| From California to Florida  Tanya's Daily Scoop CURRENTLY IN: ORLANDO, FL Heya folks, Have you noticed that your favorite Travelin' Cousins are BOTH in Orlando?! While Elisa was enjoying her 2nd day at the Disney Park Resorts (read all about that in her Blog) and I was taking care of business to get myself to LAX and then hop into a nap capsule (flight) for the night and then just like magic when I woke up, I was at MCO and being picked up by Elisa!! See our shared blog and more pictures BELOW... | Disney Springs Family Get Together &. Orland Fun  Elisa's Daily Scoop CURRENTLY IN: ORLANDO, FL Hey there!! I cannot tell you how much I needed a real vacation. Don't get me wrong - I had 2 wonderful trips over the summer, but each of them had a pretty full itinerary. This trip does have a number of things on the schedule each day, HOWEVER, I didn't overbook my days and it has been a pure joy to have only one main thing each to do each day. After arriving safely in Orlando and settling into our hotel, our first full day began with a nice leisurely morning with an afternoon bus ride to the Disney Springs shopping area.  Our bus to The Disney Springs (c)travelincousins.com  Day 2 at Disney Springs (c)travelincousins.com We met up with my Aunt Joan and Uncle Gerry, a long overdue reunion with my mom! It was so nice seeing these old "friends" embrace after a number of years. Their friendship goes back over sixty years, and , in fact, they were there at the hospital when yours truly was born!!!  Together at the Springs with our family - Joan, (Me), Mom, and Gerry (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com We made our way to our dinner destination, Raglan Road and it didn't disappoint!! I had lunch there back in June when I visited Disney with my daughters. Here is a recap of our lovely dinner!!  Dinner destination (c)travelincousins.com  Interior of Raglan Road  Irish Step Dancers (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  Comfort Bread - Brown Soda Bread with Guinness Glaze and olive oil (c)travelincousins.com  Sure I'm Frittered - broccoli and corn fritter with a sweet corn puree and fire roasted pepper relish (c)travelincousins.com  Vegan Hottie Pie - three bean and lentil chili casserole with bulgar wheat, root vegetables topped with olive oil mashed potatoes with a fire roasted pepper and cherry tomato (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com  (c)travelincousins.com The following day, it was Cousins time as Tanya and I reunited in Orlando!! See below for our joint recap. Till next time, Travelin' Elisa |
ELISA & TANYA UNITE IN ORLANDO!!
We are so excited that me and my cuz are back together today! I picked up Tanya at around 8am when she landed at Orlando International Airport after taking the red-eye from LAX.
We immediately got down to business and headed to Whole Foods to pick up some snacks and food items for the next few days.
Mom slept in while Tanya and I did some boppin' around.
Our first visit was to the community of Celebration. Celebration is located in in Osceola County, Florida, near Walt Disney World Resort. It was originally developed by The Walt Disney Company. It was a gorgeous day - perfect for walking around. After getting a few drinks (a smoothie for Tanya and a Lemongrass juice for Elisa), we headed down towards the water to sit and chat and catch up with one another.
We immediately got down to business and headed to Whole Foods to pick up some snacks and food items for the next few days.
Mom slept in while Tanya and I did some boppin' around.
Our first visit was to the community of Celebration. Celebration is located in in Osceola County, Florida, near Walt Disney World Resort. It was originally developed by The Walt Disney Company. It was a gorgeous day - perfect for walking around. After getting a few drinks (a smoothie for Tanya and a Lemongrass juice for Elisa), we headed down towards the water to sit and chat and catch up with one another.
Celebration in Osceola County, FL (c)travelincousins.com
The town is very cute - to me, Elisa, it looked like a pre-fab movie set and strongly resembled the color palette and design details found in many of the Disney World resorts. With tree-lined streets, and quaintly designed architecture, this community possesses a mix of shops and restaurants. The lake is one of the focal points, with tables and chairs to enjoy the eye catching view of the town.
In front of the lake in Celebration (c)travelincousins.com
(c)travelincousins.com
Travelin' Tanya in Celebration (c)travelincousins.com
Next stop, we headed to Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. If you have been following our blog for a while, you know how much we cousins LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to roam beautiful gardens and take in the ambience of nature. This particular garden has a special feature which is the Tower. It is a special singing tower with a carillon which is an instrument that is comprised of 60 bells with a musical range of five octaves. Of those sixty bells, the largest weighs an astounding 22,400 lbs and the smallest weighs a mere 16 lbs!!
The tower located in Bok Tower Gardens in Central Florida has concerts at 1pm and 3pm daily, however, we were not there to catch either, however, upon arrival, we did manage to hear the end of the 1pm bell concert.
The tower located in Bok Tower Gardens in Central Florida has concerts at 1pm and 3pm daily, however, we were not there to catch either, however, upon arrival, we did manage to hear the end of the 1pm bell concert.
Walking up to the Gardens (c)travelincousins.com
Welcome to Bok Tower Gardens
Did Travelin' Tanya find a new friend? (c)travelincousins.com
Visitor's Center/Museum
Travelin' Tanya in front of a painting of the Bok Tower (c)travelincousins.com
Visitor's Center/Museum
 Samples of flowers found throughout the gardens (c)travelincousins.com |  The grounds (c)travelincousins.com |
The Gardens
One of the beautiful flowers on the grounds (c)travelincousins.com
Walking Around the Gardens
 Relaxing in the Gardens (c)travelincousins.com |  It is just fascinating how Papaya grows (c)travelincousins.com |
Posing for the picture (c)travelincousins.com
Bok Tower with Koi fish in the foreground (c)travelincousins.com
 Travelin Cousins in front of the Bok Tower (c)travelincousins.com |  Say CHEEEEESE (c)travelincousins.com |
As the afternoon came upon us, so did the Florida HEAT. So, right on cue when that happens both I (Tanya) and Elisa begin to wilt and run (not really run, but slog for cover and some good chilly A/C). And so we did - straight into the gift shop!
And finally back to the resort so that I could greet my Aunt and then so that all three of us gals could go fetch some dinner.
On this night being that we had no reservations and most places were already fully booked, our choices were limited and we chose a place that was off of our radar - ALE & COMPASS location at Disney's Yacht Club Resort.
And finally back to the resort so that I could greet my Aunt and then so that all three of us gals could go fetch some dinner.
On this night being that we had no reservations and most places were already fully booked, our choices were limited and we chose a place that was off of our radar - ALE & COMPASS location at Disney's Yacht Club Resort.
At the Yacht Club waiting for our table. (c)travelincousins.com
 Ale & Compass Salad (c)travelincousins.com |  Corn Agnolotti (c)travelincousins.com |
We were all quite hungry and both Elisa and I had order identical plant based meals which were quite good and quite filling. Knowing that I wanted to also indulge in some ice cream from Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, I opted to take home half of my entree and save it for another meal.
After much catching up and story telling, we were off to go satisfy our sweet tooth...sorry, we both forgot to take pics of the dessert and in addition to that, after I had taken the picture you see below and after we had made our way back to our resort I had realized that I didn't have my camera. I searched and searched and then searched some more, but to no avail. How could I have lost my camera?!
It had been dangling on my wrist all night long and now it was officially missing. This had me in a frenzy. I had looked everywhere.
The only thing left to do was to call lost and found. I soon found out that the lost and found office was already closed for the night. However, the kind woman who was at the information desk had offered to contact the front desk of both the Yacht Club and the Beach Club to inquire if my camera had been turned in.
After much catching up and story telling, we were off to go satisfy our sweet tooth...sorry, we both forgot to take pics of the dessert and in addition to that, after I had taken the picture you see below and after we had made our way back to our resort I had realized that I didn't have my camera. I searched and searched and then searched some more, but to no avail. How could I have lost my camera?!
It had been dangling on my wrist all night long and now it was officially missing. This had me in a frenzy. I had looked everywhere.
The only thing left to do was to call lost and found. I soon found out that the lost and found office was already closed for the night. However, the kind woman who was at the information desk had offered to contact the front desk of both the Yacht Club and the Beach Club to inquire if my camera had been turned in.
On our way to go get dessert (c)travelincousins.com
Once back on the line, I was given the information that my camera was located and waiting for me at the front desk. Whew what a relief that was! And that my friends was the end of our night.
We'll be back to share more soon.
Ciao 4 Now,
-Travelin' Tanya AND Travelin' Elisa
We'll be back to share more soon.
Ciao 4 Now,
-Travelin' Tanya AND Travelin' Elisa
