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

Friday 9th August

We set off for Key Largo early in the morning, and spend time exploring, shopping and having ice cream!

Most of the afternoon is spent relaxing, lying in the shade, listening to the sea breeze rustle through the palm fronds, and occasionally hear the piped music wafting over from the swimming pool ~ Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and Katrina and the Waves Walking on Sunshine made me smile.

I was also fascinated by the visits I had from bright green iguanas, a friendly squirrel and a group of four white ibis. All of these creatures passed in front of me, whilst I was lying on my sunchair! I glimpsed pelicans and frigate birds too, soaring into the blue skies.

Half an hour before sunset we walked out to the beach to watch the setting sun, and marvel at the colours in the sky: it was beautiful this evening. A superb end to our stay in the Florida Keys ~ here’s to another visit in the not too distant future!

Thursday 8th August

Brother and his wife arrive early morning for tea and Danish pastries, before driving off to Fort Lauderdale, via Miami, for their flight back to Chicago. It has been great to spend time with them, these past four days.

After they leave we return to the mundane and sort out the laundry! In between using the washer and the drier, we have a leisurely swim in the pool.

Some shopping, frappuccino, and dinner on the porch, ending with a quick rumble of a thunderstorm, sees us relaxing into island life.

Wednesday 7th August

After an early breakfast, my brother and his wife arrive just before 9am, and we begin an 83 mile journey to Key West. The scenery is spectacular as we drive along, almost grazing the Atlantic on the left-hand side of the car and on the right, the gulf of Mexico. The Seven Mile Bridge seems to stretch forever in front of us, as on either side of us the water sparkles and glistens, cut through by the wakes of many pleasure, fishing and dive boats. What a great day to be on the ocean!

Having reached Key West, we find a parking lot with shade, and then make our way to Starbucks for morning coffee, midway along Duval Street. An hour later we meet up for lunch at the Conch Republic, overlooking the marina, with a great open-air feel. The afternoon is spent wandering around Mallory Square and sipping ice-cold drinks on Sunset Pier, watching the jet skis, yachts and ferries splash past us. A very hot day, but we walked slowly, conserving energy and finding shady spots.

On the return journey we stop off at Leigh Ann’s Coffee Shop in Key Colony Beach for tasty ice cream, key lime pie and Danish pastries. Yum!

That evening, we cross the Overseas Highway, to have dinner at the Lorelei, an amazing beach bar, having the most spectacular sunsets. A magnificent end to a long day.

Tuesday 6th August

A lazy day spent at the resort, walking along the beach, swimming in the pool and chilling on the covered porch with the cool breeze keeping us relaxed and laid back.

Monday 5th August

Happy birthday Mum!!

The first thing I do is ring my mum to wish her a very happy birthday. It’s cold, grey and rainy at home so different to what we have woken up to today ~ the sun is shining, the sky is blue, and it’s wonderfully warm.

My brother arrives late morning for a cup of tea, and then we head to Robbies for lunch. The pelicans are hoping for scraps, as the tourists feed the enormous tarpon.

Having finished our tasty tuna tacos, we head South to Bahia Honda State Park. Beach chairs, mat, and parasol, and we’ve staked out our place on the beach. The sea is delightfully warm, and so relaxing to just float about in.

We have dinner in our covered lanai, and watch the colours of the sky change.

Sunday 4th August

Wake up at 7am only to be confronted by many little black flying  ants crawling all over the walls! A quick call to the front desk has us allocated to a new room. I have never re-packed all of our belongings in so short a time. Our new room is nearer the beach, has a better view, and we will not be woken up by a screeching cockerel at 5am, ha ha!

We spend the morning in the shade of a palm tree, lounging on sunbeds, overlooking the ocean. So peaceful, calm and relaxing.

Lunchtime finds us meeting up with my brother and his wife, who have flown in from Chicago. And in the evening we have an awesome sunset dinner at a wonderful beach bar, overlooking the Gulf. The colours in the sky are breathtaking.

Saturday 3rd August

We leave Cocoa Beach at about 9:30am and head South to Melbourne, then West onto I 95.

The sky has amazingly dark clouds as we head towards Tropical Storm Dorian. We have a couple of stops for shopping, eats and bathroom breaks, and we turn onto the Florida Turnpike just North of Miami. And yet again, as we drive by Miami we are hit by a torrential downpour and have very little visibility! As we reach the Southern end of Florida the rain dries up and the sky brightens. Welcome to the Florida Keys and our home for the next seven days.