Trip Report Two broke guys & a dog (for the last time.) (now with Christmas 2024!)

No, I’m not mad at Disney. We’ll be back (in fact, it can’t be soon enough.) But this turned out to be our last trip together as a family.

Who: Brian (R) Tony (L) and Kylie.

When: May, 2023.

Can’t tease this, so I’ll just come out with it.

We’ve posted TRs over the years under the “Two broke guys & a dog” banner (and other titles.) Our May trip was short, and we had already booked August for my birthday (complete with a planned meet up with @Tuvalu) so I thought I’d make one double TR after August.

I ended up with Covid mid-month and we had to postpone to December for Brian’s birthday.

In the meantime, Kylie, our 14 year old German Shepherd/Chow Chow was diagnosed with heart failure. That “heads up” turned out to be a gift and a blessing that allowed us to spend so much extra quality time with her.

Kylie’s 14th bday on Halloween:

She stayed with us through the holidays, rubbing on the Christmas tree when she walked past it, per usual (like a cat lol) and was really doing well - eating, going for walks, snuggling. I expected more of a slow, gradual decline…but she passed yesterday. Now my heart is failing.

I don’t know how far I’ll get with this today. It might actually be too soon. But I thought it could be therapeutic, and a nice tribute.

For some reason, since my 30s, if I cry even a little, my eyelids swell up and it’s hard to undo. Ice helps only temporarily. I fear typing all this out will continue the waterworks (it already has) and prolong that condition. OTOH, they’re already swollen, so WTH? I’ll play it by ear, if that’s ok.

This is my love letter to my pup.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

In the Lyft. Maybe we can spend these snack things at The Mara QS before dinner. I wonder if they have zebra domes?

Still live trippin!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

AKL gift shop.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Our free snack credits!

 

[Tiggerish]

You are much too kind. (And maybe losing your eyesight?)

Or maybe I have a thing for guys in eyeglasses.

Should I stay or should I go now?

Thanks. Now The Clash is playing in my head (and my head is doing that weird banging thing).

 

[Tony the Tigger]

As we passed Boma on the way from The Mara to Jiko, I gave it the Italian curse. (Pic didn’t come out right lol.) That’s close enough.

We were maybe 45 minutes early for Jiko. We went to sit at the bar, but they said we could eat early. We sat in the chef area.

The first time we sat In the chef area years ago, the guy was all into it, explaining everything, engaging us. The last two times, they really didn’t bother with us. Hmph. lol.

Turns out my fave Chakalaka wine is no longer served by the glass, only by the $70 bottle. Pass. Our server recommended a comparable substitute. He was right, it was similar. Pretty good.

If you’ve never been to Jiko, this wild boar appetizer is the best appetizer on property. We each had our own. It’s outrageously delicious.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Dinner was delicious. The giraffe bread is always a treat.

Who was it who likes bathroom pics? We thought the Jiko mens room was on the fancy side.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Always much love for AKL.

 

[Tiggerish]

I’m glad you love Jiko so much. I dined there once, and maybe my expectations were too high, as much as I wanted to love it, I wasn’t super impressed

 

[Bullseye1967]

Started with a yummy pork belly appetizer.

This looks insanely good!!

Mine was a fall off the bone lamb shank.

Ditto!! Both are on our list for our nest visit.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I’m glad you love Jiko so much. I dined there once, and maybe my expectations were too high, as much as I wanted to love it, I wasn’t super impressed

It definitely depends on what you order. There have been things that were amazing, as well as things that were out of my league. (I tend to want to try new things, but it’s risky there. Pretty sure it was a bison dish (there’s a TR somewhere) that I could barely cut with a steak knife, let alone chew. I chalk it up to lesson learned.

But there is nothing like that wild boar appetizer!

 

[erstwo]

Is this similar to what is called putting lipstick on a pig…???!!!!!

Miss Piggy would like a word.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

How cute is the pullout bed? And it doesn’t have one of those thin, sofa bed mattresses. It’s a normal mattress, same height as the other bed. Just felt like a room with two beds. Recommended!

And no Tony go boom!

My only issue is I was too close to the A/C.

Already got my room ready text! They are so taking care of me. (Thanks, roaches!)

So I scoped it out on my first morning walk.

I’m in the Toy Story section, first floor. You may send all gift baskets here:

It took me 7 minutes to walk back to our current room.

Aww, da pup(s!)

 

[Tony the Tigger]

P.S. I scared the out of Mr. Bunny this morning. He took off like a jackrabbit, so no pics.

Instead, here are some pics of Irontail, voiced by Vincent Price, from a Rankin Bass Easter special that was not at all terrifying to Gen X kids. And that’s why we’re tougher than Millennials.

 

[donaldtoo]

Our free snack credits!

View attachment 784234

Oh my, gotta’ love the Zebra Domes…!!!!!
We had them when we stayed at AKL this past October on our family trip.
Stayin’ at OKW next family trip in late June/early July.
Wonder if they have somethin’ similar there, like maybe Conch Domes…???!!!!!

 

[rshell68]

“Don’t push me - cause I’m close to the edge…”

I'm trying not to lose my head...huh huh huh
Ugh now I'm going to have to listen to that song....

 

[donaldtoo]

Or maybe I have a thing for guys in eyeglasses.

Thanks. Now The Clash is playing in my head (and my head is doing that weird banging thing).

Oh my, now I’m havin’ a The Clash flashback (would that be a “clashback”…? )…they filmed the video for “Rock the Casbah” here in Austin back in ‘82…!!!!!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Thanks. Now The Clash is playing in my head (and my head is doing that weird banging thing).

I'm trying not to lose my head...huh huh huh
Ugh now I'm going to have to listen to that song....

Oh my, now I’m havin’ a The Clash flashback (would that be a “clashback”…? )…they filmed the video for “Rock the Casbah” here in Austin back in ‘82…!!!!!

I do what I can for music!

My business is called We Got The Beats. Cue it up!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

We’re in this weird moment, watching SVU (dark for Disney) I can’t really leave until he leaves. His Uber comes at 10:30.

Then I’ll head over to my new room and figure out which bus it will be!

Two more whole days! I have to leave for the airport tomorrow around 8pm.

 

[cgersic]

And no Tony go boom!

Oh my, you have started off my day with a massive smile on my face. Laughing way too hard at this. So glad you are staying longer to keep the live trippin' going!

 

[donaldtoo]

As we passed Boma on the way from The Mara to Jiko, I gave it the Italian curse. (Pic didn’t come out right lol.) That’s close enough.

We were maybe 45 minutes early for Jiko. We went to sit at the bar, but they said we could eat early. We sat in the chef area.

The first time we sat In the chef area years ago, the guy was all into it, explaining everything, engaging us. The last two times, they really didn’t bother with us. Hmph. lol.

Turns out my fave Chakalaka wine is no longer served by the glass, only by the $70 bottle. Pass. Our server recommended a comparable substitute. He was right, it was similar. Pretty good.

View attachment 784276

If you’ve never been to Jiko, this wild boar appetizer is the best appetizer on property. We each had our own. It’s outrageously delicious.

View attachment 784278

That boar meat looks just like when my Pop smokes cabrito/barbacoa…!!!!!