Clearwater- AM

by Carla

Florida Aquarium Resident Spoonbill

Stephanie, Heidi and I rode into Tampa around 11:00 am, with the intent of visiting the Florida Aquarium located in the Channelside area of Tampa, FL. We had been planning this trip for weeks and we wanted to make the most of it, socially, and intellectually. So, we went to the aquarium and learned about Florida's natural wildlife and various habitats. I was so delighted to run acoss a Spoonbill bird (scientific name unknown to me!) and chose to take a lovely picture of one.

After our trip to the aquarium, we decided to grab some lunch before it was time to check-in to our hotel. We ate at this restaurant called Stump's which by nighttime became a happening piano bar. The decor was old-fashioned gaudy and the restaurant boasted that their catfish and cornbread were both world-famous...I don't know about that. Our waiter was rude and ignored us (and he was a pretty-boy), which this does not surprise me. Anyway, we had our meal and then decided to head out to catch the sunset at Clearwater Beach, which was another 20 minutes west of our current location. Traffic sucked and we rolled into our hotel's parking lot about an hour before sunset.

Florida Aquarium Resident Gators

I waited in the car since I was not of legal age to rent a room and we had planned on only paying for a two-person room. And as I sat in the car, waiting for my friends to return with the key to our room at one of the sketch-iest hotels on the island, I wondered if there was the possibility that we did not have a room. Since I had not be the one to make the reservations, I was unaware of such details. Then the thought quickly left my mind. A minute later, Heidi and Steph walked out to the car with sour expressions on their faces, and I asked what the deal was---THEY LOST OUR RESERVATIONS! I couldn't believe it...but then again, I almost could believe it. Stuff like this always happens when you are expecting no hassles.

So our only option was to find another hotel and hope that there was a vacancy. The TraveLodge was across the street and it appeared clean and safe...so Heidi and Steph went in to see if we could get a room. They exited the lobby minutes later with a key to a beachview room and the price had only gone up around $10 per night. So, all in all, not a complete misfortune to be staying in a nicer room for a minimal cost increase.

Florida Aquarium Resident StingRay

The next morning we got up kind of late. Heidi was already working on homework out on the balcony whilst eating her Entemann's chocolate covered donuts purchased the night before. Steph and I rolled out of bed, showered and dressed for the days activities. Our desitination was the Westshore Plaza Mall in Tampa. Heidi had wanted to receive the Clinique Bonus from Saks Fifth Avenue, because for some reason you will receive lesser gifts-with-purchase at any other department store. Go figure. So we spent the day as girls often do, perusing the racks for that deal of a lifetime. I myself made some excellent purchases, all of which were on sale. We dined at the food court of the mall, nothing like the Gainesville Mall food court, so be not alarmed. By the time we returned to our hotel, the sun was beginning to set.

We awoke early the next morning. Again we showered and dressed, packed up our things, and said goodbye to our lovely hotel room with a beachview and headed to the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks to look around and have lunch before leaving to return to the real world. I used to live in that area of Florida about eight years ago, and everytime I go back, I must eat at Mr. Souvlaki...one of the best Greek restaurants I have ever pervayed. They have the saganaki, or the flaming cheese, and Steph and I had been craving it all weekend. So as we made our way around the docks, we learned of how the spongers of Tarpon Springs first began the traditions, and we shopped of course. Lunch was upon us, and we got in Heidi's car and went to the restaurant. And wouldn't you know it---the place was closed on Mondays! We were so mad.

After calming down, we decided to eat at Pappas' Restaurant, a place that is famous for their greek salads, to which Heidi can attest. We had our flaming cheese, we said OPA! and then headed home. Our mini-vacation came to an end and Gainesville beckoned.