Walt Disney World with Irma - Part I

In September of 2017, I decided that I should go visit Walt Disney World.  It's the perfect time for it. Food and Wine is going on at Epcot, and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween gives lots of opportunities to go on rides with little to no wait at the Magic Kingdom. 

I did a 3 resort trip, starting with the Polynesian, Club Level. I am a huge fan of Hawaii, and I've always enjoyed visiting the lobby. I love Trader Sams. The resort is lovely, and convenient to the Magic Kingdom. The pool is fun, and in spite of some previous reports I had seen, it does indeed have a hot tub.

Club Level Room in the Polynesian Resort

I started off with a visit to the Magic Kingdom, since it is the one that is most convenient to the Polynesian Resort. 

Main Street USA

I want to concentrate on Adventureland for today, because it contains some of my favourite rides, and my favourite MK restaurant (but more about that later). 

Entry to Adventureland

One of the underrated things in Adventureland, if you are easily mobile, is the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. I've never seen a wait for it, and the detail is amazing. You do have to be able to climb stairs, but if you have a daily flights goal, this is an easy way to rack up the numbers.

Cannon from the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse

Detail from Adventureland

Tiki Misters in Adventureland

A new-to-me addition to Adventureland was the Skipper Canteen. As a fan of both the Jungle Cruise, and the late, lamented Adventurers' Club, I love this restaurant. It has a lot of references to both, with droll wit and fun props. It also has the best tofu I have ever eaten. Beer and wine are available, to make your meal a little more adult, if you like.

Display in the Skipper Canteen

Speaking of the Jungle Cruise...

Ladies and Gentlemen: the Backside of Water!

And let's not forget my favourite in Adventureland -- Pirates of the Caribbean!

Reintroduction and Quick New Orleans 2017

I'm sorry it has been so long. I've missed you all. I have been travelling, but I haven't been posting. Well, that changes today.

There have been a few changes since we last spoke. I have retired from the world of software development, and am now a full time travel agent. Dear reader, I offer full service travel planning, including some extras (buy a vacation package, and you can get a 2 week countdown via text or email, with pictures and facts about your destination).  So, contact me please, and let me help you.

In the early summer of 2017, I went to New Orleans for a quick romp before I started my new job (still as a dev).

Jackson Square

Jackson Square is a great place, with cats if you can find them. It is near Cafe du Monde, Muriel's, and many other fine bars, restaurants,  and other establishments.

Ghost's Table at Muriel's

Muriel's is at the top right corner of Jackson Square. It is reputed to be very haunted, of course, and has massively delicious food, because this is New Orleans, and even the poltergeists like to eat. The ghost's table is in fact reserved for the former owner, and is replenished daily with bread and wine to keep him happy.

Pierre Maspero's

A restaurant I love to go to for the ambience, and traditional New Orleans food options. Don't forget the hot sauce. 

Holiday Inn Chateau LeMoyne

A nice hotel, conveniently located in the French Quarter. My room had a balcony overlooking a very nice wall. ;)

I did a lot of tourist stuff this trip, including singing several songs at the Cat's Meow, bar (jazz) hopping down Frenchmen Street, a Haunted Pub Tour, and, what was surely the highlight, the History of the Cocktail tour with the Confederacy of Cruisers. They fit you with a bike with a drink holder, and start you off with a proper daiquiri. It is a great tour and highly recommended, if you don't mind mixing your drinks.

The above is a gin fizz from one of the tour stops. I had never had one before. It was hand shaken, and took the bartender quite some time. It was delicious. The whole tour was wonderful.

Sadly, the trip had to end, but my last morning there, I was at Jackson Square, and a brass band busking there played "St. James' Infirmary." It was a truly wonderful end to a short, but terrific trip.

Apology

I am sorry I have let this blog go stagnant. It's not that travel isn't important to me. It's not that I don't value my readers. But, the last several months have been very difficult for me.

Dear readers, TWGH is no more. He passed away after a very distressing and heart-breaking illness.

I hope to resume posting our Kenya trip soon. It was full of magical moments. It just still hurts too much.

Kenya 2016 - Part 2 : Safari Park Hotel Nairobi

At Jomo Kenyatta, once we got through the interminable wait for our electronic visas (seriously, all but one of the agents supposed to be handling this were calling people over for the shorter "Buy your visa now" line) and picked up our luggage,  TWGH and I were met by a local fixer who took us to meet our driver. This also took a while because of the security inspection going into the airport.

Our Chariot Awaits

The room got a bit cold at night, but the water was nice and hot, and the after-flight shower felt wonderful. 

We checked out one of the restaurants, since I hadn't been feeling well on the plane, and was now starving. The food was good, but the portions were huge.

We Agreed to Meet at the Elephant in the morning

Kenya 2016 - Part 1: Getting There

I thought I would try something a little different this time, so this is going to be a video(s) and pictures blog entry. This is a series of short clips and images outlining my journey to Nairobi.

TWGH and I at Pearson Airport

Air Canada Business Class Menu

The food was excellent, and there's nothing like a lie-flat sleep pod to make travel restful.

Kenya 2016 - Preview

We just got back and I am still going through all the photos/video, but as a preview:

• Business class is definitely the way to go if it takes 16 hours flying time to get to your destination
• We got upgraded to really spectacular lodgings in the middle of our trip -- thanks Odyssey Safaris!
• We arrived late in the Great Migration, but did get to see one of the river crossings.
• I inadvertantly got a few x-rated nature videos this time around.
• Gnu puns abound.

Your cast for this trip are:

• Stepmonster (your humble narratrix)
• The World's Greatest Husband (her devoted mate)
• Jane (Stepmonster's friend and fellow traveller)
• Angi (Stepmonster's friend and fellow traveller)

Who we travelled with:

Odyssey Safaris -- I contacted them about a year ago with an itinerary proposal, and they arranged everything.

Swiss Air -- Flights were booked through them - actual carriers were Air Canada, Swiss Air,  and Lufthansa.

Safari Park Hotel -- Nairobi

Ashnil Hotels -- Buffalo Springs Reserve and the Maasai Mara.

Serena Hotels -- Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Sarova Hotels -- Lake Nakuru and the Maasai Mara.

And one picture to whet your appetite:

Walt Disney World 2015 - Part II

Moving from the Beach Club to the Animal Kingdom Lodge was simple. Bell services transferred my bags while I went to a park. I want to say this was my favourite part of the trip. I love AKL, and I was staying club level.

When I said I was staying club, they whisked me up to the lounge for a complimentary (okay, included) Tusker and check in. Any time you want, if the lounge is open, you can go in and ask for a lovely Tusker or delicious South African wine.

My room was, of course, Savanna view, and it was wonderful. I love the decor in AKL.

Detail of tile in the bathroom -- Gorgeous

My View

Club Level spoils you. Available breakfast, lovely hot & cold hors d'oeuvres in the evening, wine and beer... Another feature that should not go unmentioned is the liqueurs and desserts in the late evening. I'm not a huge sweet fan, but I found an Amarula and cappucino to be a wonderful way to finish a happy day.

Savanna View Giraffe

Ankole Cattle

I only did the Animal Kingdom park while staying at the AKL, and did a pool day. I especially enjoy the Kilimanjaro Safari, and looking at the animals on the Pangani trail. I am also partial to going to the petting zoo at Rafiki's Planet Watch. It turns out that goats are very fond of people with canes.

Story hour is one of the activities at AKL

Marshmallow Roasting is another