How Do You Think We Stay So Happy?*Final Thoughts & Farewells* 10/7 p100

[MEK]

Thanks for posting cynthia. I can't see a thing right now, but I'm sure they are great!

 

[KatMark]

Awesome pictures, Cynthia. Mark LOVES elephants and that in itself is making me go buy a lotto ticket today to see if I can win the money for the trek.

Seriously, you got some great shots; thank you for sharing.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I love watching the elephants too! I love this picture especially!

That's an interesting two-headed animal...

 

[celeste.]

I'm just starting to read your TR and it's great.
I just got back from a trip and I stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter..Riverside is so beautiful, though!!

 

[MEK]

Awesome pictures, Cynthia. Mark LOVES elephants and that in itself is making me go buy a lotto ticket today to see if I can win the money for the trek.

Seriously, you got some great shots; thank you for sharing.

Kathy - I think you NEED to do this trek. You guys would love it!!!!!

Those are great. Those are the rest of our photopass shots, right?

Except - I can tell you there was no way that lion picture was taken during our trek. NO WAY!!!!! They must have some stock photos they put in there. Apparently, I didn't need Glen's lion picture after all.

I do love our group shot at the end. I remember them taking it!

I love watching the elephants too! I love this picture especially!


:

Watching the elephants bury themselves in the mud was not only really cool (because how they heck do they breath), but it was really funny!

That's an interesting two-headed animal...

I thought the exact same thing!!!!!

I'm just starting to read your TR and it's great.
I just got back from a trip and I stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter..Riverside is so beautiful, though!!

Celeste! Thanks for joining in the fun. Hope you had a great August trip. I did notice your title. I'm going to head over there and check it out!

 

[eandesmom]

Awesome pictures, Cynthia. Mark LOVES elephants and that in itself is making me go buy a lotto ticket today to see if I can win the money for the trek.

Seriously, you got some great shots; thank you for sharing.

I get no credit, our guides took the pics! but thanks. The elephants and hippos were my favorite part!

I love watching the elephants too! I love this picture especially!



That's an interesting two-headed animal...

LOL! Yes it is.

I'm just starting to read your TR and it's great.
I just got back from a trip and I stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter..Riverside is so beautiful, though!!

I just helped a friend book her first trip to the world, they will be staying at POR.

Kathy - I think you NEED to do this trek. You guys would love it!!!!!

Those are great. Those are the rest of our photopass shots, right?

Except - I can tell you there was no way that lion picture was taken during our trek. NO WAY!!!!! They must have some stock photos they put in there. Apparently, I didn't need Glen's lion picture after all.

I do love our group shot at the end. I remember them taking it!

Well here's what's interesting about the lion pic. It was definitely numbered as if it was taken during our trek versus some other stock ones at the end with a totally different naming system (I didn't include those). I do have a "real" lion pic...taken by Evan back in 2009.

 

[MEK]

Well here's what's interesting about the lion pic. It was definitely numbered as if it was taken during our trek versus some other stock ones at the end with a totally different naming system (I didn't include those). I do have a "real" lion pic...taken by Evan back in 2009.

What? You mean I turned my back and the lion stood up???? Impossible! I noticed I didn't take my zoom lens so that could explain why I didn't try again. But, still, I NEVER get the lion!

These are really good, by the way. Go Evan!

 

[TanzUnited99]

I love all the animal pics - you are seriously making me want to go on a Safari!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Mary Ellen - the lion did get up VERY briefly on our trek. It was one of those get up, switch positions and lie immediately right back down moves. I was watching but wasn't quick enough to catch it with the camera. This is all I got.

 

[MEK]

I love all the animal pics - you are seriously making me want to go on a Safari!

Well, you will be there soon enough and you can ride the safari to your heart's content. So lucky!!!!!

Mary Ellen - the lion did get up VERY briefly on our trek. It was one of those get up, switch positions and lie immediately right back down moves. I was watching but wasn't quick enough to catch it with the camera. This is all I got.

OK - I can't see these pictures right now, but something tells me they are better than any lion picture I've ever gotten. All these wonderful lion pictures. I am riding the safari until I get a good one in December. It is now my mission!

Thanks for sharing C!!!!!

 

[MEK]

OMG - christine - that last picture is the perfect cat picture! It's the lion, but he is doing what any self respecting cat would do on a lazy day. I can't believe all these pictures were taken when all I got was the backside.

It!!!!!!!

So tonight we took Jen out for her going away dinner. That's the same Jen I traveled with last September. And what do you think we got her for her going away present?????? Well, a Disney Gift Card, of course!!!!!

It was a super fun night, but now I am too tired for a Jiko update. I promise to have it done by tomorrow night!

 

[MEK]

After a fabulous morning treking and a fabulous afternoon sipping the "can in the can" by the pool, we retreated to our rooms to get ready for dinner. Jen's flight had left earlier in the day and she was somewhere en route home. Tonight was Melissa's last night. Tomorrow she would be leaving as well.

But tonight was to enjoy! We were going to Jiko, a signature restaurant that I had been looking forward to for a long time. I've eaten at Cali Grill, Narcoosee's, Artist Point, and Flying Fish. This was a new signature experience I was really looking forward to. I've heard so many wonderful things about this restaurant.

Did it live up to the hype????? Well, Read On!

Our First Stop was

Such a pretty and unique bar area. I decided not to have a drink because I think I was still on a sugar high from the can-can drink, but here's what some of the ladies decided to try.

pretty!

This would be the superfruit martini and it came with a cute little bracelet.

Who still has their bracelet? Anyone?

Here is a blurry picture of the bar area.

If my memory serves me right (and I think i've already proven that it doesn't), this was a close-up of a big pillar-like supporting structure.

While the ladies were enjoying their cocktails, I decided to venture forth and take a few lodge pictures. It's no secret that AKL is one of my favorite resorts. I know it's Melissa and Tracy's home resort. I looked day after day, week after week for a 100 pt March use year add on at the resort, but I never found one. Never! That's how I ended up purchasing at VWL. I actually think I may have seen one right after I finally added on at VWL. Figures!

But it's all good, because I know I will stay there again in the future!

Lobby leading to the animal viewing area

Ahhhhhh - this is my favorite spot in the whole entire lodge

I think there was someone outside, but they quickly disappeared after I went out there. They almost had the attitude that I had interrupted their own personal space. Sorry!

I'll just post all my pictures since I love this place THAT MUCH!

I love this sign

On My Way back to Victoria Falls I tried to get some lobby pictures:

I believe this was a sneak picture inside Jiko!

It must have been time for our ADR because this next picture is of the wine racks in Jiko. Cool Huh?

I saw something like this in Kirkland's (well obviously on a much smaller scale) and it was SO hard for me to pass. It reminded me of Jiko!

The menu

OMG - I almost forgot about this. I got a Birthday Card from Jiko!!!!!! How cool is that?

Ahhhhh - Here's what I was waiting for. A nice glass of wine! Knowing that Cynthia was so good with wine, I had her pick my beverage de jour!

And because Cynthia picked, I have no idea what type of wine it was. I'm sure she'll remember. She's good like that. Whatever it was - it was delish and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

And because I enjoyed it so much, here's my artsy spin on my picture (or perhaps thats actually how the wine looked after a few glasses). Ho Hum!

Continued sometime later today with THE FOOD!

 

[MEK]

OOPS! Here's My Birthday Card:

 

[celeste.]

AKL is a beautiful resort! I visited it for the first time on my last trip..it kind of reminds me of wilderness lodge, but bigger (or maybe it just seems bigger because it's spread out with all the animals).
Great update..can't wait for more!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

YAY JIKO!!!! Can't wait to see the rest of your meal there!!! I hope you enjoyed it there - I entirely admit to being someone that hypes that meal up every second I can!

 

[TanzUnited99]

I love all the pics of AKL and would love to stay there one day!

Yay on getting a birthday card from Jiko! That wine rack looks cool and I love that the martini comes with a cute little bracelet.

Can't wait to hear about your meal at Jiko and would love to know how you would rank the signature restaurants you have eaten at

 

[MEK]

AKL is a beautiful resort! I visited it for the first time on my last trip..it kind of reminds me of wilderness lodge, but bigger (or maybe it just seems bigger because it's spread out with all the animals).
Great update..can't wait for more!

Sorry I had to split up the updates, but I have a lot to do today, so I will do the other part this evening.

The animals at AKL really add so much to the property. It's amazing. And the music - I love the music - such perfect sounds for such a cool place.

YAY JIKO!!!! Can't wait to see the rest of your meal there!!! I hope you enjoyed it there - I entirely admit to being someone that hypes that meal up every second I can!

I did love it there. Our waiter wasn't that warm and fuzzy like some of the cast members are, but he knew how to do his job and the food was fabulous. I really enjoyed it!

I love all the pics of AKL and would love to stay there one day!

I love that resort! I hope you do get a chance to stay there someday. I think it would be a great resort for a non park stay because the restaurants are my favorite and there is so much to get lost in - the great pools, the animals, the music, the incredible artwork.

Yay on getting a birthday card from Jiko! That wine rack looks cool and I love that the martini comes with a cute little bracelet.

Ya know - I'm not really sure I know what I did with my birthday card. So I'm really glad I took a picture of it! That was a nice touch.

yes - I do want to know you still has there. I think they may have run out while we were there.

Can't wait to hear about your meal at Jiko and would love to know how you would rank the signature restaurants you have eaten at

I can definitely do a ranking after I finish this update. I promise to finish tonight!

 

[KatMark]

MEK, your pictures of AKL are getting me so excited (only 34 more days!). Thank you for posting them.

 

[saintstickets]

STILL loving your TR. Hope Jiko lives up to your expectations. DW and I ate there during our last trip and it was amazing! I'm anxious to see if you had some of the same items as we did on our trip.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I AKL. What a beautiful resort! It seems like it gets a bad reputation for travel times and being a distance from the parks. I only stayed there once and for just a few nights but don't recall being aggravated by the bus service. I think it is especially gorgeous at Christmas-time

Sure wish I was dining at Jiko tonight!!