Canadian Buffoon's Back to Front Vacation - Update! 05/18 - Falling Down

[Captain_Oblivious]

Already I considered my day a win.
I hadn't been robbed at gun point
during the night.

Heck... not even at knife point.

Modest goals. Key to a happy life.

I moved the sign to wipe up the counter
and a cockroach ran out from under it.

I must have upset him, since he went and joined
the rest of his family, cavorting under the sink.

I decided that the reason I hadn't noticed
was either I was too tired earlier;
or, since it was actually a spider about
the size of a half dollar, that it had arrived
from elsewhere only recently
(probably from under the bed... or on it)
and was on its way to visit the roach family.

I grabbed my weapon of choice when dealing
with unruly arachnids... a Kleenex.

Or that. I would prefer the flamethrower, myself.

A third time and I was...
pretty sure I had him.
I wadded up the Kleenex
and tossed it in the toilet.

I may have flushed twice.

Good idea. Make sure he grows 500 times as large from the radioactive waste down in the sewers and then attacks the next guest.

I snagged a few pieces and...
I have never seen such thin bacon.
Imagine a wet, translucent piece of
wax paper.
That's what it looked like.
I ate three or four slices,
which was:
A. All that was left in the pan. And;
B. About the equivalent of one
normal thin slice of bacon.

I can't wait to read your TripAdvisor review of this hotel.

After careful consideration, taking into account
the general disrepair and cleanliness
of the establishment, I decided that the likelihood
of an alarm being actually functional, was unlikely.

Wise man.

I placed the first load in the car's trunk
and returned to the door.
not surprisingly, no alarm was sounding.
And if it was only sounding at the front desk,
I truly felt that the crackerjack staff would
leap into action only after having weighed
the various pros and cons of getting up off
their collective duffs.

The day got much better after that.

It could only get better from there.

There were several aquariums...
aquaria? No... aquaria.
But aquariums also works.

Fish tanks.

There were several fish tanks.

There you go.

Nice shot there.

How would you like to have an aquarium
that size in your house?
It was pretty interesting as it had a wave machine
to simulate surf conditions.

I really liked that effect. Pretty cool.

When you've seen (literally)
thousands of them at a time...
on a daily basis...
One or two don't hold the same appeal.

Well, la-dee-da.

Do you find this a bit dizzying?

Actually...yes.

Oooohhh... I wonder if anyone
is able to find Deepo!
(Maybe his friend Nory can!)

I stopped dead in my tracks as I first
caught a glimpse of the reason I was here:
A twenty-foot-long whale shark.

Amazing to see those things glide right over you.

Awe. Awe is a good word.

Yes. Yes, it is.

I sat down and just... stared... awestruck...
for several minutes.

Easy to do that in there. We did it twice!

Really, really BIG puppies.

I would hate to see the food bill.

How would you feel, feeding a shark
that's twice as long as your boat, hmmm?

As long as it's not feeding on me! I'd want to stay on its good side.

I checked the FAQ page and read:
"we strongly recommend that rebreather participants are
proficient divers who are interested in the technology of
closed-circuit rebreathers and are confident using unfamiliar equipment."

Well... I don't dive very much...
And I'm not too sure about normal gear,
let alone unfamiliar gear...

Sure! Why not?

What could possibly go wrong?

"This program is sold out for this date."

Son of a...

I really had snagged the last ticket.

Wow! I admire your persistence!

Unlike the more well-known
SCUBA apparatus, this rig
does not have one central tank
containing compressed air.
Instead, it has one small tank
containing oxygen and a second
tank containing air, or nitrogen and oxygen.
The middle cannister is used to scrub CO2
from your exhalations.

Yes, but which one has the liquid hydrogen for the jet pack?

(Some people can go longer,
some less. Apparently, one guy
used four tanks in that time span.)

Not a swimmer, that one.

Blah blah blah...I'm sure I'll figure it out on the way.

For some reason, I have the theme from The A-Team playing in my head.

And we had to keep breathing
through an empty counterlung recharge,
which is similar to inhaling and briefly
covering your nose and mouth for
a split second, mid-breath.
Not a big deal if you know it's going to
happen, but disconcerting if you don't.

I imagine that would take some getting used to.

2. Notice the long stick she's carrying?
We were told that the Giant Groupers
could be aggressive. I presume the stick
was to fend them off.

Sure it's not for the male divers?

I burst out laughing.
I glanced over at our guide and she
pointed to me, then the fish, and then
made a heart symbol with her hands.
I nodded happily in agreement.

Awww...did she hand you the stick?

Having these massive rays
glide over you was amazing.

I can only imagine what that felt like.

These photos might make it look like there weren't
too many fish in the tank, but rest assured,
there were plenty!

I've seen it. I believe you!

In the above photo, I'm doing one
of the things I love most about these
tank dives... interacting with guests.
Not too many opportunities left in this
world where you can make kids smile
and laugh.

Love that.

It was exorbitantly expensive,
but I'd do it again in a hot second.

I'm glad it was worth it! What an experience!

I felt like running up to strangers
and telling them:
"I was swimming with the Whale Sharks!!"

You could hardly be blamed for doing so.

Did you see it in this chapter?

Sneaky. Again, I am impressed with the company's marketing budget.

 

[pkondz]

Modest goals. Key to a happy life.

I find not dying a good key.

Correct.

Honest to God...
I actually thought of that.
But this sucker was so fast,
I just assumed I would've set
the room ablaze...
with me in it!

And yet...

Or that. I would prefer the flamethrower, myself.

...it would certainly be more fun!
(Not the burning alive part,
the using it part.)

Good idea. Make sure he grows 500 times as large from the radioactive waste down in the sewers and then attacks the next guest.

At that point it's not my problem.

I can't wait to read your TripAdvisor review of this hotel.

I have done those.
And did consider it for this one.
I've grown lazy in my advancing years.

Wise man.

Perhaps one of the few advantages
of advancing years?

It could only get better from there.

How could it not???

Fish tanks.

Oh! Good idea!

There you go.

Thanks!

Nice shot there.

Thanks!
Know where I got the inspiration from?

Look familiar?

I really liked that effect. Pretty cool.

Well, la-dee-da.

Actually...yes.

I posted the picture and...
"Whoa!... what the??"

Amazing to see those things glide right over you.

Try it in the thank.

Easy to do that in there. We did it twice!

Not at all surprised.
It's really incredible, isn't it?

I would hate to see the food bill.

I dunno.
What's the going rate for plankton?

As long as it's not feeding on me! I'd want to stay on its good side.

You'd be safe.
Apparently a whale shark's throat,
is only the size of a quarter.

So... you'd just get stuck in its mouth.

What could possibly go wrong?

See? No worries!

Son of a...

Pretty much.
I was a very unhappy camper.

Wow! I admire your persistence!

I really wanted to do this,
and was really upset that it was
looking like I couldn't.

Might try again this fall,
if all the stars align

Yes, but which one has the liquid hydrogen for the jet pack?

You can't see it in that picture.
It's under the canister.
They turn it off for your first dive.
That's to encourage you to return.

Not a swimmer, that one.

That's called "a drowner".

Blah blah blah...I'm sure I'll figure it out on the way.

Pretty much.
It was more to show us
what the unit does, than what we
would have to do.

For some reason, I have the theme from The A-Team playing in my head.

I pity the fool who can't breathe underwater!

I imagine that would take some getting used to.

A bit, but when you know about it,
it's not a big deal.

I suspect that the older gentleman
wasn't getting used to it.
He'd wave over the guide
(this happened several times)
and she'd calm him down,
make him switch to open circuit
(which is like normal SCUBA.)
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Again. In... Out...
Then switch back to closed circuit.

I was pretty impressed with her, actually.

Sure it's not for the male divers?

Hey! She only hit me that one time!

Okay twice.


Three times. But the third time
was an accident.


I think.

Awww...did she hand you the stick?

Pointy end first.

And she didn't let go.

I can only imagine what that felt like.

It was... I talk about it a lot
when people ask me about that trip.

And even when they don't.

I've seen it. I believe you!

Love that.

I'm glad it was worth it! What an experience!

Mark, I'm telling you.
It really was.
It really was.

You could hardly be blamed for doing so.

One of the ironies of the situation.
Because I am solo, I can take the
few hours to do this and not have to
worry what my travel partner is doing.
i.e. Are they bored? Wanting to leave?

And yet... when you get out of the water...
There's no one to share it with.

Sneaky. Again, I am impressed with the company's marketing budget.

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

And... how are you feeling?

I'm doing okay. It comes and goes. Some days I eat like a teenager, some days I projectile vomit across the living room. It's its own version of Russian Roulette.

I brought in the screwdriver
and the socket set and left
that in the car.

Most of the reason we take the truck when we travel is that's where all the tools are.

I called Joe but he didn't answer!

He's bad about that.

I did close the lid...
And put a shoe on it.

I wasn't sure if it had had a lid or not. And if it did, if it was functional.

I did consider that, actually.
But either the time conflicted
with the dive or I didn't have
enough time afterwards.

I think the former.

I can see where getting to dive probably would be way cooler.

 

[pkondz]

I'm doing okay. It comes and goes. Some days I eat like a teenager, some days I projectile vomit across the living room. It's its own version of Russian Roulette.

Coooool! Let's see some video!
Maybe make a game of it.
Have Joe standing by with a tape measure
(and a bucket... and mop)
and go for distance!

Most of the reason we take the truck when we travel is that's where all the tools are.

Planning ahead. Smart.

He's bad about that.

I would've thought the screaming
like a little girl would've clued him in.
You're not that far from Atlanta.

I wasn't sure if it had had a lid or not. And if it did, if it was functional.

One of the few functioning things.
Thank God.

I can see where getting to dive probably would be way cooler.

I really did consider it.
There was also a penguin encounter.

But... time and... Well...
The dive cost $470USD,
so I was already feeling abused
financially.

 

[franandaj]

No. Burned my hand pretty good.
Only 2nd degree though,
so should be fine.

Oh no! I haven't had a chance to read past this page, but I'm sorry to hear that happened.

I had a frying pan in a 450 degree oven.
I took it out and removed the chicken.
I was doing a bunch of other stuff
(chicken, cedar plank salmon, roast
cauliflower, carrots and potatoes)
and grabbed the pan handle with my
bare hand to rinse off the pan.
I pretty much never put frying pans
in the oven, but this one had a metal
handle so I could.

I actually use a pan in the oven sort of often. I have all pans with metal handles and specific ones that aren't non-stick to use in the oven. When the pan comes out of the oven I always leave the potholder (I never use the mitts, just the square ones) on the handle of the pan to indicate that it is still hot. I have grabbed the handle of the pan a time or two, but I never held on to it long enough to actually do damage. I completely understand and am very sorry for your pain. I hope that you are recovered by now.

 

[buzzrelly]

Churchill, MB.
I lived there for four years.
It's mostly known for Polar Bears,
but in the summer, thousands of
Beluga whales migrate to the
river mouth.
I would direct pilots of itinerant
aircraft to fly up the river before landing.
It looked like rice in the river
(from altitude, obviously.)

I googled Churchill, MB and WOW! Absolutely gorgeous. I would get a kick out of seeing the Polar Bears there too

They usually do, although
I noticed they were a bit more
reserved than at Disney.
I'm always happy to pose
for photos or play "patty cake"
with them.

Sadly, I'm sure their parents have ingrained in them, "Stranger Danger." I know I did when my kids were small. But I think once you get in the Disney bubble, you tend to relax and I think the kids relax some too. For instance, I was a super protective mom and never let my kids walk any long distances unaccompanied. But when they were 13 and 11, I let them walk to Disney Quest by themselves while my mom and I stayed and shopped in DTD. I also allowed them to stay at the MK without me to play SOTMK and I went and sat by the pool at BLT. I never would have allowed them to do that in a "normal" place, but something about Disney just feels safe. I'm sure the kids really this too and why they seem to be more accepting of speaking to strangers in WDW.

You is smart.
I may not have gone, but...
It needed wrapping and DW insisted.

Actually, I'm thinking you're the smart one in this situation! I probably should have gone

 

[pkondz]

Oh no! I haven't had a chance to read past this page, but I'm sorry to hear that happened.

Thanks, Alison.

I actually use a pan in the oven sort of often. I have all pans with metal handles and specific ones that aren't non-stick to use in the oven. When the pan comes out of the oven I always leave the potholder (I never use the mitts, just the square ones) on the handle of the pan to indicate that it is still hot. I have grabbed the handle of the pan a time or two, but I never held on to it long enough to actually do damage. I completely understand and am very sorry for your pain. I hope that you are recovered by now.

That's a good idea. I was thinking along those lines, actually.
My problem was that I picked it up and was already
moving it from the stove to the sink so had to hang on
another half second to throw it back on the stove top.

I'm much better now.
Still a (very) few things I can't do,
but for the most part it's better.
Just a matter of time, now.

 

[pkondz]

I googled Churchill, MB and WOW! Absolutely gorgeous. I would get a kick out of seeing the Polar Bears there too

The bears are the biggest draw
and the whales are only just
starting to attract attention
on a larger scale.

Churchill is a fascinating place but...
Those winters are long!
(Not to mention cold!)

Sadly, I'm sure their parents have ingrained in them, "Stranger Danger." I know I did when my kids were small. But I think once you get in the Disney bubble, you tend to relax and I think the kids relax some too. For instance, I was a super protective mom and never let my kids walk any long distances unaccompanied. But when they were 13 and 11, I let them walk to Disney Quest by themselves while my mom and I stayed and shopped in DTD. I also allowed them to stay at the MK without me to play SOTMK and I went and sat by the pool at BLT. I never would have allowed them to do that in a "normal" place, but something about Disney just feels safe. I'm sure the kids really this too and why they seem to be more accepting of speaking to strangers in WDW.

It doesn't hurt that there's disguised
security people everywhere you look.

Actually, I'm thinking you're the smart one in this situation! I probably should have gone

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[pkondz]

Ew. Ewww, ewww, ewww. Not a fan of cockroaches. Or large fast spiders.

Not many people are.

Except this kid:

DD25 once moved into an apartment that was infested with cockroaches. She and her roommate had not been told that it was an issue. They had their apartment treated 6 times in 2 months, and after the momma's got involved (and a formal letter from a lawyer) the girls were able to break their lease without penalty, and the apartment paid for movers.

I should hope so!

Even after 2 months of being sealed in garbage bags, there were still live roaches in odd places, like their knife block, and in the sealed back of the microwave.

Wow.
Well... they do say that after
everyone and everything's wiped
out by nuclear war, the only thing
left will be cockroaches.

After helping her "clean" her apartment, and vacuuming up a cockroach into my vacuum cleaner and not seeing it when DH emptied the canister, that vacuum was never allowed back into my house.

This, I can understand.

DD25 still has PTSD flashbacks every time the wind wafts her hair delicately over her neck. No matter how much we tell ourselves we are bigger than them, we still can't get over it!

Sorry to hear that.
And I'm not all that surprised.

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[pkondz]

But onto cheerier matters, glad your hand is healing!

Thanks, Donna!

Thought of you last night when DH did the same thing! (Luckily he was just trying to move it once on the stove top so got away quicker)

Tell him to stop copying me!
(Glad it wasn't bad, though.)

 

[franandaj]

I took the bandages off last night.
Apart from some blistering on a
couple fingers
(and scarring on all of them)
it's actually doing pretty good.

Glad it's getting better....

Already I considered my day a win.
I hadn't been robbed at gun point
during the night.

And you didn't even move your bed in front of the door either!

I moved the sign to wipe up the counter
and a cockroach ran out from under it.

I would have run screaming!

A third time and I was...
pretty sure I had him.
I wadded up the Kleenex
and tossed it in the toilet.

I may have flushed twice.

At this point I would have been back in my car in a fetal position, crying that I had actually spent the night in there!

I thought about it for a moment.
Going around to the front and hauling my
stuff to the back would be a pain in the tucus.
After careful consideration, taking into account
the general disrepair and cleanliness
of the establishment, I decided that the likelihood
of an alarm being actually functional, was unlikely.

I exited the building and propped the door open
with some detritus that was littering the alley.

Nice. Paints quite a picture.

After another trip or two,
I was checked out and on my way
to my day's destination.
(I did not inform them of the
extra guests I'd entertained in
my room.
I assumed they'd charge me extra.)

And then you called the health department?

My attention was immediately captured
by a pair of playful Southern Sea Otters.

At first I thought someone had brought their dog to the aquarium!

This Weedy Sea Dragon, with its gracefulness
caught my attention.

They have those in the Seas Pavillion. I think they're cool!

Oooohhh... I wonder if anyone
is able to find Deepo!
(Maybe his friend Nory can!)

But he's got both normal size fins....

Your exploration starts with a walk through
a hundred-foot-long acrylic tunnel.

I walked through one of those like 20 years ago when it was one of the first in the world. Those are pretty cool.

Since the sharks can't stop moving,
they pull themselves along ropes attached to
either end of the tank.
The sharks follow along like puppies after kibble.

Cute little pups!

How would you feel, feeding a shark
that's twice as long as your boat, hmmm?

I think I'll pass!

Well... I don't dive very much...
And I'm not too sure about normal gear,
let alone unfamiliar gear...

Sure! Why not?

You are definitely braver than me!

I found out later that the rebreather program
is only offered twice a week (Saturday/Sunday)
and is limited to four guests.
I really had snagged the last ticket.

Good for you!

I got in the water and wondered
how I was going to get my flippers on.
This outfit doesn't exactly lend itself
to flexibility.

They had already figured that out.
The guide was in the water and
put my flippers on for me.
"Jeeves, fetch my slippers... flippers."
I could get used to this kind of service!

You crack me up!

One other difference between the
rebreather and "normal" SCUBA,
is the lack of bubbles.
SCUBA has a stream of bubbles with
every exhalation.
With the rebreather system there are none.
As a result, we were told that the fish
would get much closer to us.

The way you explained this makes total sense. I'm guessing this rebreather will eventually replace SCUBA.

After being in the water
for about an hour, it was time
to return to the surface.
I reluctantly did so.
The dive was over.

It was exorbitantly expensive,
but I'd do it again in a hot second.

Sounds like between the Elton John tickets and this event your trip was a pricey one!

In case you didn't see it:

Yes, I did see it, but I didn't have the opportunity to comment before you posted again.

Did you see it in this chapter?

Coming up... Pot roast and pool.

You are becoming quite the Philanthropist, aren't you?

 

[docsoliday1]

First time in a while I've been at a real computer, but it's been a long day and I still need to get dinner so I'll just say this.
Given the area that Country Inn & Suites is in, I'm not at all surprised you had issues.

Next time you go to Atlanta, give me a shout. Obviously, you won't be staying there again, but I can let you know where are good locations close to the acquarium.

 

[Steppesister]

I woke up that morning, and...
Already I considered my day a win.
I hadn't been robbed at gun point
during the night.

Heck... not even at knife point.

Heh, I consider every day I'm not dead a successful day.

a cockroach ran out from under it.

Gross.

it was actually a spider about
the size of a half dollar

Grosser. By a factor of a billion.

I'm not kidding. he was that fast.

Not nearly as fast as I'd have been on my way out.

I snagged a few pieces and...
I have never seen such thin bacon.
Imagine a wet, translucent piece of
wax paper.

And, we've just hit rock bottom.

Nevertheless, the line moved quickly.

So, they have a leg up on EPCOT.

So pretty!!

Those are hands down the coolest things ever.

(Laying can take 4-6 days.)

Who knew?! Neat factoid.

Gar! What a great variety going on!

Whoa! I'm very impressed.

I sat down and just... stared... awestruck...
for several minutes.

I love when I hear about someone taking the time to just slow down and take in the experience of being completely awestruck by Creation or a situation. That's what life is about.

The sharks follow along like puppies after kibble.

So neat you got to see that!

After the puppies... er, sharks were fed,

But, I have to wonder, how on earth do they get enough food?! You'd think they'd need like bags and bags and BAGS of food.

 

[Steppesister]

The price isn't cheap an is non-refundable,

Those scare me a bit. Lots of cash outlay is risky.

I tried again a few minutes later and...
after a few clicks, I was in!

Finally! What an ordeal!

The woman with our group had several
questions and I could tell she was nervous
about the equipment.

This is an ominous sign!

This is why you can breathe "stale air"
for a period of time before needing to
take a breath of "fresh" air.

Thanks for that explanation of how it all works. I'd heard of this technology, but was clueless about how it all works.

The rig weighs about 50 lbs.
Moving on dry land is not easy.

Yeah, that's a disqualifier for me.

I did not soil myself.
Which kinda surprised me, actually.

I think I'd have reserved that statement for the spider encounter.

Our guide told us that since one of our group
was having issues,

yeah, this doesn't surprise me.

NICE photo!!

As a result, we were told that the fish
would get much closer to us.

I'll say- no understatement!

It warms my heart when a child gets excited
when he/she sees a diver waving at them.

It was exorbitantly expensive,
but I'd do it again in a hot second.

Well, then, I hope you get to! Love those dreams!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I seem to be.

And...

to the TR!

Nice seeing you again!

I’ve been lurking & reading. Just not commenting

 

[Tracy161]

I hadn't been robbed at gun point
during the night.

Heck... not even at knife point.

No, but you had been robbed of your space by other... intruders.

(Laying can take 4-6 days.)

Thank goodness this isn't the case for humans - my mom already uses the "I gave birth to you" line on me far too often, imagine if she could end that sentence "for 4-6 days"!?!?!?

Oooohhh... I wonder if anyone
is able to find Deepo!
(Maybe his friend Nory can!)

I sashayed into
the entrance to Ocean Voyager.

They put four dinghies in the water,
each with one person aboard.

That's a HARD PASS for me!

Well... I don't dive very much...
And I'm not too sure about normal gear,
let alone unfamiliar gear...

YOLO!

I really had snagged the last ticket.

Somewhere on the interwebs someone else typed up that exact same story to share with friends, except he or she had a very different ending The great ticket battle of 2018, pkondz victorious

 

[pkondz]

Glad it's getting better....

Itches and peeling...
But getting better.

And you didn't even move your bed in front of the door either!

I know exactly what you are
referring to!
(@Steppesister )

I would have run screaming!

I'm sorry... did I give the impression
that I didn't????

At this point I would have been back in my car in a fetal position, crying that I had actually spent the night in there!

I couldn't.
My stuff was still
in the room!

Nice. Paints quite a picture.

Gorgeous landscaping.
Asphalt and garbage.

And then you called the health department?

Hmmm...
Now why didn't I think of that?

At first I thought someone had brought their dog to the aquarium!

Would that be so bad?

They have those in the Seas Pavillion. I think they're cool!

They look otherworldly.

But he's got both normal size fins....

Well, of course.
Can't have anyone think
they stole the idea from Disney.

I walked through one of those like 20 years ago when it was one of the first in the world. Those are pretty cool.

Where was that, Alison?

Cute little pups!

"little" might not be quite correct.

I think I'll pass!

You sure?
What's the worst that
could happen?

You are definitely braver than me!

Good for you!

Just squeaked in!

You crack me up!

Good!

The way you explained this makes total sense. I'm guessing this rebreather will eventually replace SCUBA.

Maybe eventually?
Right now it's still too
expensive.

But prices are slowly coming down.

Sounds like between the Elton John tickets and this event your trip was a pricey one!

Nope!
DW bought the Elton John ticket.
I just had to get there.
(Birthday, Christmas, Anniversary gift)

Yes, I did see it, but I didn't have the opportunity to comment before you posted again.

Ah.

You are becoming quite the Philanthropist, aren't you?

Putting my money where my
re-breathing-mouth is.

 

[pkondz]

First time in a while I've been at a real computer, but it's been a long day and I still need to get dinner so I'll just say this.
Given the area that Country Inn & Suites is in, I'm not at all surprised you had issues.

Next time you go to Atlanta, give me a shout. Obviously, you won't be staying there again, but I can let you know where are good locations close to the acquarium.

There's a small chance I might in September.
Not sure yet.
But if I do, I'll run my thoughts by you.