JaX NeMo:
Hi guys!
I'm going to Florida at the end of the year for work & travel. Would be working at the airport, it's my first time going to USA, and alone.
Can you guys please advise me on the followings?
1. Price of fast foods at the airport. (Tampa International Airport)
2. Where to go diving.
3. Flight price from KualaLumpurIA, Malaysia to TampaIA, USA
4. Price of train to travel around the city.
5. What to expect, places to have fun.
Thanks!
1. Airport food is a bit more expensive vs. the same fast food places around most towns. Don't expect any of them to have *value meals* (stuff for $1). I don't eat much fast food, but we just went through Orlando Airport and DIA and ate at both. Expect to pay about $6-7 for a meal (if you call a burger/fries/drink a meal). That would generally cost you around $4-5 anywhere else.
2. There is diving off the Gulf coast, and DiveOps along the shores near Tampa, like in St. Petersburg. I have never dove the Gulf coast. I was thinking of doing one dive on my last trip, but the Red Tide is kinda ruining things. Most agree however that the best diving in FL is going to be in the Keys, and the Reefs off of the lower east coast like Jupiter/WPB.
3. Have ZERO clue on airfare. I'd get on Expedia, or Travelocity, or any number of the other online services and check for youself.
4. In America, we are a driving culture. There is no train service in Tampa that takes you around town. If you can not lease a car/buy a car/rent a car you are going to be somewhat limited. Busfare is generally reasonable to get around town, however traveling around larger Cities on a Bus can be anywhere from OK, to downright frustrating depending on their schedules and where you want to go. In Denver busFare ranges from $1.00 to $3.75 depending on if you are using a Local, LightRail, Express, or Regional.
5. I love the entire FL coastline. A great place to go shelling is Treasure Island. I really lake the whole John's Pass/Clearwater/St. Pete's Beach area. Ft. Desoto is a really nice park. That area is about 30 minutes from Tampa.
As for Fun things to do, depends upon who you are and what you like. Fishing, boating, sailing, shelling, bird watching, bug watching, Canoeing, Camping, Wrestling Alligators, you name it, it's in FL with the exception of Mountain activities as they are rather lacking in that area. There is also the Orlando area with has a ton of tourist stuff like Disney World (you can dive a manmade reef at Epcot), Seaworld (you can dive there with dolphins), Universal Studios, and all sorts of fun stuff. IMO don't miss a trip to the EverGlades while you are there. It's a VERY unique place even if it's full of BUGS!! The EverGlades is on the Way to the FL. Keys (or you can go that route) where IMO if you don't go down and dive there you are really missing a good opportunity. You can do Key Largo area over a three day weekend from Tampa. I'm guessing it's about a 4-5 hour drive.
If you don't have a drivers license, get one if possible. If you can rent a car, you have a LOT more freedom. You could rent a car in Tampa for around $20 a day, add maybe $10 more per day if you need insurance. IMO it's well worth the $100 it may cost you for a three day rental to go and hit the East coast for some diving, or go do the EverGlades or even Orlando which you could easily do over a weekend as it's only a couple of hours from Tampa.
