On a whim, I booked the ticket to the Hilton Resort and thus the journey began. It was an odd vacation, cuz this time we weren't racing to sightseeing, taking loads of picture for Facebook or anything like that. It was just a relax, swim, eat, drink and play by the beach type vacation. Few things turned out great and few didn't. Like the car rental from Thrifty. Our bodies are still soar from the drive. It was one of the most painful car I have driven so far. The car was dirty, things were left from previous renter in the glovebox, things didn't even work properly in the car.
On the other hand the hotel worked out great. We had an ocean view room on the very top floor. I wish Hotwire had mentioned, there's a $10 resort fee each day. You can use that to your advantage by taking the hour free bike rental, getting free appetizer from the restaurant and few other amenities. The valet parking guys will try to get you to use the valet parking. But I found the self-parking much more convenient, and cheaper as well. They don't give you good direction on how, where to park.
Well lets get started then, shall we?
Friday we picked up the rental car and left home around noon. On the way to Daytona Beach, we took a detour and stopped at the Little Talbot Island. It is $5 per car to enter the State park but since my first time in Florida and we were only an hour and half shy from 8.30pm closing, the ranger let us in at no charge. Worked for us as well since we forgot to get any cash. LTI is amazing. My kind of beach. Not many people and the view is simply spectacular.
From there we headed to Daytona Beach. After getting to the hotel, I see the valet parking right in front but I am not using the valet. I look for the self-parking. Drive around and ask few people but no luck. Seeing how tired wife and kid are, I drop them off to check-in while I look for the self-parking. Driving around I can clearly see the parking lot but no clear way of getting there. Anyway, this is the self-parking spot. And when you check-in you have let the front-desk know you will self-park and they will activate your key to be used and charge it to the room. It is actually cheaper to do so and it is not that hard to find a spot. You can leave and come as many times you like and only pay $12 dollars for 24 hour. You must swipe your key on the second box when entering and exiting, don't worry about getting a ticket or swiping your credit card. Also even if you can't find a spot and just park under the tree or something, as long as you are a hotel guest you won't be ticketed/towed.
Next day we headed out to Ponce Inlet Ligthouse. Another true gem. The beach in the lighthouse park is quiet amazing as well. Had we known, we would have brought our swimming trunk with us and spend the day away on that beach. You can even rent kayaks to go over to some one the small lands on the Halifax River. We went back next day around park closing time and that way we didn't had to pay the fee to get in. Drove right in and it was amazing to see the park.
The Atlantic has some good waves. We can go quite a bit in and still be able to stand up. Do keep in mind in the evening the wave gets stronger and as bigger waves starts to form it will pull you backward as well. On Saturday evening as I am swimming, hitting the waves. After a while I decide to go back since the waves are getting stronger and the pull is getting stronger too. As I am heading back, some kids I saw earlier are screaming. And then one kid point out a kid to me and screams 'save him, save him. He's drowning.' First I thought they are messing around but then looking at the kids face I knew immediately he's terrified and in danger. The problem was, the water was pulling him backward and the land he's trying to stand on is a little deep. He tries to hold on to me, but being small myself I know if he holds me then we both will be in trouble. For a second I am scared myself, wondering the question do I save him or myself? And then with all my energy I push him forward and I start talking to him. As I am swimming/walking, I keep pushing him forward and try to calm him down. Finally he has enough land under his feet to stand up and walk. His mom comes over, thanks me and screams at him without actually realizing where the issue was.
Sunday we spent pretty much all day on the beach. Monday on the way back wife again had us take a detour and check out the St. Augustine Beach and drive through the town. This place has to be a trip of its own.
