"Wow, the scenery here is so different from ours!" Lying in front of the car window and watching the landscape rush by on both sides, Darlene couldn't help but shout excitedly. Though the other girls didn't shout, their expressions showed they shared the same excitement.
The night before, Bernice had visited Jiang Hai at his hotel, but she wasn't there to have fun with him. Instead, she had come to discuss something important. She promised not to reveal Jiang Hai's secrets, and in return, he didn't have to share hers. She could help him obtain a certificate, and she wouldn't charge him any money. However, there was one condition: Jiang Hai had to do her a favor and help her cure someone.
She would cover all the medical expenses, and as long as Jiang Hai could cure the person well, she didn't care how he did it.
After listening to her, Jiang Hai hesitated. He was concerned that his spiritual energy might leak out during the process. But at the same time, he couldn't leave empty-handed. If she really gave him the certificate, he would owe her a favor, and in that case, helping her out seemed reasonable.
After a month of finalizing the details, Bernice visited Jiang Hai again. She confirmed that the ten girls had recovered, then left. Jiang Hai couldn't quite figure out what to make of her; she was both somewhat hostile and strangely familiar. However, with Jiang Hai's calm demeanor, he quickly dismissed it and moved on.
With the most pressing issue resolved, the rest of the trip was all about fun.
The next morning, Jiang Hai drove the group to the famous Key West in Miami.
Key West is a well-known tourist spot in Miami. Contrary to what the name suggests, it's not located west of Miami but rather to the south. To reach Key West, one needs to drive south along Bisking Avenue, which takes you straight toward the area.
Locals in South Florida are familiar with the word "Bisking," which appears in many locations. Legend has it that the word comes from an indigenous language, meaning "the place where the moon rises," which adds a poetic touch.
Bisking Boulevard is a nickname for a section of U.S. Route 1 that runs through the north and south parts of Miami. Bisking Garden is a small town in North Miami, while Bisking Bay is the bay between Key Bisking and Miami.
The term "key" refers to the many small islands in the area south of Miami. These islands are all named "Key" followed by something else. The most famous of these is Key Bisking. To reach the island, visitors only need to pay a $1 toll. However, there is also a $10 entry fee for adults, and $5 for students. While many tourists come to visit Key Bisking, there are plenty of other small islands with great food and scenic views that are just as enjoyable.
For those from out of town, Key Bisking is the most popular destination. One of the top attractions is the Miami Seaquarium, built in 1955. The main stars here are a five-ton killer whale, also known as an orca, and a dolphin.
This might be one of the earliest commercial marine animal training venues. In the 1960s, a TV series filmed at the Seaquarium helped make a dolphin named Flipper a household name in the U.S.
Although Flipper has been gone for many years, the park continues to feature a dolphin by that name to draw in older generations who grew up watching the show. They bring their children and grandchildren to see the dolphin performances and reminisce about their childhood.
The park spans 35 acres and also features a shark exhibit, a manatee exhibit, a tropical aquarium, and sea lion performances. Jiang Hai and his group had come here specifically for the ocean exhibits.
Though the sea views on both sides of the road were beautiful, the sight of the sea became a little monotonous after a while. Fortunately, they soon arrived at their destination. Upon entering Bisking Island, Jiang Hai and the others drove straight to the Seaquarium.
After buying their tickets, everyone entered the park excitedly. But just as they were about to explore, a young American girl approached them. She looked around 21 or 22 years old, wearing a staff T-shirt and flashing a warm smile.
"Hello! Are you tourists? Would you like a guide?" she asked, addressing Jiang Hai and the group.
"A guide? Do we need one for the Seaquarium? It's not a historical site, is it?" Jiang Hai responded, a bit puzzled. He wondered if she was trying to scam them.
"This isn't a historical site, but there's more to do on Bisking Island than just visit the Seaquarium. There are places to dive, try paragliding, and more..." the girl explained.
She went on to explain that, like most coastal tourist spots, Bisking Island isn't just about one attraction. The Seaquarium is the main draw, but there are plenty of other activities—diving, jet skiing, parasailing, and more—that make it a popular destination.
Jiang Hai turned to the girls around him, who were the main reason for the trip, and asked, "Do you all want to try these activities?"
"Can we?" Afra asked curiously.
Though they were no strangers to the sea and Jiang Hai's home offered more beautiful views, his seaside was mainly for fishing and casual water activities, not for fun-filled adventures like these.
"Well, if you're interested, let's give it a try. We'll hire you, miss," Jiang Hai said, turning to the girl.
"Oh, you've misunderstood. The guide's fee is already included in your ticket. We just ask for tips since many locals don't speak English. We're here to help bridge that gap," the girl clarified. Her salary was covered by the Miami government, and tips were optional.
Jiang Hai wasn't sure if there was a kickback arrangement involved, but he appreciated the thoughtful service. The design was certainly convenient for tourists, especially considering that many people in the area speak Portuguese or Spanish rather than English.
Once they agreed, the guide led them through the Seaquarium, sharing her extensive knowledge of the exhibits. Jiang Hai also learned more about this area's marine life. For fishing, the southern seas were much easier for raising fish compared to the northern seas—something that would be useful for Jiang Hai's future endeavors.
After visiting the exhibits, they watched the killer whale and dolphin performances. While dolphin shows are common worldwide, there was something special about the ones in Miami. The performances here were engaging, and Jiang Hai even considered raising a dolphin himself.
But since he already had his big "fool" (referring to a large fish he owned), he decided against it.
Once the performances wrapped up, the group had lunch at one of the many eateries on Bisking Island. Jiang Hai and the guide shared a meal, and the guide appreciated the generosity of her employer.
After lunch, they went jet skiing. This was Jiang Hai's first time on a jet ski, but it didn't take him long to get the hang of it. Afterward, they tried paragliding, which was a thrilling experience for everyone.
By the time they finished these activities, it was getting late. Jiang Hai and the others were about to wrap up their visit.
"If you're not planning to return to Bisking Island tomorrow, I recommend you try diving," the guide suggested as they were preparing to leave.
"Diving? What's so fun about diving?" Jiang Hai asked. He wasn't afraid of water pressure, and since he could breathe underwater, diving to catch lobsters and abalones was an everyday occurrence for him. So, he didn't see the appeal.
"You might dive in other places just to see the underwater scenery, but here, you can explore a sunken ship!" the girl replied, smiling.
It seemed like diving here had its unique charm, and Jiang Hai was now intrigued. (To be continued.)