THURSDAY 24TH SEPT..........
Now today we couldn`t believe we had already been here a week!! It didn`t feel it was flying past at all.......but it actually was. Today I got up and felt the effect of the bash I took on RRR few days ago........back was hurting!! I never have any back issues so this was unusal for me.......told Tom as soon as I woke up I felt it sore.......he must have thought oh no......poor soul with me there`s always something.....usually about a week before our trip we have a minor panic varying from vertigo, ear pain or shingles one year!! We had made it this year with no drama`s.......I suppose this was pay off. I knew there was no way I could make the rides today, I could barely walk at this point. But, I got in the shower, got ready and dressed and then Kyle skyped us.........I was so desperate to talk to him this morning. He was full of the joys of the day which was nice to see..........we chatted for ages and could have spent much longer but we were heading off for breakfast and he has plans. So we reluctantly say goodbye and will chat again tomorrow.........we had bought phone cards to call him with, but with Skype we never needed to as it was much better than any phone call could be.
I had taken some pain relief so it wasn`t as bad, but I was walking very carefully......this sucked!! But we made it to the lounge and I sat down while Tom got me breakfast this morning.......he`s very thoughtful and got me exactly what I would have chosen. We took our time this morning and it was still fairly early........we chatted as usual and then decided I would take my time to get out of the chair and walk.
The hallways are now a little different and feelings are usually mixed from folks with their opinions on them.......
We made it and on the way out took a couple of pictures of the entrance to the hotel........it was quite dull today, but oh so warm......
We had decided to mooch around the malls and outlet centres today.....we thought it might make for an easier day......first stop though was WalMart for some kind of gel I could rub on the pain in my back......so first to Walmart and I got a few things while I was in.....not sure what it was but it was over $100.......lol.......after I had put the gel on it did ease my back a bit. So we went to LBV outlet centre where we picked up some nice little things including a watch each. Then wandered to DTD for a mooch as we wanted to do those car/boat things..........no way......it was a mess. Traffic was so backed up and it just looked like we would be hours getting anywhere......and the size of that garage!! It`s huge.
So we about turned and headed back to Universal area and began to think about where we would eat lunch. We never plan many things, but do have an idea of places we want to go and places we have to go back to and Teak Neighborhood Grill is one we always return to. We have been eating here for years and it never disappoints. So we drop the stuff off at the hotel, I just wait in the car while Tom goes up to the room....he`s back before we know it and checks how my back is......it`s actually ok right now. So we drive the few minutes to Teak. We did pay attention today to just how close Sapphire Falls is to the road when you pass it.....it is going to be another 1000 room hotel as part of the Universal Orlando brand......this one looks beautiful though, well will be when it`s finished
A few minutes later we are turning into Teak. It really is a kind of neighbourhood place, always plenty of locals in it and quite lively at night as we had discovered a few years ago........there was live music and it was very loud! But good........so we get ourselves seated and immediately Brandi is over asking us what we would like to drink......just two cokes today I think........she asks if we want a few minutes to decide and then says don`t I know you......you`ve been here before.......she had served us last year as we remembered her too.......told her we knew what we wanted and no we didn`t want to see the secret menu that`s not so secret anymore........I remember when it really was a secret lol......Tom was having the Wholey Hell burger with garlic fries no tortilla chips.......she again, asked him if he was sure as it was really hot.......he said absolutely.........I was having the glazed Donut burger.......no cheese and add jalapenos......with sweet potato tots........she laughed and said we were very precise in our order. Now last year I had the donut burger when we were there with Todd, and for some reason I took everyone`s meal picture...but the donut burger hadn`t taken for some reason......so I was going to snap the butt out of this burger....just in case.........
Place wasn`t too busy, table behind us had the owner having a business meeting and a few people around the bar area eating.......I wandered to the bathroom and wondered how I had never seen this before........
They do have a challenge.......it is huge!!! We saw someone try to do it one night few years ago......never even got halfway through it.......but brave attempt......Sat back down just as our meals appeared.........
WOW!!!!
That wasn`t me saying that........it was the guy at the table behind us when he saw my burger.........I laughed and said he should try one they were delicious..........the owner smiled and said he was glad I enjoyed it.........this guy though kept looking at it then asked if he could take a picture of it on his iphone........I said of course he could but be quick or it would be gone.......he said his wife would never believe him......so he snapped a quick pic and told us to enjoy.......oh we absolutely would.
Tom`s was so hot and spicy.....she hadn`t lied.......it had Fresh cut jalapenos, hot sauce, ghost pepper cheese, Teaks secret spicy sauce, bib lettuce on a pretzel bun.......he even had a tear running down his face when he was half way through....unusual for him......he was enjoying it so much........mine was lush.....so lush!!! The meat is so good and mix it with the heat of the jalapenos and the sweetness of the donuts......it was perfect........one of our nicest burgers ever.........the tots and fries were good too.......So we can safely say we enjoyed this meal a lot. It is such a friendly place and they have a lot of tourists now unlike a few years ago. The guy who told us about it back then lived in the apartments opposite so it was his local haunt.
We paid and left thinking we would drive to Winter Gardens, it wasn`t far.....half way along the road I said I was all of a sudden incredibly tired......really tired so much my eyes were already closing. Not like me at all, so we turned back and headed back to hotel and decided we go for a snooze as we were eating out at Ocean Prime again tonight and wanted to be awake for that.
We met a friend on the way in to hotel and chatted to him for a bit which is always lovely to see him, I now felt quite awake it was strange.....but after we left our friend we got to room and I fell asleep in seconds......Tom had pulled the drapes so the room was very dark and we both slept for over 2 hours!! Couldn`t quite believe we had done that.
Coming up.......Ocean Prime again.
Love all the details of your entire trip and all the pictures!! Just awesome!!
, the lobster tails look to die for!!!
