day tickets and 3-day tickets do get sold out. When buying off Ebay, you can probably meet your seller at the AA Arena to exchange for cash on delivery. Or there will be punters outside the AA Arena and along the road to the venue selling tickets. Do bargain hard and bring cash. 1-day tickets can go up to US$150.

Festival day

• Bag and body check: Ladies and Gents enter via different queues due to bag and body checks. Whistles and water bottles are not allowed into the venue (you can buy water inside). At all times within the venue, you have to wear your UMF pass for identification purposes. If you're so unfortunate to get a lady's name on your ticket and you're a dude queuing to go in, no fear... they will still let you in. Security will barcode your ticket to ensure it is legit. Also, there is NO re-entry once you get in.

Entering the Ultra Music Festival and its schedule board

On average, eating in Miami is not that expensive. A meal in a cafe will cost around US$10-20 depending on what you order and appetizers will typically price around US$10 and below.


The Van Dyke Cafe for lunch and its uber delicious calamari


Seafood pasta and club sandwich @ Van Dyke