After finishing up in the sculpture room, the museum tour continued with a selection of chocolate “art” pieces:
There was also a section featuring various historic chocolate-making machinery from several different eras, and our young guide gave us a full explanation of how chocolate making production has evolved throughout the years.
Near the end of the tour, we were ushered into the sampling room, where we had the opportunity to taste test a variety of different chocolates of varying intensities from around the world.
The most interesting thing that we took away from this particular part of the tour was that the more cacao that was in the chocolate, the less we liked it. The very expensive, 70% cacao chocolates were super dark and very much not our style (Hershey bars, in comparison, only contain around 25% cacao....which is apparently around the minimum to be classed as “chocolate” and not chocolate-flavoured under USA guidelines). A few of the samples had fruits or seeds blended into them for texture (again, not really our tastes). All of the various options were for sale in the gift shop, so if you had something you particularly liked, you could buy a bar after the tour was over. The tasting, though, was unlimited and our guide encouraged us to enjoy more of our favourites before moving on once again.
The final couple of rooms featured a variety of moulds in every shape and size imaginable (some of those Santas and bunnies bordered on scary, though!!
):
......as well as glass displays of chocolate bars from every country around the globe.
The last feature of the tour was a sample of their house prepared hot chocolate, and reminder to all that it’s not only good for the soul....it’s good for the BODY...to eat chocolate!
When the tour was over, we exited into the cafe and were offered an add-on of a trio of wine and chocolate tastings
(3 different wines and 3 truffles of your choice, or the staff would pair them for you based on their recommendations for your tastes) for a very reasonable $9.99 per person. Considering we would be off to the airport soon, we opted to decline the wine and instead chose 4 truffles – 2 each – from their huge selection of flavours. With tax, they cost right around the $8 mark, so the wine and truffle add-on was a great deal in comparison.
Our selections:
They were absolutely mouth watering........creamy, soft, flavourful and perfect
.
The tour itself was about an hour in length, then we spent around half an hour in the cafe afterward....so it was at least 1:30 when we decided we should grab a quick lunch before heading back to drop the car at the airport and check in for our flight. The car had to be back by three, and we didn’t plan to eat dinner until we had arrived back in Buffalo, so a good lunch was necessary to keep us going until later in the night. Blue Chips and Skeeter cookies will only satisfy us so long!
We made the short drive from the World of Chocolate to our final must-do dining stop of the trip: the new Freddy’s Steakburgers located at the far end of the Premium Outlets on Vineland, not far from Publix.
We weren’t particularly starved after our big breakfast at Golden Corral and our chocolate indulgences after the tour, so burgers and fries were just about right. We loved the 50’s style decor from the moment we walked in the door: it was so bright and clean too!
Staff were super friendly, and were happy to allow us a few moments to peruse their menu. It had a Steak & Shake kind of vibe (but “newer”, if that makes sense), with very similar menu offerings and equally as pleasing prices. While we would have loved to have sampled some of their signature frozen custard, we would have to save that for another trip.....perhaps one day at the beginning of a vacation versus the end.
Steve chose a single steakburger and a hot dog with French fries and a soft drink, while I had the double steakburger combo (included fries and a beverage). The total cost, with tax, a very affordable $16.38.
I have to say, I was very impressed with this little fast food gem. The food was excellent for a quick service option (very similar to Steak & Shake in so many ways!), the prices were awesome, and there was a nice variety from which to pick. Definitely one we hope to take Jake to when we’re in town during the Christmas holidays.
It was a quiet meal. It felt rather like a vacation version of the Last Supper. It was with great sadness that we piled into the rental car for the final time, and made the short drive to the airport.....but not before taking a few moments to stand out in the sun, look up at that bright and beautiful blue southern sky, and breathe in some warm Florida freshness. Jake’s report via text from earlier that morning was that it was snowing back home
. This would be the last breath of summer we’d have for a while.
One bright spot on our bittersweet horizon: we had pre-paid for a tank of fuel when we picked up the car from Alamo a week prior, so we could bring the Fusion back empty and not have to fiddle around with stopping for gas. I have to say, this was the nicest indulgence. The car was virtually on empty, so whatever we “lost” on the deal was more than made up in convenience factor....and the price we paid per gallon was cheaper than what was available at the stations outside the Vistana. We would do this again in a heartbeat if its offered by the other rental companies as well......fingers crossed that Budget has the same option for our SUV rental at Christmas!
We dropped the car and made our way to the Jetblue check-in desk with our luggage and the minion bag in tow. While the Jetblue agents at the check in desk thought Jake’s 5’ pink dolphin in August 2014 was beyond adorable and they waived the charges to get him home, they were less than impressed by our big ol’ bag of minions
. They tried to get us to squish them into our luggage, since we were not overweight on those pieces and the large minion bag weighed under 3 pounds. We explained that the minions weren’t squishable (lord knows we had tried!) and they even tried compacting the bag themselves, but no luck.....so, with a touch of annoyance, they told us we’d have to either leave the bag there (I think not!!) or pay an extra fee to fly them back to Buffalo. I guess I should be grateful, because they didn’t charge us the oversize fee....just the $35 standard charge for the extra piece of luggage. Add 35% exchange for us Canucks, though, and it was painful to swallow
.
But, I couldn’t leave the boys there. They were coming home no matter what it took
.
Jetblue sent our luggage down the conveyor belt, and directed us to take the minion bag to the oversize luggage drop off area just a short way away. The old fellow working that area went to pick up the bag, and grabbed it with such force he almost threw it out of his hands (based on size alone, it looked big and heavy, so I guess he was unprepared for its lowly 3 pound weight). He eyed us suspiciously, and asked ....
What is in this bag, anyway?
We somberly replied:
“Minions”. 
Minions? He says with a raised eyebrow
.
Yup .
He regarded us for a moment like we were a pair of idiots, sighed loudly, and tossed the bag down the chute. Safe travels, little fellows. No mayhem on the plane, please
.
The final chapter is next.
They always manage to tell a much better story than I could ever hope to.
. Now we're just hoping that Mother Nature blesses us with a hot afternoon on our Christmas trip so we can squeeze in a few hours at Aquatica, too. 
After all, it is their first Christmas in Canada!
. The time is going to FLY by with all our pre-Christmas committments between now and then!! I'm trying not to get panicked about how much I still have to do before we leave. This weekend I plan to complete what little Christmas shopping I have to do (my mom, Steve's parents, a few friends) and *maybe* get it all wrapped. Having all that done will definitely help me relax a little.
We have been exceptionally fortunate this year.....and we're savouring every last moment, because I doubt our travelling frequency will be sustained in future years. For now, though, its fun to squeeze in the extra adventures when the budget allows. Always so, so thankful for the opportunities we have had.
. That blast of cold air hit us like a brick wall.
.
.
. We’re getting re-acclimated.
.
