PART THIRTY ONE:
The alarm goes off at 7:15. I havent slept much. My stomach feels like I spent the night on the orange version of Mission Space. Another abused part of my anatomy feels like someone forgot to shut off the shuttles afterburners. Actually, my whole body feels like it did the slingshot around the moon a few times before crash landing on Mars. I dont know if Im up to the return trip to Earth, much less a breakfast trip to the Poly.
Lowell gives me a sympathetic look. I had talked to him a couple times when I was up during the night, so he knows how tired and miserable I feel right now. The light is still on in the bathroom and the carpet shows a threadbare path worn between our bed and the bathroom door. What a night!
I dont know what to do, I tell him. Im really tired but I dont want to sleep our last day away. I want to go to the Poly but, as much as I love Tonga Toast, I dont think I could get it down. Even if I did, it would probably hula right through me.
Whatever you decide is fine with me.
I still blame myself for having that second glass of varnish stripper and eating a family size shortcake by myself. I hate to think how sick I might be if we were on the free dining plan. The way I hate to waste food, especially free food, Id feel obligated to eat my entire entree plus appetizers and desserts. Id have to excuse myself during dinner to run around the building a few times to make room for more. Or maybe I could tap jog a couple thousand steps beside our table between courses and work off some calories that way.
Lets get dressed. If I dont feel any worse when its time to leave well keep the ADR. Ill have something light. You can order Tonga Toast and Ill settle for a bite or two of yours.
A quick shower perks me up, and when I wriggle into my jeans I swear they feel looser. At least the shortcake didnt go to my hips while I slept. Chances are, everything I ate is a few miles away by now.
I dont feel any worse by 8:30 so we decide to go. We can still enjoy our ritual trip to the Poly even though I wont be able to eat much. After breakfast well shop a while, then walk the grounds to get some photos for the DIS. I grab the camera and my wallet on a string and we head out to catch a boat to the MK where we will transfer to the monorail.
Its a beautiful morning and the warm air and blue sky brightens my gloomy mood. I refuse to let this trip be spoiled. Well make the best of the situation and have a good day. Fortunately we have nothing planned aside from breakfast. After our trip to the Poly we can come back here and relax by the pool and I can nap if Im still sleepy. Magical Express will pick us up at 3:00, so we have the better part of the day ahead of us.
Normally we drive to the Poly. This time we pull up to the resort by monorail and take the covered walkway straight to the lobby. We pass families heading out for the day, probably to the Magic Kingdom. As we walk inside were greeted by the musical sound of water cascading over a waterfall. Lush greenery surrounds the waterfall making it all the more cool and inviting. We pause to absorb the tropical atmosphere before making our way to the Kona Café.
The hostess checks her list for our ADR then hands Lowell one of those plastic squares that light up and vibrate when your table is ready. We find chairs outside the restaurant and sit down to wait. I take the pager device from Lowell, and as usual, turn my attention to manipulating the device by mind control. I havent been successful on previous attempts but eventually I will master the technique. Im certain I have only to properly focus my brain waves. Once I learn to do this, well never have to wait in lines again. I sigh with happiness at the thought and lock my gaze on the plastic square. Concentrate. Think of nothing but the square. Picture the lights flashing. Feel the square vibrate in my hands. People walk by, talking and laughing but I tune them out. For a few minutes I see and hear nothing. Concentrate. I am sending a signal to the device. You will begin flashing now.
I gasp and nearly drop the square. The lights are flashing. Lowell looks over, totally unaware of my stunning success, takes the device from my hands, and says calmly, Thats us. Lets go.
I tag along smiling. Could it be possible?
We sit at a small table for two and in a moment our waiter arrives. It will be easy to remember him because he is from Lowell . . . . Lowell, Massachusetts, and his name is Gary. I ponder what an interesting coincidence it would be if Lowell had been born in Gary, Indiana. Then we would have Gary from Lowell and Lowell from Gary. It would be fascinating in a confusing sort of way.
Normally I wouldnt need a menu, but this time its an unwelcome necessity. I scan the menu for something simple and easy to digest. I spot a fruit and yogurt combo that looks safe. When Gary from Lowell returns, Lowell who is not from Gary orders a pot of French press Kona coffee and Tonga Toast. Gary turns his attention to me and I order my none-too-exciting fruit plate. He pauses, pencil poised, waiting for me to continue.
Thats it, I say with a half-hearted smile.
His eyes widen in surprise. Just fruit? No eggs, pancakes, Tonga toast?
No, Im not very hungry. I ate too much last night at Hoop-De-Doo. I catch myself in time before calling it Poop-De-Doo and graciously spare him the account of my ten trips to the bathroom. I have no idea why I feel I must justify my lack of appetite to him, but somehow an explanation seems necessary. Ordering such a meager breakfast may have offended the Tiki gods because I hear distant, ominous drums. Or that could just be someone banging a pot in the kitchen.
Ive read that Tiki gods are most often depicted with their eyes closed because a Tiki can smell trouble before he sees it. Im not impressed. I had that very same ability last night after Poop-De-Doo, and I assure you it was no godlike power.
We can make you something special if there is anything youd like thats not on the menu, he offers.
Thank you, but Im sure this will be plenty. We stare at each other for a moment. I hope they dont send any half-dressed natives from the kitchen with spears and shields, threatening me to order more food.
He shrugs. Okay. Ill put your order in and be right back with coffee.
I guess he thinks fruit is only a side dish, an appetizer, I muse. Must be no one orders the fruit plate as their entire breakfast. Now Im paranoid. He probably thinks were too cheap to order a bigger breakfast. Maybe he thinks this is all we can afford and well have to hock my faux designer wallet on a string just to pay for Lowells Tonga Toast.
Our coffee arrives and Gary explains how the French press method works. We have ordered this coffee before, and I have a French press at home, but we listen patiently. We have a collection of antique coffee mills at home and grind fresh coffee every morning. Kona beans are the best but theyre too expensive to have on a daily basis. Their flavor is very robust but smooth. I take a sip of coffee and its very good, as always.
Before long, our food arrives. Lowells Tonga Toast looks fantastic, which proves Im sick, because I have no desire to eat it.
My own food looks better than I had anticipated. I add to my morning prayers a request that this meal doesnt make a hasty exit. Fruit may not be the smartest thing to eat after the problem I experienced, but its the only thing that looked appealing. The granola topping is crunchy and good and compliments the yogurt and fruit. I pick at my meal, eating much more slowly than usual.
After finishing about half with no ill effects I get up the nerve to sample Lowells Tonga Toast. No doubt this tastes exactly like every other Tonga Toast weve eaten, but today it tastes greasy to me and I really dont enjoy it. One bite is enough. Im sure my disinterest doesnt break Lowells heart since Im notorious for helping myself to quite a bit of his meal. For anyone who has never had Tonga Toast, its made with thick sour dough bread, stuffed with bananas, then lightly battered and fried, and coated with a crunchy cinnamon sugar. Its huge, looks really impressive, and its very tasty.
Gary from Lowell is an attentive waiter and stops by to check on us and chit-chat. Is he just being friendly? Or is he keeping an eye on us because fruit-eating patrons are more likely to slip off without paying their bill? I usually dont waste time thinking about other peoples opinions of us, but Im pretty sure he and the Tiki gods have it in for us.
We pay our bill, leave a generous tip to prove were not cheap, and head out to explore the gift shops. I like the theming on the shop across the lobby, and on the first floor there are more stores with clothing, art, and gifts.
When we finish examining Hawaiian shirts, Polynesian Resort wear, art, jewelry and Disney souvenirs that bear a Hawaiian theme, we step outside. Beautiful winding walkways beckon us to explore.
We always like to walk the paths between the buildings, go down to the area where the luau is held, and check out the marina and the beach. There are photo ops at every turn. This is a beautiful resort.
Today we see something new as we walk along the docks. The Pirate cruise boat has a crew of pirates aboard.
I make a point to say loudly to Lowell as we pass, Hold tight to your treasure, mate, there be pirates aboard that ship!
I love the landscaping and flowers at the Poly. The tropical atmosphere is enhanced by soft Hawaiian background music. Were in no hurry and enjoy our leisurely walk, snapping pictures as we go.
I love the volcano pool theme.
Lowell finds a gigantic tree that is really fascinating.
You can walk all the way to the Grand Floridian along the beach, which we have done on other occasions, but today we settle for walking about half way and taking some photos.
When we finish our walk, I still feel sore but otherwise fine, and we head back to the monorail. A nice leisurely day at the Wilderness Lodge pool sounds good to me. Ill take a nap in a lounge chair while basking in the sun, then Ill be fresh and alert for my last shift of pool hopper detective duty.
See, we didn't call it the Hoop-De-Don't for nothin'!!! Awww, Kay, I'm hoping you get your Tonga Toast. I've never tried it although it's on my must do list. I can't stand bananas
(sorry Mr. Banana)probably as much as you loathe cucumbers but I still want to try it. I'm hoping you felt better the next day. 
I would want my own.
NMAmy: Im glad we finally got to catch the EWP. The last couple trips we planned to watch it from the Poly or the GF but it always seemed like too much effort to trek over there just for a ten minute water parade. It really is a cute show. 
Great pics by the way!! I did look at every one of them!
