Savannah Georgia to Kissimmee, Florida – 17 December 2023

We were looking forward to our stay in Florida. Not only did it mean seeing our daughter and her boyfriend for Christmas but also a nice long stay in one place for a change.

Our site at East Toho RV campground was in amongst large Oak trees draped raped in Spanish Moss and various vines with several large ponds and a large lake. The great thing about this resort was that it was home to a lot of birds – some of them very large. There were Wood Storks, Ibis, a pair of Sandhill Cranes – who we nicknamed Arthur and Martha, Great Blue Herons, lots of different types of Woodpeckers. Also there were numerous ducks and small birds and even Peacocks. When we were in Virginia we had heard of the Pileated Woodpeckers and how they would attack mirrors on cars thinking it was another bird, but we never actually saw one. Since that time we have heard their very distinctive wood pecking on walks but never seen one. Here we were lucky enough to see many in the trees around us and at one point we were able to video a red bellied woodpecker in the tree above our RV when we were sitting outside. Notices at the ponds warned of Alligators and we did see quite a few in our time there, but most looked like juveniles. Nevertheless I was always very careful when walking Jax to not go too close to the edge of the water as they liked to lie on the banks of the ponds and bask in the sun.

We went on our first hike at the Kissimmee trail, a concrete path that wound through an urban area and was alongside a long canal which again was full of unusual birds. There for the first time we spotted the Roseate Spoonbill.

Sam and Cay arrived the following day and slept over that night in the RV. They left the following morning for Disneyland in their car as they were moving to a hotel that evening. That afternoon we joined them at Hollywood Studios. Our first stop in the park was to get a cocktail and a churro and then we made our way to the Star Wars land and wandered around looking at the props, some outside shows and the stores. Sam and Cay had been hoping to get on one of the popular Star wars rides but it was having issues, so instead they started a scavenger game using their Disney digital wristbands to find treasure. In the meantime, Derek and I bought some popcorn and found a comfortable spot to watch. When they were done we made our way to the ride “Star Wars – the adventure continues.” We have done this ride before and it was great fun. You basically go into a “capsule” which is a flight simulator with digital 3D video and go on an intergalactic adventure at full speed, dodging all sorts of objects in the process. Cay had made a reservation for Oga’s Cantina so we headed there next. It was a really cool bar based on the same bar in the movie, which was lit up with blue lights with an animated robot DJ on the side and a large wrap around bar. There were several tables tucked into little nooks here and there. We sat at a table with another three couples and ordered some really unusual cocktails and also a charcuterie plate with an assortment of some unidentifiable mounds of things as well as some batuu bits which were basically a lot of different dried vegetables with a dip.

Day 2 of Disney we spent at Epcot center. Again we were only able to do a half day as we did couldn’t leave Jax alone for the whole day. Epcot was really amazing. When we arrived we decided we needed to get more into the whole Disney experience so I bought a pair Mickey Ears and Derek a Disney hat. Sam and Cay had been there since early morning and already been on quite a few rides. We started with China and arrived just in time to see an outside performance of the Chinese lion. It was performed beautifully by a girl and boy who were underneath this elaborately coloured yellow and red Chinese lion costume. Luckily I was able to record a video of the dance. Then we went inside a big Chinese temple and watched a 360 degree movie of China. This was the same movie that we had seen in 1994 when we emigrated from South Africa to Canada and stopped on the way in Florida to take Lucy and Jo to see Disneyland. It was just as good as I remembered.

After China we continued walking through the different country exhibitions all of which were situated around a large lake. As we approached Japan we saw three young girls playing intricate musical arrangements on giant Japanese Taiko drums. Quite the dazzling display of pure physical stamina! Each country had something unique and it was very enjoyable taking it all in. When we got to Canada, it had Totem Poles and a large hotel which was modelled after the Château Laurier hotel in Ottawa. Once we reached Britain it was time to turn back so we could make our dinner reservation at the Teppan restaurant in Japan, so we caught a water ferry which took us part of the way across the lake to Morocco and from there we only had a short walk to Japan. In the meantime, Sam and Cay had been waiting in a very long line up for a couple of hours to go on another Star Wars ride . They were almost at the ride when it was shut down again. Unlucky for them but they were compensated with some complimentary ride tickets. Unfortunately they did not make dinner but joined us afterwards.

The next day was designated a “rest day.” Cay had booked pedicures for the both of us which was just what I needed! The guys went off to the pub for a beer. The pedicures were a great idea and I had mine painted in traditional Christmas glittery red! We joined the guys afterwards for a drink and snacks and then Derek and I treated Cay and Sam to an art immersive show called Lonely Dog. It was interesting but not quite what I expected. We sat in this large room which has 360 video and sound and listen to the moving story of a dog who was bullied and then sided with the Cats who ruled the city and became a fantastic musician. All the dogs and cats were humanized. From that room we moved into a gallery of pictures of all the different characters, a colouring in room and then finally the ball pit. The ball pit was hilarious – I stayed on the outside to film the three of them disappearing under the balls and then emerging every so often to pelt each other. Later Derek shared that Sam had asked for Cay’s hand in marriage. We were so happy.

The following day was Christmas Eve and our final day at Disneyland at Animal Kingdom. To make things easier we brought Jax along to Sam and Cay’s hotel as it was close to the park and that way we could go earlier to the park and then go back to him at lunchtime. I loved this park. We started the day with the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride which simulates an open-sided safari ride through the savanna of East Africa where you see actual live animals. We saw a number of different varieties of deer, elephants, lions, hippos, rhinos, alligators, flamingos, ostriches etc etc. Absolutely fantastic. The animals in their park all looked very well taken of which was great to see. After that everyone wanted to do the Everest Expedition rollercoaster in Asia. My back had been holding up nicely thanks to a back brace I had been wearing on Disney days, but I was not going to risk injuring it again, so I left them and wandered around. I ended up watching a 3D movie “Its tough to be a bug” mainly because there was only a 5 minute wait time. The rain came down for a while which actually was beneficial as a lot of the wait times on the rides decreased so we were all able to get into the Kali River Rapids – one of Derek and my favourites. It is a rip-roaring river raft ride that takes you through a lush jungle landscape. By the time we got to the end we were absolutely sodden and it was time to return to the hotel to check on Jax. Luckily the hotel had a laundromat so I was able to dry my clothes. After about an hour we returned back to the park again and went to Pandora Land modelled on the movie Avator. It was very well done. After that it was a ride in Dinoland and then back home to get dinner ready. That evening we all played the card game Skipbo unholding our traditional Christmas eve games night.

Christmas morning was quiet. We decided that our Disney tickets were our Christmas presents so we didn’t exchange any presents. Sam and Cay hung out at their hotel and then came for over for a traditional turkey/ham/brussell sprouts/yam/cranberry/mashed potato dinner, followed by pumpkin pie. They had bought us each a little souvenir for Christmas – Derek got Steamboat Willy and I got Tinkerbell. Both in small glass cases to hang up. Very sweet of them.

Boxing Day Sam and Cay hit the stores to make use of the Boxing day sales. We decided not too as it was soooo busy. We did join up with them later for dinner at the Volcano Hot Spot. This was a Japanese style restaurant where you select from an impressive variety of vegetables, meat, seafood, chicken, sauces etc and then cook your own dinner in heated pots with broth at your table.

Well all good things come to an end and we treasured the final night that Sam and Cay spent with us at the RV before they returned home. After they left, we settled into a daily routine. I would take Jax for early morning walks around the campground with camera ready. There was always an Alligator or Bird to photograph. Arthur and Martha would appear in different places throughout the day. Derek had started a running program so he would be doing his daily practice and finishing off with some yoga exercises in the sun on the concrete outside the RV. We had given Sam and Cay tickets Gator ride tickets for Christmas from a company that operated at the lake within the campground. Unfortunately, they ran out of time at the end and while they tried to get onto a ride the last morning they were here before leaving for the airport, it was raining so the rides were cancelled. So, we waited for a sunny morning and went on the ride ourselves. It was great fun speeding through the shallow water and reeds looking for Alligators. We did see a few, including an enormous one sunning itself and a Mother who was lying on some eggs.

Having had our fill of park entertainment, we started to explore what else Kissimmee had to offer and came across Lake Nona. This was a trendy, artsy commercial/urban area near Nona Lake with beautifully clean streets. After enjoying a Starbucks on the patio, we took a walk down the main street and came across Boxi Park. This was an enclosed outdoor area with food trucks and bars. It also had several outdoor sanded volley ball court. The place was buzzing with people so we stayed for supper. I had a taco plate and Derek opted for a burger. Last year when we were in Palm Springs I was introduced to Dole Pineapple ice creams which are both delicious and thirst quenching on hot days. We found a little ice cream shop in Lake Nona where you can select and vend different ice creams and then add from a number of toppings. I was thrilled to find the Dole and also tried some tasty peach and coconut flavours.

A couple of days later we went on a very pleasant hike around Shingle Creek Regional Park. This park has remnants of an old Pioneer village that was relocated here and preserved. From an 1898 “Cracker house” to a 1900 general store. The trail was full of Eagles, Hawks, Sandhill Cranes, Bluebirds and was also a protected habitat for Gopher Tortoises. After the walk we were quite thirsty so we drove to the historic Kissimmee district for a coffee. I loved how artsy it was with many of the walls filled with beautiful murals. There were several historic buildings and quaint restaurants – obviously a big Mexican community. We found an alley which supported a couple of restaurants with brightly coloured open umbrellas suspended above. It was so pretty. We bought a couple of coffees and what I thought was a mexican pastry, which turned out to be a deep fried empanada with cheese inside. After the coffee we took a drive down to the nearby Lake Tohopekaliga – nicknamed by locals as Lake Toho. Water was like glass and the sun was just setting. We have enjoyed so many beautiful sunsets since we started our journey and it’s sad to think we never made the effort before to take in such a simple pleasure. Always too busy.

Its not often we are in one place for a long period of time so we made use of the time to have our Slide topper by a Grand Design mobile tech. They can really flap when there is a lot of wind. Derek was quite chuffed when he got a couple of Grand Design hats and a throw blanket.

I have been wanting to play Pickleball for a while, but somehow we never seem to do it. I was determined to change that and on the second last day dug out the bats and balls and we had a good 1.5 hour game. It was very enjoyable and Im now incented to make an effort to keep it up. Another thing we never seem to get to is cycling. We carry our bicycles with us tied to the back of the RV, but between hikes, exploring and working there never seems to be time for it. Im going to make a concerted effort in Florida to change that as well.

While we have been enjoying our time here in Canada our hearts have been with our good friends David and Kristy in Victoria. David’s twin brother Pascal was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour very recently. He is only 39 year’s old. While he did undergo surgery, only a portion of the tumour was able to be removed. We have tried to support David and Kristy from a distance through this extremely difficult time. Pascal unfortunately declined quite steadily during the latter part of our stay and was moved to a hospice. David of course was quite beside himself with grief. Its times like these when it is really difficult to be so far away from those we love. It reminds me of when Derek and I emigrated to Canada and my Mother was dying. That feeling of helplessness which is one of the real cons of the lifestyle we have chosen.

On the positive side, we are so thankful for our good health and the good health of our family and really appreciate the wonderful life we are experiencing right now. . Our health is something we take very seriously and while that doesn’t preclude one from getting cancer and other horrible diseases we can only try to live our best life. Over the past couple of year’s we moved to more of a keto type diet with restricted carbs. I also cut down considerably on how much meat I was eating and ate mainly chicken and fish. I have decided to take that further and this year attempt to move much more towards a vegetarian diet. I love animals and do not support their killing for consumption. To me a plant based diet is also healthier and I enjoy it more. Im not sure I could ever go vegan because I enjoy cheese and other dairy products – but one step at a time. We will see how this journey takes me. Both of us also practice fasting – we don’t eat breakfast anymore – we start our day with a late “brunch” , have a protein bar/shake later in the afternoon and then dinner. Derek is now trying to get back into running and my goal is to increase weight bearing exercises. In the meantime we continue to increase the length and frequency of our hikes.