Cape Canveral Cruise on vacation in Florida

Posted on July 24, 2011 by admin

Cruise out of Cape Canaveral – villa holiday Florida

On our last holiday to Florida, we decided to take a cruise going out of Cape Canaveral on Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL). We had booked the cruise about 6 weeks prior to our vacation, going direct with NCL we opted for the Eastern Caribbean on the Norwegian Sun and were able to select our deck and room number with the agent. As this was a special anniversary and our first ever cruise we decided to go for a balcony room. We loved the balcony room, and would often sit out on an evening (during the spare moments when we decided not to partake in the ships various entertainments) and during the night we would sleep with the door open to hear the wonderfully relaxing sound of the sea and waves breaking across the ship.

The itinerary covered 3 Caribbean islands, in visit order of Nassau, St Thomas and St Maarten all very different in vegetation, tree cover and architecture. We set sail at 4 pm and were able to view other cruise line ships in dock, like the Royal Caribbean and Disney’s Carnival Dream cruise ship.

We arrived in Nassau on the Sunday morning, berthing adjacent to the Royal Caribbean ship, the Oasis of the Seas, a 6000 passenger capacity ship and Disney’s Carnival Dream entering port not long after us. We walked up to the top of town to see Government house which is the official residence of the Governor General of the Bahamas and then onto the top of the Queens Staircase which was hand cut into the limestone. We walked through the mini-gorge of the Queens staircase and then onto Fort Fincastle which was built in 1793. We did a tour of the castle which was interesting and provided some excellent views of the island. We had a coffee in Bay Street and then got back on ship ready for a late afternoon departure.

We arrived in St Thomas at Charlotte Amalie on the Tuesday lunchtime, berthing alongside the Explorer of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.  We had a full 8 hours in port to do some sight-seeing. We did not do any organised trips but decided to do the Paradise point Sky-ride, a cable car ride to a restaurant and walks with some excellent panoramic views of St Thomas (and where we spotted the largest Iguana I’ve ever seen outside of a Zoo)  followed by a walking tour taking in the 99 steps, Blackbeards Castle and some of the historic houses. We finished by browsing the duty free shops of Charlotte Amalie and relaxing at Emancipation Park.

Our last Port of call was in St Maarten, arriving on the Wednesday morning in Philipsburg the Dutch side of the Island. This was going to be a beach and relaxation day so we caught a taxi around the Great bay to a resort called Divi Little Bay Beach Resort and rented some loungers for a half day. In the afternoon we did a walking tour of the downtown and promenade area of Philipsburg.

We departed Philipsburg in the evening, had two days at sea before arriving back at Port Canaveral.

The weather in March was fantastic, dry and not too hot. The Norwegian Sun freestyle dining was really flexible and suited us, we generally did the formal dining rather than Buffet service and found the dining experience to be excellent with good food and choice with really friendly and helpful service. In all a wonderful first ever cruise.

 

 

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Music Event at Bok Tower Gardens

Posted on August 28, 2010 by admin

We visited the concert under the stars at Bok Tower Gardens on May 1st, 2010. This was the 20th annual concert performed on the great lawn at Bok Tower with the Imperial Symphony Orchestra; a regional community orchestra of approximately 80 musicians, mostly  volunteer; playing a selection from Dvorak Symphony #9, Gershwin, a medley of early American Hymns and a music selection from the 60 bell carillon in Bok Tower.

Bok Tower Gardens music festival

A photo of the great lawn and orchestra tent is shown below, both early evening and after sunset.

Bok Tower Gardens at sunset - Music festival

It was a beautiful evening, weather warm and breezy but not too hot, the gift shop was open and beverage points available however, most visitors took a picnic plus rugs and chairs to enjoy the ambiance of the evening. Pre-concert music was by a local band, Mustang Sally and the Hamjos followed by a picnic contest and the classical concert at 1930 with sundown at approx 2015.

Bok Tower

We really enjoyed the evening, with good music, surrounded by Florida Oak trees, and other spring time flowering trees and bushes with the 205 foot neo-Gothic Bok Tower as a back-drop, the whole setting was delightful. Some photos of the Bok Tower are below.

If we are on vacation at this time of the year in the future we will definetly attend again.

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Villa Holiday, Orlando, Florida

Posted on May 10, 2010 by admin

 

We arrived at our villa, after a flight from the UK to Sanford Airport, dropped off luggage and then out to the near by Publix supermarket for some food shopping.
After a good night sleep we headed off the next day to Cape Canaveral near the Kennedy Space Centre. We had heard on our flight over that the Atlantis space shuttle launch had been delayed until the following day. Fantastic news – we could drive over to see our first ever launch. After about an hour of driving we were at Cape Canaveral. We were surprised by the number of cars, but quickly found a car parking place after following a few local cars who were obviously out to witness the launch. We were all getting excited, we borrowed binoculars from a friendly American family, who on hearing our English tomes started chatting away. Lots of cheering as the shuttle launched, I managed to get a few photos but it was all over quite quickly.

Shuttle lift off Cape Canaveral

Shuttle lift off Cape Canaveral

 

Space Shuttle Atlantis trajectory - Cape Canaveral, Florida

Space Shuttle Atlantis trajectory - Cape Canaveral, Florida

Had a wonderful trip to SEAWORLD, a great day out and great shows like Blue Horizons and Shamu the whale. The park was reasonably quiet in September so thankfully no queues so we saw every show and had time for interesting talks with the attendants and keepers.

Seaworld orlando Believe show with shamu the whale

Seaworld orlando Believe show with shamu the whale

Dropped our young adults off at Wet n Wild water park while they had a fun in the water we did some leisurely shopping and relaxing around the pool and resort clubhouse. We also left them to tour Universal studios Island of Adventure and theme park while we did even more leisurely shopping, eating at the cheesecake factory and relaxing around the pool and resort clubhouse. Decided to do something different than the round of Disney World and other theme parks and took a drive to North Orlando to Wekiwa Springs State Park. As soon as I arrived I knew this was my type of day.  The waters in the park are absolutely crystal clear, at a constant temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit and you can go swimming, snorkeling and canoeing, or fishing and horse riding if that is of interest. The springs flow into the Weiva River and eventually to St Johns river, within the 7800 acre park is an abundance of natural wildlife and plants, including blue herons, egrets, ospreys, kingfishers, tortoise, alligator, deer and much more. See more at the Florida State Park website
We decided to rent some canoes made us feel like explores in a wild land. There were a few other canoeists on the river so it really felt lke we were getting away from it all. The water was never deeper than a few feet, so at any time (checking for alligators or snakes) one could jump out of the canoe and take a refreshing dip in the water. Not that we did mind you, but we did note a few people swimming.

 

Wekiwa state park canoeists

Wekiwa state park canoeists

Wekiwa springs – tired canoeist

Wekiwa springs – tired canoeist

Wekiwa Springs – strange fish

Wekiwa Springs – strange fish

Wekiwa springs – swimming

Wekiwa springs – swimming outdoors

We made an early start and drove to the Gulf coast, stopping off for breakfast on way. Arrived at Honeymoon island state park at 10.00 hours. I walked the three mile Osprey trail, where I spotted several Osprey and wild tortoise although it is possible to spot American Bald Eagles, Red-shouldered Hawks, or Great Horned Owls,  armadillos, and various snakes. Again not many tourists, mosquitoes were a pest so long trousers and long sleeved shirts are a must. Take your buckets and parasols because the white sand of the nearby beach is gorgeous. A short boat trip takes you to Caldesi Island, which claims the title of the number one mainland beach in the
USA. Wonderful peaceful beaches with great shells for gathering.

Honeymoon Island state park Osprey trail

Honeymoon Island state park Osprey trail

Honeymoon island wild tortoise

Honeymoon island wild tortoise

For me, we had some fantastic days out and places like Wekiwa springs state park and Honeymoon Island State Park were the real Florida and something not to be missed. We had some great evenings out at Downtown Disney World and Celebration, meals in Carrabba’s and the restaurant on Route 27 called Cracker Barrel. Cocktails at Chillies and cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory…….. fantastic.

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Vacation trip to Lowry Zoo, Florida

Posted on August 27, 2009 by admin

As a change from the normal tourist agenda we decided to try out the Tampa bay zoo – named Lowry park zoo which is located on a a 41 acre site and was again voted number 1 family friendly zoo by Parents Magazine recommendation and upholds high standards with landscaped animal habitats and more than 2000 animals housed in one of eight habitat areas, which are named:

  • Safari Africa with elephants, zebras, giraffes, antelope, cheetahs, hippopotamus, meerkat and more.  White Tigers at Asian Gardens.
    Lowry Zoo Birds of Prey
  • Free flight aviaries: set in a sub tropical rain forest habitat one can view toucans, herons, various macaws, and other exotic and endangered birds
  • Florida boardwalk: with animals native to Florida including stingrays, American alligator, American crocodiles, black bears, bald eagles, panther, otters and more.
    Bears at Lowry Zoo

    Lowry Zoo White Tigers

 

The entrance fee includes shows and talks like the Spirit of adventure, birds of prey flying and knowledge sharing, Manatee encounter and others.
There are also good rides for the children, including the Safari sky ride, gator falls plume ride, flyin bananas, camel rides and others. These rides are an additional cost to entrance fee.

Check the Lowry zoo website for admission fees and opening times, in 2009 we paid $19.95 for an adult ticket, children are $14.95 and under 2′s are free; opening hours as quoted were 9:30 am to 5 pm 7 days a week.
There are also a selection of restaurants and cafes for drinks and eats.
Its a place worth checking out for a family day out.

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Vacation Villa Holiday, Orlando Florida

Posted on August 11, 2009 by admin

We arrived at the villa after flying into Orlando International airport (MCO). Itinernary on this trip was Heathrow to Washignton DC, change flights and into Orlando. Total flight time was 10 hours with a 2 hour stopover in Washington. We took a day of rest and relaxation, whilst our daughter and friend went to Seaworld in Orlando. Enjoyed the pleasures of Orlando for a few days then we drove down to Naples, Florida. While in Naples we did the barrier isalnd – Sanibel island, just North of Naples, famous for its beaches and shells which get washed up from the Caribbean and other southern seas.

That night we walked Naples fith avenue and surrounds which was buzzing with people out for evening entertainment in restaurants and bars. Staying overnight we then made our way to the Everglades National Park. We stopped in the visitors centre near Everglades City which is about 30 miles south of Naples. The Gulf Coast Visitor centre is located near Everglades City where we learned of the four poisonous snakes, diamondbacks, pygmy rattlesnakes, coral snakes and water moccasins. Wild birds are in abundance, like osprey, egrets, endangered wood storks and bald eagles and of course the reptiles: alligators as well as manatees. We noted that swimming was not encouraged in the National Park – as if any of us were going to take a dip with so many creatures out to get you !

Some interesting history of the indigenous people in the Everglades was fascinating, the Tequestas who established villages at the mouths of rivers and elevated tracts of land. Seminole people habited Florida in the 19th century after being pushed south during the Seminole wars. Descendants of these tribes still live in the Everglades National Park. Efforts to preserve the wilderness in South Florida was established on Decmber 6 1947 when the Everglades National Park was formed. Thankfully this recognition as a unique ecosytem (the only everglades in the world) preserved the wetlands, and today it is recognised as a World Heritage Site.

We entered the Big Cypress National Preserve off US 41, Tamiami Trail. The Oasis vistorscentre is well worth visiting as a film show provides insight into the creation of the park and the wildlife contained therein.

We then turned off US41 at the Monroe station and took route 94, a single lane road that is only open during the dry season. It floods during the summer wet season. We stopped off at multiple points along the route and went for short walks where i took a plethora of photographs.

Alligator in swamp

Alligator in swamp

Looking down on an alligator from a safe distance. They can move fast so prudent not to get too close.

Plenty of Alligators

Plenty of Alligators

 

 

 

 

Beautiful everglades forest scenery

Beautiful everglades forest scenery

The stillness of the pools and forest were somthing to witness with reflections omething akin to a Salvador Dali painting.

 

view of everglades pool reflections

view of everglades pool reflections

After completing the circuit which finishes at the forty-mile bend on US41 we made the drive back to our Orlando villa, where i clocked about 190 miles an took 4.5 hours with a comfort and drinks break.

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