5 weeks in the sunSaturday, March 13, 2004
...do what the Floridians do
In almost every restaurant we've been to there has been at least one birthday party, usually more than one in the time that we're there. You can't go out for a meal without being subjected to several renditions of Happy Birthday and they make such a big deal out of it. In Flacos it was the two Mexicans with their guitars. In the Italian restaurant the Chefs came out and sang in Italian. In Chillies it was the waiters and waitresses. It was amusing the first time but the 100th is pushing it a bit.
Anyway, we went to Fort Myers beach today. It's about a 45 minute drive north of Naples and it's the closest of the many destinations for Spring Breakers. It was a lot livelier than Naples but definitely not as good as Miami.
We walked the beach for a while and then found a spot where there was live Reggae music. I'm not a big fan of beaches and even less of sun-bathing but when in Rome...or Florida...
The sun made another dramatic exit and we found a bar/restaurant with what I think was a Swiss theme. Apparently the German beer was excellent but the guy playing the accordion wasn't as entertaining as he thought he was. If we had only kept walking for a bit we would have found the restaurant with the belly dancer. Actually, there were quite a few street performers around and most places had live music of some sort.
We went to Hooters for a few drinks and I've never seen a bigger bunch of grumpy, miserable waitresses in my life. The only time they put a fake smile on their face was to sing Happy Birthday and it wasn't long before it was being belted out for a 14 year old girl. Then it was someone's 21st and I lost track of the rest.
We finished up in a little bar near the beach and then headed home. Not a bad day at all.
Fort Myers beach is actually on an island, which causes serious traffic problems since there are just two bridges on and off the island. The first two pictures are taken from the top of one of them.
Anyway, we went to Fort Myers beach today. It's about a 45 minute drive north of Naples and it's the closest of the many destinations for Spring Breakers. It was a lot livelier than Naples but definitely not as good as Miami.
We walked the beach for a while and then found a spot where there was live Reggae music. I'm not a big fan of beaches and even less of sun-bathing but when in Rome...or Florida...
The sun made another dramatic exit and we found a bar/restaurant with what I think was a Swiss theme. Apparently the German beer was excellent but the guy playing the accordion wasn't as entertaining as he thought he was. If we had only kept walking for a bit we would have found the restaurant with the belly dancer. Actually, there were quite a few street performers around and most places had live music of some sort.
We went to Hooters for a few drinks and I've never seen a bigger bunch of grumpy, miserable waitresses in my life. The only time they put a fake smile on their face was to sing Happy Birthday and it wasn't long before it was being belted out for a 14 year old girl. Then it was someone's 21st and I lost track of the rest.
We finished up in a little bar near the beach and then headed home. Not a bad day at all.
Fort Myers beach is actually on an island, which causes serious traffic problems since there are just two bridges on and off the island. The first two pictures are taken from the top of one of them.
Friday, March 12, 2004
Sunsets & Shamrocks
Went for a run on the beach today again. Another beautiful red sunset with pelicans gliding above the water and diving for fish. I don't think I'll ever get bored of watching that.
After a big pizza for lunch, I bypassed dinner altogether and we headed out to the infamous 5th Avenue South. Apparently it's the place to go in Naples on a Friday and Saturday night. After spending the evening there, I honestly feel sorry for the young people of Naples. The first place we tried was McCabe's Irish Pub. The only thing it had going for it was the fact that it had a crowd and a guy singing songs "about Catholics and Protestants". We moved on after a drink.
Next up was Paddy Murphy's Irish Pub. It was definitely a step in the wrong direction. Despite getting Shamrocks in the Guinness, the entertainment was so bad that we decided to sit outside and after another couple of drinks we moved on again. Then we reached the end of 5th Avenue South!
They seemed to be the only two bars on the street that checked ID instead of your Country Club membership. Luckily we found Naples' answer to a night club and, to be honest, it wasn't all that bad. We stayed there 'till it closed at 1 and despite 24hr pharmacies, 24hr photocopying and other such necessities at 1am, we couldn't find a fast food place that was open!
After a big pizza for lunch, I bypassed dinner altogether and we headed out to the infamous 5th Avenue South. Apparently it's the place to go in Naples on a Friday and Saturday night. After spending the evening there, I honestly feel sorry for the young people of Naples. The first place we tried was McCabe's Irish Pub. The only thing it had going for it was the fact that it had a crowd and a guy singing songs "about Catholics and Protestants". We moved on after a drink.
Next up was Paddy Murphy's Irish Pub. It was definitely a step in the wrong direction. Despite getting Shamrocks in the Guinness, the entertainment was so bad that we decided to sit outside and after another couple of drinks we moved on again. Then we reached the end of 5th Avenue South!
They seemed to be the only two bars on the street that checked ID instead of your Country Club membership. Luckily we found Naples' answer to a night club and, to be honest, it wasn't all that bad. We stayed there 'till it closed at 1 and despite 24hr pharmacies, 24hr photocopying and other such necessities at 1am, we couldn't find a fast food place that was open!
Thursday, March 11, 2004
90s Nostalgia
Had Japanese for lunch today in the mall. It's the first time I've ever had Japanese food, even if it was take-away style on a polystyrene plate and plastic fork. It was pretty good but if you just set it in front of me I probably couldn't tell the difference with a Chinese. I'm sure there are other dishes that look more Japanese than Chicken Teriyaki. Must make a point of going to one of the Japanese restaurants in Belfast.
After work I went for a 30 minute run around the block, followed by dinner at a Mexican restaurant called Flacos. The service was a little slow but the food was worth the wait and there were a couple of Mexicans going around the tables with guitars playing and singing Mexican songs.
When I got back I was subjected to another bad American remake of a British TV show. This time, however, it wasn't a sitcom or a reality show. It was 101 Reasons The 90s Ruled, a cross between BBC's I Love 19xx and Channel 4's Top 100....
To be honest, I don't know for sure that these shows and their format didn't originate over here but this particular one was recorded recently. I didn't see it all but I got the impression that they weren't nominated or voted for by the public. The celebrity commentary wasn't particularly interesting and their list is questionable at best. In fact, it's rather worrying that this is how Americans are supposed to see the 90s and is possibly a factor in explaining how things have ended up the way they are today.
FYI, the top ten reasons the 90s ruled were:
10 - Spice Girls
9 - Beverly Hills 90210
8 - Michael Jordan
7 - Titanic
6 - Ellen
5 - Friends
4 - The Internet
3 - The Clinton/Lewinsky Incident
2 - Nirvana
1 - Seinfeld
I can just imagine people sitting around in 10 years nostalgically reminiscing about the 90s. "Remember The Spice Girls? Yeah, those were the days. The good old 90s, when films like Titanic swept the Oscars and Jason Priestly was on every girl's wall. *sigh* We'll never see a time like that again."
I certainly hope not.
After work I went for a 30 minute run around the block, followed by dinner at a Mexican restaurant called Flacos. The service was a little slow but the food was worth the wait and there were a couple of Mexicans going around the tables with guitars playing and singing Mexican songs.
When I got back I was subjected to another bad American remake of a British TV show. This time, however, it wasn't a sitcom or a reality show. It was 101 Reasons The 90s Ruled, a cross between BBC's I Love 19xx and Channel 4's Top 100....
To be honest, I don't know for sure that these shows and their format didn't originate over here but this particular one was recorded recently. I didn't see it all but I got the impression that they weren't nominated or voted for by the public. The celebrity commentary wasn't particularly interesting and their list is questionable at best. In fact, it's rather worrying that this is how Americans are supposed to see the 90s and is possibly a factor in explaining how things have ended up the way they are today.
FYI, the top ten reasons the 90s ruled were:
10 - Spice Girls
9 - Beverly Hills 90210
8 - Michael Jordan
7 - Titanic
6 - Ellen
5 - Friends
4 - The Internet
3 - The Clinton/Lewinsky Incident
2 - Nirvana
1 - Seinfeld
I can just imagine people sitting around in 10 years nostalgically reminiscing about the 90s. "Remember The Spice Girls? Yeah, those were the days. The good old 90s, when films like Titanic swept the Oscars and Jason Priestly was on every girl's wall. *sigh* We'll never see a time like that again."
I certainly hope not.
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
It's not ER
After a run, I had some food in TGI Friday's and went back to the hotel to watch the second episode of the new ABC series Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital. I watched the two hour pilot last week and wasn't overly impressed with it. Still, I wanted to give it a second chance but it was only marginally better. King is credited as Writer and Executive Producer (and IMDB erroneously credits him as Narrator) but I wonder just how much he was involved with it. You always have to be suspicious when you see a famous name in the title of a show.
I don't have any specific gripe about it. It's just a very bland show. The writing is average at best, the characters aren't compelling, the story is only mildly intriguing and it moves at an unnecessarily slow pace. I think the only reason I watched the second episode was because there's nothing much else like it on TV at the moment. Next Wednesday is St Patrick's Day so I don't know if I'll get to see the third episode.
I don't have any specific gripe about it. It's just a very bland show. The writing is average at best, the characters aren't compelling, the story is only mildly intriguing and it moves at an unnecessarily slow pace. I think the only reason I watched the second episode was because there's nothing much else like it on TV at the moment. Next Wednesday is St Patrick's Day so I don't know if I'll get to see the third episode.
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Running reds
Went to see Hidalgo today. It's the new film starring Viggo Mortensen telling the story of Frank Hopkins who travelled to Saudi Arabia in 1890 to compete in one of the world's most gruelling endurance horse races. TPTB were obviously flashing their artistic licence plenty because the film deviates so far from the truth that they should have gone the whole hog and made a fantasy film. I don't just mean fantasy because it was so far from the truth. The capture and rescue storyline that was nailed into the middle of the film would have been better suited to Conan. I suppose I was reasonably entertained by it but I'm just annoyed that they made such a mess of what could have been a great film.
On a different note, right on red is the best idea ever. For those of you who don't know, it basically means you're allowed to drive through a red light if you're turning right (equivalent to turning left at home). It makes sense. You're not driving out into the junction so if there's nothing coming you can just turn right. I think this rule only applies in certain states so if you're ever driving over here then check before you start running red lights!
However, there is one annoyingly stupid signal here. The left filter lights come on straight after red and then go off while the green light is still on. Ok, it's a hard thing to describe. Let me try again. You know when you're sitting at a red light at home (Tates Avenue junction on the Lisburn Road, for example). You're on the inside lane because you want to turn right. The light goes green and traffic starts moving in both directions. You move out into the junction and if there's not a break in the traffic you wait for the filter light (green arrow) to come on which means the oncoming traffic has stopped and you can turn right. Well, imagine you were sitting at the red lights. They go green and the filter light comes on at the same time so you can turn right immediately after red. Then, suddenly the filter light goes off for people turning right, even though the light for going straight ahead is still green, and oncoming traffic starts moving. Next the red lights come on and you can easily find yourself sitting half way out in the middle of a junction. Yeah, you can just drive on anyway and hope pedestrians don't start crossing and the other drivers see you before they cut through the junction. Technically, cars in a junction have the right of way. Everything considered though, it makes a lot more sense to do it like it's done at home.
On a different note, right on red is the best idea ever. For those of you who don't know, it basically means you're allowed to drive through a red light if you're turning right (equivalent to turning left at home). It makes sense. You're not driving out into the junction so if there's nothing coming you can just turn right. I think this rule only applies in certain states so if you're ever driving over here then check before you start running red lights!
However, there is one annoyingly stupid signal here. The left filter lights come on straight after red and then go off while the green light is still on. Ok, it's a hard thing to describe. Let me try again. You know when you're sitting at a red light at home (Tates Avenue junction on the Lisburn Road, for example). You're on the inside lane because you want to turn right. The light goes green and traffic starts moving in both directions. You move out into the junction and if there's not a break in the traffic you wait for the filter light (green arrow) to come on which means the oncoming traffic has stopped and you can turn right. Well, imagine you were sitting at the red lights. They go green and the filter light comes on at the same time so you can turn right immediately after red. Then, suddenly the filter light goes off for people turning right, even though the light for going straight ahead is still green, and oncoming traffic starts moving. Next the red lights come on and you can easily find yourself sitting half way out in the middle of a junction. Yeah, you can just drive on anyway and hope pedestrians don't start crossing and the other drivers see you before they cut through the junction. Technically, cars in a junction have the right of way. Everything considered though, it makes a lot more sense to do it like it's done at home.
Monday, March 08, 2004
Every shade of sunset
I went for a run on the beach today after work. I've never liked running because of the boredom factor but there's something great about running on a beach with white sand under your feet, palm trees on your right and a red sunset on your left. It kind of gives it a new perspective.
It was actually quite a windy day so the sea was a little rougher than last week. On the dead calm evenings the sunset bleeds a path across the gulf to the shoreline. Every day here ends with a different view. I've never seen the same sunset twice.
It was actually quite a windy day so the sea was a little rougher than last week. On the dead calm evenings the sunset bleeds a path across the gulf to the shoreline. Every day here ends with a different view. I've never seen the same sunset twice.
Sunday, March 07, 2004
Easily amused
Today's the first day I've had since arriving here to just kick back and relax. Sat by the pool reading, did some washing, got a pizza takeaway from a little place beside the hotel (who's smallest pizza is 14 inches!) and watched a very funny Simpsons episode. It seemed like a waste of a day but it's just what I needed.
Also played with the ice maker in my freezer. I'd never seen one of these before. Hours of amusement making ice and feeding it to the waste disposal unit in the sink. I never saw a waste disposal unit before either. If you want to know how ice makers work you can find out at How Stuff Works. You'll lead a better life because of it.
Also played with the ice maker in my freezer. I'd never seen one of these before. Hours of amusement making ice and feeding it to the waste disposal unit in the sink. I never saw a waste disposal unit before either. If you want to know how ice makers work you can find out at How Stuff Works. You'll lead a better life because of it.
