Digging in our heels, we have made ourselves quite comfortable in our hotel suite. Stocking the refrigerator with some treats like yogurts, juices, cheese, and sodas, we don’t feel the need to go to restaurants three times a day. Having a microwave, we were able to heat up soups for a very light dinner last night. This is something we need to remember. Bring some microwavable cups or bowls to use, since the hotel does not provide any utensils to use in the microwave. Not even regular ceramic coffee cups. We do have coffee maker, but it is strictly for making coffee or tea. Plastic spoons and forks are a good idea to bring as well, although we did locate all of these things to buy within the first two days of being here.
Today we left the hotel, and walked to the nearest mall….Westfield. One of the largest department stores was advertising close-out sales, even though we have seen these signs for the last year at a mall where we live. Not intending to find anything, one of us always does. Simply too good to pass it up.
We also visited Macy’s and did find a suitable measuring cup for using in the microwave. As you would expect, the friendly saleslady invited us to open a Macy’s credit card, which we said no thanks. We shared our story from over 50 years ago, when we did not pursue a credit card back then and have not ever since. She was amused with our resolve, and even gave us her friends and family discount for our purchase. But we did promise to read the brochure for applying for a credit card. Some people are so nice.
Lunchtime found us at the nearby Chili’s, where we could barely squeeze in yesterday. Today, we had the place mostly to ourselves. There were more nice people in here, with a friendly waitress and her manager, who had to help with a credit card kiosk that was not working. Sure was good to be back ordering what we do at home in this restaurants, and others like it. Shared entrees that are usually salads or burgers work for us.
We have noticed this before, but very few people walk in Ft. Lauderdale. Since there is so much space here, everything is spread out and far apart. So most folks drive everywhere they go, also avoiding the heat and humidity. And with the sudden clouds that can appear, it probably rains without warning as well. So far we have been lucky, but it was apparent that it had rained heavily right before we sailed into Port Everglades. Every low-lying ditch was filled like a lake. It took two days before that water sunk into the grassy fields.
Back at the hotel by 2pm, we found that our room had not been served yet. Within minutes, an attendant knocked and was ready to do her job. We quickly changed to our swimwear, while she went elsewhere, and then went to the pool on the 9th floor. We needed to use our room key to access that level. There was also a sauna, an exercise room, as well as the pool and spa. Plenty of towels were there for our use. Many chaise lounges lined the rectangular roof pool with a view. This will work just fine. Almost like being at the Seaview Pool on the Amsterdam, only with better up-to-date music. And it wasn’t too crowded, probably since today was a weekday. No need to worry about losing the sun visor either, as the wind was gentle.
The rest of the early evening, we watched several National Geographic episodes on TV. Funny thing, two of the one hour shows featured the animals of East Africa, specifically Kruger National Park in South Africa. How about that? Just like being on safari, with the exception that we never saw an actual kill. On the TV version, they showed all of it, making us glad we did not see it live. Naturally, that is National Geographic….shocking to the core, but nature at its best or worst. Never really realized how dangerous most of the African animals can be. That includes the Cape buffalo, hippos, giraffes, and even the zebra. And the puff adder….we see now why our tracker jumped a mile when it slithered right under his feet that night.
We decided on staying at the hotel for a light dinner at 8pm. Expecting the dining room to be busy, we found that most of the guests had chosen to dine where they drank…..in the bar lounge area. So we were seated at a window table in the dining room, where we ordered a house salad and one club sandwich to share. Instead of French fries, the sandwich came with house-made potato chips. They were more like Kettle chips, thick and crunchy. These could be dangerous, but no more than the fried cheesecake, which we had to try. Never seeing his on a menu before, it was more like a stuffed pastry shell filled with cheesecake filling, and dusted with powdered sugar. The two pastries were surrounded with fresh strawberries and blueberries. And drizzled with two sweet sauces, served with vanilla ice cream. Yep…..very dangerous.
Bill & Mary Ann
