Travelog for: Charles

Today we visit the Gulfstream Park.  First opened on Wednesday February 1, 1939, it held the first Florida Derby in 1952 and today continue to be an important horse racetrack, and has a casino and shopping area. 

There is no horse racing today, and we cannot go in to see the race track.  But we explore around the place a bit.





We go around to visit the shops.  There are quite a few shops and restaurants in the complex. 





The architecture is again very typical Florida style, with the tropical palm trees and Mediterranean influence buildings.



Look who we bump into!

Today we learn to make Vietnamese style spring roll.  I don't get to visit Asia yet but at least I get to try an Asian dish!

First, we chop up the ingredients.  As I am the biggest and strongest, I get to do all the chopping.



We cut up the carrot, then the mushrooms and wood ears (it is a type of fungi that grows on wood).



Next we cook the ingredients in the wok.



I have to stir fry them so they cook evenly and won't get burnt.



We continue to add more ingredients as we cook.  Now I add the bamboo and rice vermicilli noodles too.  We also season with soy sauce, cooking wine and sugar.



Now we prepare the wrapper.  We add a little water to the rice paper to soften it, and place a bit of cooked ingredients on it.



We roll them up nicely. 



Now we fry them in the pan.  Usually it's deep fried, but as we do not want to use too much oil, we have to fry one side then the other. 



Next we prepare the sauce.  We chop up the garlic, then add vinegar, chili sauce and sugar to it.



Now lunch is ready!!  We put a spring roll on a leaf of lettuce, add a little sauce and enjoy!  It's very delicious!

Today it's cloudy but at least it stop raining.  We decide to go visit a park.

I almost thought we go to the zoo!



There is some fitness equipment for people to work out.





This one you can sit or stand and twist, to strengthen your ab and improve your flexibility.



And this chin up is certainly not easy!!



Look, there is a bench.  Let's rest a bit.  We are all tired after the work out!



Let's go to the dock and take a look!



There is a boat which can take you around the bay, for a day or evening cruise. 



A lot of boats are anchored in the bay.  I wish one day I can get on one of them and sail the world! 

Today we go to try out some food trucks.  It is really popular now. 



Let's check them out!  This one sells burgers.



This one has tacos.



This one has arepa (corn pancakes) with cheeses.



Ah we find what we are looking for, Ben and Jerry ice cream!!  Their truck goes around different cities to give out free ice cream.  Today is its last day in Miami, so we make sure to seek it out and find out where it goes today.



Oh I am feeling hungry already!!



Hmm what flavor should I pick?



We get a cup of raspberry frozen yogurt.



Yumm!



There are some tables under the shade there!



We enjoy our fish taco at the table.  The tacos are made with corn tortilla.  We squeeze on a little lime juice and hot sauce. 

My host tells me that I will be traveling soon.  Before I leave, we decide to go visit the zoo.

Look at the pretty bird!



This is a different kind of pretty bird!



There are some pelicans by the pond.



They are kind of far away, but can you see a patch of pink back there?  They are a flock of flamingos.  They are very beautiful birds.



Look at the beautiful lotuses!



These ibises are around the picnic area trying to find food.  Sorry but we don't have anything to share.



It gets a bit rainy, let's check out the gift shop instead.



I see a lot of African drums and music instruments.  Maybe we can do a dance and pray for the rain to stop?



I say hi to some black bears.



Sadly the rain gets heavier, so we cannot continue our visit.  However, we pick up a little souvenir, to remember my trip of Miami by.

Farewell my dear friends!  It is sad but I look forward to some new adventures.