Experiencing the unexpected is the essence of adventure.
That was amply illustrated by our paddling experience on a recent weekend. In company with Harry and Runar, we set out toward Swinburne Island to see the seals that live there each winter. It was a perfect day for the trip: Sunny, temperature in the high 50s, just enough wind to make things interesting. We figured it would be a great way to start off the seal-viewing season.
Instead, we ended up spending an afternoon exploring a part of the world we’d never seen before: Red Hook, Brooklyn. What we gave up in paddling and seal-watching we gained back in art, architecture, and entertaining social interactions.
We are officially in season, festivals and cultural events, concerts and other activities are in full swing all around South Florida, from Tampa to Sarasota to Fort Myers to Miami the choices are plentiful.
Mr Laszlo at work...
This past weekend, I headed to downtown Punta Gorda to check out the Farmers’ Market and Sullivan Street’s Arts and Crafts Festival; thankfully, they were within walking distance of each other. Unfortunately, I caught the tail end of the Farmers’ Market–but they’ll be back again Saturday morning; in addition, every Wednesday from 10 am-2 pm, beginning January 4 through March 28, 2012, the Worden Farms Green Market will be at Fishermen’s Village center court. So many choices!
Yes, they are real!
While browsing around Sullivan Street’s Arts and Crafts Festival, I had the opportunity to talk with a few vendors–some local and some from as far out-of-town as Jacksonville, FL and Myrtle Beach, SC. It surprised me to learn how many of them participate in the various festivals and events held across the area, up and down the coast, southern states, etc., trying to introduce the products they either make or distribute, to as many people as possible. They sell during festivals and outdoor events, take orders for later shipping, or direct potential customers to their websites. They have all become aware that maintaining a web presence is a key component to their entrepreneurial efforts.
Jacksonville, FL's-- Annie Clydes homemade cakes--were selling out fast!
Mr Laszlo (pictured above), a local artist who is of Hungarian descent, loves to paint and is a great conversationalist, we had a nice talk and I enjoyed learning of the places he once called home such as Paris, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale to name a few–all big cities that he loved–but says that Punta Gorda is where he finds both beauty and peace, a hard to beat combination according to him. I agree.
Brenda Cooper, baker/owner of Annie Clydes Homemade Cakes brought her delicious assortment of goodies to the festival from Jacksonville, FL and was doing brisk business when I got to her booth. I sauntered over there because I had seen the crowds gathered there earlier, and because enough people were walking around–spoon-in-hand, eating cake; when asked about the taste they all said the same thing: Yummy!
Coconut lamps..so cute
Right next door were Terry and Premy of Unique Coconut (Myrtle Beach, SC) with their large display of handmade coconut palm trees and animals night lights; again, the display and the crowds drew me in. I loved seeing those night lights, and imagined them in our granddaughters’ rooms. Very cute!
Well this was a good weekend, and since it seems there is an unending supply of events planned for the many weeks ahead, you will be seeing more posts like this one. I love the arts, museums, music concerts, and every kind of cultural activity there is–especially if they are budget friendly–plus, they provide me with an excuse to go out and have fun, and give me lots of material to write about. Win-win I say, LOL
I receive no payment to promote any of these businesses, just thought I’d provide the web addresses as a service.
Many thanks go to Meg, of http://megtraveling.com/ for including me as one of the recipients of the Awesome Blog Content Award (ABC Award), I feel so honored. In accepting this award, I agree to share something about myself using the letters of the alphabet as my guide, and then pass on the honor to some of the blog writers whose work I enjoy. The tricky part comes when I have to display the award logo on this blog. You will know I succeeded if and when you are able to see the ABC logo on this page’s sidebar, LOL.
Here is a list of things about myself in alphabetical order:
A Art exhibits
B beach lover
C cooking
D dancing, Salsa!
E ethnic foods
F Florida, Gulf coast
G Grandma
H Hola!
I Italy (bucket list)
J journeys
K Kindle
L London, one of my favorite cities
M museums
N New York, I love NY
O ocean
P Panama, native
Q quotes about life
R romance novels
S Spanish (fluent)
T traveler
U unexpected day trips
V volunteer
W walking (exercise)
X exuberant
Y Yoga
Z Zest for life
Now, I pass on this award to some of the people whose blogs I enjoy, there are many others but I can only name a few here, so here they go:
Well, I tried (in vain) to insert the logo on the sidebar, no luck. So I resorted to the cut and paste version shown above; please, those of you who have mastered this little exercise–I need your help. Thanks!
I received this challenge from Johanna Bradley, of http://restlessjo.wordpress.com a few days ago, and it made me think…a lot;(Thanks Jo, LOL) it also made me realize I need to get going on my bucket list pronto! Therefore, if there are any travel companies out there listening, I am letting you know now–I am available for travel assignments. LOL.
A: Age at which you went on your first trip abroad:
Nineteen, when I left Panama for the very first time–went to Brooklyn, New York, on a 6-month visit, yeah!
B: Best foreign beer you have had and where:
I am not much of a beer drinker, but I prefer light beers–Heineken, or when I travel to Miami, Cerveza Panama.
C: Cuisine:
Give me some Latin or Caribbean food any day of the week, (Panama, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, etc.) closely followed by Indian and Mediterranean. I, however, am known for trying all kinds of foods at least once.
D: Destinations, favorite, least favorite, and why:
Image via Wikipedia
I love big cities New York, Miami, Orlando, and Atlanta where I once lived and still have family are favorites. I also love London and Paris, and Panama of course, even though it is not a big city—it is where I come from. I do not have a least favorite destination…yet.
E: Event you experienced abroad that made you say, “Wow!”
There are many, but the first time I saw a skyscraper in New York City, that image remains etched on my mind. I was nineteen years old and it was the first time I’d been away from my parents’ watchful eyes, I will never forget it.
F: Favorite mode of transportation:
Airplanes, I want to get there fast!
G: Greatest feeling while travelling:
Anticipation, Icannot wait to get where I am going, let the fun begin.
H: Hottest place you have travelled to, where?
Florida, in July and still we went ahead and moved here, LOL
I: Incredible service you have experienced and why:
Pampering received during a 7-day cruise to Bermuda, because they catered to my every whim and I loved it!
J: Journey that took the longest:
My sister and I, took a road trip from New York to Florida, twice; just for the fun of it and with our young children in tow. I would never do that one again!
K: Keepsake from your travels:
I bought two handbags in Paris; and a few Pashmina scarves in London. I usually shop for things that are practical and wearable, not too big on keepsakes.
L: Letdown sight, where and why:
I am sure there are some, but I just cannot remember them.
M: Moment when you fell in love with travel:
The first time I got on a plane, from Panama to New York. That was it!
N: Nicest hotel you have stayed at while traveling:
We travel as cheaply as possible. However, any Marriott usually does the trick.
O: Obsession: what are you obsessed with taking photos of when you travel:
Boats, beaches, sunsets, old churches, museums, and gardens usually get my attention as well as unusual sights. Architectural structures that are unique and beautiful.
P: Passport stamps, how many and from where:
Very few in the last few years–London, Paris, Bermuda and Panama; I better get going on that bucket list!
Q: Quirkiest attraction you have visited and where:
Image via Wikipedia
Orlando’s only upside-down attraction, WonderWorks, an amusement park for the mind featuring over one hundred interactive exhibits for people of all ages. I had the weirdest experience upon entering the exhibit building, thought it was moving–not. LOL. That was a very funny experience.
S: Splurge; something you have no problem forking out money for when travelling:
I do not mind splurging for a room with a view, and dinner at a fancy restaurant now and then.
T: Touristy thing you have done:
When I arrived in New York for the first time, I made sure to tour all the big attractions–Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and all the museums I could get into; that was a lot of fun. Who knew I would be living there for the next twenty years and would get to visit those sites over and over every time friends and family would come to visit. LOL
U: Unforgettable travel memory:
Roundtrip London to Paris on the Chunnel, which included visits to many, must see sites and some off the beaten path places.
V: Visas, how many and for where:
I can only wish, but so far none.
W: Wine, best glass of wine had while travelling, where:
The best wine I have ever drank was had in Paris, at a friend’s home.
X: eXcellent view and from where:
Port Charlotte Beach Complex
Sunsets on the beach, in Florida
Y: Years spent travelling:
More than I can remember, but mostly within the states. Seriously, I have to get that bucket list thing going. LOL
Z: Zealous sports fans and where:
New York Yankees fans; don’t even mention the Mets to them.
Well, this has been a fun exercise (but it made me think too much) so now I pass it on to some of my fellow bloggers. Let us see, who is next?
Port Charlotte? Where is that? It does not sound like a place where there will be much to do. That is usually the way the conversation goes when I talk to strangers, right after the standard introductions; almost everyone I meet says the same thing. To which I respond, as if on autopilot, “we are in Florida, on the Gulf Coast of Mexico right between Fort Myers and Sarasota”. Suddenly, an Aha moment—as Oprah would say–I know where that is, my grandma’s friend has a house down there somewhere. LOL
Funny thing is, there are enough things to do in Port Charlotte and its surroundings; the area boasts some of the best beaches–Boca Grande, Siesta Key, Sanibel, Clearwater, come to mind—that you can find anywhere on the Gulf Coast, all within less than an hour’s drive. Sunsets are beautiful and plentiful; except of course, on those days when the skies open up and let out the thunderstorms and lightning we are so famous for, which earned the Tampa Bay’s area the dubious “Lightning Capital of the U.S.” moniker.
During this time of the year, when the freezing weather up north ensures our population swells with the arrival of “snowbirds” looking to escape the snow and cold, there is so much going on, locals have a difficult time finding a place to eat where the wait is less than an hour.
Sunset at the beach
Arts, film, and music festivals, and gallery exhibits, block parties, plays and everything else you can think of, are in plentiful supply. In addition, there is always fishing and boating, or year-round drum circles at nearby Venice and Sarasota beaches, where every Saturday evening you can let go your inner hippie while enjoying the music–bring your own drums, food and drinks and prepare to welcome the most beautiful sunsets ever!
Experiencing the unexpected is the essence of adventure.
Chica on the Move 