The next morning, after our breakfast at Oscar’s, we were on the bus and on our way to Orlando's iFly Orlando (www.iFLYOrlando.com) (formerly Skyventure) for some indoor skydiving! This high-energy vertical wind tunnel that is 12 feet in diameter and 50 feet high offers indoor skydiving that allows guests to float on a column of air as you are lifted up by winds of up to 145 miles per hour. No parachute, jumping or previous experience is necessary. Upon arriving, Tom walked us through the training (thanks Ebet for the visual demonstration on the table) and then we got “geared up” in our flight suits, googles and helmet. Next, it was time to fly as the group sat in the wind tunnel and took turns, one-by-one, flying with Tom directing us and making sure we reached our “full potential” in the tunnel. Pilar said, “It sure was one of the top highlights of my life and one more check mark on my bucket list. Now that I had this practice run I'm ready for the real deal off a plane.” You go girl!After an adrenaline-filled morning we were ready for a fantastic lunch at Orlando's PF Changs (www.PFChangs.com) for some of my favorite Asian fusion cuisine. Located just outside the Mall at Millenia, this PF Changs is a must for anyone visiting the area. We split a few orders of Lettuce Wraps and everyone enjoyed their meals which ranged from Lemon Chicken to Shrimp with Lobster Sauce. Everything was delicious!
We were joined at lunch by Mayra Ramos Miro from The Mall at Millenia (www.MallatMillenia.com). During lunch, she gave Pilar and the ladies special bags that each contained a $100 gift certificate to enjoy at the Mall. The girls were so excited!!!!! After lunch, we received an overview and brief tour through the Mall, which features 1.2 million square feet in exquisite shopping with stores such as Chanel, Gucci, Tiffany & Co, Burberry, Crate & Barrel and anchored by Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s. The Mall also offers clients the “Millenia Experience” package which includes one-on-one consultation and personal shopping experience at the center’s upscale retailers.
Mayra then escorted us to Neiman Marcus (www.NeimanMarcus.com) where Pilar and the ladies were treated to a “traveling girlfriends” champagne makeover, which included chocolate-covered strawberries from Godiva Chocolatier (www.Godiva.com), cosmetic gifts, new make overs and (of course) some bubbly! Then, on top of all that, Neiman Marcus surprised our three winners with a $100 gift certificate to enjoy in the store. What an amazing day at Neiman Marcus and The Mall at Millenia! After all of this shopping and excitement, we headed back to the Waldorf for some much-needed downtime.
Dinner that evening was at CRAVE (www.CRAVEAmerica.com), which offers fresh American cuisine and award-winning sushi along with an impeccable wine selection and fun cocktails in a chic yet casual atmosphere. We started with the Pesto Shrimp, Mini Burgers and Baked Crab & Artichoke, which was all fantastic! Then, we each ordered individual entrees ranging from Tuna Tataki to Coconut Shrimp. To top it all off, we sang happy birthday to Idoris and celebrated with dessert for the table.
Although everyone was tired after dinner, we had one more stop to make to celebrate our last night together. We had two tables reserved at Blue Martini (www.BlueMartini.com) located next to the dance floor. This high-end martini bar is located at The Mall at Millenia and features more than 25 unique martinis to choose from. The venue has both indoor and outdoor seating along with live entertainment and an energetic dance scene that kept us dancing (and watching other dancers) throughout the night.
After our first round of drinks, I asked Pilar if she was ready to go. Her reply was, “I’m just getting started!” As we ALL (even the shy ones) danced the night away, I watched old friends (Pilar, Ebet & Idoris) re-connect and share an amazing Girlfriend Getaway experience they will treasure forever. We also made new friends (with Nancy and Veronique) who, as journalists, shared this unforgettable weekend and saw parts of Orlando they never knew existed. As we said our goodbyes and exchanged contact information, we vowed to stay in touch and visit each other as often as we could.
PHOTO: Geared up and ready to indoor skydive at iFLY Orlando.
No comments:
Post a Comment