On to Phoenix!
Up early enough to go down and get some of the continental breakfast that the hotel served. Not much choice. Three kids cold cereals, a few very small muffins, pre-cooked omelets, actually I think they had come frozen and the hotel nuked them. Yuck. And a couple of waffles that looked just as bad. We each had orange juice and two muffins and even though it was early they turned off the juice machines so we couldn’t refill them. We had driven further the day before than I had planned so we had a much shorter drive into Phoenix. We took in the Desert Botanical Gardens first. So many varieties of cactus and succulents and some were either in bloom or very near, so we got a few nice shots. And we also took in the Spring Butterfly exhibit. In a large tent-type enclosure they had brought in a large number of different kinds along with plenty of the kinds of plants and flowers they liked.
After we left the Gardens we found the large rock hill with a hole in it. It wasn’t as exciting as we had anticipated. We did take a couple of pictures.
I know this entry won't look right but it is the only way to post it. The above section is separated by a drive out to Fountain Hills.
After visiting Fountain Hills we found our way back to Phoenix and arrived at Terry’s (sunsetrosebud) home, where we were going to be spending the night. She had just arrived home from work a couple of minutes prior to our arrival.
We had also arranged that Michelle (michelle_powell) meet us there too.
Soon we went out to eat and one of Amanda’s favorite places, Chino Bandido. It’s a combination Mexican and Chinese restaurant. I found it quite a strange place but it turned out very good. I had a combination plate with Egg Foo Yung, Teriyaki Chicken, and beans and rice. We sat and talked for at least a couple hours.
Back at Terry’s home we chatted until pretty late before retiring for the evening. My biggest regret was not getting any pictures of them.
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This was the first time for me to experience the kind on meal they serve. Amanda helped me order Terriyaki Chicken & Egg Foo Young with rice and beans. It is served in an aluminium tray that you could add a flat cardboard top on for taking home, along with plastic utensils and the drinks were served in foam cups.
I enjoyed my meal and then we just threw everything in the trash container, easy as that. No dishwashers here.
The prices were pretty low and the selection was big enough to please just about everyone. It’s not a place to take a first date or to impress someone, but a fun meal with good food.
Another cute thing about this place is Pancho Panda. He is a solid chunk of black granite that comes from China. It was sculpted into shape in China and shipped here to Phoenix where the owners had to remove the wall to put it inside. Then the wall had to be replaced. Kids love to pat or rub him for luck. I did too.
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There was even a wonderful butterfly exhibit going on during our visit and for a very small extra fee you could stroll through a special tent and be right in with a large variety and number of butterflies.
This is a place where it is advised to visit early in the day prior to the heat. Even with a number of drinking fountains around the gardens, I would still advise a bottle of water to take along. And a good wide-brimmed hat.
This is a very informative, educational and beautiful stroll. Take your time and enjoy it to its fullest!
