Greetings from Florida! In the past week I’ve made my way from Orlando to Jacksonville and down to Tampa. My time in Orlando was super fun — my girl Angie came to meet me and we hung out at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, took a spin around Universal Studios, and just soaked up being back in the sun. And good thing we did, because as soon as we hit Jacksonville, Angie’s hometown, a coldfront blew in — it even snowed! So sadly, I won’t have much to report from J-ville, though I did see enough to know I’ll be back for more Angie ‘n Alex time next time I hit Florida.
Now I’m reporting from Tampa, where I’m excited to be spending a whole week with my much-adored aunts. From here, I’ll be taking a road trip down to Miami, stopping through the Everglades along the way. Any advice for me? I’d love to hear it! Meanwhile, I’ll still be sharing stories and photos from around Thailand here on the blog. Hope you guys aren’t getting sick of my Southeast Asia coverage anytime soon — because there’s a lot more coming at ya.
Happy Monday!
Photo A
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Photo B
Africa-inspired decor
Photo C
The savannah as seen from my balcony
Photo D
A globe-trotter favorite
Photo E
Oh, the places you’ll go! Hanging out at Seuss Landing
Which photo is your favorite?
Photo D for me! It’s been years (sadly) since I’ve been to either Disney World or Universal, and I’m dying to get back. I love all of these photos, though!
Thanks Marni! I hadn’t been to Universal since I was a kid, so that was a fun trip for me. Happy days!
Picture A! Love the combination of the pattern on your dress with the ones on the thingies on the left.
And I’ll never get sick of hearing about SEAsia 🙂
So happy to hear that Sarah, because there’s a lot more of it coming 🙂
Animal Kingdom lodge looks pretty sweet! I vote for Photo A.
I would definitely suggest a trip to Shark Valley in the Everglades, I think they rent bikes, too, which would be fun. If you have more time, see if Kayak SW Florida is running any trips.
http://www.kayakswflorida.com
Shark Valley is totally on our list! We’re going to have to hurry to get there in time for the last bike rental, but we’re determined to make it our last stop on the road trip 🙂 Wish us luck!
I choose photo A! Man, it would be nice to be in warm Florida right now.
Also, forgive me for being slow, but I just realized how genius your “Photo of the Week” posts are. What a clever way to give a little weekly recap and keep us up to date with where you are currently, while you still make posts about previous trips during the rest of the week. It sure does save a lot of confusion on the reader side of things and just makes a whole lot of sense. I like it!
Thanks Karen! I think it’s a fun little preview of what’s next 🙂 Plus, since I tend to stay in one place a long time, helps break up what would otherwise be endless weeks of Thailand posts, for example. Glad you enjoy them!
I’m so impressed that as a short chick you can rock a maxi dress so well. Great dress, I wonder if it’s the cinching at the waist that does it?
Anyway, photo E! I had no idea Seussland existed and now I so badly want to go.
That dress was my favorite Bali find! About ten bucks, if I recall correctly — and I added a little belt from Koh Tao 🙂 It’s probably the most fun thing I packed for Central America.
Hope you are well Alex. I am choosing photo C. Cute animals.
It was so fun to wake up to them out my window every morning, Steve!
We’ve been going down to Southwest Florida for a few years now since part of our family lives there. I can recommend Sarasota, FL for really good modern architecture, and Bonita Spring Beach between Fort Myers and Naples. Looking forward to hearing what you discover, since we will be back to this area )
I was super excited to head to the Ringling Complex in Sarasota but realized that we have so far to drive and so much to see, we’d get to Miami too late if we waited for the museums to open. Oh well! I come to Tampa a lot so I’ll just have to wait to make that a feature of my next trip 🙂 Thanks for the Bonita Spring Beach tip!
Photo C!
And seriously, where do I go to nominate you for the “best dressed travel blogger” award?
Ha! Feel free to shout it from any rooftop you like, Laryssa 🙂
If i didn’t know better, i’d almost peg the first 3 images as Africa itself. Pretty impressive, Disney. A this week bc of your location-appropriate dress. well done!
http://canadianinlosangeles.com
I packed it thinking it was super Central America-chic, but it ended up working pretty well for Africa as well!
Pic A! Love that dress!
It was a great, super cheap Bali find 🙂
Photo E because of the dreamy colours! I think I need to embrace my inner child and go a theme park this year, it’s been too long.
There are a very fun, every-once-in-a-while treat 🙂
Photo C! WOW… Would totally have thought you were kicking it in Africa. Amazing. 🙂
Disney does know how to build a crackin’ set 🙂
There’s just something about photo D!
Globetrotters love the globe 🙂
Photo A because whoa, whoever took that photo on the right must be some kind of genius.
Miss you!
😉 You da bomb!
Beautiful photos! I particularly liked the one inspired by African art. I always think there’s something special about wood. It’s very real and natural. The color combination surrounding it is also interesting.
Where did you take this photo? Was it at a particular furniture show or something … ?
They were taken at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge in Orlando, Florida.
To be honest, I love the photo of the bedroom. I have an addiction to all things African themed…especially in terms of home decor.
Love the pics! I’ve been to Animal Kingdom once before but I was very young and don’t remember much. I would love to go back someday! Until then, I will just live vicariously through your adventures 🙂
I’d gotten into my head to go years ago, and it didn’t disappoint. Fun times!
More awesomeness this week! I’ll choose A first, because you and the Animal Kingdom lodge details look spectacular. E is also cool, and I’m really itching for some theme park rides. B & C are tied for me — loving the exotic feel even though it’s right here in the good ol’ US.
Your Florida adventures are looking like so much fun via IG, keep enjoying em!
Thanks Kristen! I really love being down here. The weather, the people… it’s a happy place for me!
The giraffe and peacock are my favourites for this week; I can’t believe you saw them from your balcony!!
I would literally spring from my bed every morning and run to the balcony to see what was out there. So much fun!
You have to come to Australia. Sydney especially, be more than happy to show you around my home town!.
One of these days I’ll make it to Oz 🙂
I choose Photo A. 🙂 I love themed resorts, and this one is gorgeous.
It was seriously fun! I think working in the Imagineer Department at Disney would be wild.
Us getting sick of hearing about SE Asia? NEVER 🙂 I’m really excited to know about your Central America plans so I look forward to seeing lots of Nica shots on Instagram x
Oh, they’ll be on overload I’m sure 🙂 And glad to hear no one is getting sick of Southeast Asia posts, since I can’t seem to stop going there!
Hmmm, difficult one this week…
But I think A takes it this time!
Lovely dress by the way 🙂
Thanks! I love the cheap clothes on offer in Bali 🙂
I’m going for A because I LOVE that dress!!
I’m so glad I’m packing that baby for Central America — looks like a hit 🙂
Photo C is my pick because I think peacocks are cool.
They are the world’s most flamboyant bird — at least that I know about 🙂 Love them!
Ack! I LOOOOOVE The Animal Kingdom Lodge! There are no words to describe my jealousy!
Of course, that said, I choose photo E – I love the angle and colours!
Ah, Seuss Landing! It might have been my favorite part of Universal 🙂
I am going for A this week. It’s great to see a (fellow) mini rocking a maxi dress so flawlessly!
I love me some maxis. Clearly I need to pick up a few more, too!
I agree with Grace – Photo E, I’m a sucker for those colours and THE SHOWS (which is what we call fairgrounds in Scotland).
I like learning a little Scottish, Gemma 😉
I love D! I’ve always wanted to visit the theme parks in Florida — looks like you had a great time!
They were a huge staple of my childhood. Fun to go back as an adult 🙂
I go with E – although rides like that scare me.
That was one of the kiddie rides, Rashaad, but I don’t blame ya — kids scare me too 😉
Hey Alex,
It is Photo C for me! Being a wildlife enthusiast, it’s always a pleasure watching animals in their natural habitat. It not easy to capture animals for pictures, but you managed to get a beautiful shot. I always enjoy reading your blogs, and would love to hear more about Southeast Asia.
Glad to hear it Zoey! Just finished writing my last batch of Thailand posts, which will be coming out in the next two weeks!