Once again we were at our favorite Hyatt Regency in Sarasota, Florida.
Hyatt Regency Sarasota ←click link
We once more had to fight heavy traffic, coming from the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando. See previous post...
But here we are!
At 15:50 I stepped out on our balcony and made this photo from the Sarasota Bay and to the right you see the Van Wezel performing arts building.
First time EVER that we were at the very front and center of the Hyatt Regency.
Next day on December 30, we went for a walk through the Sarasota Bay area.
This is the front of the hotel and our balcony is hidden behind the 2nd palm tree from center.
We were on the 6th floor (out of 10) in room 614.
Behind the glass sections are glassed in seating areas—no balcony and not open.
We had that in February of 2022.
In February there was a huge fence around here—due to construction. Now there were beach chairs for a beautiful view of the John Ringling Causeway Bridge towards Saint Armands Circle on Lido Key.
Since February also this playground got finished.
The Ibis Playground...
We continued our sunny walk along the Bay towards the Van Wezel performing arts building...
Me standing at the Bay waters with a rather dramatic sky.
Peering over the menu at the Currents Restaurant on our first day we discussed with friendly waiter George several dinner options.
He arranged with the Chef for taking out pork chops for us and having them prepared in a healthy way—for me at least, for the next evening.
On the menu it was ALE BRINED PORK CHOP with cauliflower puree | rainbow chard | black cherry demi
The only thing wrong was that they served mine with mashed potatoes instead of cauliflower puree and I'm not allowed to eat potatoes in any form due to their high potassium levels for my kidneys...
But the pork chop sure was good not being ALE BRINED and so was the black cherry demi—very special taste!
Our New Year's Eve walk.
Pieter standing here at the place where you can slide with your kayak into the water...
Just in jeans and his Burberry shirt—so mild and no more wind.
Love this area called the Mangrove Bayou Walkway
There are many live oaks on the parking lot of the Van Wezel performing arts building and also very tame squirrels!
Once again I had to take a WeFie in the gold reflecting glass door of the Van Wezel building...
Van Wezel with a dramatic sky resulting in dense fog the next morning on New Year's day.
We ended the year 2022 with a bowl of GULF COAST SEAFOOD CHOWDER...
That was delicious with some bread on the side.
On New Year's Day, we once more went for a walk and fed the tame squirrels some nuts.
We also had a great swim in the afternoon.
Only on our first afternoon we did lie at the pool, just to relax...
Only on our first afternoon we did lie at the pool, just to relax...
It is said to be heated to 86°F or 30°C but it felt rather cool when getting into the water but with the sun above us, it was great!
Our Hyatt Regency room 614 had the BEST shower/tub we've ever experienced.
Having both had back aches, it was a great massage and warming.
We walked after that...
Doves were sitting on the electrical wiring above us.
Zoomed in on both doves...
They started roosting for the evening, just like the water fowl that we again observed in the Mangrove.
You can see pictures in the links below from previous posts.
This time we did NOT visit any friends like we did during previous stays.
Also for not disrupting their family plans during the holidays and we both enjoyed a truly relaxed stay of four nights here. No driving involved but reading, cross stitching (trying to finish a project started in 2007... and on New Year's Eve we watched the darling movie of The Bear (1988) ←click it) that I'd found on a blog. We had this on video but gifted it to Mom & Dad to play on their Multi system VCR (gifted by us as well as a gifted Multi system TV). Mom LOVED it so much and so did my young nieces and nephews.
Pieter and I watched this fond movie once more.
It is filmed in British Columbia, Canada and such beautiful nature!
What a blissful 4 free nights on Pieter's accumulated Hyatt points these were!
Booked already on October 20...
On Monday, January 2 of 2023 our wonderful Hyatt stay ended as we had to check out.
Driving once again through very heavy traffic jam.
This entire trip was like that—coming and going.
By 6:30 PM we arrived home in the dark and our kitties were oh so happy!!!
Related links:
From Lakeland, to Sarasota via Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Florida | previous post by me
Nature Trail Walk at The Bay Park in Sarasota, Florida | previous post by me
Lunch with a Dear Writer Friend in Osprey, Florida | previous post by me
{Award Nights at Hyatt Regency in Sarasota, Florida} | previous post by me
{Sarasota, Florida - Hyatt Regency} | previous post by me
{Sarasota Bay, Florida - Great Egret} | previous post by me
{Sarasota Bay, Florida - Anhinga} | previous post by me
What a lovely place. And a great way to see in the New Year.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and Pieter always.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteBeing in a well tended natural surrounding is the very best for relaxing.
We don't need fireworks or anything—just plenty of sleep.
Hugs,
Mariette
Another lovely short break for your two travelers - Happy New Year and glad you could see it in at such a charming place. The food would not be good for me - don't eat any meat/poultry - would have to ask them to dig out more plant-based meals and some fresh fish. Nice the chef accommodated you, other than the potatoes! I don't think I could survive without potatoes in my diet - especially in my homemade soups and baked versions. Why would they ruin a seafood chowder by putting chorizo in it?
ReplyDeleteIt's years since I've been to Florida - actually 2001 when we took a granddaughter to Disney. We left from there the night prior to "9/11" so were fortunate to make it home as scheduled prior to the horrific events of the following morning! I'm definitely not a 'tropical' person and don't like Florida weather or flat scenery - other than the beaches.
Can just picture your kitties all excited when you returned home - they are so sweet.
Dearest Mary,
DeleteIt sure was a lovely place to be for our four nights!
You could select several things from the menu to your liking.
The seafood chowder did not contain even a trace of chorizo... it was delicious and neither salty.
Florida does not have a tropical climate—we lived and worked right on the equator and know the difference. But we love the lush green view of palm trees and others.
You have not been there in a long time! Why not try visiting the Bok Tower if you don't like flat scenery?
Hugs,
Mariette
Has tenido buena vistas al mar, desde el balcón de la habitación del hotel.
ReplyDeleteBesos.
Querida Antónia,
DeleteSí, seguro que teníamos maravillosas vistas sobre la bahía de Sarasota desde nuestro balcón.
Abrazos,
Mariette
What a great vacation you had to welcome in the New Year, Mariette. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDearest Martha Jane,
DeleteYes, a lovely place for really resting up and relaxing and close to nature!
Hugs,
Mariette
It all looks so warm and nice, just like a vacation getaway should be like. Glad you were able to do this and share it with us.
ReplyDeleteDearest Debby,
DeleteYes it was very nice and we both were oh so lucky.
Being able to be there—by the grace of God and prayers certainly do work!
Hugs,
Mariette
Olá, Mariette, que lugar lindo, maravilhosa paisagem, deu para
ReplyDeletedescansar e estar em ares diferentes, coisa muito boa para o espírito.
Tudo muito alegre! O hotel é lindo.
Que repitam tais viagens esse ano, é uma delícia!
Abraços para você e Pieter!
Prezados Taís,
DeleteSim, era o local perfeito para descansar e relaxar, rodeado pela natureza e ar fresco.
Oramos para que possamos ser capazes de repetir tais passeios – se Deus quiser!
Abraços,
Mariette
Nice to look at on all that greenery. Cool playground. Sounds like you had a very relaxing time while there.
ReplyDeleteDearest Tammy,
DeleteYes, it was a perfect time for relaxing in nice green surroundings.
They did an excellent job on that new playground. Perfect for walking also the Mangrove Bayou Walkway.
Hugs,
Mariette
Beautiful hotel and location. You two look like you're having a wonderful time! Fun to have a favorite hotel. When I used to tavel for work I had some favorites, and always looked forward to my stays.
ReplyDeleteDearest Peter,
DeleteYes, this hotel and its location are indeed fabulous.
Travel for work we never had any leisure time to fully enjoy the surroundings but now we are in charge!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dat is genieten Mariette.
ReplyDeleteHet regent hier al dagen:(
Ik kijk er naar uit dat ik weer heerlijk in de tuin kan werken.
Boswandelingen maken en varen met de boot...
Nog even geduld, dat lukt wel:)
Groetjes van Hilly
Beste Hilly,
DeleteJa, dit was zo'n broodnodige ontspanning voor ons allebei en met zon en groen om ons heen.
We zijn nog lang niet toe aan lenteweer. We hadden gisteravond hier tornado watch en veel regen.
Heerlijk weer de tuin in kunnen—ja daar kijk ik ook naar uit.
Jullie kunnen daar zo'n heerlijke boswandelingen maken, dat kan hier niet omdat er geen wandelpaden zijn. Alles is hier zó uitgestrekt.
En varen met de boot klinkt ook heerlijk...
Liefs,
Mariette
Looks like a wonderful getaway.
ReplyDeleteGlad you were able to do this and share with us.
Beautiful photos as always, dearest Mariette!
Dearest Veronica,
DeleteIt sure was a wonderful getaway and combined with the Hyatt Resort in Orlando it were 8 special days to relax in sunshine.
Hugs,
Mariette
Fijn uitje geeft mooie herinningen. Prachtige foto's van jou ook 😊
ReplyDeleteBeste Aritha,
DeleteDank je en dit zijn zeker mooie herinneringen.
We voelen ons allebei dankbaar dit nog sámen te hebben kunnen doen.
Liefs,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeleteich wünsche Euch beiden noch ein gutes gesundes Jahre 2023
LG Bernhard
Lieber Bernhard,
DeleteDanke und gleichfalls für euch!
Liebe Grüße,
Mariette
I really like squirrels, which is an animal that was half-disappeared in Portugal. In recent years, some have already been sighted, so it is expected that we will have an abundance of squirrels in a few years..
ReplyDeletexoxo
Coisas de Feltro
Dearest Christina,
DeleteOh, they are rascals and so clever and playful.
Sad that they almost became extinct in Portugal but it sounds like they will indeed be back.
Hugs,
Mariette