Sun. Jan. 8

Jan. 8
When we got to Tampa yesterday just before noon, the temperature was getting very warm in the car, so we started the A.C.  We arrived at Fisherman's Village at Punta Gorda, FL, about 2 p.m. and walked around for an hour before checking in.  Temperature is in upper 70's. This is a resort that is unique in that it sticks out into the Charlotte Harbor bay from the shoreline and is two stories high, six buildings long (connected with walkways, all under one roof). (see photos below) The bottom floor is all kinds of retail shops on each side of a central walkway (including a coffee shop! Not Starbucks, but very good.)  The top floor is where the villas are, and they all have doors that open on narow walkways which overlook the shops and walkway below.  (see photos) Our villa is the last one - furthest from the parking lot, but a great view of the bay.  Also, about 75 feet from one of the restaurants (Harpoon Harry's below, Captain's Table above).  We went for a walk this morning, saw some birds, and took some pictures.  We had lunch at Harry's - Linda ordered a fried scallops basket and I ordered a fried oyster basket, and then we shared.  Excellent!  Best scallops since FL last year, and only fried oysters since!  Temperature today is 81 and it's verrrrry sunny. After lunch and a nap, we went to get groceries.  Publix is pretty close, maybe a mile or so.  Read and worked on this blog until a lite supper here.

 Our unit is at the top left of the blue building with a balcony and skylight. 

The green building at the left is where the restaurants are.

 This is the whole village.  Our unit is in the blue building 2nd from the left.

The bay is to the left.

This is part of the marina on the other side of the Village. 

 Inside one of the buildings.  Note the narrow walkway going across above and at the right and left.

Shops on both sides, with the coffe shop on the right.  There is outdoor seating, and you can see the sun shining on the yellow wall.

At lunch, we sat at a table looking over the bay.  It looks like 100 miles wide, but that's because we are looking down the length of the bay, not across it.

 White Ibis along sidewalk near pond.  They are all over, and probe the ground with their long beak.

 A pelican flying close to the restaurant.

An osprey on the roof of a building near the bay.