We are back from our Florida adventure safe and sound. We had an absolutely amazing time and I/we didn't want to come home. It was only the thought of picking up Harvey from kennels and seeing family and friends that made the return home bearable!
We had an bumpy flight home which included sitting on the plane on the runway for an hour during an intense thunderstorm which turned out to be two storm fronts colliding over Orlando airport and which culminated in our plane being hit by lightening 10 minutes into the flight. Yes, we were airborne. There had been two previous lightening bolts that didn't touch us but the third one definitely hit us with a thud. It was a scary few minutes where we all looked at each other and held hands and smiled nervously but the plane carried on regardless thankfully. The captain later informed us that we had been struck by a 'small' lightening bolt and that all of the safety checks had subsequently been made and all was well.
Our plane before take off and the lightening strike
We landed an hour later than planned, had a lengthy wait for a couple of our cases and then we bundled into our prearranged transport and were driven home.
The next thing was to pick up the dog and drop of various folk at their various abodes and then home again for shopping, washing machine loading and mail opening. Oh, the joys!
As for our holiday, anyone who is a 'friend' of mine or the family on Facebook will have seen various updates and photos and will have a pretty good idea of our experiences.
I had spent quite a bit of time working out an itinerary so that we were able to experience a lot especially as one of our party had never been to USA before and two others had not been to Florida.
I had booked a few restaurants and scheduled park visits and a few days away from Orlando visiting Miami and Key Largo.
Although I was roundly questioned and often criticized for my forward planning, it was definitely worthwhile and we had quiet days and full on busy days and I think it worked out pretty well.
What did we do? Well, the Disney parks - Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Epcot - Universal and The Islands of Adventure, Kennedy Space Centre, Seaworld, Aquatica, Downtown Disney, Hard Rock Cafe, T-Res eatery....
We saw fireworks, swam in the crystal clear waters at South Beach, Miami, visited an alligator farm and held snakes, had an armadillo and a snake in our back yard and a snake in our pool.....
...went to a Holocaust Memorial museum and met a survivor ....
...and basically ate and drank and swam and went on loads of hair-raising rides. We also got to experience the new Harry Potter rides, or at least two of us did. They were the two that were prepared to queue for 4 hours! Apparently it was worth the wait.
There is always a concern when a big group of people go on holiday together about whether there will be any arguments or discord. There were seven of us, all 'adults', and it was fantastic. Of course there were the odd niggles but we all got on extremely well.
Hubby did most of the driving despite my offers to help out but I did actually drive which was a first for me in a foreign country.
We all got bitten by mosquitoes - some of us more than others - but it wasn't really a problem as we had creams and lotions at the ready.
The weather was typically stormy for this time of year over there but it only stopped us doing one thing which was a real bonus. Unfortunately, that was the day that we went to the water park. That was our only disappointing experience of the whole two weeks. Two weeks of fun, laughter and pleasure. Two weeks of memories that will live with us all for a very long time.
Once again, thank you to all of my holiday buddies. You know who you are. You helped to make it a very, very special holiday on every level. Start saving and we'll do it again!!!
Lots of love to all
xxx
I will add armadillo pics when I can find them!
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