Monday 19th August

Extra early get-up, and we’re on the road to Tampa just before 8am, in order to visit Busch Gardens. The weather is clear, and the traffic is light.

The park is fairly quiet, and we enjoy many rides with short queuing times. It is really hot, and we find shade and coolness where we can. We all start on the SkyRide, and view the park from above, then we don plastic ponchos and have fun on the Congo River Rapids!

After much enjoyment, we end the day with amazingly tasty ice-cream.

Sunday 18th August

Aquatica again! A great Sunday morning, lying in the shade, going round and round on the lazy river, and today, The Dolphin Plunge! I kept my eyes open all the way down, but still didn’t see the Comerson dolphins through the tubes!

Saturday 17th August

First thing in the morning we drive up to Orlando Fairgrounds, to visit The Gun Show! A very different but interesting few hours. Upon entry we were each asked whether we were carrying any concealed weapons! Ha! I have never seen so many men, women, grannies, even those in mobility scooters, carrying a wide variety of weapons ~ pistols, rifles, shotguns and knives ~ wow!

A storm rolls in late afternoon, and after it passes we go out to dinner.

Friday 16th August

Universal Studios ~ Islands of Adventure.

Spiderman, Bilge Rat Barges, Ripsaw Falls, the Hulk, Dr Doom’s Fear Fall. Too hot to queue for Harry Potter for two hours! Maybe we’ll do it another day!

Thursday 15th August

Aquatica again!

What a perfect place to relax and chill first thing in the morning.

Love it!

Wednesday 14th August

Our 31st anniversary!

We begin our day at SeaWorld. Antartica is the first stop ~ a great, new attraction, with freezing temperatures, real snow and penguins! Numerous rides later, we have had our fill, and are ready to wilt in the afternoon heat.

Our next stop is the Mall of Millennia. Our son has chosen the venue for our anniversary dinner: The Cheesecake Factory! It is outstanding, and we have a superb meal there.

Thunder and lightning crash overhead as we walk through the car park looking for our vehicle. By the time we arrive back at our villa, the storm has passed, and the skies are clear.

Tuesday 13th August

An extra early get-up, morning coffee on the way, and we’re parking in Universal Studios before 9am. The new ride, Transformers 3D was first on our list, and at 9:15am, only fifteen minutes waiting time ~ awesome! Later in the afternoon, the wait had increased to one hundred and twenty minutes!

We also have fun on the Simpson’s ride, Men in Black, and Revenge of the Mummy. Rip Ride Rocket is not for me ~ I don’t do ‘upside down’ ~ but husband and son are flung around and spun in tight turns, and exit the ride with big grins!

Monday 12th August

Up at 7am, out of the villa by 8am, a quick coffee from the 7eleven, and we’re ready for another day in Aquatica!

We find a shaded spot and relax for about an hour, before we hit the rides for a second day running ~ the lifeguard at the top of the Walhalla Wave remembered us from yesterday!

A bit of shopping and dinner, then back to the villa. We’ve been out for twelve hours; we’ll all sleep soundly tonight.

Sunday 11th August

Today we awake early, pack all our swim gear, sunscreen and sunhats, and head off to Aquatica. We find a group of sunbeds beneath a huge umbrella, and spread out our towels. This is the first summer holiday where I do not sunbathe, but actively seek the shade. I am covered in high factor sunscreen and wear a big floppy hat. We have a great time in Loggerhead Lane, splashing about on big rings, with the current taking us through the park, going under waterfalls and watching the comerson dolphins. Next, we queue up for the Walhalla Wave, a family water flume, tunnel, white water rapids ride. Awesome! We also play in the wave pool, and have fun in the rather vigorous lazy river.By mid afternoon it has become very hot and extremely crowded. Time to shower and make our way back to the car. We notice upon leaving that the park is not allowing any new people in; it has reached capacity!

We have had a great first day in Orlando!

Saturday 10th August

Early breakfast this morning, as we say goodbye to our island home . . . . staying in the Keys has been magical, and so relaxing. The weather has been glorious, and most importantly my left foot has been rested and no longer swollen.

We begin our journey north, and after about an hour and a half, we make a quick stop at Miami; a stretch, morning coffee and some window shopping.

We finally arrive in Orlando mid-afternoon, shop for groceries, have a bite to eat, and eventually check-in to our villa.

Night night x