Before and After
This was 4 day cruise departing from Port Canaveral and spanning from a Monday afternoon through Friday morning. Seeing this had weekends as bookends I decided to use that time to see the parts of Florida and Georgia not previously traveled.
Leg 1: Florida; South of Orlando
Miles: 1,476
Driving Time: 35 Hours 19 Minutes
Average Speed: 42 MPH
8 Restaurants
2 Bakeries
2 Ice Cream Shops
2 Sonics
Friday, August 24th
An equation of rush hour traffic plus a downpour made it take 2 hours to get out of Orlando. Made it to the Gulf coast by bedtime with only a couple stops along the way. One being for a refreshing Strawberry Pop at Paleteria Jalisco in Clermont.
Saturday, August 25th
The parade of towns started with the Greek founded Tarpon Springs, followed by the large beach town of Clearwater.
Breakfast is an important meal to find a great destination. It has to be a local’s place and this morning it was found at Gayle’s diner in St. Pete Beach.
In Tampa Ybor City harkens back to the Latin ancestry of the city and is a visual tour de force of intricate wrought iron and brick walkways.
Nearby the best bakery of the trip was a Macaroon from La Segunda Bakery. Crunchy on the outside, soft of the inside and just plain gooey in the center this cylinder was an intensely sweet test of discipline to not inhale the whole thing.
After zigzagging through the interior of Florida with its monotone landscape of low growing grasses and shrubs I moved back to the coast via Sarasota.
St. Armands Key is a place you easily want to hang around for a weekend. This island off of Sarasota focal point is a roundabout road ringed with boutiques and eateries all a bustle with tourists.
Further down the coast is Venice and then Punta Gorda which is worth a stop for Fishermen’s Village where my timing was perfect for that sunset.
Sunday, August 26th
Another ideal find for a breakfast spot Farmer’s Market Restaurant which is indeed within the Fort Myers commercial distribution center.
Naples has wealth of areas worth lingering- City Dock, Naples Pier, 3rd Street South and 5th Avenue South both packed with affluent shopping.
Another foray into the Florida interior with its desolation made it hard to find a good lunch place. Finally some options in Belle Glade. While the guy at Mr. Shrimp was gruff his steamed you-can-guess-what were plump and sweet. Cocktail sauce not needed.
The famous Alligator Alley tollway took me back to the western coast and Marco Island. Headed back east through the Everglades with a detour to see Everglades City. The day ended covering SE Florida.
Monday, August 27th
West Palm Beach, Stuart’s appealing historic district, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach and then all the way up to Kissimmee were all great towns to reflect Florida’s multiplicity.
Heading back up the coast the burrito stand DaKine Diego’s in Satellite Beach was a cherished stop for a enticing salad containing not only mixed greens but jasmine steamed rice, black beans, jicama, pineapple, green onion, shaved carrot and salsa.
Leg 2: Cruise through the Bahamas
642 Miles
6 Restaurants
3 Bakeries
2 Ice Cream Shops
? Buffets (place mischievous grin here)
Monday, August 27th
The boarding process was gratefully quick. Once on board my insatiable curiosity required a complete exploration of the ship. There was the obligatory cruise ship atrium with gold trim and glass elevators, huge dining rooms, pool deck, nightclubs, theatre, fitness center and spa, rock climbing wall and flashy casino.
Found my room which didn’t have enough room to change your mind; but sufficient for me. Changed to Under Armor and Champion for a needed work out which was interrupted by the required safety drill where I constantly scoured the crowds for The Family. After the drill I was moving through the lobby and turned and looked at someone next to me and did a double take as she was doing the exact same thing. “Monika!” “Jason!” Hugs. Went to find the rest of The Family challenging the rock climbing wall.
After completing the work out the group assembled for dinner. Spinach Salad, Broiled Norwegian Salmon and most importantly- great company.
Tuesday, August 28th
Something to eat at the Windjammer Café, work out, sit down breakfast at Mirage with (nice) strangers and then the days excursion on the Royal Caribbean owned island called CocoCay.
We claimed chaises on the large beach and then I had to satisfy my inquisitiveness of what was around me so started hoofing it.
On one end of this island measuring 1 mile by a half a mile is a collection of buildings clad in the paint of those bright colors associated with the Caribbean. Moving down the center of the island a canopy of thick tropical vegetation guided a rocky path. Ringing back I followed beaches essentially private as this side of the island was sparse in ship passengers. They also had an aqua park, kayaks, beach volleyball and glass bottomed boats.
After some time dawdling in the blue water it was BBQ time. I was expecting a simple plate lunch so was pleasantly surprised to find a lavish spread. About ten permanent square shelters held BBQ chicken, BBQ ribs, hot dogs, hamburgers, carrot salad, pasta salad, potato salad, various veggies, fresh fruit, salad, banana bread, carrot bread, cookies and brownies. Too name a few.
Some more time in the water meandering about with Monika and Rachel while Rodolfo and Julia snorkeled who reported back on the dense schools of colorful fish.
That night we skipped the formal sit down dinner in favor of the buffet in the Windjammer Café. Next was a show at the Follies Theatre which was a glorified High School musical, yet still fun and finally a walk on the deck watching the moon cast a pathway across the waves.
Wednesday, August 29th
Up early enough to watch the ship sail into the port of Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas. Not meeting the family until 9 with a workout in by 6 I had some time to explore Nassau on my own. Up and down the Colonial architecture Bay Street, saw the British Colonial Hilton which is important to me for its use inBond films (Thunderball and Never Say Never Again), Government House, decaying Fort Fincastle with great views, pink bright Parliament, a bakery stop at Bahama Java and Rawson Square. Meeting up with The Family we strolled Bay Street and then took the mile walk to Potter’s Cay.
This local's market underneath the huge bridges to Paradise Island is where the day’s catches come in and produce is exhibited. This is why I liked it. It was real. No tourists.
Showing the same fortitude in asking for directions on the Shanghai subway Monika, not wanting to walk back to town, was asking a large lady about a taxi. Said lady started screaming to some guy with a minivan some distance away. Far from a sanctioned taxi this vehicle with its torn upholstery, cracked dash and missing door handles was our chariot back to downtown. The driver’s narrative of Nassau was extracted more by Rodolfo and Monika’s interrogation.
They went back to the ship for lunch and I went into town to the locals spot Café Skans. That is a Conch Burger and Grilled Pompano.
Another congregation and we grabbed a ferry for the 10 minute ride to Paradise Island known for its biggest resident- Atlantis. After a stroll through Marina Village and sorbet refreshment at Village Creamery for myself we ambled through Atlantis then hung out at the beach.
Back on the ship for dinner # 1 followed by a workout and then it was time for the 8:30 dinner seating.
After Caprese and Grilled Tiger Shrimp we took a walk along the Nassau waterfront marveling at the crystal clear waters. Although I like to get to bed at 9 it was well beyond that and the midnight buffet was that night. Just wanting to check out the festivities I followed The Family to the pool deck. Monika was soon cutting a rug while Rachel and I went aft to watch the ship’s departure from Prince George Wharf as the lights of Nassau grow fainter.
The midnight buffet was astounding. A massive amount of food all in glorious display. There was a cannon made of bread, fruit carved into various sculptures, chaffing dishes galore and the ubiquitous ice sculptures.
Although (there’s that word again) I don’t like to eat late I felt it was my duty to try all the desserts. Then a serious foodie would have to try the roast pig carved directly from the whole pig.
In bed at 2AM.
Thursday, August 30th
Up at 6AM. Yep, 4 hours of sleep. Darn internal clock!
The whole day at sea. I was worried I would be able to keep myself busy.
Breakfast # 1 at Windjammer Café. Work out. Fitness seminar. Cooking demonstration. The rest of the fitness seminar. Breakfast # 2 at Windjammer Café. Walk around. Read (Strictly Personal by John S.D. Eisenhower) in the atrium.
Lunch # 1 at the waiter service Royal Brasserie 30 of Panzanella Salad w/ Grilled Scallops, Banana Chocolate Crunch, Pear and Apple Crisp and Blueberry Cheesecake. (We shared the desserts).
Lunch # 2 at Windjammer Café. Belly flop contest. Magic show. So Monika could unleash the dancing queen Rachel, Julia and I went for pizza (site of the ‘retainer incident’). Work out.
Dinner # 1 at Windjammer Café. Then the collective lack of sleep from the past week hit me. “Can’t make it to the sit down dinner. But I have to have the last night’s meal with The Family. And I need to get the tips to the waitstaff.” So I decided to have Dinner # 2 of salad at the Windjammer Café and just hang out a bit with them and get to bed early.
A second wave but mostly engaging conversation kept me there later than expected. And a Caesar Salad made it dinner # 3.
Friday, August 31st
Breakfast # 1, walk ship and watch everyone getting ready to leave, breakfast # 2 with The Family. Disembark. Sad to say good bye.
Leg 3: Florida; South of Orlando and Southern Georgia
Miles: 1,737
Driving Time: 37 Hours 34 Minutes
Average Speed: 46 MPH
12 Restaurants
7 Bakeries
1 Ice Cream Shops
1 Chocolate Factory
1 Sonic making the total 68 Sonics in 16 states with 78 menu items enjoyed
Friday, August 31st
Drive up the eastern coast to Daytona Beach. Checked out downtown, Main Street Pier, the Boardwalk and then spot a must-go-to-place for lunch. Starlite Diner. Classic. Diners rule.
St. Augustine is our oldest city (1565) and the historic district is well persevered in its own commercial/touristy kind of way.
Jacksonville’s riverwalk has a great view of the skyline.
All the way up at the northern end of the coast on Amelia Island is Fernandina Beach with a twisting Main Street accented by trees strung with white lights sheltering brick crosswalks.
A longtime garnering of accolades for Marina Seafood Restaurant confirmed this pre-scouted choice. The Broiled Grouper was that standard seafood description of moist and flaky with the addition of some great seasoning.
Saturday, September 1st
A GPS search found a jewel- Angel’s Diner in Palatka.
Ocala was a cavalcade of food stops including Tas-T-O’s Donuts and Sonic.
Friends don’t let friends eat at chains. But I am often intrigued by regional chains and when no other options exist will give them a try with low expectations. Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q (this one in Lake City) has Pulled Pork that has a marvelous texture ranging from soft to crispy bolstered by a smoky flavor which can get more depth with a pungent BBQ sauce.
This day concluded with a swipe across Southern Georgia.
Sunday, September 2nd
Finishing the section across Georgia the rental car swung into the Florida panhandle and to Fort Walton Beach. This western end of the panhandle Gulf Coast was a stream of refined commercial development and big buck resorts. Seaside, which gained awareness from being used for The Truman Show, is a marvelous neat-as-a-pin development of prim and proper homes and shops. I pictured someone going around at night with a touch-up paintbrush.
Near Panama City Beach the status quo is kitschy T-shirt shops, high rise hotels, chain restaurants and arcades.
The eastern gulf coast becomes more barren and Apalachicola is a diamond in the rough making Tamara’s Café Floridita the same.
Monday, September 3rd
The last day was a rapid transit from Tallahassee to the Orlando airport. The all important breakfast spot was Joyce’s Main Street Café on the town square in remote Perry.
This stomach stuffer from Hungry Howie’s in Leesburg.
