I have already completed the Disney - Universal rounds. So I did'nt exactly jump for joy when we had to include Orlando in our Florida trip itinerary (we wanted to do an east-coast to west-coast road trip in Florida, and hence the mandatory central florida halt).
We reached Orlando late wednesday afternoon. After a massive all you can eat all-veggie lunch buffet at the Orlando Woodlands (great dosas, mediocre sambar), we couldnt muster up the energy for a theme park visit (by the way, to get to the "world's happiest place", does it just take a plane ticket, and an admission fee?).
If you reach the airport and go straight to Kissimee (where Disney is) and then drive to Universal in Orlando, its hard to get a taste of the real Orlando - a tranquil vibrant city. We drove to Lake Eola, which is right in the heart of downtown Orlando. Late in the evening, the one mile trail around the lake was filled with joggers and shoppers, along with geese, cranes, pelicans, and duck/geese families (the babies were the cutest!). There were little ponds around the lake, and a huge lighted fountain in the middle. It was the perfect evening getaway - a simple walk, fresh air and baby geese without a $50 admission fee.
Travel notes:
Parking was not hard to find (I was there after 6:00 pm). There is a Panera bread across from the lake. Grab a breakfast or lunch to go and enjoy it by the lake. Even though Orlando is located in Florida, do NOT let anyone kid you into thinking its warm and sunny all through the year. Winter in Orlando is fairly chilly, especially with the wind. You will need a light pair of gloves and a warm jacket. Woodlands and Khasiyat are your indian all-vegetarian choices.
No comments:
Post a Comment