Legoland

I have been to Orlando several times but had no interest in visiting legoland. That is, until my granddaughter Madelynn who lives in Colorado, came to join us there to take a cruise to continue celebrating my 80th🫠.

She loves to build things and wanted to visit that iconic theme park. 

So we all did.

So off we went and not only was the theme park where they used some 32 million lego pieces to make beautiful structures, people and animals impressive, but so was the botanical gardens.

This banyon tree was planted in a 5 gallon container in 1936.
Look at it now!

Some of the characters and buildings made from lego pieces.

Animals in the gardens made from lego pieces.

Tribute to FIFA world cup.

Yup,  we also had lots of fun and light family time❤️.

The Michelle's in playful  entanglement.
 

A great prelude to the cruise.

 

The other side.

 It's nice to occasionally stop to observe how the other side lives.

That's exactly what I did when I got a good deal from Grupon on a Ft. Lauderdale tour on the scenic waterway, dubbed the "Venice of America." 

Fort Lauderdale is reputed to be the yatching capital of the world, based on the number of super-yachts registered there.

I love the water and this city has lots, for the Intercoastal Waterway (man made) is a 3,000 mile navigation channel running parallel to the Atlantic Ocean. 

It can take you inland from Massachusetts through Florida to Brownsville at the Mexican border.

It's on the banks of this waterway in Florida that some of the world's super rich build a few of their holiday homes, parking their super-yachts out front.

I love the sculptors outside this mansion.

This was once owned by the fake tv psychic  who called herself "Miss Cleo. " She went to jail for tax evasion and government seized and sold her home. 

Houses here normally range from $30 million up. A residential, empty, open lot in the area just sold from $53 million!

A sand bank where people can park their boats and swim in shallow water.

This 375 foot super-yacht which has a helicopter pad, cost a $325 million. It's owned by a Japanese billionaire but has only 18 cabins and a crew of 36!

It  carries a large fishing boat in the center back!

The front view.

The Waterway is so busy that the Ft. Lauderdale bridge opens up every half hour to let boats go through. 

Tourism in general is down though, mainly  because Trump has alienated  the Canadians who had usually flooded Florida for their vacations.

The beaches are relatively empty.

Its so empty that many life guards are not needed anymore.

 

The waterway is busy though with all sorts of contraptions moving around.

The yellow boat is the
  water taxi that services Ft. LAUDERDALE.

Our little tour boat

Colorful pedestrian bridge 

I love being out on the water, so always enjoy the Intercoastal treks. However my big annual event is going home to catch me some big fish.🎣

Can barely wait till next month.