Canadian Buffoon's Semi-EPIC Vacation - 10/29 - Link to new TR!

[pkondz]

Yes, we have Old Dutch. I occasionally get them.

Ah. Then I can visit you.
This is a criteria, you know.

 

[pkondz]

Food For Thought

Good day, and welcome
to this TR's last update.

Time to put this puppy to bed.


The day was a quick one
and thankfully bereft of
drama or other issues.

And I started it out by
doing something I'd wanted
to do, or rather trying something
I'd wanted to try for a long time.

It started here:

No, I didn't stay there,
but I did eat there.

I had heard, for years,
about the Tonga toast.
Today was the day I was
finally gonna try it.

Holy crap was that good!
I mean... deep fried, banana
stuffed sourdough, dusted
with cinnamon sugar???

Hello!!


I didn't have many
plans for today...
okay, I had pretty much
no plans for the day...
So I took things pretty slow.

I headed over to Epcot
and passed the time just
wandering about, taking in
the Flower & Garden sights.

I popped into the butterfly
garden where people were
being swarmed by flying
insects looking for the blood of...

Um... no... hang on...
That's life in Northern Canada.

This was a bit less... draining.

Eventually, the Tonga Toast
feast wore off enough that
I felt like trying a few food offerings.

I started with a Blood Orange
Aqua Fresca.

Not bad, but it didn't make the
"must have" list for future trips
(if any.)

And then I had... THIS!!!!

Maybe!!

Yeah, um... no idea
what this was.
My note taking suffered
quite a bit on this last day.
Notes? I don't wanna take
any more notes any more
than I wanna go home!
but I'm pretty sure it was...

From the Honey Bee-stro,
Local Wildflower Honey-mascarpone Cheesecake
with Orange Blossom Honey Ice Cream garnished
with Fennel Pollen Meringue Kisses and
Petite Lavender Shoots.
(Thank goodness for Google.)

Not that it overly matters since...
It obviously didn't make enough
of an impact for me to remember
what it was or how it tasted.

I did, though, remember what
this was:

From the Citrus Blossom,
Lobster tail, Citrus shortcake
and of course, I had to try the
Orange Sunshine Wine Slushy.
(I'd previously had the non-alcoholic
version. I'm bucking the trend, though.
Everyone else seems to prefer the wine
one, but I preferred the other one.)

The lobster was superb, while
the cake was forgettable.


The last thing I put in my
ever-expanding tummy,
from Northern Bloom:
Maple Popcorn Shake
(the non-alcoholic one, I think)
and the Beef Tenderloin Tips.

The shake was good and the
beef was fine.
I'd have either again, but I
don't need to rush out for either.


And with that, my trip was
essentially over.
I dropped the car off back
at MCO, made it through
security without any issues,
Breezed through customs
without any problems.
"Bathroom's over there."
I am NOT constipated!!!...
well... I certainly ate enough to...
nevermind! I'm not!"
And arrived safely back
to a much colder locale
than what I'd departed from.

Then again... there probably
wasn't a place on Earth
that was anywhere near as
hot as it was that May
in Florida.



Thanks for reading along, everyone!
I hope you enjoyed reading it
as much as I enjoyed having you
all along for the ride.

Without your comments,
encouragements and occasional
put-downs (you know who you are)
these TRs wouldn't be nearly
worth the effort of typing them up,
nor as enjoyable to produce.
So I thank you all for coming along
on my journeys from the bottom
of my heart.





In case you didn't see them
in the last chapter:

And...
Did you see it in this chapter?
I sure hope not, because I
didn't put any in this chapter!



Coming up... Stay tuned for
a link to a brand spanking
shiny new TR!

 

[SimplyGoofy]

Yum, Tonga Toast! I adore Kona Café and am so glad you had a chance to visit! I'm a slightly bigger fan of the Macadamia nut pancakes, but both dishes are excellent. Your meal makes me even more excited to visit again in May!

Thank you, thank you for trying the lobster at F&G! I saw that on the menu and thought I'd love to try it next year if it returns... but was unsure if lobster from a food booth would be any good. Your glowing endorsement makes me hopeful that it DOES return!

Thank you so much for another excellent trip report! I look forward to the next one!

 

[pkondz]

Yum, Tonga Toast!

I can say that too now! Yum!

I adore Kona Café and am so glad you had a chance to visit!

Me too!
It had been on my list
for... literally, years.

I'm a slightly bigger fan of the Macadamia nut pancakes, but both dishes are excellent. Your meal makes me even more excited to visit again in May!

I have trouble with
Macadamia nuts.
I love them, but they
tend to get caught in
my throat and irritates it.

Thank you, thank you for trying the lobster at F&G!

You're welcome!
The pleasure was all mine!

I saw that on the menu and thought I'd love to try it next year if it returns... but was unsure if lobster from a food booth would be any good. Your glowing endorsement makes me hopeful that it DOES return!

Elle had had it earlier,
and I'd had a little taste.
I knew I wanted a whole one
for myself.
It was sooooo good!

Thank you so much for another excellent trip report! I look forward to the next one!

Thanks for reading, Jenny!

 

[suse66]

I discovered a secondary
joyful occasion.
When the other person
you happen to be traveling
with (i.e. Elle) has to go home
because she works at four
different jobs so can't take
more than one week off.

Poor Elle but lucky you!

I had always wanted to drive
the length of the Florida Keys.
I'm not really sure what started
that obsession. Perhaps it was
tales of deep-sea fishing or
Ernest Hemingway.
It could be any number of things.
I really don't recall.

All I know is the desire to
"drive the Keys" was formed
at an early age... and never really left.

On my bucket list too!

The next morning, I woke up
to a blue, cloud dotted sky.
I made my way out of my room
and after a crossing a short pier,
I was greeted with this view:

Gorgeous!!!!!

I got in my kayak and started
paddling away.

It was a really fun way to spend
a couple or three hours.
The mangrove forest on the Key
forms pathways that in some
areas look more like water filled
tunnels.

One of the entrances:

Oh I would LOVE to do this!

I'd visit the Keys again.
In a heartbeat!
But I wouldn't bother going
all the way to the end of the road
as I did on this trip.
I'm glad I did...
That was the bucket list item.
But I don't feel a need to
go to Key West again.

Good to know.

I was in the Florida Keys...
And I had yet to have
a slice of Key Lime Pie!!!

This will not do!

I pulled in to Mrs. Mac's Kitchen.
The place is... quirky.
I like quirky.

I love quirky AND key lime pie!

No, I didn't stay there,
but I did eat there.

I had heard, for years,
about the Tonga toast.
Today was the day I was
finally gonna try it.

Glad you liked it...it's one of my faves!

And then I had... THIS!!!!

Maybe!!

More yum!

Thanks for reading along, everyone!
I hope you enjoyed reading it
as much as I enjoyed having you
all along for the ride.

Without your comments,
encouragements and occasional
put-downs (you know who you are)
these TRs wouldn't be nearly
worth the effort of typing them up,
nor as enjoyable to produce.
So I thank you all for coming along
on my journeys from the bottom
of my heart.

Thanks for the fun and entertaining read! Looking forward to hearing all about your latest adventures soon!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I love the Tonga toast and it is better at Kona then the QS location, yum!

Nice last F&G treats, always fun to spend some time at Epcot before heading home!

I will be watching for your new TR!

 

[pkondz]

Poor Elle but lucky you!

Pretty much!

On my bucket list too!

Do it! I don't think
you'd regret it.

Gorgeous!!!!!

Don't you wish you
were there right now???

Oh I would LOVE to do this!

It was absolutely wonderful.
It didn't hurt that the
weather was perfect.

I love quirky AND key lime pie!

Then this is the place for you!

Glad you liked it...it's one of my faves!

Thanks for the fun and entertaining read! Looking forward to hearing all about your latest adventures soon!

Thanks for reading Susan!
Next one coming up!

 

[pkondz]

I love the Tonga toast and it is better at Kona then the QS location, yum!

Then I picked the right spot!

Nice last F&G treats, always fun to spend some time at Epcot before heading home!

I will be watching for your new TR!

Not too far off in the future.
Thanks for reading, Caroline!

 

[juniorbugman]

hanks for reading along, everyone!
I hope you enjoyed reading it
as much as I enjoyed having you
all along for the ride.

Without your comments,
encouragements and occasional
put-downs (you know who you are)
these TRs wouldn't be nearly
worth the effort of typing them up,
nor as enjoyable to produce.
So I thank you all for coming along
on my journeys from the bottom
of my heart.

Your faithful readers are glad that you write these trip reports. Awaiting your next journey.
Oh and I never would have found the third hidden Marvin if Mark hadn't mentioned it.
I was just watching the news tonight and Sir Elton is back in town for his final Toronto concert and I cannot believe that it was a year ago that you were in town for his concert. Time certainly does fly. Now I must go and listen to some Elton music while surf the web.

 

[MeghanEmily]

I've heard of the Cabot Trail since... forever.
That's cool that you're going to hike some of it.
Swim with manatees??? How cool is that???
Hope you'll write about that?

I think I'll probably write at least a quick blurb. Should be fun! Always good to try new adventures.

And... yeah, I hear what you're saying.
The AP makes a trip to Disney seem... almost necessary.
But... there's so much else to see out there!

Time to put this puppy to bed.

--> 🛏

Holy crap was that good!
I mean... deep fried, banana
stuffed sourdough, dusted
with cinnamon sugar???

Hello!!

Yum! Sounds like the tonga toast was a hit.

Pretty!

The lobster was superb, while
the cake was forgettable.

You win some, you lose some.

Thanks for reading along, everyone!
I hope you enjoyed reading it
as much as I enjoyed having you
all along for the ride.

I did enjoy it very much! Thanks for writing it for us!

 

[pkondz]

Your faithful readers are glad that you write these trip reports. Awaiting your next journey.

Awww.
Thanks, Judy!

Oh and I never would have found the third hidden Marvin if Mark hadn't mentioned it.

That's cheating!!!!
You're banned from
the contest!!!!

Wait... didn't have one...

Ok... fine!





That one was a tough one.

I was just watching the news tonight and Sir Elton is back in town for his final Toronto concert and I cannot believe that it was a year ago that you were in town for his concert.

Oh, wow.
Man... in some ways...
it was just yesterday.
In others... a lifetime ago.

Time certainly does fly. Now I must go and listen to some Elton music while surf the web.

Wish I could, but I'm at work, so... nope!

 

[pkondz]

I think I'll probably write at least a quick blurb. Should be fun! Always good to try new adventures.

yay!

--> 🛏

Perfect!

Yum! Sounds like the tonga toast was a hit.

Pretty!

Thanks!
I'm pretty proud of that one.
And I got that with my phone!

You win some, you lose some.

And that's okay.
I think that's exactly
what these festivals are for!
Trying new things and
seeing what works
and what doesn't.

I did enjoy it very much! Thanks for writing it for us!

Thanks for reading along, Meghan!

 

[rdkeim]

Enjoyed reading your TR! How great to have the quality time with your DD - making wonderful memories. Nice you could check another one off your bucket list. I've always wanted to drive the Keys too. Maybe a night or 2 in Key West would have made it more enjoyable? Thanks for taking the time to share your trip!

 

[dolewhipdreams]

I had heard, for years,
about the Tonga toast.
Today was the day I was
finally gonna try it.

Ah I still haven't had this yet! It's for sure on my list, though. And glowing reviews such as yours keep it there.

That's life in Northern Canada.

Wait it's warm enough for bugs to survive in Northern Canada?

This was a bit less... draining.

So pretty
Butterflies are just such stress reliever. Name a time when you've ever watched a butterfly and felt anything other than at peace.

The lobster was superb, while
the cake was forgettable.

But not as forgettable as the whats-it-called that you maybe got from the honey place.

Stay tuned for
a link to a brand spanking
shiny new TR!

Haven't you heard? Spanking is so pre-2010s.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Good day, and welcome
to this TR's last update.

Time to put this puppy to bed.

Thank goodn--



Um, I mean...darn.

And I started it out by
doing something I'd wanted
to do, or rather trying something
I'd wanted to try for a long time.

Mobile shopping and online pickup at Walmart. Yeah, I'd be excited, too.

Holy crap was that good!
I mean... deep fried, banana
stuffed sourdough, dusted
with cinnamon sugar???

It looks amazing! Except...I really don't want bananas stuffed in my food. At all.

I popped into the butterfly
garden where people were
being swarmed by flying
insects looking for the blood of...

Um... no... hang on...
That's life in Northern Canada.

This was a bit less... draining.

I see what you did there. Probably the one thing I'm not looking forward to in Alaska.

Yeah, um... no idea
what this was.

Well, I can't help you.

The last thing I put in my
ever-expanding tummy,
from Northern Bloom:
Maple Popcorn Shake
(the non-alcoholic one, I think)
and the Beef Tenderloin Tips.

Popcorn in my shake? No, thanks.

Reminds me of the Ben & Jerry's tour I took. They tried popcorn in ice cream once, but it had the consistency of bits of cardboard. Ugh.

"Bathroom's over there."
I am NOT constipated!!!...
well... I certainly ate enough to...
nevermind! I'm not!"

Some things never change.

Thanks for reading along, everyone!
I hope you enjoyed reading it
as much as I enjoyed having you
all along for the ride.

Absolutely! You never fail to make it fun and entertaining. I've said it before, but I've really enjoyed getting to know you here on the boards.

Without your comments,
encouragements and occasional
put-downs (you know who you are)

I know. Doc is so mean sometimes.

Did you see it in this chapter?
I sure hope not, because I
didn't put any in this chapter!

Oh good. Less time I need to spend zooming in on every photo.

Coming up... Stay tuned for
a link to a brand spanking
shiny new TR!

Son of a...




I mean, Yay! Can't wait!

 

[buzzrelly]

She teaches dance at
four different studios.
I should say "taught".
Due to school workload,
she's cut that back to two.

Good for her. I can totally see my Allie doing that someday, as well. She loves dance

Hmm... how long?
Well, my drive was longer
as I made a few extra stops,
but from the Disney Car Care Center
to Key West is about a
six and a half hour drive.

That's not bad at all! I was thinking it would be more like 12 hours

Yeah, um... no idea
what this was.
My note taking suffered
quite a bit on this last day.
Notes? I don't wanna take
any more notes any more
than I wanna go home!
but I'm pretty sure it was...

From the Honey Bee-stro,
Local Wildflower Honey-mascarpone Cheesecake
with Orange Blossom Honey Ice Cream garnished
with Fennel Pollen Meringue Kisses and
Petite Lavender Shoots.

I think you're right...Nicholas got that same thing last year

Thanks for reading along, everyone!
I hope you enjoyed reading it

Very much

Coming up... Stay tuned for
a link to a brand spanking
shiny new TR!

Looking forward to it!

 

[pkondz]

Enjoyed reading your TR!

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

How great to have the quality time with your DD - making wonderful memories.

That's the best part.

Nice you could check another one off your bucket list. I've always wanted to drive the Keys too.

Then you should go!
I really enjoyed it.

Maybe a night or 2 in Key West would have made it more enjoyable?

That could very well be.
But I loved my spot in
Islamorada. I'd stay again.

Thanks for taking the time to share your trip!

Thanks for reading along!
Next one coming soon.

 

[Tracy161]

Caught up! Unfortunately (for many reasons), I’m waiting for my flu shot with roughly 100 of my now closest pals so my phone doesn’t want to quote, so I’ll try to go from memory. Yay! So happy you finally got down to the Keys. Sorry you weren’t wowed by Key West though. The Keys are a family favorite of ours and I grew up on Jimmy Buffett, the assumed god of the Keys Anyway, we’ve always had a great time in Key West, but we spend lots of time in Old Town. Did you get there? Happy you got some Key Lime pie at long last. In high school, my sisters and I created a presentation to convince my parents to move us to Islamorada. It wasn’t successful.

Ugh, end of trips are hard enough! Why do they always have to harass you about being constipated?! (Eye roll... cause apparently my ability to use emojis went the way of my ability to quote...)

Looking forward to the link to the latest TR! As always, it’s an absolute pleasure reading. Please never stop! (*Hugs*... cause, you know, no emoji inserting...)

 

[pkondz]

Ah I still haven't had this yet! It's for sure on my list, though. And glowing reviews such as yours keep it there.

Eat allll the Tonga Toast!!!

Wait it's warm enough for bugs to survive in Northern Canada?

There's a one week window.
Sometimes shorter.

So pretty
Butterflies are just such stress reliever. Name a time when you've ever watched a butterfly and felt anything other than at peace.

There was that time
I was held up by a crack
butterfly with a knife.

But not as forgettable as the whats-it-called that you maybe got from the honey place.

Yeah. That.

Haven't you heard? Spanking is so pre-2010s.

Are you talking partner,
or children?

It makes a difference.

 

[pkondz]

Thank goodn--



Um, I mean...darn.

I think you were on the
right track when you started...

Mobile shopping and online pickup at Walmart. Yeah, I'd be excited, too.

Okay, that's weird.
DW just did that
for the first time
about a week ago.

It looks amazing! Except...I really don't want bananas stuffed in my food. At all.

Then what do you want stuffed
in there... weirdo.

I see what you did there. Probably the one thing I'm not looking forward to in Alaska.

Go in winter. Problem solved.

Well, I can't help you.

You're no help at all!!!

Popcorn in my shake? No, thanks.

Luckily, just on the shake.
I picked them off before they
could get soggy
and drank the rest.

Reminds me of the Ben & Jerry's tour I took. They tried popcorn in ice cream once, but it had the consistency of bits of cardboard. Ugh.

Yuck. Gross.

Some things never change.

Absolutely! You never fail to make it fun and entertaining. I've said it before, but I've really enjoyed getting to know you here on the boards.

Thanks. Feeling is very mutual.

I know. Doc is so mean sometimes.

Oh good. Less time I need to spend zooming in on every photo.

Giving you a break...
This one time.

Son of a...




I mean, Yay! Can't wait!