The Zoo, Universal Studios and a Filipino Restaurant

Our family is very much an animal loving family so visiting the zoo was a great experience in Florida.  Each section had its theme…the first one had an Asian flare to it.  Our little zoo here in our town is nothing to this one.  Just look at this huge Komodo Dragon !  We don’t even have monkeys in our zoo here but there was no shortage of them in the Florida zoo.  It was very hot and some of them chose to sit literally in the waterfall display while others sat on the various wood platforms that had been built for them.  Next we moved on to an African themed section of the zoo.  I enjoy flowers as much as animals at times…these I remember well from the Philippines and Africa.  Some animals have such personality that even sitting around they are a joy to see .  I love doors…these may not be the amazing doors that Dublin is so famous for but I like them none the less.  These have an old world flare don’t you think?  The tortoises were surprisingly active…ever roaming around their enclosure.  Who doesn’t love Giraffes.  These were sparing lightly by hitting each other with their long necks.  This one we were able to feed after paying a small fee.  The zoo was filled with interesting masksand designs that I really liked.  We had time to notice as we took shelter from occasional downpours.  The birds didn’t seem to mind the rain at all.  Gabby was prepared for the rain at least.  Here she is leaving the Giraffe area.  The flowers thrive on the rain for sure.  The Wallabies didn’t seem quite so thrilled with the rain…doesn’t this one look a bit sad.  Maybe it’s because the trees in this are didn’t provide much shelter for them.  They may not have looked thrilled but I love looking at them anyway.  A wedding was being held in the zoo so we had to leave…the last thing we saw were these Mandrills…what unusual creatures!  My daughter is a huge Harry Potter fan so Universal Studios Hogwarts was a particular joy to witness.  I heard it took many years to get it right with the author’s input and I believe it!  Filipino food is prevalent in Florida and we so much enjoyed going and eating it.  It felt so much like the restaurants we enjoyed in the Philippines  .  Thata, Meliza, Miles and Vince…we love you guys so very much.  Such enjoyable dishes!  The barbecue is to die for!  Be still my beating heart (and growling stomach)!  Pinakbet…oh how I love it!  Real Siaopao!  These delightful meat filled treats are so good!  Last but not least what Filipino feast would be complete without Halo-halo?  Here’s Danielle, Gabby and Meliza…such good timesand last but not least Mike and Thata join the crew!  Miss you all so very much!