I Paid Someone $5 for a Catchy Trip Report Title, and This is All I Got-Updated 12/29

[jordanyosh]

Well, I must confess.....I've never eaten at Jiko. So, this hypocrite can't really say which one's better.

Jiko has amazing food, but I think if you like variety Boma's the way to go...

 

[Scrooge Jr]

It looks like ya'll had a very lovely trip.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[glennbo123]

It looks like ya'll had a very lovely trip.
Thanks for sharing.

Absolutely we did! My pleasure.

And

 

[jenbear123]

What a cutie! I love Bichons. Have had one in the family since I was really little. Funny how you say Swiffer (LOVE the name by the way) was having tummy trouble. My current Bichon, her name is Pixel, recently had problems as well. She never got as far as dehydration (maybe I caught it early enough) but it still cost a pretty penny to get her fixed. Here's one of my favourite pictures of Pixel:

She's about a year and half now. We call her a "perma-puppy". Any guesses as to why? Just look at those eyes! Does Swiffer go on the usual "Bichon Blitz" so well known to the breed? Pixel is going on one now as I type this. If you don't know what I mean, check out this video I took a while back: Pixel going bonkers (Please excuse my laughter but it was just too darn funny)

Love your trip report so far. You have a beautiful family. I must admit I have not made it over to Boma out of my many trips this year. I'll have to put it at the top of the list for our 2010 trip in the works. The food looks yum, yum, yummy! Keep up the great work! Can't wait for the next installment

 

[glennbo123]

jenbear123. Glad to have you along!

What a cutie! I love Bichons. Have had one in the family since I was really little. Funny how you say Swiffer (LOVE the name by the way) was having tummy trouble. My current Bichon, her name is Pixel, recently had problems as well. She never got as far as dehydration (maybe I caught it early enough) but it still cost a pretty penny to get her fixed.

Good to hear that your dog didn't have too bad of a time with it. Regarding vet bills, what are you gonna do, right?

She's about a year and half now. We call her a "perma-puppy". Any guesses as to why? Just look at those eyes! Does Swiffer go on the usual "Bichon Blitz" so well known to the breed? Pixel is going on one now as I type this. If you don't know what I mean, check out this video I took a while back: Pixel going bonkers (Please excuse my laughter but it was just too darn funny)

I've never heard that term, "Bichon Blitz", but yeah he's done that before. Usually I'll be playing with him and get him stirred up like that. He doesn't usually get that way just playing with a toy on his own. I've gotta get him going by trying to chase him, etc.

Love your trip report so far. You have a beautiful family. I must admit I have not made it over to Boma out of my many trips this year. I'll have to put it at the top of the list for our 2010 trip in the works. The food looks yum, yum, yummy! Keep up the great work! Can't wait for the next installment

Thanks for the kind words. I'm really glad you're enjoying the TR. Hearing from folks like yourself is what makes it worth it to me.

 

[glennbo123]

Day five. Our trip was more than halfway over, and we’d been going strong every day, so it was time for a more relaxing day. Our plan for the day was to enjoy the resort on a “non-park” day. DSiL and DN would be coming over for a little while before they drove back home. And, in the evening we would be going to the DVC “Vacation As You Wish” event at the Contemporary, in order to get a preview of the new Bay Lake Tower suites.

We awoke to pouring rain. I looked out of our window and was so glad I wasn’t heading into a park at that moment. We took advantage of our more relaxed morning to cook a big breakfast -- bacon, eggs, toast, and OJ.

By 10:30 am the rain had stopped so I decided to walk around the resort and get some more pictures. I started out by walking down the hall toward the unfinished part of the building, but I was soon met by a construction worker who said, “can I help you?” (in a “what the heck are you doing here?” kind of way). He informed me that that area wasn’t open yet and that I was not supposed to venture beyond the elevator area. I had planned to turn back once I reached a barricade or construction tape or something, but hadn’t run into anything like that. Oh well.

I took this picture of the artifacts and the proverb near the elevator. I liked this one: “Truth keeps the hands cleaner than soap.” These artifacts were pretty cool too. I'm not sure what to make of the one on the lower left, showing two guys carrying another guy in a hammock kind of thing. Maybe it shows how saxophone players are revered in Africa?

We always used this elevator to go down to the pool. You’d come out in the parking garage and then have a short walk to the back-entrance of the pool, near the pool bar. So, that's the way I went on this morning. At the pool there was a wall up to hide the work they’re doing on the new Pembe savanna, which is situated at the far end of the resort and will also extend along the far end of the pool. I couldn’t see over it, but like a paparazzi photographer who’s at the back of a crowd, I held up my camera and hoped I’d get something decent. I think they turned out pretty good.

Looks like they’re putting in some drainage pipes.

Looking a little more to the left. High security!

This is the pool bar, Maji.

The zero-entry portion of the pool. It was about 11:00 am and no one was here yet except me and the lifeguards, due to the rain that had come through. I wish it had been a little more sunny for these pictures, to show the pool in its best light. I kept thinking I’d take more later in the week, but whenever we were at the pool I pretty much enjoyed the pool rather than taking pictures.

Here, I’ve walked to the right a little. You can see the big water slide at the other end. About mid-way across the pool and on the left you can see the baby water slide. My daughters had fun going down it and pretending that it was scary.

Continuing on to the right. Here you can see the baby water slide better, and another pool entry area with steps, and the bottom of the big water slide. Beyond the pool in this shot is the water play area. You can see the water tower that says “Samawati Trading Co.”.

This picture was taken from the bridge near the water slide that you can see in the earlier pictures. Beyond the pool you can see the green wall hiding the savanna construction, which I had taken pictures over.

Here’s a closer shot of the entrance to the water play area. The heads on each side of the entrance spray a mist of water when you walk past. We sat near these whenever we were at the pool and it was great fun to watch new people arrive and walk past these. You could always tell the new arrivals walking through in their regular clothes to check out the pool, looking all around with a look of awe on their faces, and then get a shock when they walked by these and got misted. It was hilarious.

Here I’ve gone into the water play area, walked to the left, and taken a shot back across. In the middle of the picture is the water tower from the side. You can see a little kiddie wading pool with some fountains. Out of the picture, to the left, is a playset for little kids to climb on. The chairs in this picture would be perfect for parents to use to watch their kids playing on all of this stuff. Oh, the flooring in this area, and under the water tower I remember, was this flexible corky kind of stuff. It was so nice on the feet after a day at the parks! I enjoyed walking under the water tower in the late afternoon just for the poor-man’s foot massage.

For these next couple of pictures I’ve walked forward, past the water tower. Here they have some water guns, buckets dropping water, waterfalls, and snakes that shoot water. Kids make friends very easily here -- they just start shooting each other with water. If adults did that? Well, wars have been fought for less.

From inside the “fort” at the water battle area.

Back out at the entrance to the water play area. I tried to get a shot of the heads “misting” by putting my foot in front of the sensor and then bringing the camera up for the shot. It was hard to do by myself . I wasn’t quite fast enough to trip the sensor, get out of the way, and get the shot. This was the best I could do.

From there I walked up to the water slide. Along the way I passed one of the two hot tubs. The other is at the other end, the end with the pool bar.

The top of the slide.

The twists and turns of the slide.

Here’s a shot of the fitness center taken from the top of the slide.

I walked over and checked out the fitness center. Very nice. Several pieces of equipment, free weights, and treadmills. Then I looked at the men’s room. I normally wouldn’t take a picture of a bathroom, but this has to be one of the nicest in Disney. Check out the marble!

In the next installment: More of my walking tour

Link to next installment

 

[tink1957]

Wow, what great pics...I can see a DVC points rental in my future.

 

[eandesmom]

WONDERFUL pictures! I can't wait to see more!

 

[dd50]

Great pictures and what a beautiful resort.

 

[jordanyosh]

I'd have to give that restroom a single flush rating....very nice....It's great to walk around the resort when no one is around....

Great pix.

 

[glennbo123]

Wow, what great pics...I can see a DVC points rental in my future.

Thank you. I hope you do.

WONDERFUL pictures! I can't wait to see more!

Thanks.

Great pictures and what a beautiful resort.

Thank you. I agree, it was (is) a beautiful resort and we really enjoyed it. It's our home resort!

I'd have to give that restroom a single flush rating....very nice....It's great to walk around the resort when no one is around....

Great pix.

When I posted I was thinking that you might have a comment on that .

Thanks!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

What a cutie! I love Bichons. Have had one in the family since I was really little. Funny how you say Swiffer (LOVE the name by the way) was having tummy trouble. My current Bichon, her name is Pixel, recently had problems as well. She never got as far as dehydration (maybe I caught it early enough) but it still cost a pretty penny to get her fixed. Here's one of my favourite pictures of Pixel:

She's about a year and half now. We call her a "perma-puppy". Any guesses as to why? Just look at those eyes! Does Swiffer go on the usual "Bichon Blitz" so well known to the breed? Pixel is going on one now as I type this. If you don't know what I mean, check out this video I took a while back: Pixel going bonkers (Please excuse my laughter but it was just too darn funny)

Love your trip report so far. You have a beautiful family. I must admit I have not made it over to Boma out of my many trips this year. I'll have to put it at the top of the list for our 2010 trip in the works. The food looks yum, yum, yummy! Keep up the great work! Can't wait for the next installment

Another Bichon Frise fan here! My family got our first one when I was 9 and she is sadly no longer here but my Mum has 2 and I have one. Little Millie!!! So cute!

Loved the vid of Pixel. All bichons must do this. so cute. Millie is 10 now but she still does this when she gets out the bath!

 

[chiefdragon]

I have enjoyed you TR. It bring back memories from our trip there the beginning of June. When there, DH and I walked towards the other side and there was no one there and we were able to walk all the way around the inside of the village....it is amazing how big the resort is. We got very lucky and our room was on the frist floor and right down from the Community Hall.

 

[glennbo123]

Another Bichon Frise fan here! My family got our first one when I was 9 and she is sadly no longer here but my Mum has 2 and I have one. Little Millie!!! So cute!

Loved the vid of Pixel. All bichons must do this. so cute. Millie is 10 now but she still does this when she gets out the bath!

Bichons are a fun breed. Who knew we had so many bichon owners out there following this TR?

I have enjoyed you TR. It bring back memories from our trip there the beginning of June. When there, DH and I walked towards the other side and there was no one there and we were able to walk all the way around the inside of the village....it is amazing how big the resort is. We got very lucky and our room was on the frist floor and right down from the Community Hall.

chiefdragon!

I see you're in DE. We're not too far from you....in Pennsylvania's "mushroom country".

I have some pictures of Community Hall coming up. My kids really enjoyed going there when we weren't at the parks.

 

[glennbo123]

In the last installment I had walked around Kidani a little bit and had taken some pictures of the pool and fitness center (well, at least the bathroom!). Continuing from where I left off, from the fitness center I walked up to the lobby. Here’s the lobby entrance.

From there, I went to Community Hall to see if the kids had made it down there yet. Sure enough, the girls were there and were busying themselves with colored pencils and markers.

DN and James were playing foosball. Apparently DSiL and DN had arrived while I was taking pictures of the pool.

Community Hall was a little busy due to the rainy morning we’d had. I told the kids that I was going to go back to the room and get my suit on and go back to the pool. They said they’d be along in a little bit.

Here’s a shot of the observation area in the savanna directly behind the lobby.

A little to my right was a worker who appeared to be checking on the umm, zapification of the electric fence.

I kept heading toward the room, but you can’t walk too far at Kidani without feeling the need to take a picture of an animal of some kind. Here’s a giraffe.

And some wildebeest.

And the observation area from the other side. I think I took this picture because you can see three giraffes.

Art and windows at our elevator area.

An artifact near the elevator on our floor.

In the next installment: Fun at the pool.

Link to next installment

 

[glennbo123]

After getting back to the suite after my little walk, I visited with Judy and DSiL a little, then got ready to go to the pool. Eventually the kids came also. It was about noon, but we decided to forego lunch. None was needed! We had filled up at Boma the night before, and had a late breakfast in the morning. And since we needed to be at the Contemporary by 7:00 pm for the DVC “Vacation As You Wish” event, we planned on having an early dinner in the suite. So, off to the pool we went.

I had to take a picture of a giraffe on the way. After all, this one was different, it was lying down.

Now for some “action” photos around the pool.

Here’s James on the slide.

DN and my kids.

A water battle breaks out over at the water play area. Apparently it was DN against everyone else. (I think I saw this scene in a prison movie once!)

I love Marlene’s face in this one. Even though you can only see the profile, you can sense the utter joy that comes with blasting someone with water.

While the battle raged I saw James getting a drink from a "bullet hole" in this water barrel. Kids. There was a water fountain about five steps away.

Back to the battle. Oh, for future reference, the person in the fort always loses, I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s the three guns on the ground versus two in the fort, or less room to get out of the way of fire, but I found that you get clobbered in the fort.

We stayed at the pool until about 2:00 pm, then went back to the suite. I realized that I had a good picture of the port cochere from our balcony, but didn’t have a good picture of the view to the right of our balcony. So in the interest of completeness, here you go. The building in the distance is the fitness center. The pool is beyond it, and further to the right, but you can't see it. You can see the lights for the pool though, just below the treeline on the horizon.

Here, I zoomed in a little on the fitness center building.

The kids changed and went back once again to one of their favorite places at the resort --Community Hall. After a while I went down to see what they were up to. I had to take some animal pictures on the way. I’m not sure what these guys are.

Here’s what the kids were up to….Lauren and DN in a foosball battle. You can also see the Playstation games beyond them.

And Marlene and James playing pool. You can tell we don’t own a pool table, Marlene’s holding her left hand kind of strangely, and James looks like he’s trying to figure out how to hold it as well.

DSiL and Judy came down to get DN, since it was time for them to head home. DN did NOT want to go, he was having too much fun. He kept trying for more time -- one more point, one more game, etc. Eventually, they got on the road and we went back to start working on dinner.

Sorry, but on the way back I had to take a few more animal pictures. Just page down if you’ve had enough already! Here’s the north end of a south-bound zebra.

A wildebeest. I don’t like the way he’s eyeing me.

And a couple more African artifacts near our elevator.

In the next installment: Excuse me, what is a zero-gravity pool?

Link to next installment

 

[dd50]

Nice pictures! My kids wouldn't want to leave either if we stayed there with the community center.

 

[winkers]

I love the picture of Marlene and the water cannon!

Kidani looks like a great resort. I love how close the animals seem to be.

 

[glennbo123]

Nice pictures! My kids wouldn't want to leave either if we stayed there with the community center.

They could always be found either at the pool or the Community Hall.

I love the picture of Marlene and the water cannon!

Kidani looks like a great resort. I love how close the animals seem to be.

Thanks. She looks like she's having fun, doesn't she.

 

[marvali]

Yeah, mine were sometimes at the pool, much more often at Community Hall. That was usually where we looked for them first.