Trudy here. As Nanea mentioned in the first installment of her “Florida Trip”, we’ll be publishing her diary entries with Sarah’s trip photos in the next several issues of The Islandshire Gazette. So, let’s get on with the show and join Benny & Nanea on their “Dream Vacation”! Just click on any photo to enlarge!
Grammy said that Benny and I could pick the place to eat dinner. It’s a good thing that Disney posts their menus outside the restaurants. Our first choice was the amazing “Kona Cafe”. It looked more like a cafeteria than I expected, but the decorations were so resort-like. The overhead, hanging lights were something I could have in my own house. And the name was just perfect! Anyway, once we looked at the menu, Benny and I knew we’d have to find another place. A place where people don’t “eat their friends” (as Islandshire people say). I’m glad Flossie wasn’t with us. I didn’t like it. Besides, everyone else agreed that a plate of Quinoa and some Grilled Asparagus and Broccolini wouldn’t make a meal, so we moved on to look at some of the other menus.
The Kona Island was an amazing little kiosk-sort-of-thing in the main building’s upstairs hallway. I wish I could draw a picture of the way the counter was decorated. Coffee and Sushi again, so we kept moving on. They did have some cute desserts, though, and Grammy said we might get something to go and take it back to our room after dinner. I wish I could draw a picture of the Moana Cupcake. It looked almost too amazing to eat!
When Benny and I got to the other side of the upstairs balcony, we just stopped and stared. It had to be the most beautiful sitting room on earth! Auntie told us this was the Ohana, the Polynesian’s main eatery. The restaurant wasn’t open yet, and the seats were empty, so we all just sat down and soaked in the atmosphere.Sarah took a picture of it. I hope it’s a keeper, so that we can show it to our friends. Well, really, I hope it turns out so I can show it to Benny when we finally talk about re-doing our house. I could definitely live in a place like this! Benny thought this might be where we could eat dinner so went searching for a menu. He was back really fast, though, and all he would say was that we wouldn’t find enough to eat for the $59 per person (plus tax and tip) price tag. Well, I say it wasn’t a wasted trip over there, because I really liked the way everything looked. We sat there by ourselves for about half an hour, just admiring everything.
The last place left to look at for dinner was Captain Cook’s Fast Food Quick Service restaurant downstairs, and it was just right for us! Nothing fancy, but they had Macaroni & Cheese, French fries, and– I couldn’t believe my eyes! They had the same amazing Moana Cupcake, Dole Whip Cupcake, and Mickey Ice Cream Swirl Cup that we’d seen upstairs at the Kona Island! Benny and I decided to share a Dole Whip Cupcake at lunchtime tomorrow, but we got the other two to take back to the room for a bedtime snack. Bet you can’t guess who got which one (ha ha)! The little dispensers for catsup and mustard were amazing! They’d look so nice in the Diner back home on Islandshire. I won’t have to mention it to Benny, though, because he ate more catsup and mustard on his fries than is good for you. I think it’s because he liked filling the little paper cups!
After lunch, Auntie thought we should take a look at our room and put our desserts in the refrigerator before they melted. And, of course, we had to change our shoes for the afternoon. It’s always better if you change your shoes halfway through a lot of walking, because your feet don’t hurt as much. That’s what they say, anyway. I brought a lot of shoes with me, so I wasn’t worried. And I don’t want my feet to hurt. I just love walking around this resort! We had to pass a sign for the main lobby (Great Ceremonial House), which is just what we need to say “Welcome to Islandshire” back home. I’ll have to talk to Auntie later about painting one, but only if Mina and Pete can make one.
Grammy thinks we’re being awfully quiet (she says “quiet for us”), but Benny and I can’t take it all in if we’re talking. And I think a Dream Vacation should always be too much to do in one visit! Besides, I want Benny to notice as much of the decorating as possible. I told Sarah about my problem with the eyelash batting in this heat, and she said not to worry about it anymore. She’s taking as many pictures as she can (with her two cameras and enough card space for more than 8,000 pix), and I can just show them to Benny when we get back home. I’m glad he’s here to see it for himself, though. Maybe I won’t have to ask when we get home. I recognize that look on his face. All my hints might just be sinking in. When we get back to GreatGrammy’s house, I’ll give him a chance first to tell me like it’s his own idea. Boys are so much happier working when they think it’s their own idea. And I can imagine a lot of work to make this happen!
Benny & Nanea’s story will be continued in our next issue. They look so happy! I think we all agree that it couldn’t have happened to two nicer people . . .