Orlando Epcot and T Rex Restaurant

Yesterday (as I am playing catch up) we visited a theme park called Epcot. It is a Disney park, a little different from the others.. not as many attractions, but lots a of little "themed towns" from all over the world.. e.g. France, Germany, Canada, China, England etc (didn't see an Aust).

Then, that night, we finally had a booking for T Rex themed restaurant. So much effort is put into these themed restaurants. AND the food was great. Neanderthal steak!

My Caveman Punch

Road Trip Orlando to Miami and Key West

On Tuesday, we set off for Miami and Keys West. The original plan was just Miami, however we were told the Keys West was worth visiting. So we decided to incorporate that as well, so it is now going to be a 2 day trip. Also, we decided to try and derive there along the west coast (even though a lot longer drive), and return via the East coast.

Here's our route (as logged by the GPS logger I was running)  on the way down. We stopped in Miami for Tuesday night



Here's from Miami back. Took the quickest route as it was getting late

View Road trip Orlando to Miami and Key west in a larger map

View Road trip Orlando to Miami and Key west in a larger map


So, here's some views on the trip down (the West Coast). All my images are actually geo-tagged, but doesn't look like you can see this by default (will have to look into). Can see this in Picasso, but not here... oops, offtopic

First stop on the way was Tampa, as there was a Hard Rock Cafe there..

Felt a bit like Nevada, as there was a pretty happening casino there..

The journey east started on a road called Alligator Alley..

I assume that's what the fence is for.

The next stop was in an area Hollywood, where there was a Rock Cafe (and hence we had to stop). Here was also a fairly large casino. By now we were sure we had gone through some sort port hole and were now in Vegas!

Very Cool acoustic duo at Hollywood casino

It was getting late and this place was so cool, we considered staying the night there, but there was no accommodation free. So instead we found a place for some dinner. We found a place called the Ark Restaurant.  Very cool themed Restaurant, $24 all you can eat buffet, with really good selection and very good quality, and included desert.

This is actually butter!

We had no accommodation organised anywhere, and by then it was around 7 or 8ish, so a quick Google and a couple of calls and found some at Ocean Surf hotel, Miami (right on the beach). Pretty old place, but was good enough just for a nights stay.

Best thing was the view in the morning of the sunrise, as had the included breakfast of the front veranda.

So our plan was to continue straight down to Key West, have lunch and a bit of a look around, and then catch Miami on the way back.

Great views on the way down. Once left the "main land", was sort of like little bits of land joined by a series of bridges. And lots of sea side fishing sorts of towns along the way.

Then, finally, after around the 4 hour drive, arrived at Key West. Drove around a bit, and then parked in what appeared to be the "main drag" and went for a walk around, and seeked out a venue for some lunch.

Trying to put a finger on what this place reminded me of. Lots of scooters, no one wore any helmets on either those of the motor bikes. An American Bali maybe? Not really, son't know, unique I suppose. Heaps of pubs and bars, most had a solosit playing acoustic. Looks like would be a really party place at night! Must ask Nino about it!

Of course there is one!

Dr Sasha!!

Classic!

Yes it is.

Had a nice lunch, bought a tee and some Hard Rock stuff, walked the main drag, and it was time to head back to Miami. This place is "tagged" as a "must come back to".

GPS set to Hard Rock in Miami. It ended up being in the shopping/entertainment/dining complex Bayside...

All handrails should be like this!

If only had more time!

Very nice! Wish we had more time here! On my list to come back to, definitely!

Had another 4 or so hour drive back to Orlando. Arrived back here after midnight sometime. Huge two days but was worth it,and glad we went down to the keys even though cut into Miami time.

Saw heaps of Florida from the drive, and have tagged some more places for the next trip back here!