Day 22 - the day Shamu soaked us

 3rd August 2013

We really struggled to get up this morning! But we did, had our Special K and got the shuttle to Seaworld. One of our first stops was the turtle trek.

Then we headed to the dolphin theatre. The show they put on there was brilliant with dolphins, acrobats and birds. Here is a zillion photos.

Later we headed to the sea lion and otter show. It was a panto-style pirate story with sealion sidekicks, an otter which kept being mischievous - so cute - and the ugliest walrus you have ever seen. We had such a giggle.

We went on a few rides - journey to Atlantis (don't bother), kraken and manta. We also went in the shark encounter.

At the end of our day we went to see the Shamu show. It was fab but we got absolutely soaked. Again, here's a zillion photos. 

We headed home after that, planning eating showering and going back to the bar from last night which turns into a nightclub after 10.30. Pizza Hut is opposite the hotel so we decided to have a carry out. At the hotel we stuck the TV on, pigged out and both fell fast asleep. Ha. So much for the club. Just shows how tired we are after such busy days. Lots of love xxxxxx

Day 21 - the day I kissed a dolphin.

2nd August 2013

We'd been counting down to this day for such a long time we couldn't believe it was finally here. We got up super early and caught the bus to Discovery Cove.

 

We were that early (I know mum will be impressed) that we were booked onto the very first dolphin swim of the day at 8.20am. We had to have our photos- we assumed just for ID purposes just for the park's own purposes but as it turned out  they were taken for our lanyards which we had to wear all day and doubled up as both our Seaworld and Aquatica passes :|. I looked like a small chubby boy with a bowl cut, so much so that later in the day, at the bar, the woman didn't believe it was me and nearly refuses to serve me. Awkward. Anyway, we rushed off for breakfast. Both meals, drinks and snacks throughout the day were complimentary, and we definitely made the most of it.

We got into our wetsuits and ready for our dolphin swim. I can't recommend the experience highly enough. It was amazing. Our trainers Maria and Shannon and dolphins Jenny and Capricorn were all amazing. We all got to stroke the dolphins, getting used to them. Then we got shown how to get them to give us a kiss and give them a hug. We did that with Jenny. Then with Capricorn, we got to go for a swim. With one hand on the dorsal fin and other on the flipper, Capricorn took us from trainer to trainer - amazing. A professional photographer took photos throughout the session. As awful as we looked and as difficult as it was for us both to choose photos (I was squinting in them all due to the sun) we decided we had to buy photos as it was such an amazing experience. We drew the line at purchasing DVD footage of it though - I dread to think what we looked like. 

After that we went to the Coral Reef and were able to snorkel with stingrays and all sorts of fish. You can swim up to the shark tank too. We then had a bit of a sunbathe but it was too hot, so we decided instead to go down the Windaway River, which is exactly as it sounds. You can float all down and round the river rating how fit each life guard is as you go past. Or maybe that was just me and Lauren. It started to drizzle so we took our opportunity to grab some lunch.

There was too much to choose from really but we both had pulled pork sandwiches and prawn cocktails.

We went down the river again and then went to see the otters (again you can swim up to the tank) and the aviary which you can swim through too, or a get out feed the birds. There were lots of different birds, even a peacock! We ten went in search of 'marmosets'. We had no idea what they were but after a day of wondering we discovered that they were these teeny-tiny monkeys. So cute. We then both went for a lie down in the sun which turned into a kip. By the time we woke up it was closing time, so we got hanged and headed for the bus home. 

We returned to the hotel and showered. From the bus we had seen the Pointe complex across the road which was a site with lots of shops and restaurants and headed over there. We stopped at Cuba Libre. We had a couple of mojitos and the waiter brought out cuban bread with mango butter - yum.

 We each ordered a seafood paella each. It was amazing but we could barely walk after that. 

We did though, and headed home to bed ready for another adventure tomorrow. Lots of love xxxxxx

Day 20 - the day we changed our opinion of Michael Jackson forever

1st August 2013

Today we had a late start (due to shuffle times) travelling to Disneyworld so we decided to do the park we were least enthusiastic about - Epcot.

Of course, lunch was our first stop. After that we went on Soarin' or should I say we waited an hour and a half for for Soarin'. Wish we hadn't. It was a virtual flight experience over California which was pretty dull. Next we visited Finding Nemo, our fave. 

We went to see Michael Jackson's Captain EO's 3D film to both kill time and answer curiosities. We had more questions leaving. Mainly: "what the?" I'm really not sure how to describe what happened there. I'm sure it must be on YouTube. After a few more rides - Mission:Space: probably the best, and Test Track: me and Lauren designed a pink monstrosity - we travelled round the Global Showcase - a trip around different countries. Here's Loz in Mexico.

It started tipping it down so we decided to venture into the gift shops when we got to the England section. We accidentally ran into my bezzie and we had a quick chat.

As you can see, the tan is coming along nicely. HA.

We headed home and had dinner at the hotel, then spent the even watching the karaoke at the hotel sportsbar (whilst drinking cocktails obviously). Overall, it was a fun but very strange day. Lots of love xxxxx

Day 19 - the day we went to Hogwarts

31st July 2013

Today we went to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, starting with the latter and had an amazing day! 

I can't miss out breakfast - we had a buffet at the hotel with was pretty naughty, then caught the free shuttle to the parks. We were sooo excited.

We found a Christmas shop for Fil

We got soaking wet on most of the rides hence a lack of photos of us.

We nearly peed ourselves when we got to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

We resisted butterbear And chocolate frogs. The best ride was inside Hogwarts - like a virtual fly around, fighting dragons, the womping and deatheaters. I did not enjoy the spiders we had to avoid though - I screamed the place down. 

We carried on through the park, regressing to small children when we got to the Suess section. We love the Lorax.

Then we were onto Universal Studios.

Here is mainly 3/4D experiences, but we did find our favourite ride - Hollywood Rip  Ride Rockit. You chose the song you listened to on the way round and it blares out. Me and Loz both chose Kanye West so we could both sing (scream) along together. You were also filmed all the way round as if it were a music video. The camera was mainly on Lauren and as hilarious as it was, she did swear most of the way round. Haha. 

We watched the Universal parade. It was mainly for kids but I love the minions so we stuck around for it, mainly cringing at the costumes and choreography the dancers had (except for one set of girls which I took 2000 photos of for dance costume ideas for the next show). 

We did the whole park, not taking many pictures. When we got to Springfield I took some because my dad loves the Simpsons and know he'd have loved to go to Moes. I hope he can see these very soon.

We were so shocked at how quickly we got through Universal (but relieved because we have so much to get through in Orlando). We ate dinner in N Italian on CityWalk. I had crab ravioli and it was gorgeous. It was spoilt, however, when the heavens and Nashville monsoon part 2 took over. But that's Florida for you. Loving it so far, lots of love xxxxxx

Day 18 - the day we spent on the bus

30th July 2013

I'm sorry to report that this blog is going to be pretty pointless and photo-less. Yesterday we spent 9 hours on the highway on a Megabus travelling from Atlanta, Georgia to Orlando, Florida. 

Highlights of the day include: 

Skyping mum and Chester

Eating lots of junk

Not a lot else

We arrived in Orlando at 9pm and got a taxi to the hotel. We unpacked everything  (finally!!) and got a salad each from the 24 hour shop. That's right, salad. Tomorrow is Universal Studios so I'm sure there'll be more to report. Lots of love. Xxxxx