Anyone Game? 2 Castles and a Road Trip TR! Last Day and TR Wrap Up! #2796; 10/01

[dhorner233]

(Continued from Previous Post)

I was also pleased to see the Leafy Sea Dragon varieties. I like to think that they amuse themselves amongst the weeds in the sea.

Too cool!! Love your photos!

 

[kmedina]

We stayed at the Hilton Homewood Suites (which is similar to the one you stayed at) just prior to our DCL cruise in March. Breakfast was a madhouse, so I know exactly what you are talking about. The hotel did not have any other restaurants, and we chose not to rent a car. They advertise it as a benefit of staying, but it was anything but a benefit in my opinion. They did not have a waffle station either. If they did, I am sure the line would have been 50 people deep anyway like the line waiting for the next batch of undercooked hash browns to be released from the kitchen. The toaster did not work well either. I am glad you like the one at your hotel, but I will not even stay at a hotel that does not have breakfast for sale on the future. Free breakfast creates madness.

I always ponder the what ifs. Just as I was graduating from college, a new law school opened up there. After thinking long and hard about going, I decided not to. It was a really hard decision, because I walked away from scholarship dollars. Had I gone, I know my life would be different. Whenever I ponder the what ifs, I realize everything happens for a reason. I like staying home with my kids and that would be impractical if I was an Attorney. In September of 2010, I contemplated going to law school again. After a long talk with DH, I decided to have another kid instead.

People always say I was meant to be an Attorney, so I am sure I chose that route in an alternate universe. Who knows. I may revisit the idea in this universe when my kids are older.

The aquarium looks nice. Xander has been weird lately and has NO interest in visiting them. As such, I am planning on skipping the seas on the upcoming Epcot trip to avoid whining. I just hope he picks up interest again at some point.

 

[Pinkocto]

Absolutely gorgeous pictures of the animals, wow! So crisp and clear, what type of camera do you use, if you don't mind me asking.

I've never seen the second sea dragon, he looks like he's contemplating things.

How nice you were able to get together with family

Ahhhh, to think of what ifs always makes me a bit sad. There are a few things I would have done very differently. It's safer for me to just be happy with the present but I do like the alternate universe thought. Have you watched Fringe?

 

[PrincessInOz]

scripps looks amazing I will have to visit that! I love all things science also which is why I think I get carried away with my passion for a good coffee. It's in the science! Omg love the idea of roasting your own beans. We have domestic expresso machines now that you put in fresh beans and they grind the beans and make the coffee in one hit ( with creme ) . I am saving up for one of those.

Love the Seahorses I find them surreal. To me they are like the platypus I like to see it in real life to really believe they exist. It made me cry because a guy I knew got some seahorses even though I warned him they were very hard to keep and not to be taken into home tanks without expert knowledge. He didn't listen and they all died. I cried my heart out. It should be illegal to sell such majestic creations as 'pets'.

Make your own waffles now we are talking! So what hours are breakfast I will get there at rope drop and leave when the lights go out. How many can I make and consume lol.

In Australia do you have those competitions where people consume the greatest amount they can for example hot dogs in a certain time? Lol...

Breakfast hours when we were there were from 7 - 10 am. The only limit to how many waffles to make and consume was based on being able to get access to the machines and the size of the bottomless pit.

Eating competitions in Australia? Yes, we have them e.g., meat pies, sausage rolls, pizza. But there's nothing like a good old fashioned (beer) DRINKING competition for us Aussies.

I am all caught up.

The flight over does not sound like fun and I am also the one that cannot sleep. I have planned on taking drugs (OTC) for this next trip and try to get some sleep, we fly over night.

The food porn is amazing, I can see eating a cookie for breakfast.

Alison and Fran's house does look amazing, I am jealous you got to see it in person!

Welcome to DTD, I love Legoland, not that I ever played with them, but just the fact that you can so much with them, and turn them into some really cool art.

I have not been to Scripps before, your pictures are beautiful. I have been to the Aquarium in Monterrey, and it was truly amazing. Their Jelly exhibit is out of this world... really. I think you would enjoy it!

I haven't been to the Monterey Aquarium in years. I keep wanting to go back; but somehow, time always gets in the way. And you're right.....I would love the Jellyfish.

Seaworld is definitely on the list, but that needs a whole day.

Corinna

It does. There are heaps of sealife to see. We went specially to see the Beluga Whales.

Too cool!! Love your photos!

Thanks Denise. I took lots of different colours for a certain photogame thread.

We stayed at the Hilton Homewood Suites (which is similar to the one you stayed at) just prior to our DCL cruise in March. Breakfast was a madhouse, so I know exactly what you are talking about. The hotel did not have any other restaurants, and we chose not to rent a car. They advertise it as a benefit of staying, but it was anything but a benefit in my opinion. They did not have a waffle station either. If they did, I am sure the line would have been 50 people deep anyway like the line waiting for the next batch of undercooked hash browns to be released from the kitchen. The toaster did not work well either. I am glad you like the one at your hotel, but I will not even stay at a hotel that does not have breakfast for sale on the future. Free breakfast creates madness.

I always ponder the what ifs. Just as I was graduating from college, a new law school opened up there. After thinking long and hard about going, I decided not to. It was a really hard decision, because I walked away from scholarship dollars. Had I gone, I know my life would be different. Whenever I ponder the what ifs, I realize everything happens for a reason. I like staying home with my kids and that would be impractical if I was an Attorney. In September of 2010, I contemplated going to law school again. After a long talk with DH, I decided to have another kid instead.

People always say I was meant to be an Attorney, so I am sure I chose that route in an alternate universe. Who knows. I may revisit the idea in this universe when my kids are older.

The aquarium looks nice. Xander has been weird lately and has NO interest in visiting them. As such, I am planning on skipping the seas on the upcoming Epcot trip to avoid whining. I just hope he picks up interest again at some point.

Legal Eagle is an intriguing What If. Are you seriously starting to plan on picking this up at some stage? I always think that the best time to consider it is a couple of years before the youngest is due to go to school. That way, you're all prepared (and enrolled) for school when the house is empty during school hours. You're almost at that mark, aren't you?

Absolutely gorgeous pictures of the animals, wow! So crisp and clear, what type of camera do you use, if you don't mind me asking.

I've never seen the second sea dragon, he looks like he's contemplating things.

How nice you were able to get together with family

Ahhhh, to think of what ifs always makes me a bit sad. There are a few things I would have done very differently. It's safer for me to just be happy with the present but I do like the alternate universe thought. Have you watched Fringe?

I haven't seen Fringe. I'm not even sure that it is on TV in Australia; it might have done and I completely missed it. I'll keep an eye out for it.

I completely agree....I tend to be happy with the present as well.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I have been to Seaworld San Diego three times before. On my last visit, I was lucky enough to do Trainer for a Day and got to spend quite a bit of time with the killer whales. One of them, Corky, stole my heart. She is just such a cutie. I also got to swim with a dolphin in the dolphin and whale stadium, which was also and experience.

Corinna

 

[Pinkocto]

Fringe was a fabulous sci fi show that just ended last year. It ran for five seasons and was able to do a wonderful wrap up before being discontinued. There are so many twists and turns and wild unbelievable stories, it was very very well done. I highly recommend it.

Two of the main actors were Australian, you'd never know it unless you knew them or watched the special features.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I have been to Seaworld San Diego three times before. On my last visit, I was lucky enough to do Trainer for a Day and got to spend quite a bit of time with the killer whales. One of them, Corky, stole my heart. She is just such a cutie. I also got to swim with a dolphin in the dolphin and whale stadium, which was also and experience.

Corinna

WOW! What an experience. I'd love to be able to be trainer for a day.

Fringe was a fabulous sci fi show that just ended last year. It ran for five seasons and was able to do a wonderful wrap up before being discontinued. There are so many twists and turns and wild unbelievable stories, it was very very well done. I highly recommend it.

Two of the main actors were Australian, you'd never know it unless you knew them or watched the special features.

I'm definitely going to have to google and see if it is available in Oz. Thanks.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Bubbles and Bauble Talk




After waving goodbye to the seahorses and jellyfish, we retreated to a nearby TapEx to discuss what our plans were for the afternoon.
We were all in need of refreshment and a little bubble tea was in order.






DS was hungry; so he got the crispy chicken dish.







My cousin and I have also cultivated a relationship over the years. Like his mother, we have an easy going relationship that we just slip back into whenever we are back in geo-synchronous orbit. Both DH and I have been visiting with them ever since he was a little boy. This time, it was to be a particular happy meeting. We were meeting his fiancée!

He’s a brave lad, my cousin. He picked out the ring. Just as well she loves it.






It should be have been bubbly rather than bubble tea with the bauble. We spent the time chatting and listening to their wedding plans.




(Continued in the Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued in Previous Post)


The Best Laid Plans #3 or How to GateCrash a Party




When planning this trip, this afternoon was one that I had earmarked for shopping. Afterall, picking Scripps wasn’t just a case of convenience or a trip down memory lane. It also served the purpose of being real close to Carlsbad….and the Carlsbad Premium Outlets.

And in the initial communications with my aunt, she had been happy to go shopping with us.



Problem was….she had been invited to attend a surprise birthday party for a friend of hers. It hadn’t been a last minute invitation; she had known about it for about a month. But she hadn’t said anything to us until we saw her in the morning. And she spent the better part of the morning trying to convince us to go.


DH and I exchanged one of those looks…..you know the one I mean. The one that says everything and nothing at the same time; the one where you think you can read the other person’s mind. I think we both internally sighed collectively together. And we were in complete agreement. You see….a long time ago, DH and I had come to the realisation that whenever a local invites you to do something, it is ALWAYS the preferable option to take compared to doing a touristy thing. Yes, I know that shopping in the US at an Outlet Centre doesn’t really count as a touristy thing but compared to meeting locals and spending time socialising with them, it probably needs to run in second place. A. Very. Close. Second.


So, I traded off shopping time to spending time with locals. In hindsight, I wish there had been a few more hours in the day to go shopping as we never really did find any other shopping time to replace this one.


For the record, I’m not sorry for the decision we took on this day.



Why?


Check this party out!

The house was in the East San Diego area of Jamul. It was pretty much at the edge of civilisation, in a completely gated community. Entry to this estate was by invitation only and it was just as well that my aunt was on the invitee list or there was no way we were gatecrashing this party. The guard at the gate might not have let us in otherwise.

The house was also the one at the complete end of this estate. There was no more road space! And what a house it was!






As a result of the morning’s activity and the bubbles, we were rather late in arriving. The food had been removed from the catering area and brought inside.





But there was still plenty to choose from. The caterer just didn’t want to leave it outside in the hot sun. The pulled pork and BBQ chicken fillet were outstanding!






Did I mention that this was a Hawaiian Themed Party? We missed the hula dancers; but not the Tiki Room.
















And everyone knows that when on holiday, drinks with umbrellas is a must!






We’d gotten there in time for the cake.






It tasted fantastic and was super moist!







The party was being held outside in the back yard.






It certainly came with a view.











I did say that this place was at the extreme edge of civilisation, didn’t I?






Anyone else spot why this party was being held outside yet?






It certainly wasn't just for the view....






The infinity pool was spectacular!


















We did bring our bathers; but turns out the locals were rather interested in Australians, so we spent a lot of time chatting instead. DS was just content to dip his legs in. I don’t think he was keen to get in without one of us.






It was a lot later when we finally left.







We’d spent the time picking at the food all afternoon and no one felt like dinner. So, we said our goodbyes to the family and made our way back to Anaheim. We got an early night as we all knew that we had 2 days of Disney coming up!

 

[dolphingirl47]

What a shame that you never got around to any shopping. The house, the view and the pool are all spectacular though.

Corinna

 

[zanzibar138]

Wow that house is amazing! Too bad you never got more shopping time though

 

[Pinkocto]

WOW! I feel like I've seen that house on HGTV it is absolutely gorgeous. 27 days of vacation and no shopping time You probably saved a small fortune though.

 

[ACDSNY]

You're two for two on Tiki Bars for this trip. Love the pool too.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Interesting to check out such an amazing house in that location and chat to locals - I always do that too if we get the op-but its always a trade-off. Shopping - plenty of shops for another trip...(from a very un-shopper person, sorry!!)

 

[Jade+3]

That house is amazing. You made the right choice, but disappointing about the shopping. You have my sympathies as I did not get to do the shopping I wanted either.

 

[LegoMom3]

I want a tiki bar!! And now I really want to go to California (after seeing that view!). How amazing to get to go to that party at such a house! Wow.

Looking forward to the Disney updates!!!!!


.

 

[mvf-m11c]

It must have been tough of not shopping that day. The place looked very nice.

I'll be looking forward to the next update.

 

[dhorner233]

What an incredible house!! Wish you could have seen the bedrooms and bathrooms too! You meet the most interesting people and go to the most interesting places!!

 

[Tashinwdw]

Love the house and views. I want one of those chairs with the shaded cover You have already packed so much into your first few days, cant wait to read more.

 

[PrincessInOz]

What a shame that you never got around to any shopping. The house, the view and the pool are all spectacular though.

Corinna

I never got round to another outlet. But gatecrashing this party truly was worth it.

Wow that house is amazing! Too bad you never got more shopping time though

Those are the trade-offs you make.

WOW! I feel like I've seen that house on HGTV it is absolutely gorgeous. 27 days of vacation and no shopping time You probably saved a small fortune though.

Yup. I probably saved a small fortune.


ps. I forgot to answer your question from the other time. The camera I shoot with is a Canon 7D.

You're two for two on Tiki Bars for this trip. Love the pool too.

Interesting to check out such an amazing house in that location and chat to locals - I always do that too if we get the op-but its always a trade-off. Shopping - plenty of shops for another trip...(from a very un-shopper person, sorry!!)

Shopping....on another trip.....LOVE the way you think!

That house is amazing. You made the right choice, but disappointing about the shopping. You have my sympathies as I did not get to do the shopping I wanted either.

Next time....I need to make sure that I factor in at least 4 outlet shopping stops. I only built one in this trip.

I want a tiki bar!! And now I really want to go to California (after seeing that view!). How amazing to get to go to that party at such a house! Wow.

Looking forward to the Disney updates!!!!!

.

California is a great destination for a holiday. We were really lucky to have this opportunity to gatecrash a party like that.

It must have been tough of not shopping that day. The place looked very nice.

I'll be looking forward to the next update.

*Someone* is going to be a feature.

What an incredible house!! Wish you could have seen the bedrooms and bathrooms too! You meet the most interesting people and go to the most interesting places!!

I sure do, Denise. I went to WDW and met with YOU!