Michael_D's VirtualTourist Home Page
| Page Views: 28,175 | ~Welcome to Sunny Florida~ by Michael_D - last update: Nov 6, 2009  |
When in doubt,,,try KINDNESS;-) | THE VILLAGES JANUARY 2009 |
BACK FROM THE ORLANDO VT MEET
Full VT Meet INFO
Thursday afternoon, October 8 through Monday AM, Oct 12
(SEE BELOW FOR SCHEDULE & review of EVENTS)
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2009 GOOD STUFF(my usual travel/event log)
DECEMBER
-8 days condo in Daytona
-dinner @ Jeffs in Mt Dora
-Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach
-Lake Helen, Lake Catherine
**HAPPY NEW YEAR Y'ALL**
FEB
EPCOT dinner Japan/ LUNCH Mexico
The Villages Florida
MARCH
EPCOT(AGAIN) DINNER /GERMANY lunch/ JAPAN
New Smyrna Beach
Ormond Beach
HOTEL Mct CLOSES
APRIL
DAYTONA CONDO
VOLUSIA county bus tour
PETER FROM UKRAINE VISITS
MAY
New Summer kitchen..BUMPED deck out 4ft...roof w/skylight..I now BBQ daily
Virtual Tour to Michigan via I75
MONSTER CARIBBEAN CRUISE!
York/Shambles/Three Penny Opera!
JUNE
ORLANDO MAGIC win the NBA Eastern conference championship beating
Philadelphia 76ers
Boston Celtics
Cleveland Cavaliers
MAGIC goes to NBA Finals
JULY
Early AM's, midday siestas and great food on my summer Stay-cation.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS $20 ALL u CAN EAT MEAL DEAL!
Lake County bus now connects to Orlando , MANY O-town trips($3 r/t)
Rennovated bathroom. Tub=gone. I now have a cool corner shower.
AUGUST
Rochester reunion...reconnected electronically with Monroe High School friends, Al Zukosky, Tammy Perez, Roz Cohn, Paul Dreas, Barb Cherry, Brad McGrath, Faith Balanger, Sharon Katz, Barb Hellman and Joe Pero.
SEPTEMBER
Party @ Barbs
Party @ Alans
Daytona Beach Shores crablegs n vodka
Ponce Inlet
Ponce Lighthouse
In/out of Orlando at will via new bus system
BBQ @ Jeffs
Jazzfest in Clermont
Crablegs in the summer kitchen 2x! w/steaks
Universal Studios 2x
Bought a Crockpot & was declared a potroast GOD!
Drum Corps Associates Championships Rochester NY
1. Buccaneers 99.025
A good time had by all. Congrats to my hometown Empire Statesmen for 3rd place!
OCTOBER
VIRTUAL TOURIST MEET AT WALT DISNEY WORLD OCT 8TH-10TH
Universal Studios/IKEA(free breakfast)
Daytona
Magic Kingdom
EPCOT
Animal Kingdom
NOVEMBER
EPCOT
BILLY OCEAN CONCERT A++
*FYI a seasonal pass to Walt Disney World for Floridians is $249 and they now give you 15 months! |
| HI Y'ALL...life is GOOD!~ |
|  | FINAL REVIEW of the Orlando Virtual Tourist MEET
Thursday, October 8th
Meet & Greet Saratoga Springs Villa 5-8:00 PM. There was a full free bar with A+ chili, munchies, dips, so whats not to love? VT ambassador/ community liason Stephanie(and her all around great guy Gerry) conducted the VT Olympics. The competition was fierce and there was $1.83 in valuable prizes for the winners including VT totebags. Roman Polanski made a surprise visit.(inside joke)
Anne/TS(Anne..the self proclaimed Travelslut) & her husband Charlie were excellent hosts & a good time was had by all. There were VTers from Britain, Missouri and every part of Florida. It felt like family.
Friday, October 9th
Was freeform as many local VTers had to work & most preferred to do various unplanned things. For me I returned to the Champions resort(I got a sweet deal 3 days/4 nights $88) to swim, have major cocktails & rest up for miles of walking tomorrow at EPCOT. Is life great or what?
Saturday, October 10th
Cypress Lake Airboat Tour for the VT group.
Due to my back(had a back "procedure" recently) considerations, I opted to do the EPCOT Food/WineFest. The IRISH lobster and crab pie($3.75) was best followed by the New Zealand scallop & chutney($4)add an Irish bread/cheese plate(all of $1.75) and a greek salad($2.50) and its culinary heaven. Went back to Champions Resort, hit the pool, napped thru the heat of the day, followed by a relaxing time at the Dolphin Hotel to see the PM fireworks. I will return to EPCOT Thursday(courtesy of my seasonal pass thenkUveddymuch;-) to sample the South African sirloin & sweet potato and the Austrian paprika beef stew I saw along the way.
The VT group did the boat tour & reconvened back at the hospitality Condo/Villa at 5:30 PM for a self-hosted dinner at Raglan Road Irish Pub (after eating at EPCOT all day dinner wasnt a priority for me LOL) followed by an exclusive view of Magic Kingdoms awesome fireworks display at 9:00 PM from a private viewing deck on the 15th floor inside the California Grill Restaurant at Disneys Contemporary Resort.
Sunday, October 11th
Brunch 10:00 AM –NOON at Saratoga Springs Hospitality Villa featured nice home made fare including a GREAT omelette casserole, Brit beans on toast, ham, bundt cake, apple bread pudding, scalloped potatoes and again a full bar(but even for me it was a tad early) and Stephanie made mimosas the moment I arrived. We talked for hours. Then it was tearfull goodbyes and lovely parting gifts. I scored a VT cap, VT pins/pens & luggage stickers. It was on to The Magic Kingdom for me. Rode the carousel, saw Donald Ducks 3D musical(A+), visted the hotels via air-conditioned monorail comfort..The Polynesian, Future Hotel and the best of all The Grand Floridian.
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EPCOT Wine&Foodfest menu(price$ in album below)
Greece
Greek Salad/Pita Bread
Spanakopita Spinach Cheese Pastry
Souvlaki
Baklava
Beverages Moschofilero/Santorini,
Thailand
Chicken Coconut Soup w/Mushrooms, Lemongrass & Ginger
Green Papaya Salad w/ Shrimp
Singha Beer
Spain
Serrano Ham, Chorizo, Manchego, Olives, Tomato Bread
Red Snapper Escabeche
Crema Catalana
Beverages Poema Cava Brut, Bodega Don Olegario Albariño,
Argentina
Beef Empanada w/Salsa
Grilled Beef Skewer w/ Chimichurri Sauce
Bodega Norton Wines
South Africa
Mealie Soup w/ Crabmeat & Chili Oil
Seared Beef Tenderloin w/ Sweet Potato, Mango BBQSauce
Goats do Roam White/red/rose & Fairview Pinotage wines
Ireland
Lobster & Scallop Fisherman's Pie
Aged-Cheddar, Dubliner & Ivernia Cheese, Apple Chutney & Brown Bread Chocolate Lava Cake w/ Bailey's Ganache
Beverage: Bunratty Meade, Guinness Draught
Poland
Kielbasa & Potato Pierogie, Onions & Sour Cream
Braised Pork Shank w/ Cabbage & Fresh Herbs
Chopin Raspberry Chiller
Morocco
Kefta beef pita pocket
Falafel Pita Pocket
Baklava
Royale Tangerine Mimosa; Casa Beer
Australia
Seared Barramundi w/Cherry Tomatoes, Arugula & Lemon Oil
Grilled Lamb Chop, Red Wine Sauce
Rosemount Traminer Riesling, Rosemount Pinot Noir, Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet, Penfolds Bin 2
Mexico
Taco de Cochinita Pibil Corn Tortilla w/ Shredded Pork & Purple Onions
Quesadilla con Chorizo
Mousse de Piña y Coco
Chilaquiles Tortillas Layered w/ Chicken/Cheese
Dos Equis Beer, L.A. Cetto Chardonnay, L.A. Cetto Private Reserve, L.A. Cetto Petite Sirah, Mexican Sunrise
Canada
Cheddar Cheese Soup
Maple Glazed Salmon w/ Lentil Salad
Chicken Sausage w/ Sweet Corn Polenta
Maple Sugar Candy
Beverages Moosehead Beer, Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, Château des Charmes Riesling, Château des Charmes Vidal Icewine, St. David's Bench Vineyard Merlot
Germany
Späetzle Gratin / Ham and Cheese
Nuernberger Sausage on Pretzel Roll
Apple Strudel Vanilla Sauce
Beverages S.A. Prüm Wines: Essence Riesling, Blue Slate Riesling, Graacher Himmelreich Riesling, Spatlese, Schloss Reinhartshausen Old Vines Riesling, Beck's Pilsner, Beck's Oktoberfest
India
Mango Yogurt
Rava Masala Dosa, Sambal -Potato nion Pastry
Gulab Jamun -Fried Dough w/Rose Syrup / Pistachio
Beverages Sula Vineyards Wines: Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, Kingfisher Premium Lager Beer
New Orleans
Crawfish Étouffée -Spicy Cajun Crawfish & Vegetable Stew, Rice
Chicken Andouille Gumbo
Praline Bread Pudding, Bourbon Caramel Sauce
Beverages Abita Amber Beer, Abita Purple Haze Beer, SazzaRazz Cocktail
Paris
Escargot Persillade en Brioche
Cabernet Short Ribs / Mashed Potatoes
Chocolate Milk Creme Brûlée
Beverage Selection : Chardonnay (Bouchard Ainee & Fils, Merlot (Chateau Mezain, Bordeaux, Sparking Pomegranate Kir, Parisien Cosmo Slush
Brazil
Shrimp Stew / Coconut &Lime
Grilled Pork Skewer w/ Farofa
Beverage: Leblon Frozen Caipirinha
Puerto Rico
Ham Croquette
Arroz con Pollo
Guava Cookie
Beverage: Bacardi Frozen Mojito, Bacardi Frozen Dragon Berry Colada
Chile
Rock Shrimp Ceviche
Corn & Cheese Arepa
Alfajores Dulce de Leche Cookie)
Beverage: Concha y Toro Wines: Chardonnay & Cabernet Sauvignon, Viñedos Emiliana Wines: Carmenere and Sauvignon Blanc
Shanghai
Chicken Ürümqi
Shrimp or Beef Rice Pancake
Pork Pot Stickers
Caramel Ginger Ice Cream
Beverage: Tsing Tao Beer, Green Tea Plum Wine Cooler, Dragon Hollow Chardonnay, Happy Lychee, Dasani Bottle Water
Japan
Spicy Tuna Roll
Sukiyaki Beef Roll
California Sushi Roll Crabmeat/Cucumber
Tuna Sensation
Beverage: Kirin Draft Beer
Austria
Goulash mit Servietten Knoedel Paprika Beef Stew/Bacon Dumpling
Mushroom Soup/Chive Dumplings
Sachertorte
Beverage: Leth Grüner Veltliner, Leth Riesling, Iby Zweigelt
New Zealand
Seared Sea Scallop w/ Vegetable Slaw, Lemon Oil
Lamb w/ Tomato Chutney
Beverage Selection: Villa Maria Wines: Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc, Private Bin Unoaked Chardonnay, Private Bin Riesling, Private Bin Merlot/Cabernet
Sauvignon
| | | TOWER BRIDGE, LONDON(MY FAV CITY) |
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| | EPCOT ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE
Location: World Showcase at Epcot America Gardens Theatre
Show Times: Daily — 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
Better Than Ezra
Dates: October 7 — October 8
Signature Song: "Good"
Sister Hazel
Dates: October 9 — October 11
Signature Song: "All For You"
Kool & The Gang
Dates: October 12 — October 13
Signature Song: "Celebration"
Spyro Gyra
Dates: October 14 — October 16
Signature Song: "Morning Dance"
Jon Secada
Dates: October 17 — October 18
Signature Song: "Just Another Day"
Sister Sledge
Dates: October 19 — October 20
Signature Song: "We Are Family"
Vanessa Carlton
Dates: October 21 — October 22
Signature Song: "A Thousand Miles"
Taylor Dayne
Dates: October 23 — October 25
Signature Song: "Tell It To My Heart"
Boyz II Men
Dates: October 26 — October 28
Signature Song: "Motownphilly"
John Waite
Dates: October 29 — October 31
Signature Song: "Missing You"
Taylor Hicks
Dates: November 1 — November 2
Signature Song: "Do I Make You Proud"
Billy Ocean
Dates: November 3 — November 5
Signature Song: "Caribbean Queen"
Los Lobos
Dates: November 6 — November 8
Signature Song: "La Bamba"
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I LOVES MY FLORIDA I live in the Greater Orlando Florida area Y'all!
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I grew up amidst bone chilling temperatures & mind numbing blizzards of (Rochester New York)7 month WINTERs. After my studies at Cornell & Rutgers~I raced to the warm embrace of my ORANGE BLOSSOM EMPIRE in Central Florida 24mi N of Orlando.
-YES! ...Florida IS wonderfull ...its FEB and 72F..hello!
-YES Southern folks are as friendly & hospitable as they say
Though I have had a Disney World yearly pass since 1985, you will find my Florida pages have very little about theme parks & alot on the REAL Florida�62;> nature, wildlife & charming INLAND small towns like Mt Dora, Eustis and Tavares....far from the devastation that hurricanes exact on those who choose to live in overcrowded beach communities along Floridas Coasts.
(Orlando Florida)
(Mount Dora Florida)
(Eustis Florida)
(Tavares Florida)
The picture is of Fort Matanzas beach, my favorite beach. It may not look like much...but its virtually the LAST beach on the east coast of Florida you can drive on and see absolutely NO high-rise condos;-)
-YES! ...Florida IS wonderfull ...its FEB and 72F..hello!
-YES Southern folks are as friendly & hospitable as they say
The REAL FLORIDA is more than the theme parks(though I am a seasons passholder at Walt Disney World) the REAL FLORIDA is so much more:
~DeLAND..Stetson Univ & a 16 sq mi historical district.
~NEW SMYRNA BEACH where locals go to avoid Daytona crowds
~St AUGUSTINE .. oldest city in America 5 different national flags have flown over it
~the clearwater springs & lofty trees of THE OCALA FOREST
~the Kentucky-like rolling HILLS & horsefarms of OCALA/Marion County
~Mt DORA...a city that was built to look like a New England town
~CROSS CREEK..home of author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlins
~WEKIVA FALLS...YES there are waterfalls in Florida!
~ROCK SPRINGS ..a river current strong enough for tubing comes out of a cave.
~the abrupt hills of CLERMONT(where WORLD CLASS triatheletes train and compete on HILLS) & a place most tourists bypass on their way to Disney World .
(Orlando Florida)
(Mount Dora Florida)
(Eustis Florida)
(Tavares Florida)
(click on any of the above) | | |
| | Sweet Sixteen |
New York New York Like I said
I am originally from New York YO!
(Bayside Queens originally, then upstate Rochester NY)
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There is alot to be said for New York State
New York City/ 5 Boroughs
-Manhattan
-Bronx
-Brooklyn
-Queens
-Staten Island
Long Island-the Hamptons, Montawk Point
Catskill Mountains
Finger Lakes
-Seneca
-Cayuga
-Canandaigua
-Keuka
-Owasco
-Otisco
-Skaneatles
-Honeoye
-Conesus
-Hemlock
Great Western Wines
Lake George
Niagara Falls
Adirondack Mountains-Mount Marcy
Lake Placid-2x winter Olympic site
Hudson River Valley
2 of the eight Ivy League schools
-Cornell
-Columbia
also
-West Point Military Academy
-NYU
-Vasser
-Colgate
-Syracuse
-SUNY(largest state univ system in USA)
Lake Ontario (Rochester, Toronto, Hamilton, Kingston)
Lake Erie(Buffalo)
Lake Chatauqua
Cooperstown(Baseball Hall of Fame)
Lake Champlain
Erie Canal(200 mi waterway and footpath)
1,000 Islands/ St Lawrence Seaway/Gateway to the Atlantic
I have to say I LOVES my Florida, but NYState has alot to offer in summertime. | | | NIAGARA FALLS & all that N Y State has to offer |
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| NEAR ITHACA UPSTATE NEW YORK |
| | ITHACA,CARL SAGAN, GORGES and WATERFALLS PICTURE on the right is on a quaint rural backroad near Ithaca in Upstate New York's Finger Lakes .
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"As hard as I have tried to,,I just dont understand people"
~Miguel Esteban del Lago Florida Garcia (y Lorca)~
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity"
~ Albert Einstein ~
"Dont complain, dont explain..your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t listen anyway."
~(me)~
"When in doubt...try Kindness"(really..think about it...try it for once)
-ME;-)
"I am a mirror, ill pretty much treat people how they treat me"
(treat me good..ill treat you better..treat me bad....and....)
-me ..(AGAIN)..(again;-)
"Distance,,,solves many things"
Moisha-Stebbinsky
You get..what you "get".
-Werner Ehrhardt
"Hows that workin out forya?"
Dr Phil |
 Michael_D's Albums | | | |
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 Comments for Michael_D | | | | |
Gillybob Tue Nov 3, 2009 12:58 UTC
Oh dear, back at work. What a wonderful set of memories from Orlando though - sounds like you had a great time too!! Next time, maybe a few degrees cooler? Gillybob greetings | annk Sun Oct 18, 2009 16:28 UTC
Thanks for the B-day wishes Mike! Sounds like you had a fabulous VT meeting. This Californian is soon to be a Floridian ;-) We are moving to SW Fl hopefully in a few months. | SONG Fri Oct 16, 2009 17:57 UTC
Looks like you and I should be Florida ambassadors....we both love it and promote it. Nice meeting you in person at the Orlando meet. Kathy in Sunny Florida | richiecdisc Thu Oct 15, 2009 14:00 UTC
I didn't know about it, Michael. I'm still mostly a page builder as you can see. Most of my VT meetings have been one-on-one. Ironically, I was in Orlando yesterday but just for one night, meeting my brother and his wife for the day, down from NE. |
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