Food, Fun, and Frivolity: 8 Funtabulous days w/pics! UPDATE 1/20 HELP!!!!

[Shannon84]

Aww those are some cute new family members

 

[Leshaface]

Aww those are some cute new family members

Hey Shannon!

Lol, aren't the though!! My little guy Percy, is getting bigger and fatter by the day! He's so cute!

 

[Leshaface]

So after our wonderful meal at Le Cellier, we decided to walk around and take more pics of everything!

Love this place!!! Have heard their Welsh Dragon is GOOD but haven't tried it yet! I mostly just stick to beers here since they have our absolute FAVORITE here!!! Hoegaarden and Stella!!! Delicious!

Headed over to my 'Dream' place....

One day I WILL be coming here...not sure how old i'll be or what condition, but I will be standing under that tower! I've been obsessed with the Eiffel Tower for a looong time. I had my room decorated in EVERYTHING with the tower. So it will be a huge deal when i'm finally able to make it there...plus we share the same birthday! March 31!

We didn't stay too long here, since we had a ressie at Chefs de France later on that week, so we headed over to...

Morocco!

I wanted to get my mom a rug here for her new laminate floors!

Love the details in Morocco too!!

He's a trooper sportin that pink backpack, I swear!

Next stop please!

I think this country is just so peaceful....even if there are mobs of people there! Just to go stand near the koi pond and hear the delicate movement from the water....ahhh, if I could capture that moment in a jar and take it home with me, I would play it everynight as I go to sleep....back to reality now, since we have to go ride Soarin'!!!!! On our way out of Japan, I grabbed a Green Mango slushie..I think those are the flavors...oooh so good! Yes, there's no alcohol, but it's refreshing and great!


We took some more pics on the way over to Future World

And then saw these characters!

Italy is stinkin' gorgeous also!

 

[Leshaface]

O..M...Gosh you guys....I'm soooo lame!!! I left out some CRUCIAL character meets!!! Wow... so we need to back up for a quick second before I move on any further! This outta teach me to take better notes....sigh...

So let's go back to when we first rode TT ...yes THAT far back!

Doesn't it look like we're just taking a nice, leisure Sunday drive?!?! And I had totally forgot that they took pics on this ride! I made a mental note for next time!

Okay so now fast forward a smidge to after our Le Cellier ressie. When we were walking around the U.K. area, there's a little area in one of the shops (don't remember the name right now), that has a character meet! And we happened to be 10 minutes away from the meet! So we waited in line...with the other kids...LOL!!! But it was worth it....

This one I call the Pooh Diss....DH totally gets shot down in this shot and yet I love it!!!

It's all good though, cuz he got some lovin' from Tigger

That was such a fun and cute meet! I loved watching the Winnie the Pooh series on the Disney channel when I was younger...plus the movie is classic!

Now ever so slightly fast forward your brain to where we're about to head over to France..we're on the bridge and see a lonely Photopass Photographer, so we decide to get her workin' for her money! Lol, jk jk. She was awesome and took lots of pics for us!!!


Uggh, ignore that mess of hair that's going on with me!

It was a great 'session' with her. It was fun to act and watch peoples reactions as I was grabbing on to DH's legs while he was reaching up in the air to nothing!

On our way into France we saw MARIE from Aristocats! This was funny, because DH was busy recording and he didn't see Marie, but I did. So I left him to record, while I got in line. Right as I was stepping into get my shot with her, I hear a, "WAIIIIT!!! It's MAAARIE!!!!" DH comes running over like a lunatic to get in the picture with me! He's cute, but weird...

Now this part, I don't remember what country this is in...is it still in France??? Someone help me out please!

This was DH's favorite part of the trip....

Look at his face...and she's like, "pfft, men." Haha!

Alright sorry about the confusion and having to back track! Not only do I go by my notes, but I go by my pics in iPhoto. And when I received my PP CD and downloaded it, it downloads to the very END of the day of which you took those photos, if you get what I mean. So I'll upload my pics to photobucket in order, then come to the very end of the day, and see my PhotoPass pics that I took earlier on in the day...confusing...anyways, now, back to your regularly scheduled program!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Congrats on the new additions to your family.
Amaing update and love the your Epcot pictures.
I hope one day your dream comes true. Paris is one of the best places to visit. I was lucky enough to get a trip to Europe as a graduation gift and fell in love with Traveling to Europe....Great places to see and sooo many yummy food. If you guys ever go to France (Paris), go to the South of France...its the most amazing places to visit. My husband and I went to celebrate our anniversaries there and eating inside the Eiffel Tower is holds a wonderful memories in my heart.

 

[Leshaface]

Congrats on the new additions to your family.
Amaing update and love the your Epcot pictures.
I hope one day your dream comes true. Paris is one of the best places to visit. I was lucky enough to get a trip to Europe as a graduation gift and fell in love with Traveling to Europe....Great places to see and sooo many yummy food. If you guys ever go to France (Paris), go to the South of France...its the most amazing places to visit. My husband and I went to celebrate our anniversaries there and eating inside the Eiffel Tower is holds a wonderful memories in my heart.

Thank you!!

Oh and if/when we go to Europe, we're GOING TO EUROPE...I mean we're going to try to see it ALL! Well, as much as we can afford to anyways! That's the one thing i'm going to love when we go...THE FOOD! From what I hear and read, they love their food and enjoy every bite...so wait, did you actually get to eat at the restaurant inside the eiffel tower?!?

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Thank you!!

Oh and if/when we go to Europe, we're GOING TO EUROPE...I mean we're going to try to see it ALL! Well, as much as we can afford to anyways! That's the one thing i'm going to love when we go...THE FOOD! From what I hear and read, they love their food and enjoy every bite...so wait, did you actually get to eat at the restaurant inside the eiffel tower?!?

My husband and I went to Paris 9 years ago and had dinner inside the Eiffel Tower (the second floor restaurant)...you have to go to a private elevator and its an amazing view. The food was really great. I'm not sure how it is now but the experience was once in a lifetime. It was way more afforable traveling to Europe many years ago when the dollar was so strong and you get alot with the dollars. When we went to Italy on another vacation was able to get a Gucci shoes for $40 and a Prada wallet for $25. A meal for $30 for a couple course meal inluding wine...its a really good meal and everything fresh.

 

[Leshaface]

My husband and I went to Paris 9 years ago and had dinner inside the Eiffel Tower (the second floor restaurant)...you have to go to a private elevator and its an amazing view. The food was really great. I'm not sure how it is now but the experience was once in a lifetime. It was way more afforable traveling to Europe many years ago when the dollar was so strong and you get alot with the dollars. When we went to Italy on another vacation was able to get a Gucci shoes for $40 and a Prada wallet for $25. A meal for $30 for a couple course meal inluding wine...its a really good meal and everything fresh.

A Prada wallet for 25 bucks???!? Was it real?!? Cuz that's CRAZY to me!!! But awesome too!

I can only imagine the price for a meal now! I'm thinking close to $150...and the thing is, we don't mind splurging on food. We love good quality foods and if that comes at a price, oh well. We've spent close to $500 on a meal once, so I wouldn't be surprised to see that amount if we ever go.

But I would LOVE to eat at that restaurant! Sounds so romantic and charming......perhaps for our 10 year wedding anniversary?!? We still have 6 years till that happens so why not!!!

 

[franandaj]

Great pictures and updates. I believe the pics with Belle are in France, that's where I think she's from and you can see the boat launch in the background. I believe it it inbetween France and Morocco.

Europe is AMAZING! My band in college went on tour there for two weeks and we stayed another three on our own afterwards. We did the whole college student backpacking thing. It was like when the band goes to Disneyland, we kept running into other band membes in cities all throughout Europe. We did it whirlwind style with only a couple days in each city, sleeping on the train to save on hotel rooms. I would suggest though not to go that route and plan to go several times. Don't try and hit the whole continent in a matter of weeks. Concentrate on a region or two and really get to see it.

A couple years after the whirlwind trip, I got to go back to Paris with a friend of mine whose parents still lived there, we were there for a week and it was so much fun. We didn't do fancy stuff, her family was basic simple working class. But we ate really well and I learned a lot about food and how they eat and how they store food and all kinds of things that are VERY different from here!

You'll get there, hopefully before you have kids, because it will be a lot easier with just the two of you and not worrying about little ones!

 

[Leshaface]

Great pictures and updates. I believe the pics with Belle are in France, that's where I think she's from and you can see the boat launch in the background. I believe it it inbetween France and Morocco.

Europe is AMAZING! My band in college went on tour there for two weeks and we stayed another three on our own afterwards. We did the whole college student backpacking thing. It was like when the band goes to Disneyland, we kept running into other band membes in cities all throughout Europe. We did it whirlwind style with only a couple days in each city, sleeping on the train to save on hotel rooms. I would suggest though not to go that route and plan to go several times. Don't try and hit the whole continent in a matter of weeks. Concentrate on a region or two and really get to see it.

A couple years after the whirlwind trip, I got to go back to Paris with a friend of mine whose parents still lived there, we were there for a week and it was so much fun. We didn't do fancy stuff, her family was basic simple working class. But we ate really well and I learned a lot about food and how they eat and how they store food and all kinds of things that are VERY different from here!

You'll get there, hopefully before you have kids, because it will be a lot easier with just the two of you and not worrying about little ones!

Hi Allison!

You're right! It is between Morocco and France; i'm slowly starting to remember now...you know what that means when you start forgetting right?? That means I need to plan another trip!

Wow, how nice that you were able to go a few times!!! I can't even begin to IMAGINE how much we would have to save up to go out of the country! Plane flight alone, what, $1,000 pp??? Maybe more?? I have no idea but if that's true, that's 2 grand we would have to start saving, just for flight alone...what's a good number to save for?? Is $7,000 enough for food, lodging, flight, souvies, for two weeks? Is two weeks ample time for the London-Paris region? You're right, I would need to go in increments. Although sleeping on trains sounds adventurous and exciting!

My next Part will be up this afternoon! I need to be home to do the 30 day 'fix' on my house, so I'll just be sitting around waiting...

 

[franandaj]

I can't even begin to IMAGINE how much we would have to save up to go out of the country! Plane flight alone, what, $1,000 pp??? Maybe more?? I have no idea but if that's true, that's 2 grand we would have to start saving, just for flight alone...what's a good number to save for?? Is $7,000 enough for food, lodging, flight, souvies, for two weeks? Is two weeks ample time for the London-Paris region?

You got me curious so I hopped over to Expedia and ran a couple searches for round trip from LAX to Heathrow. Of course it can change at any moment. I found fares around $815pp in Feb and May, $1050 in late April and $1600 in July!

I know with your DH's job you would need to travel during school breaks so that could make it cost prohibitive. My big trip was in the 80's and the economy was very different, as Pooh & Hunny (??) pointed out. We lived on about $30 a day, we ate pretty well, but not like I would now! And certainly not like you guys did on your trip!

I followed Rick Steve's advice, he had a book called "Europe Through the Back Door" which had some very good advice on how to travel like a local. He also has guided tours, which a friend of mine travels with at least once a year or so. I just checked a couple of those out. Yikes! $2-4,000 per person!

Start saving now girl!

 

[Leshaface]

You got me curious so I hopped over to Expedia and ran a couple searches for round trip from LAX to Heathrow. Of course it can change at any moment. I found fares around $815pp in Feb and May, $1050 in late April and $1600 in July!

I know with your DH's job you would need to travel during school breaks so that could make it cost prohibitive. My big trip was in the 80's and the economy was very different, as Pooh & Hunny (??) pointed out. We lived on about $30 a day, we ate pretty well, but not like I would now! And certainly not like you guys did on your trip!

I followed Rick Steve's advice, he had a book called "Europe Through the Back Door" which had some very good advice on how to travel like a local. He also has guided tours, which a friend of mine travels with at least once a year or so. I just checked a couple of those out. Yikes! $2-4,000 per person!

Start saving now girl!

I KNOW!!!! Insane prices! And by the time we'll actually go, hopefully in 6 years, i'm SURE prices will go up!!! Ugh!!!

 

[franandaj]

So I don't mean to hijack your thread, but I would invite you to join my PTR, in my sig, my Cheating on Mickey with Harry PTR, we're only spending 2 days at Universal, but want to check it out before indulging ourselves at WDW for a week during F&W.

I also noticed that Pooh&OurHunny and I are are reading a lot of the same Dining Reviews. I promise lots of Food Porn in my PTR and eventual TR. I'm just very lonely becuase my main subscribers have been at the world for the last week, so it's been very lonely!

 

[Shannon84]

Awww Im glad you went back to add the character meets...because those are really awesome

 

[Leshaface]

So I don't mean to hijack your thread, but I would invite you to join my PTR, in my sig, my Cheating on Mickey with Harry PTR, we're only spending 2 days at Universal, but want to check it out before indulging ourselves at WDW for a week during F&W.

I also noticed that Pooh&OurHunny and I are are reading a lot of the same Dining Reviews. I promise lots of Food Porn in my PTR and eventual TR. I'm just very lonely becuase my main subscribers have been at the world for the last week, so it's been very lonely!

omgoodness of COURSE i'll go over there and read it! And know one can ever hijack my thread...I love when people are able to talk about whatever they want on my thread...kinda like how it was on my Dining Report with you and bangzoom or bangzoom and princess allegra! I love it! So YES, i'll be right over!

Awww Im glad you went back to add the character meets...because those are really awesome

I don't know HOW I forgot such fantastic character meets! Like I said, I took HORRIFIC notes, so I definitely need another re-do trip!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Leshaface, I have enjoyed catching up since I have been sort of MIA for a little bit. A few things...

1. I LOVE it that you got a pug puppy!!! Keep loving that little puppy to pieces, they are very affectionate dogs! Enjoy!!!

2. I love your report on your Epcot day! I also think Morocco and Italy are both beautiful at Epcot...and the real Italy is also beautiful! Hang in there for the real Eiffel Tower...you'll get there someday. I will probably be old and decrepid (sp.?) when I get back to Italy again!

3. I know I have told you this before, but you and your DH are absolutely adorable! Seriously, you guys are just way too cute! And I love the look on Belle's face and the look on his face in that pic of them together...too funny!

I have missed reading your thread! Glad to finally have a little time to read again! Just been so busy...work, DH's school (going to become a school administrator), the kids with school Halloween preparation (DH is carving pumpkins with them as I type this!), plus numerous family outings. All good things though...so when I start to feel overwhelmed I try and take a step back and remember that all of the things keeping us busy are very good things...too many people spend all their time taking care of someone who is ill or visiting someone in a hospital... so when I think of that I am very grateful for the busy life I lead!!

 

[franandaj]

Hi Bonnie!

Good to see you again!

 

[bangzoom6877]

Hi Bonnie!

Good to see you again!

Hi Alison! Great to see you too!

I have to go and check out your PTR!!

 

[franandaj]

Hey Leshaface...we got our performance time it will be 10:30AM on November 21st, on the stage across from Monsters Inc. I hope you guys can come by and hear us for a little. I'll be the one playing the saxophone on the edge. Probably the only woman in a dress!

 

[ChiCat]

The kitty you lost looks *exactly* like my Moxie. I'm so sorry for your loss. Your new babies look adorable though. I'm going to Europe with a friend on Monday! We are flying into Amsterdam staying there 3 nights, taking a train to Paris staying there 4 nights, and flying to Barcelona and staying there 3 nights. I've never been before either but the travel and hotels weren't bad. I would say for everything including airfare, hotels, train from Amsterdam, plane to Barcelona we are spending around $1400 a piece. But we aren't staying at fancy hotels. Just clean ones with decent reviews. BUT it's going to be expensive once we get there. I believe sales tax is close to 20% in Paris, and things are just generally expensivve, I've read signature drinks at Hemingway Bar at the Hotel Ritz are about $40US.

I think you could do it cheaply it just depends on what you want to do when you get there.

Anywho I just caught up on your trip report, I just love the photos you take!