GREEN APPLE. A November Anniversary TR with too many photos! *update 12/19*

[PracPerfPatricia]

Your photos really are Gorgeous, Gorgeous, Gorgeous...

I really do love that you "relaxed' and just had a chance to soak in all the details...I always feel guilty when I want to do that like the lines are building for our next attraction while I'm staring at building details or something like that...


I am also a huge fan of the Moroccan pavilion as well as the Tangierine Cafe...

It is so lovely and detailed-the pavilion as well as the restaurant...not only is that room in the Cafe lovely but even those of us who do eat meat sometimes like a break and it so nice to have such good CS has really good veg options...

 

[disneychic2]

I'm back from my trip and just got caught up on your report. Loving the photos as usual, and your descriptions of everything.

Our trip was 9 days and we had almost perfect weather. In fact, I found I hadn't packed enough warm weather clothes, thinking we'd be needing more long sleeve/jeans things. I have never done a TR, and since I'm busy getting ready for Christmas, I won't start now. I'm sort of intimidated by all the great reports I read...yours included. You do such a great job on yours! Can't wait for the next installment! Glad you're feeling better.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

The bratwurst from Germany was really good!! I didn't try the apple strudel, but that looks great too!!

The wind sounds really wild (and thirsty! ) that day!!!

I had the apple strudel in 2009 as well and it was ok...nothing to drool over, but still good. Yep, the wind really picked up, it was a cool front that came through!

That wind is really being pesky! It looks like so much food at F&W, there is no way I could do it! I love the idea of getting a giraffe for your souvenir for the trip

I love my giraffe! I took pics, but I'll share those in the souvenir recap when I finish up the TR!

Is it me, or is it hilarious to anyone else that the brat is sticking WAY OUT of both sides of the bun?!? Looks really good, though! The cheese platter does too! When I saw the menu for Scandinavia, I thought to myself, “If Rey doesn’t get those Swedish meatballs…” You see, I am eating vicariously through you guys and your pictures So, I am fairly certain his “meat thingies” were the meatballs They look yummy! OK, I’m getting a little nervous for you: Riesling, beer, a sip of champagne… and tequila is up next? I am thinking of that saying, “Beer before liquor makes you sicker”

We'll just have to see how I fared! There was definitely more alcohol coming!

Totally OT on the trip report, but when I went in 2007 to Europe- I did Germany, Italy, Austria & Switzerland in 10 days! It's totally doable! And Train travel is REALLY easy. The hardest part will be getting to the smaller cities (Bavaria) unless you are comfortable driving in Germany. But those were my favorite places on the trip! I desperatly want to get back to Germany & Switzerland- I totally fell in love with both! Italy, after going, I have no desire to go back. (We did Venice & Verona).

Plus, you are uber planner- this is a challenge & I have no doubts you will rise above them all & come up with a fantastic vacation!

I have no idea what my problem is! I love planning, but overseas just totally freaks me out. It's TOO MUCH INFO. I just have no idea where to start. Would you consider PMing me with an idea of how your trip went? Where you started, how you got around, where you stayed? I just don't know where to START!

Your photos really are Gorgeous, Gorgeous, Gorgeous...

I really do love that you "relaxed' and just had a chance to soak in all the details...I always feel guilty when I want to do that like the lines are building for our next attraction while I'm staring at building details or something like that...


I am also a huge fan of the Moroccan pavilion as well as the Tangierine Cafe...

It is so lovely and detailed-the pavilion as well as the restaurant...not only is that room in the Cafe lovely but even those of us who do eat meat sometimes like a break and it so nice to have such good CS has really good veg options...

Thanks! I'm usually the same way, feeling like I need to get to the next thing, so it was a nice departure from that. It REALLY helped that I had this plan to go with just Savannah in February. Any time I thought about it, I just reminded myself that Savannah & I would be back in a few months and do it! Worked like a charm...but then I have to have multiple trips planned to really be able to relax? That's expensive relaxation!

I'm back from my trip and just got caught up on your report. Loving the photos as usual, and your descriptions of everything.

Our trip was 9 days and we had almost perfect weather. In fact, I found I hadn't packed enough warm weather clothes, thinking we'd be needing more long sleeve/jeans things. I have never done a TR, and since I'm busy getting ready for Christmas, I won't start now. I'm sort of intimidated by all the great reports I read...yours included. You do such a great job on yours! Can't wait for the next installment! Glad you're feeling better.

Welcome back!!! You must to a TR, I want to hear all about it!!!

 

[danimaroo]

GAH! I got so behind on this TR, so sorry Karen. Between our trip, writing the TR for it, and just the holiday season it's been bonkers! That and you are an updating machine, woman!

I know you said you were having problems with your lens but some of your shots came out AMAZING! Seriously! I ran into the issue while in DL of my prime lens being too darn close and combining that with the awful amounts of rain we experienced, and well, I didn't get as many awesome photos as I'd hoped! So kudos to you, because your shots are fabulous.

Just wanted to also mentioned that you know my love for Beach Club! There are definitely stuffy people there but there are also a lot of normal people who stay there, too! I just adore that resort and would alwaysalways suggest the people stay there. It's just perfect.

I so need to try out the Tangerine Cafe! Maybe in January we'll give it a shot! I could seriously go for some falafel right now, yum!

What do you use to edit your photos, by the way!?

Your food is killin' me! It just looks so amazing and I want to eat it all right now.

I am excited to see your next stop, since I've never been to the bar! Not sure we'll ever go, since I'm more of a margarita-while-I-stroll-around-WS gal, but still looking forward to it!

 

[Sam33]

Yay for the Cave! My favorite place in all of Disney World
And there's nothing more sad than a spilled beverage

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

GAH! I got so behind on this TR, so sorry Karen. Between our trip, writing the TR for it, and just the holiday season it's been bonkers! That and you are an updating machine, woman!

I know you said you were having problems with your lens but some of your shots came out AMAZING! Seriously! I ran into the issue while in DL of my prime lens being too darn close and combining that with the awful amounts of rain we experienced, and well, I didn't get as many awesome photos as I'd hoped! So kudos to you, because your shots are fabulous.

Just wanted to also mentioned that you know my love for Beach Club! There are definitely stuffy people there but there are also a lot of normal people who stay there, too! I just adore that resort and would alwaysalways suggest the people stay there. It's just perfect.

I so need to try out the Tangerine Cafe! Maybe in January we'll give it a shot! I could seriously go for some falafel right now, yum!

What do you use to edit your photos, by the way!?

Your food is killin' me! It just looks so amazing and I want to eat it all right now.

I am excited to see your next stop, since I've never been to the bar! Not sure we'll ever go, since I'm more of a margarita-while-I-stroll-around-WS gal, but still looking forward to it!

Yay Dani!!! I'm so glad you are here!!! I thought of you when we were checking out Beach Club! You are totally going to have to check out the Cave...trust me on this! Update coming tomorrow about it, I've had a long hard weekend and now have a pinched nerve in my back, so I've been laying around all afternoon.

Yay for the Cave! My favorite place in all of Disney World
And there's nothing more sad than a spilled beverage

Ah, no use crying over spilled drinks...just go order more in the Cave! Ah, I loved it! So glad we decided to check it out. I even got pictures, which I rarely see...and I know why, it's DARK in there!

 

[DrMomof3]

You certainly know how to do Food and Wine right!!!!
I can't believe it was so windy that your drink blew over. That's tragic.

Amanda

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Sorry to leave you hanging for a few days there, it was a hard weekend. I'm a petsitter and I lost 3 of my favorite clients (as in, they were all put down together) and Savannah & I cried and talked about all the fabulous memories we have with these animals. Then I pinched a nerve in my shoulder blade area? I've been trying to rest, but it's not really getting better, so I'm just pushing through it and dealing.

ANYWAY...
It was chilly and windy and when my drink spilled, Rey went to get another and I told him no, I would rather have a margarita. He thought I meant from the booth, but I explained to him that there was a better place to have a margarita on a chilly day!

We headed into Mexico

We walked right over to the Cave entrance and then Rey said he needed to find a restroom. I told him I would wait there for him at the bar. BUT, as I stood there, I started to feel self conscious b/c they asked me what I wanted and I didn't want to seem like I was just standing there? I don't know what I was thinking. In any case, I decided to order a couple margaritas to try. Again, I wasn't thinking, so instead of ordering a flight I ordered a full avocado margarita and a blood orange margarita.

It was VERY dark inside, probably why you never see pictures, but I used the bar (and later a table) as a tripod so I could get a good shot!

The bartender gave me my drinks AND a taster of a pineapple margarita (uh...YUM!!!!!!!!)

It was taking Rey longer than usual and I couldn't really take the drinks anywhere with just 2 hands, so I stood there until he got back. I tasted the drinks and the jury was out. I didn't like the avocado like I thought I would (I LOVE avocados!) and the blood orange was ok. The pineapple taster (naturally) was amazing. So when Rey showed up, he looked at me and laughed, saying I should have waited for him to order. One of those rare occasions where he was right. Clearly in the face of so much Tequila, I cannot make the right choices.

It was not very busy and that's pretty amazing, considering the size of the place!

I was so excited when I saw this amazing little romantic spot/couch area where we could sit!

There's no pics of US b/c in order to get these shots, I had to do a LOOOOONG exposure, sitting on a stable surface. I did try to get a pic of Rey sitting there, but he took a drink while the shutter was open, so it looked like he had no arm.

We sat down and Rey tasted the drinks and decided what he wanted. Naturally, not wanting to waste anything, I continued to drink mine even though I didn't love them! Rey went up and took my avocado margarita back and got a passion fruit margarita for me instead and got himself a pineapple. UH YUM!!!!! We sat and relaxed while enjoying our drinks. I love this little getaway and it was so cozy and dark. My stomach was bothering me a bit, I felt like I needed some real food, but I'm sure you know by now that it didn't stop me. I was enjoying those drinks too much!

I tried to get a shot of the mural on the wall, we thought it was lovely.

So, when we were getting ready to leave, we took our glasses back up to the bar. When the bartender found out I didn't like the blood orange that much either (after drinking HALF OF IT!) he gave me ANOTHER passion fruit margarita for FREE! Can you say LUSH?!?! Of course, it wasn't for free b/c I tipped him the price of the margarita, but still. We headed outside and I had to take one more shot of Mexico. I love it in there!

I took a picture (the last on that memory card) of my passion fruit margarita as we came out of Mexico into the bright sun.

I never did finish it. I knew I had enough, so I pitched it as we were leaving WS. I'm pretty sure you can't take drinks out of the park anyway. We headed back to AKL, I had a date with the sun! Oh yes, it was windy and 65 degrees, but when I'm in Florida, I take the sun however I can get it!

Up next, a relaxing afternoon and an unplanned, spontaneous dinner!

 

[DreamingPink]

Your pictures are amazing, even with out your lens you manage to capture the feel of the subject.
I love your TR, all caught up on this one, now I am of to read your others.

I have never been to F&W. We will be there in 2013 for MNSSHP and F& W. But your pics make me want to be there now....

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Your pictures are amazing, even with out your lens you manage to capture the feel of the subject.
I love your TR, all caught up on this one, now I am of to read your others.

I have never been to F&W. We will be there in 2013 for MNSSHP and F& W. But your pics make me want to be there now....

Thanks!!!!!!!

I bet you guys will like it! I see your kids are 12 & 13, that's a great age for F&W if they are starting to try different things and interested in that kind of stuff! We went with my IL's in 2009 and although we didn't get to spend much time at F&W (ahem...you'll have to read my TR for that, it's too long and annoying to explain! LOL) my boys were young teens and enjoyed trying the different foods! Just avoid the weekends, that's what we do. Weekdays are MUCH quieter for F&W.

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Another awesome update, Karen! As well as beautiful pictures! I have never heard of the "CAVE". I will have to research it now to see if that's something I must do. Is that pinched nerve any better now?

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Wow that is a lot of drinks! I'd be in a coma I'm only 5 feet tall though, so it doesn't take much. I like avocados but I'm not sure I'd like them in a drink either… Glad to read that you enjoyed F&W so much

I'm sorry about your petsitting clients too. That must be really tough.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Another awesome update, Karen! As well as beautiful pictures! I have never heard of the "CAVE". I will have to research it now to see if that's something I must do. Is that pinched nerve any better now?

Well, when you search, you should look up La Cava de Tequila, not the Cave! That's just what I call it b/c I'm lazy!

Wow that is a lot of drinks! I'd be in a coma I'm only 5 feet tall though, so it doesn't take much. I like avocados but I'm not sure I'd like them in a drink either… Glad to read that you enjoyed F&W so much

I'm sorry about your petsitting clients too. That must be really tough.

I DO have quite a tolerance, but I was a little tipsy when I pitched the last drink!

Sometimes my job is so hard b/c it's like having a TON of pets and then having to face losing them. These were the worst though, some of the longest clients I have had and we have spent many days over there, we even stayed in their guest house over the summer. They still have 3 kitties, so over Christmas I will have to face going there and having the dogs gone, that will be the hardest part!

 

[MissPrice]

Hi Karen, I'm sorry about your clients. That's so sad . I love LOVE your pictures of Mexico. I actually used one as my new desktop background (if that's OK with you.) I was looking forward to trying the Avocado margarita, but now..not so much. -Amanda

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Hi Karen, I'm sorry about your clients. That's so sad . I love LOVE your pictures of Mexico. I actually used one as my new desktop background (if that's OK with you.) I was looking forward to trying the Avocado margarita, but now..not so much. -Amanda

Absolutely you can use my pic as a background! I'm honored! I think if you say you are unsure and want to just taste it, they will make you a taste! The bartenders there were AMAZING and so friendly! I was bummed because I have seen lots of people say they liked it. I guess I need some sweet and tangy in my margaritas, it was just a little blah? The passion fruit and pineapple margaritas were amazing though!

 

[Sam33]

The Avocado margarita is my favorite!
When i make it at home I make it more avocado-y and much stronger, though. More lime and less melon.
I think the ones at the Cave are more melon than anything.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

The Avocado margarita is my favorite!
When i make it at home I make it more avocado-y and much stronger, though. More lime and less melon.
I think the ones at the Cave are more melon than anything.

I knew someone would come to defend the avocado margarita! Yay! I didn't want everyone to think it was awful or anything. I SO wanted to like it...it wasn't horrible, but I think you hit the nail on the head...needed WAY more lime! I think that would have made it really yummy! Of course, it wasn't horrible, I drank quite a bit of it still.

 

[Sam33]

I knew someone would come to defend the avocado margarita! Yay! I didn't want everyone to think it was awful or anything. I SO wanted to like it...it wasn't horrible, but I think you hit the nail on the head...needed WAY more lime! I think that would have made it really yummy! Of course, it wasn't horrible, I drank quite a bit of it still.

I gotta defend my favorite drink! Haha. Everyone's got different tastes. Most cocktails are too sweet for me and make me sick (I drink them anyways )
I think that's why I like the Avocado one so much, I can drink a whole one without feeling icky from the sugar!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I gotta defend my favorite drink! Haha. Everyone's got different tastes. Most cocktails are too sweet for me and make me sick (I drink them anyways )
I think that's why I like the Avocado one so much, I can drink a whole one without feeling icky from the sugar!

That makes perfect sense! I like sweet drinks and totally support you defending your drink! After all, I would put the smackdown on anyone that criticized my slushies from France!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

The choices at the Cave can be overwhelming! Sorry to hear that you didn't like your original choices, but that was so nice of the bartenders to replace the drinks for you! I haven't had the pineapple margarita, but it sounds awesome!