The site is located just off Interstate 4 near the junction of US27 and was not built without its fair share of problems. I believe lack of or a water shortage being one of them. When I was last in Florida only one store had been built but was as then not open. Now I am aware of a few department stores have been trading since last spring. Target was the first to open followed by JC Penney, Belk, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Best Buy to name but a few.  

Posner has exciting plans for its next stage of development. Not only will it be a great place to shop, but it has plans to build leisure facilities such as cinemas and bowling alleys. There has been talk of five star hotels and fine dining which will be great for the area. The area will be landscaped and new villas are set to be built. Giving the new financial situation and the problems with the economy I only hope the lavish plans are followed through.

My trip to Florida has been timed for Thanksgiving and the legendary Black Friday Sales. I will be taking full advantage of the heavily discounted prices,and will not let the fall in the exchange rates stop me from shopping til I drop. Therefore I wait with interest to see exactly what has happend at the Posner site. If it has not progressed as far as I have hoped I will simply head off to the mall at Millenia for Macy’s or Premium Outlets to the Nike store. Either way it will not spoil my trip and you can guarentee I will be coming home back to the UK fully loaded with suitcases bulging to their capacity.  

• 13 people worked full-time for 18 months to create the 325 animal carvings on The Tree of Life.
• There are more than 103,000 translucent leaves in 5 varying shades of green that were all individually fixed in place and they actually blow in the wind.
• At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, there are over 4 million living plants and the Tree Of Life is one of very few artificial trees.
• The tree’s branches are constructed of fibreglass and its trunk and roots are made of concrete.
• For great photos of the Tree of Life, stop on the bridge between the Oasis and Discovery Island.

• No two safaris are ever the same because the animals have minds of their own. Animals are typically more active in mornings and during cooler weather, so the best time to visit is in the morning.
• Disney Imagineers made many research trips to Africa to ensure that the landscapes accurately replicate the experience of taking a safari in Africa.
• There used to be gunshots in the chase for Big Red and Little Red but these have been stopped.

• Most of the statues and the various bits of decoration are authentic and were made in Asia.

• Bumper to bumper, the Expedition Everest train is over 20 metres long; while the track length is over 1,341 metres long.
• Up to 2000 people an hour use the ride
• In the making of the mountain, over 1,800 tons of steel were used.
• The yeti is 22 feet (6.7 m) tall.
• Plants - over 20 acres of rockwork on the mountain is covered by: 4 varieties of Giant Bamboos, 10 species of trees and 114 species of shrubs.

It seems that 2 weeks is not enough these days and even with 3 weeks it’s difficult to fit everything in and have some days to relax by the pool!

With Aquatica now open, Seaworld’s Water Park, another venue to add to the ever growing list of places to visit.  Airboat rides are great fun, even our 3 year old son enjoyed it and even fell asleep during our private tour.  A private tour is better if your budget will allow.  You get to go down the side streams, where the larger boats cannot reach.  With the engine off, you can hear wildlife and the scene looks like something out of a Disney film set, quite amazing and well worth the money.  Wear a sweater though, bit chilly out on the water at full speed!

We visited this flea market, which we have been told is the oldest in Florida and is set out in the original style.

It is only open on Mondays.  It commences at 8am and vendors start closing their sales tables between 12 noon and 1 p.m. 

To get to Webster you will need to travel on Highway 27 – head to Clermont.

After you pass through a little village called Linden, take the 471 which is the next main road you will see.

This is a HUGE flea market, which consists of North, South, East & West sections, with various walkways and a roadway in-between.

Helpful Tip:  We recommend you take note of whereabouts you park your car – otherwise like us – you will lose your bearings and have difficulty locating it when you wish to leave.

There is a large Antique & Collectables section, Stalls go into different rows A to Z and also different colour sections, Red, Yellow, Mauve – too numerous to mention!

There is a Blacktop Wholesale Area, Livestock Area, lots of fresh produce etc. etc.

Almost most of the market consists of concrete sections with covered roof housing the various tables of assorted wares that are generally found in other flea markets, (i.e. jewellery, fashion accessories bags, belts etc,  all types of clothing, music, dvds, there are coin dealers and other specialist dealers) the site is grass and some areas are a little uneven and stony if anyone is visiting using a wheelchair or mobility scooter. 

There are purpose built restrooms, which are very clean, and numerous mobile snack bars selling many different types of fast foods – burgers, hotdogs, pancakes & spicy foods.

Prices seemed to us to be very good.

At Downtown Disney there is an unusual and remarkable event from 7th. Nov - 9th. Nov where you can see the amazing pictures of Master Pavement Artists. The pictures have to be seen to be believed. Your children can join in as there is a section for everyone to have a go. There is also live music which creates a real Xmas atmosphere. Again, something a little different and the best thing about Downtown is there is NO Parking Charges!!!

A Very Happy Christmas Everyone.

Mary 

We have since been back serveral times one of which was for a special anniversay meal to celebrate 18 years of marriage.  We had a wonderful Italian meal.  After the meal we took a walk around the lake area which was so peaceful.

Celebration is a wonderful get away from it all area and I would recommend anyone to go visit especially during December when they switich on the artificial snow it is such a lovely sight.

Don’t worry; it’s still only 298 feet above sea level. This is Florida after all!

 Perhaps the locals have a sense of irony, however, as the ridge it is built on is called “Iron Mountain”.

The sanctuary was created in the 1920s by Edward Bok, a Dutchman who wanted to transform the area into a sanctuary that would “touch the soul with its beauty and quiet”. He created beautiful landscaped gardens as well as a walking trail which allows visitors to explore the upland habitat of Lake Wales Ridge. His crowning glory, however, was the building of a 205ft marble carillon tower which is now a National Historic landmark.

We took a walk around the wildlife trail and were very impressed both by the plant life and by the wildlife. A birdwatcher’s “hide”, or to give its official name, the “Window by the Pond”, kept us enthralled for a while as we watched birds reptiles and racoons at the pond.

The wonderful marble tower itself is the focal point of the sanctuary, and its artistic detail is impressive. Don’t forget your camera, as the shot of the tower reflected in the water is not to be missed.

The carillon itself houses 60 bells, all made in Loughborough, England, and there are daily concerts, with brief selections being played every half hour throughout the day. Unfortunately it is not possible to enter the “Singing Tower” as it is not open to the public, but you can visit the museum in the visitor centre where there are exhibits relating to the bells and the playing of the carillon, as well as information on the flora and fauna of the sanctuary.

This is probably not a place to take the kids, but those wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of Orlando will very much appreciate the peace and solitude of the beautiful gardens.

If you want to turn a half-day into a full day, why not visit the nearby town of Lake Wales as well?

Bok Tower gardens are open from 8am till 6pm, and entrance is $10.

To get there proceed south from Orlando on U.S. Highway 27 for approximately 23 miles. Two traffic lights past Eagle Ridge Mall turn left on Mountain Lake Cut Off Road. Then turn right (south) onto County Road 17 (also known as Scenic Highway). Proceed on CR 17 for 3/4 miles then turn left (east) onto Burns Avenue (also known as County Road 17-A). After about a mile, on your left, you’ll see the entrance sign to BokTowerGardens.