Divas, Zebra Domes, and Pixie Dust! A Week in an African Paradise! New TR Link Pg.145

[Charleston Princess]

The fire pit stories sound awesome, Jackie; where else would the kids have been able to meet a real African Queen!

I know! Heaven knows it will be awhile before I can afford a real African vacation and by then, if the kids want to go, they can pay their own way.

What a wonderfully relaxing way to end your day! I felt a brief pang of sadness when you mentioned that we were fast approaching the last day of your adventure... but then I remembered that you have a little trip coming up soon, so that made me feel better!

Yes, thank goodness we have another trip very soon -- I wonder how long I stretch out four days of a trip report!

The African storytelling by the fire sounds amazing...oh, if only Billy wasn't terrified of fire! Perhaps I'll just take the girls to the firepit while Ed and Billy swim... I'd hate to have them miss it!

Kathy

Yes, have Ed take Billy swimming, because you and Tricia and her cousin would love the storytelling!

Nothing like a nice relaxing evening! I'm glad Chelsea put her desserts on a clean plate. They look so much better now! LOL

I thought the desserts looked so much better on the second plate, too!

I can't believe we are on your last full day already. Time just flies by even in trip reports I guess.

But with tons of stories and 94 pictures, it will take me a few updates to cover all of that last day.

I had to laugh about Chelsea being a bit disgruntled over not getting to go back to AK for Kali. I remember distinctly being in that exact same situation as a kid, and wanting to go back for Space Mountain.

I am sure I have a similar moment in my childhood that I can't remember anymore.

Dessert and salmon.

It's new to me, but I'm game.

The girl likes her desserts and meat.

I love that she eventually transferred it to another plate and then the desserts all together. One of practically everything, right? That girl knows my style!

I'm glad you had such an enjoyable dinner there. It makes me want to try it again. I don't know if I'l be able to talk my husband into it. Maybe someday!

Yep, Chelsea tried just about everything on the dessert tables -- I did, too.

I think Boma's dinner is superior to their breakfast -- far, far superior.

I love the storytelling by the fire, that must be such a great experience, and relaxing for you and the kids.

It was just so neat and unlike anything we have ever done.

what a wonderful evening!!! I can just picture Conor rocking so hard he almost catapulted.

He would have looked like a Muppet sailing through the air!

You really really "did" AKL with all that it has to offer, what a special trip so far, I can't believe it is almost your last day

One of my big goals for the trip was to really explore and experience AKL -- it was great!

What a great evening at AKL! The desserts look so yummy. And the storytelling sounds wonderful. Ending the day with a swim is just perfect.

Your report is getting me so excited about our AKL stay. I can't wait!!!

You are going to fall in love there!!! I just know you are!!!

I love Connor's smile-David does that same toothy smile for sometimes-when I ask him to smile for a photo...priceless...

Yes, the "picture" smile!

I'm impressed with the variety on Chelsea's dessert plate-did she have any favorites...I notice there are no zebra domes there...was she domed out... Quite of those look familiar to me...sigh...did you ever have that experience where you were too full to eat any more and then the next day you're wishing you could have what you weren't able to finish? I'm looking at that plate and wishing...

I think as many domes as that girl had consumed, she had decided to take a break from them. LOL! I know exactly what you mean about wishing you could have what you didn't finish -- I do that a lot!

The Storyteller is lovely (as are her shorter companions... )-I love that dress she is wearing...I'm glad that you all enjoyed the story-I love being told stories...I think its human nature to enjoy hearing one...and it does the heart good to know that with all the high tech entertainment we have access to that a well told tale by a good storyteller still has such capacity to bring pleasure...(and it doesn't hurt being surrounded by one of the most gorgeous resorts either...)

Isn't that dress beautiful??? I love it, too!

You have put into writing exactly how I felt listening to that story!

We're on your last full day?...make sure you draw it ooooouuuuuuuuttttttt...

It will be four updates -- plus our leaving day/souvenir post -- have to get this TR finished by September 30.

I'm all caught up.
Our families seem so alike I was a teacher, but I got laid of a few months ago.

I am so sorry -- that stinks!

Connor- My dd Amy just turned 11 and they seem alike.
Chelsea- my dd Emily 13 is exactly the same. Same juicy personality and always wants to pose with everything.
DH- You don't see much of him in my Tr either he never wants to pose with the characters. Says he'll meet us later.

So, you know exactly what I am talking about!

That's so exciting about your upcoming trip. Are you going for free dining? Right now we have booked Oct 21-27 but I'm thinking about canceling it and moving it to nov 10-16. That way we would be there for Christmas decorations and Emily's birthday.:

We did not do the free dining -- we went with a discounted room since we really just want the freedom of snacking around World Showcase if we want to do so.

If you have never been when Disney is decorated for Christmas, it is just breathtaking! We went the week before Christmas in 2004, and it was such a wonderful experience!

I'm really behind, so this comment is for 6/11. Honestly didn't know that there was a restaurantosaurus. How nice that it is inside, I'm adding that to our list.

Depending on how hot it is the day you visit AK, you will love the AC!

LOVE Chelsea's necklace. I want one.

I thought it was so pretty!

So nice that the kids can stand in line alone.

It is very nice! Who knew that I would consider being able to stand in line by themselves a milestone!

 

[Charleston Princess]

All caught up now!

Hurray!

What a great night. The story telling sounds like a lot of fun, too bad it's only 1/2 hour.

I could have easily sat there for another thirty minutes.

I can see Connor rocking in that chair...

I finally had to put a restraining hand on the arm of his rocking chair.

We've sat in the chairs many times, but have yet to be there at the right time for storytelling. We'll get it right eventually. That would have been a highlight for us, I think.

If you decide to do your last two nights there next summer, that will make it easier to be in the right place at the right time!

Great picture of Chelsea and her sweet treats!

Thank you! I could stand to nibble on that plate of treats right now.

Finishing the evening out at the pool sounds relaxing, too.

It was a great way to end the evening.

Last full day...no way! That was too fast. Go back and do it all again!
Or just give us a new October Food and Wine Festival report.

I think I can do that!

I really can't wait to go to AKL now it sounds as though you had such a lovely afternoon there. The Pin King sounds cool and all your photos and the story teller are fantastic

Thank you! You are going to love it at AKL! You'll be there in less than two weeks, right?

What a perfect evening at AKL!!! First of all I'm sure you had an amazing dinner at Boma's (I would really like to eat there sometime). Then to go hear some folktales by the fire, what a fun experience! I love the pictures of you guys in the rocking chairs, you look so relaxed and in the moment!!! Then to end your night swimming...great fun was had by all!!!

Thank you! You must try Boma one day -- it is delicious!

Hmmm Boma, yummmm! I can't wait to try it there in December! Chelsea's salmon/dessert plate was a weird mixture but I'm sure all of it was delicious.

All the food there was quite good -- but the salmon was very yummy!

That storyteller sounds so cool. It's so fun to learn about other cultures, especially when its coming straight from a native person. Another great day!

It was so neat to listen to her!

Oh Boma how I love you so! Glad you enjoyed dinner. Chelsea is a girl after my own heart, desserts are the best! And I love little ones so you can sample many!

Me too!

We saw the story telling taking place the night we were there but it was already well under way. Looks like a really neat way to spend some time at night!

Allyson

It was very relaxing to sit and listen to the story!

I think those rocking chairs around that firepit are my favorite parts of AKL, Boma being a close second. I could go there just to eat all the desserts!

Definitely some of my favorite things about AKL!

Chelsea is so photogenic! I'm jealous!

Thank you! I am always jealous, too!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Ok, I'm all caught up!! Jasmine felt the same way you do about sitting on the balcony...I have one shot of her and it's one of my favorite pictures of the entire trip. She is still in her bathing suit from being in the pool and she is just staring from the balcony down to the pool....it actually brought a tear to my eye.\

I may have enjoyed a pina colada everyday by the pool while at AKL.....ok I did enjoy a pina colada everyday by the pool.\

 

[Charleston Princess]

Ok, I'm all caught up!! Jasmine felt the same way you do about sitting on the balcony...I have one shot of her and it's one of my favorite pictures of the entire trip. She is still in her bathing suit from being in the pool and she is just staring from the balcony down to the pool....it actually brought a tear to my eye.\

I can't wait to see it in your TR -- it sounds like a lovely picture!

I may have enjoyed a pina colada everyday by the pool while at AKL.....ok I did enjoy a pina colada everyday by the pool.\

If I was at the pool, I had a pina colada in hand -- except for the first day when I tried the Orange Dream.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Ohhhhh! I am so looking forward to the story-telling and firepit when we go in December!! It looks so nice! Chelsea's desserts look absolutely wonderful and your Pina Colada sounds yummmmmmy!!

 

[MEK]

Well it seems that I have gotten into this wierd habit of reading your updates two days late and viewing your pictures later. Your Boma meal sounds excellent. What a lovely, relaxing evening you had. Hard to believe you finally made it to your last full day. I am curious to see what adventures are still ahead of you!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Ohhhhh! I am so looking forward to the story-telling and firepit when we go in December!! It looks so nice! Chelsea's desserts look absolutely wonderful and your Pina Colada sounds yummmmmmy!!

You are going to just love everything about AKL! Not to mention you will get to see it all decked out in its Christmas decorations!

Well it seems that I have gotten into this wierd habit of reading your updates two days late and viewing your pictures later.

That's okay -- two days later is not really late. Are you leaving in a couple of days???

Your Boma meal sounds excellent. What a lovely, relaxing evening you had.

Everything about the evening was just lovely.

Hard to believe you finally made it to your last full day. I am curious to see what adventures are still ahead of you!

It has taken me long enough, right? Lots of adventures and lots of pictures for the last full day.

 

[MEK]

That's okay -- two days later is not really late. Are you leaving in a couple of days???

Leaving Sunday! Can you believe it?.....Less than a week to go!

It has taken me long enough, right? Lots of adventures and lots of pictures for the last full day.

Well, yup, now that you mentioned it......

 

[ampc3]

finally caught up! great trip! soo want to stay at AKL someday now

 

[LISAMWDW]

Oh, no, not the last day already!!!!!!!!!!

Great update! The dinner sounds really good! Loved that Chelsa had to get a clean plate! LOL!

I've never been to the story telling at AK. Very cool!

 

[manntra]

What a wonderful update....two of my favorites! Boma and giraffes!! I love how the giraffes were looking right at you and posing for you!
All these times I have been to AKL and have never run into King Pin! Guess I am just not there at the right time....maybe we will see him this trip! He seems like a really fun CM!
Oh Boma....how I love thee! Soon, very soon!

Tracy

 

[MaryAz]

What a great update. Loved the rocking chairs and the story teller. Boma looks yummy too.

 

[MegansMom]

All I can say is.......AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH BOMA!!!!!!!! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!! Enough said!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Leaving Sunday! Can you believe it?.....Less than a week to go!

That's so exciting!!! Are you going to do a TR?

Well, yup, now that you mentioned it......

finally caught up! great trip! soo want to stay at AKL someday now

I sooo want to stay at AKL again someday!

Oh, no, not the last day already!!!!!!!!!!

Great update! The dinner sounds really good! Loved that Chelsa had to get a clean plate! LOL!

I've never been to the story telling at AK. Very cool!

Yes, sadly, the last day is about to begin, but I do have another trip in just a little over two weeks.

Chelsea is a nut -- no doubt about it!

The storytelling was so well-done!

What a wonderful update....two of my favorites! Boma and giraffes!! I love how the giraffes were looking right at you and posing for you!
All these times I have been to AKL and have never run into King Pin! Guess I am just not there at the right time....maybe we will see him this trip! He seems like a really fun CM!
Oh Boma....how I love thee! Soon, very soon!

Tracy

Thank you! Those giraffes were cracking me up watching me take pictures. Yes, very soon you will be there with the giraffes, Boma, and King Pin!

What a great update. Loved the rocking chairs and the story teller. Boma looks yummy too.

Thank you! I would love to have a couple of those rocking chairs for my patio -- they are so comfortable!

All I can say is.......AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH BOMA!!!!!!!! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!! Enough said!

Hi, Jen! Are you in a whirlwind of packing right now?

Yes, you have hit on the most appropriate phrase of all for Boma!

 

[disney<333]

Hi Jackie,
How are you?
Only 16 days untill your trip I'm so jealous, but I think it's illegal to go on another trip with out finishing the first Tr.
What are your plans for the trip?
Where still trying to figure out whether October or November. It just depends on DH's work schedule. If he can we'll go november. Yes, we have been Christmas time many times. We used to live in Orlando. Then moved to South Fl. in 02 and went for xmas 04, 05, 08, and hopefully 09. It sure is the most magical thing ever. We took Emily on new years day when she was 5 and half weeks
Heres her with Alice and Mad hatter

O.K well I'm done venting
Oh and one more thing TSM wii came out today.
Are you getting it?
I can't decide if i should get it now for the kids (and me) or wait untill Chanukah. I don't think I can wait that long. The kids don't know the game exists.

 

[JenAusty]

I just love the AKL.. and seeing the your pics just makes me smile.

I love Boma's food- it was by far one of my favorite places we ate at. Seeing your pics is practically making my mouth water. hehe I want to go back soo bad. I got full before I could try everything. hehe

I love the chairs at AKL. They are soo pretty- and big. I can't believe your are going on your last day. I swear I'm slacking.

 

[jillyb]

Good morning Jackie! This is off topic but I thought of you when I saw the e-mail.

I get daily reads from booksamillion.com. This week one of the books is called "Street Gang" by Michael Davis. It's about Jim Henson. I've just finished reading todays excerpt and this looks like an interesting book. It's not very complimentary of Eisner. Anywho....I know you like the Muppets and thought I'd let you know about the book.

 

[MagicShell]

I got behind on your report, but I am finally caught up. I loved the story about King Pin. It sounds like you all had a very interesting afternoon at AKL. I bet that story teller would have been great to hear.

 

[LISAMWDW]

Another trip Jackie? Are you going to do a trip report? You are lucky!!!

 

[PookieB]

Hey CP! All caught up..it's been too long. Loving all the pics as usually and the kid's face paintings were great! How did you guys like the fudge? I was disappointed myself. The Brown Derby looks good. I hope to try in January on our alone trip. Must do Boma for dinner also.