2024 KLOVE Cruise USA Travel Itinerary Day 2: Flight from Doha to Miami Ponce De Leon Hotel

On day 2 of our USA travel itinerary post-KLOVE Cruise 2024, we arrived at Doha International Airport via Qatar Airways and visited the Al Maha Lounge North. We were also surprised by the interior decorations of the Doha Airport. There was a mini rainforest within, a really huge mall (and a really huge teddy bear) as well as an internal shuttle that brings passengers between the North and South node of the airport…

USA Trip 2024 Day 2 – Arriving at Doha International Airport

Untitled Lamp Bear at Doha International Airport with 2bearbear

Rainforest inside Doha International Airport

Doha International Airport Water Feature and Rainforest

Modern design of Doha International Airport

We arrived at Doha Hamad International Airport at about 5am in the morning. During the flight, we flew past an iconic U-shaped hotel – home to the Raffles Doha. After alighting from the flight, we had to take a shuttle bus that took us to the main terminal. From there, we followed the transit signs to do another security check before entering the transit areas. Hence, if you’re transiting via Doha, do remember to cater sufficient time.

Surprisingly at 5am, there were ALOT of transit flights. The number of passengers in the transit area felt like we were in a busy shopping mall on a Saturday afternoon. We also took the opportunity to visit the shops at Doha International Airport, the Untitled Lamp/Bear sculpture as well as the mini rainforest located inside the airport.

There were actually so many people transiting at Doha International Airport, that it was already full at the Al Maha Lounge (South node) when we arrived. This was also one of the few times that we were rejected from entering a Priority Pass lounge. Thankfully, the staff gave us directions to visit another Al Maha Lounge at the North node of the airport. We were requested to take the tram at gate C1 to the north node which took about 2 minutes. It was fast. Entry into Al Maha north was also smooth.

USA Trip 2024 Day 2 – Visiting Al Maha Lounge Doha International Airport

Al Maha Priority Pass Lounge at Doha Hamad International Airport

Al Maha Lounge North Doha International Airport

Al Maha Lounge North Doha International Airport - Cold selection — Al Maha Lounge North Doha International Airport – Cold selection

What we had for breakfast at Al Maha Lounge Doha International Airport

Inside Al Maha Lounge Doha Airport, it was really spacious and clean with ample seats for lounging and dining. As it was breakfast time, there was congee, omelette, potato wedges, hams, cheese and breads. There was also a local bean-based soup called Ful Medames which was very delicious. You’ll also be able to have coffee as well as alcoholic drinks such as Syrah, Riesling, hard liquor and Budweiser. Overall, Al Maha is a good lounge to chill and visit during your transit in Doha.

As for the airport itself, we love that it is so beautifully designed with modern architecture and curvatures. There are high ceilings and central artwork. Overall, it felt like a modern and high-class shopping mall, rather than just a functioning airport. No wonder, it has received accolades that are equivalent to Changi Airport as well.

For our flight at 815am, the gate opened at 630am and we were subjected to yet another round of security checks prior to boarding.

USA Trip 2024 Day 2 – Qatar Airways Flight from Doha to Miami

Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Miami - Creamy Chicken with Mashed Potatoes — Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Miami – Creamy Chicken with Mashed Potatoes

Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Miami - Idli with Pumpkin Curry — Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Miami – Idli with Pumpkin Curry

Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Miami - Snack of chicken pie — Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Miami – Snack of chicken pie

Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Miami - Fried Chicken — Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Miami – Fried Chicken

Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Miami - Paneer — Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Miami – Paneer

The flight started with a meal. We chose the Creamy Chicken with Mashed Potato as well as the Idli with Pumpkin Curry. Both were super tasty actually. This was despite us being pretty full from the food and drinks at Al Maha Lounge. Soon, it was time to sleep with the eye mask and travel pillow provided. We slept at about 10am and woke up at 3pm Doha time (or 7am Miami time) so that we could get used to the waking hours in US. This little secret of adjusting to local destination time while on the flight has served us well during our travels.

During our waking hours, we caught a series on Secrets of the Superagers. The documentary is so useful that we decided to take notes (yes notes from an in-flight documentary!) to share with our readers and also for us to practice as we enter into our retirement age:

1. Episode 1: Brain
– If we can simultaneously learn new skills (such as a new language and painting), we can enhance our memory and allow new neurons to form.
– When we sleep, the use of eye mask actually enhances the formation of memory.
– Meditation (or Quiet Time in the mornings with God), help to fight against stressors
– Listening to slow, familiar music because being able to predict a piece of music reduces stress levels as well

Episode 2: Body
– To combat against Osteoporosis, studies have shown that “impact” does help to build up bone densities. Playing sports such as soccer or hopping at different angles (i.e twisting and turning) helps to build up bone density.
– Doing cardiovascular activities or taking blue/purple foods such as blueberry and blackberry. The blue/purple-coloured foods have
azithromycin which increases dilation of the capillaries. This was a lesson from the Okinawan diet of purple potatoes.
– Muscle and multi-sensory movement like dance (tai chi, yoga etc.) can help in control and muscle response.
– As you age, you will need more protein to help muscle maintenance and physical activities
– Strong relationships and reason to live (aka Purpose) can also increase well-being and add healthy years to life

Episode 3: Appearance
– Mangoes (up to 4 times a week), helps with the maintenance of our skin
– Facial exercise helps to push and uplift cheek muscles
– Do what you enjoy when you were younger, to evoke physical improvements to movement and eyesight.

Episode 4: Healthy
– Green tea enhances metabolism
– Tai Chi (and various exercises above) enhances circulation
– Olive/Olive Oil have anti-inflammatory properties

This post will probably be one that we’ll refer alot to when we retire in the new future – to remind us of how we can keep our body, mind and soul active and engaged.

For our last meal, we had the paneer and fried chicken. Both of which were pretty good. We arrived at Miami at 4:40pm local time on 26 Jan 2024, Friday. Immigration took an hour-ish to clear. We waited from 5:15pm to 6:30pm in a long snaking line. During which, we saw alot of seamen, who were probably joining the cruise ships at the Port of Miami.

After clearing immigrations, we took Lyft from the arrival hall. However, we were not able to locate the first car and was cancelled by the driver. Thankfully, the second driver, a former immigrant from Cuba, waited for us. He told us that Cuba is pronounced as “Qoo-Ba” and he had been in US for 7 years now. During the ride, he also shared with us that due to special arrangements for Cubans, he was able to get his green card in a year and citizenship in year 5. Now, he was doing real estate work and driving Lyft was more for socialising and improving his English. The Lyft ride to Hotel Ponce De Leon was $23USD (and $5USD for the first cancellation), a 10 minutes ride away.

USA Trip 2024 Day 2 – Arriving at Hotel Ponce De Leon

Inside the hall ways of Hotel Ponce De Leon Miami Review

Inside our room of Hotel Ponce De Leon Miami

Shower of Ponce De Leon Hotel Miami Review

Check-in at Hotel Ponce De Leon was a breeze. Unlike anything we had read online, the room and toilet were actually very clean. There were towels and shower amenities as well. For cable TV, we were able to catch up on our favourite HGTV.

The only thing was that because of the age of the hotel, there’s creeking stairs and the rooms are not sound-proof. The air-con was also a little too loud, cutting in and out regularly throughout the night. There’s history associated with the hotel, surviving the various trying periods throughout the American history. We were able to see old newspaper cuttings of the hotel and the era that it went through, along the corridors.

The great thing about Hotel Ponce De Leon is that it is just 3 minutes away from Target by foot. This evening, we bought chips (Takis $3.89 with Hazy Pale Ale $12.99). We also bought water and muffins for breakfast the next day. The HPA was shiok. The Takis on the other hand was like a fried/baked crispy taco but curled up into small tubes with cheese. Not too bad.

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Tomorrow, we’ll be exploring Little Havana in Miami as well as the other Cuban influences in and around our hotel. Stay tuned as we enjoy another day in Miami, to accustom to the local time, before our KLOVE Cruise 2024!

Related Posts from KLOVE Cruise 2024 USA Trip

2024 KLOVE Cruise USA Travel Itinerary Day 1: Flight from Singapore to Miami via Doha

2024 KLOVE Cruise USA Travel Itinerary Day 2: Flight from Doha to Miami Ponce De Leon Hotel

2024 KLOVE Cruise USA Travel Itinerary Day 3: Immersing in the Cuban culture at Little Havana Miami

KLOVE Cruise 2024 Review: Church Camp at Sea with Big Daddy Weave, Chris Tomlin, Matthew West, Danny Gokey, Cain and more!

2024 KLOVE Cruise USA Travel Itinerary Day 8: Disembarkation and Drive to Jacksonville…

2024 KLOVE Cruise USA Travel Itinerary Day 9: Checking out the Food and Craft Beers in Jacksonville!

2024 KLOVE Cruise USA Travel Itinerary Day 10: Visiting the Old Exchange, Old Slave Market, Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum with Dinner at Gillie’s Charleston!

2024 KLOVE Cruise USA Travel Itinerary Day 11: Visiting Seacoast Church, McLeod Plantation, Magnolia Plantation and Hyman’s Seafood in Charleston

2024 KLOVE Cruise USA Travel Itinerary Day 12: From Charleston to Charlotte, Whiskey Warehouse, Legion Brewery, Bojangles and The Chosen @ the Movies!

2024 KLOVE Cruise USA Travel Itinerary Day 13: Finally Visiting the Billy Graham Library, Chick-Fil-A and Atlanta Attractions!

2024 KLOVE Cruise USA Travel Itinerary Day 14: Visiting Atlanta Attractions and Enjoying Southern Comfort Food at Mary Mac’s Tea Room!