Here in the Northern Hemisphere, Friday was the official end to Summer 2011. Were you like me and wear black to mourn the occasion? In the spirit of our denial, let’s pretend we live Down Under where spring has arrived in the Southern Hemisphere. We can wish it were here, too.
One of my favorite events of the spring season is our family vacation to Orlando, Florida. When the children were little, we spent most of our days at the hotel pool and at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. As they have gotten older, we still spend time at the hotel pool, but EPCOT is the new favorite. My husband enjoys the international variety of beers, the kids acquire souvenirs and snacks, and I entertain myself by taking snapshots of the Spring Flower & Garden Festival’s creations. Sadly, I cannot provide you a cold one via internet or hand out my credit card for your shopping pleasure. I can, however, share my montage of memories. (Click on any picture for a larger view.)
Each year, Disney creates approximately seventy-five topiaries to display throughout the park. In addition, there are designer presentations by HGTV celebrities, and Flower Power concerts. You may also enjoy the butterfly pavilion, although it generally closes by 7 PM. I simply love the colors, the art of the presentation, and floral scents that fill the park. It’s truly an escape.
If we could convince our loved ones to attend EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival held each fall from the end of September to mid-November, perhaps we spring and summer lovers would learn to appreciate the cooler months of the year, as well. What do you think?
Hi! Today, I debut as a guest poster on Nicole Basaraba’s Uni-Verse-City blog. It’s a bit of a departure from my usual blog fare, as my history buff side shows itself in my book review of THE HELP. For a taste, read on.
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett is a #1 New York Times Bestseller and major motion picture. A good friend of mine recommended it to me as a must-read.
The novel is set in Jackson, Mississippi, during the early 1960’s. This was a time of great social upheaval in America’s Deep South. Birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement featuring real-life figures Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, the setting is anchored by Stockett with historical references.
Stockett sprinkles in popular 60’s TV, inventions, personalities, and music. Jackson life is depicted through three main characters—Abileen, Minnie, and Skeeter. I enjoyed a trip down memory lane…
Remember to stop by here for your weekly dose of Margarita Moments on Monday. I’ll be ready for an escape after all this academia. Wait a minute, I hear the blender whirring. Gotta go! Until then…
Back in 2005, Southwest airlines had some knockout deals from the northeastern U.S. to Las Vegas. Unwilling to pass up such a bargain, I convinced my husband to pay Sin City a visit. It helps that we have extended family who live there, an added incentive to make the long flight. We enjoyed that first getaway enough to traverse the country three more times for sightseeing, shows, shopping, eating, and gambling. Las Vegas offers so many quality choices in all these venues, we’ll always find a reason to return.
I have many stories to share with you about this neon city. For now, here are a few of the G-Rated highlights:
View from the Stratosphere
On our first trip, we visited the Stratosphere on the north end of the Vegas Strip. This incredibly tall building allows visitors to view the entire city, surrounded by desert and mountains. The scene was absolutely breathtaking! I enjoy roller coasters and Hollywood Studio’s Tower of Terror, but I couldn’t fathom riding any of the attractions at the top of the Stratosphere. One of the rides shoots straight up and the other two dangle their occupants over the edge. (Are these people crazy?)
Since I chickened out at the Stratosphere, we rode New York-New York’s outdoor roller coaster on the lower-strip instead. I realize it’s tame by comparison, but we had fun without a chance of heart attack.
New York-New York Hotel
Exiting my home state’s namesake hotel, we glimpsed the M&M store. I had to check it out. I’ve never seen so many chocolate candies in one place. My chocolate loving friends would have thought they’d died and gone to heaven. I know I did. The only bad part, if you can call it that, was we had to eat our purchases shortly after leaving the store. I know what the ads claim, but these little goodies wouldn’t have survived the August desert sun on the trek back to our mid-strip hotel.
Chocolate Heaven
It may be hot outside, but inside the gambling was hot, too. We loved the slots. My husband’s favorite was The Wheel of Fortune, and mine was the Triple 7’s. Our aunt and uncle entertained us by sharing strategies for playing the penny slot machines at the Flamingo. It was lots of fun, and we were thrilled to come out ahead of the casino.
We enjoyed people-watching as we walked through the Venetian Hotel’s underground mall–complete with gondola ride. Apparently, this place is also home to a living statue. We walked past a man painted white and in white clothing. He stood very still, rarely blinking. But I felt his stare. My husband thought the guy was interesting. I thought he was creepy. Click on the photo if you’re curious and want to see the statue in action–or non-action, as the case may be.
A Living Statue-The Venetian
One night, we took an elevator to the top of Vegas’ version of the Eiffel Tower, one-third the height of the original in France. It was plenty high enough for me, and we loved The Bellagio’s water show. I can’t think of a better way to end a post about the Vegas Strip than with this video. Enjoy!
Have you ever been to Las Vegas? If so, what are some of your G-Rated memories? If not, would you have ridden the Insanity Ride on the Stratosphere or the coaster at New York-New York? Would you have liked the Living Statue or the view from the Eiffel Tower?
Key West is known for many things, including its Caribbean atmosphere, its crazy nightlife, and incredible seafood, but its beaches aren’t typically on a tourists’ Top Ten List when planning a trip to the Florida Keys’ southwesternmost island. Having grown up with lake beaches made of rock and/or dirt, maybe my expectations are less than people accustomed to ocean beaches. Whatever the case, I was pleasantly surprised by my first glimpse at three of Conch Republic’s public beaches. Fort Zachary Taylor, Southernmost, and Smather’s beaches each offer a slightly different experience on a Key West getaway.
Beachside views on bike trail
Fort Zachary Taylor Beach, located in Truman Annex, is wonderful not only for beach goers, but for bike enthusiasts and history buffs as well. There is a park fee, less for bikers or walkers than for cars.
We rode our Conch Cruisers to Fort Zach, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Gulf of Mexico, and on its sandy trails. Surrounded only by the tranquil beauty of beach grasses and azure waters made me feel as if we were the only two souls on earth–a scene I won’t soon forget.
Fort Zach Beach, Key West
Tours of the beach’s namesake are held daily at noon. As for the beach itself, we brought the usual gear. People either lie on towels or rent chairs. I enjoy sunning and floating here. Fort Zach’s seafloor is quite rocky, making wading uncomfortable. I’ve heard the currents can make it difficult for snorklers to find much sealife, but those we talked to said they saw parrot fish and yellowtail snapper.
Southernmost Beach, Key West
Southernmost Beach, named because of its location at the southern end of Duval Street, is tiny and flanked luxury resorts. This is a great place for social butterflies, with a friendly, open-air restaurant where locals and tourists mix.
Smather’s Beach, Key West
Chairs are available to rent here, too. I don’t like wading at Southernmost Beach because the seafloor has the consistency of oatmeal, but it’s fun to float in the warm water. Be aware: This beach sometimes closes early for a late afternoon or evening wedding. Isn’t that romantic!
Smather’s Beach is located on South Roosevelt Boulevard on the Atlantic Ocean. For tourists staying at the Sheraton Suites, it’s right across the street. If staying in Old Town, it’s too far to walk but is a pleasant bike or scooter ride away. Smather’s sand was imported from the Bahamas in 1961.
This beach is huge compared to the other two, and offers the greatest variety of water sports, including parasailing and kayaking. As for swimming, the only complaint I’ve heard is encountering the occasional clump of seaweed. Otherwise, the water is crystal clear.
Of these three beaches, I prefer Smather’s. I love its silky sand, the freedom to lounge apart from the crowd or be part of it, socializing and people-watching. We like to rent a kayak and explore the shallow waters as we enjoy each other’s company–away from the daily stresses of work and home.
Key West’s beaches may not compare to the pink sands of Bermuda or black sands of Hawaii, but I believe they are well worth the bike ride to enjoy the views, the sun, the activity, and interesting people.
Food can be a mini-escape of its own. Combine that pleasure with an exotic atmosphere, and the result can be out-of-this-world. Like many tourist destinations, there are a plethora of restaurants to chose from when staying in Key West. According to Trip Advisor, Old Town has close to two hundred. Each year, my honey and I enjoy different eateries in addition to our regular haunt, El Siboney, a locals’ hotspot around the corner from our Bed & Breakfast. (We crave El Siboney’s Cuban sandwich!)
During our 2009 getaway to the Conch Republic, we were eager to try out Blue Heaven, rated as one of the island’s top ten restaurants. We wanted to visit it not only for the food, but for its colorful history. This site is where Ernest Hemingway once refereed and sparred in Friday night boxing matches during the 1930’s. The restaurant building a bordello back then, and hosted cock fights and gambling at other times.
Biking here is the way to go!
Blue Heaven is located at the corner of Thomas and Petronia in Bahama Village. We biked there, happy to find plenty of bike-friendly parking. In fact, the restaurant’s blogsite recommends their customers “walk, bike, or taxi” since car parking is at a premium in this section of town.
The atmosphere at Blue Heaven is quintessentially Key West, reflecting the Florida Keys slogan, “Come As You Are.” I’d call the style rustic-casual, which suited us fine for lunch. For an informal tour of Blue Heaven, inside and out, check out this video:
Simple and Delicious
Their menu features Caribbean fare. Feeling tame, I ordered the blackened shrimp caesar salad. My honey was a little more daring, and selected their famous yellowtail snapper with black beans, veggies, brown rice, and cornbread. We didn’t eat dessert that day, but we’ve heard rumors this restaurant makes a fine key lime pie.
Happy Rooster
If you like birds, Blue Heaven is the place to be. I’d recommend eating outside unless it’s raining, and soak in the ambiance of their signature courtyard. We listened to the tweets and cock-a-doodle-doos while waiting for our meal, astonished that resident roosters not only pecked around our tables for goodies (They like cornbread, too!), but also perched in the trees above us. I’m a country girl, but I’d never seen anything like that before.
A rooster in a tree??
We didn’t have to wait to be seated for lunch, but those interested in eating breakfast at Blue Heaven are wise to plan ahead. The wait may be well over an hour, and the restaurant’s website warns they serve from the lunch menu at the scheduled time. For evening meals, diners may be entertained by live music as well as by the wildlife. I wouldn’t consider this a romantic dinner option, but a nice place for couples looking for a relaxed evening with interesting sights, Caribbean food, and great drinks.
Now it’s your turn. What’s the most interesting restaurant you’ve enjoyed?
I’m excited to present my first guest post, written by Nicole Basaraba, a lovely Canadian writer living in Europe. I met her via her entertaining travel and book lover’s blog, www.universecityblog.wordpress.com. She kindly offered to share a Belgian beach getaway with us today. In return, I’ll be posting my review of THE HELP on her blog later next week. Please feel free to comment as usual, and enjoy this bonus mini-escape!
While the weather isn’t known to be the best in Belgium, ok its not known to even be good, but when the sun decides to make an appearance most people head to the North Sea.
The word, North, automatically makes you think – cold – and its true it can be chilly, but if you want a weekend away in early spring or late summer, De Haan is the place to go on the Belgian coast.
There are quite a few cities to visit along the Belgian coast, but De Haan is the most inviting. It’s smaller than the popular Oostende and I find that every time we are driving away from De Haan into the sunset I’m always wishing that we could stay longer.
Sit back and relax.
De Haan is in the Flemish part of Belgium and the people are always friendly and cheerful. The residents of these coastal cities dress differently than people living in other parts of the Belgium. You will see young and older people alike riding their bicycles wearing white pants, pastel or navy blue shirts, bright red shoes and hats. They have the sailor-look down pat.
The main street in De Haan is narrow, allows cars, and also happens to be one of the cleanest main shopping streets I’ve seen in Belgium. The shops have tall glass windows with an endless display of pristine clothing, shoes, beachwear, perfumes and other toys that are dying for you to buy them.
You can bring a towel or pay a fee to rent a lounging chair to bask in the sun for the afternoon on the longest sandy beach on the Belgian coast. If you want to be closer to the main road with access to bathrooms, restaurants and terraces to enjoy a cool drink and a snack, then the top of the beach is where to set up camp. Or if you plan on getting a great tan, playing Frisbee and splashing in the salty water you can walk down to the lower end of the beach and sit where the real action is at.
Traveler’s tip: There aren’t any lifeguards to be seen scoping out the waters, so make sure that you keep an eye on your children. On the plus side, you don’t have to worry about any sharks or jellyfish.
De Haan is also known for its sand dunnes. So if you’re spending a weekend, you may want to dedicate a full day to sunbathing and frolicking on the beach and another day to enjoying the views of the sand dunnes, the picturesque villas with the endless balconies, window shopping along streets lined with flowers and visiting the two windmills: Hubert Mill and Geerssens Mill.
The best part about De Haan is not only its beauty and charm, but that it has a population of about 12,000 so it doesn’t get overcrowded like some seaside destinations in Europe and you’re sure to find relaxation.
Nicole Basaraba is a Canadian expat working in print/web publishing in Brussels, Belgium – the land of chocolate. When she’s not eating chocolate and blogging about her European travels, you can find her writing, chatting on various social media, curled up with a good book, watching a movie or hitting the beach.
HE HELP by Kathryn Stockett is a #1 New York Times Bestseller and major motion picture. A good friend of mine recommended it to me as a must-read.
