Day 12 (11 Aug 12) – Big Cats and Fishy Tales
Trip Intro/Index here.
The trip plan out of the window again!!!! Having checked the Weather Channel last night, it looked as if today would be the better day to visit Big Cat Rescue, so Tampa it was today. A later start, not setting off until 10:30 to the Big Cat Rescue – took around 75 minutes to reach, and we visited the McDs for a quick lunch before doubling back to the quite well hidden entrance to BCR.
We signed our waiver, then presented our Groupon vouchers for the tour. After around 15 mins browsing in the shop, we were taken outside by Freddy. With the other members of our group. We spent a very entertaining and informative 90 minutes going around the site. Unfortunately, the weather forecast hadn’t been too accurate with rain just starting as our tour started, and rumbles of thunder getting louder throughout the tour. Would thoroughly recommend this for a visit, and even more of a bargain with the half price Groupon offer.
After the tour, we browsed the shop again and Alex sponsored one of the tigers. We then retraced our steps as far as Tampa Airport, where we joined the 60 over the Courtney Campbell Causeway to Clearwater Beach.
We managed to secure a parking place at the Marina car park, where we booked a 5pm sailing on the Little Toot boat (used a coupon giving 10% discount). We had an hour to kill before our departure, so we had a wander down Mandalay Road, stopping for an ice cream, and viewing the dolphin sculptures at Pier 60 park.
We returned for our sailing at 5:00, and we were soon away into Clearwater Bay, where our hostess pointed out the buildings of interest. Under the bridge linking Clearwater Beach with Sand Key, and we were out in the open water. The captain told us that the Pirate ship had spotted some dolphins, so we made our way out to join them. Our boat then went on a high-speed run, and we were fortunate that four dolphins joined us in the boat’s wake.
The two boats spent around 30 minutes with the dolphins playing around with them – a great sight. Alex managed to get some video from which she downloaded a number of stills to prove we had indeed seen the dolphins.
We returned to the Marina via another tour of the opposite side of the bay, and were back on dry land at 6:30.
We were hoping to try Frenchy’s restaurant for some dinner, but after walking several blocks we were all feeling tired, hot and hungry, and came across the Clear Sky Beachside Café which looked quite busy (always a good sign we reckon), so we managed to get the last table inside.
It turned out to be a good choice. Alex had lobster ravioli, Joanne had the Cajun mixed fish grill, and I had the southwest chicken pizza, all washed down with plenty of refills of soft drinks. The bill came to $60 – unfortunately, the DDP wasn’t accepted here!!!
Dinner finished, we then strolled back to the pier which was now full of stalls and entertainment. We paid our 50 cents each to walk to the end of the pier to view the sunset, as were quite a few other people. We managed to see the last of the sun before making our way back to the car, and setting off back for OKW.
As we were driving over the Causeway, we watched a spectacular electrical storm over the horizon – little were we to know that we would make our acquaintance with this storm on the I4 which slowed us to 20mph for around 15 mins – we could barely see in front of us Fortunately, we managed to get ahead of the storm, and finally arrived back at OKW just after 10pm.
Trip Intro/Index here.
The trip plan out of the window again!!!! Having checked the Weather Channel last night, it looked as if today would be the better day to visit Big Cat Rescue, so Tampa it was today. A later start, not setting off until 10:30 to the Big Cat Rescue – took around 75 minutes to reach, and we visited the McDs for a quick lunch before doubling back to the quite well hidden entrance to BCR.
We signed our waiver, then presented our Groupon vouchers for the tour. After around 15 mins browsing in the shop, we were taken outside by Freddy. With the other members of our group. We spent a very entertaining and informative 90 minutes going around the site. Unfortunately, the weather forecast hadn’t been too accurate with rain just starting as our tour started, and rumbles of thunder getting louder throughout the tour. Would thoroughly recommend this for a visit, and even more of a bargain with the half price Groupon offer.
After the tour, we browsed the shop again and Alex sponsored one of the tigers. We then retraced our steps as far as Tampa Airport, where we joined the 60 over the Courtney Campbell Causeway to Clearwater Beach.
We managed to secure a parking place at the Marina car park, where we booked a 5pm sailing on the Little Toot boat (used a coupon giving 10% discount). We had an hour to kill before our departure, so we had a wander down Mandalay Road, stopping for an ice cream, and viewing the dolphin sculptures at Pier 60 park.
We returned for our sailing at 5:00, and we were soon away into Clearwater Bay, where our hostess pointed out the buildings of interest. Under the bridge linking Clearwater Beach with Sand Key, and we were out in the open water. The captain told us that the Pirate ship had spotted some dolphins, so we made our way out to join them. Our boat then went on a high-speed run, and we were fortunate that four dolphins joined us in the boat’s wake.
The two boats spent around 30 minutes with the dolphins playing around with them – a great sight. Alex managed to get some video from which she downloaded a number of stills to prove we had indeed seen the dolphins.
We returned to the Marina via another tour of the opposite side of the bay, and were back on dry land at 6:30.
We were hoping to try Frenchy’s restaurant for some dinner, but after walking several blocks we were all feeling tired, hot and hungry, and came across the Clear Sky Beachside Café which looked quite busy (always a good sign we reckon), so we managed to get the last table inside.
It turned out to be a good choice. Alex had lobster ravioli, Joanne had the Cajun mixed fish grill, and I had the southwest chicken pizza, all washed down with plenty of refills of soft drinks. The bill came to $60 – unfortunately, the DDP wasn’t accepted here!!!
Dinner finished, we then strolled back to the pier which was now full of stalls and entertainment. We paid our 50 cents each to walk to the end of the pier to view the sunset, as were quite a few other people. We managed to see the last of the sun before making our way back to the car, and setting off back for OKW.
As we were driving over the Causeway, we watched a spectacular electrical storm over the horizon – little were we to know that we would make our acquaintance with this storm on the I4 which slowed us to 20mph for around 15 mins – we could barely see in front of us Fortunately, we managed to get ahead of the storm, and finally arrived back at OKW just after 10pm.
