Thu - 20 Mar/14

FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

We will celebrate by going with the guys to Aquatica (Sea World) in Orlando, FL.

Temps will reach the low 80's F today with plenty of sunshine once the fog burns off.

Terrible time with the Aquatica website last night. They indicated they were having problems. Considering the size of the organization the website is totally awful. Didn't get the ticket confirmation until this morning. The original online receipt would only print a blank page.

Got ready to leave about 8:30 a.m.The park doesn't open until 10 a.m. today which is good. At least we will be travelling after the bulk of the rush hour. There are lanes closed this morning (as usual) on I-4 due to accidents. This is a daily occurrence.


Travelling was fine on the way in. We were in the park in minutes.

Our first stop was to watch the Commerson's dolphins. They sre very active, often seen swimming rapidly on the surface and leaping from the water. It also spins and twists as it swims and may surf on breaking waves when very close to the shore. It is also known to swim upside-down, which is thought to improve the visibility of its prey. About two dozen Commerson's dolphins live in aquariums in the world. Three of them were here at Aquatica.

I timed each of them. All three went to the surface for air every ten seconds - every time. They spent more time upside-down than right side up.

Liz took a picture to prove Charlotte and I really do travel together (grin). We all went to get a locker ($7 small - $10 large) and then changed into our bathing suits. We also purchased a "Discovery Dollars" wrist band. You actually put an amount of cash (or credit card limit) on the band. To buy something in the park they scan the band and deduct the cost from the total. Saves carrying cash. We liked it.

We also got a wristband for the Banana Beach Buffet. For one reasonable price we enjoyed unlimited visits all day to the all-you-care-to-eat buffet! Plus, all of the assorted Coca-Cola products we cared to drink during your visit! A great deal for less than $20 each (adult).

We visited Banana Beach Buffet 4 times during the day for food or drinks. The buffet has a good selection of comfort food that "kids" (of all ages) love.

We went on our own way - Liz, Nick and Marty are way more adventuresome than we are. Although we met a number of times throughout the day it was mostly for meals.

We did go on the "Roa's Rapids" (current floats you down the "river" quite quickly) together. We liked "Roa's Rapids"so much we did it a number of times throughout the day.

We also saw the "Turtles"

and the "Macaws" together as well.

We both did the "Wave Pool"; but, at different times.

They did the slides - us - are you kidding?

We met at the end of the day at the pre-arranged spot. This was a really FUN day. We really like this park and I am sure we will be returning next year.

Two minutes to the car and we were on our way back to the RV. We were back in about an hour.

Liz did laundry for the trip home. We all had a different snack for supper.

Needless to say - none of us will need to be rocked to sleep tonight.