Claire L
<font color=blue>Enjoys a good broadway show<br><f
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2002
- Messages
- 10,782
Sunday October 10th 2004 (Day 5) The second surprise 
The cast -
Me 30 years old and Disney/USA nut
DH 28 years old and also now a Disney/USA nut!!
DMIL just turned 60 and first holiday outside the UK except DLRP
Just to fill you in the first surprise was actually going to Florida!! DH wanted to take his Mum away for her 60th birthday to New York, but as she had major heart surgery just after her 60th this went out the window quite a few months before! So knowing DMIL's love of dolphins and that all 3 of her sons frequently visit Florida it was the perfect choice so in May 2004 once the all clear was given after surgery the holiday was booked for October 2004. It was 10 nights at AKL and then I added an extra 2 at RPR in August
In all those months DMIL never once guessed where we were going, I think DH's red herrings made sure of that. It was only once we got to the departure gate and boarding was announced that DMIL found out we were off to Florida...
Today was the other surprise of the holiday swimming with dolphins. DMIL has always liked dolphins so we thought where better to go than Discovery Cove! So DC was booked a few months ago and we got DMIL to buy a swimsuit saying where we were going on holiday had swimming pools. Even though DMIL claimed not to be able to swim she still bought two swim suits a while ago
We got up quite early and were out by just gone 8.00am. We arrived at DC around 8.45am and found somewhere to park, it already looked quite busy, oh no I thought hope we havent got here too late and the swim time is mid afternoon.
Anyway after the bag checks we went into the greeting hall and after 10 minutes or so went up to the counter to book in. DH kept DMIL engaged in some sort of chat while I did the business of handing over the credit card. Anyway all booked in and with photo passes we headed off and got our group photo taken before heading off to get ready for the day. We went straight to the fitting area for vests/suits. DH and I had vests and DMIL had a suit as we thought it would keep her warmer and aid in floatation along with a life vest!
Once sorted we found a nice spot for our loungers and settled in. It was now about 9.30 and we had an hour before we had to head off to the Starfish cabana so DH and I got the mask and snorkel out and went around the lazy river before going into the coral reef for a while. About 10.35 we made our way to Starfish cabana. DMIL still had no idea what we were doing until she saw the large lagoon with the dolphins and DH explained we would be swimming with them Now DMIL has always said she doesnt like swimming out of her depth but we assured her it would be ok and only for a short period of time! After the briefing we went down to the lagoon and were with a family of 5 from the UK. Boy did the water feel cold to start with, even though the sky was slightly cloudy it was still a warm day. After the usual start with meeting the dolphins, we had Copper and Hutch, the individual swims came up. The three of us went first and DMIL was assured by one of our trainers that she would be fine and he would be there to help her if needed. Now DMIL didnt need any more encouragement with the young male trainer being out there and made her way out into deeper water. It was then DMILs turn to be towed ashore by Hutch which she really enjoyed by looks of things 
Soon after all 3 of us were back in shallow water and were again touching and interacting with the dolphin. In all this interaction was about 30 minutes but it seemed to fly by!
DMIL again stated this was something she never dreamed she would do and had thoroughly enjoyed it even if she did have to swim in deep water, but the life vest really did help! We all then went back to the cabana to order the obligatory picture before deciding to head for lunch as it was now approaching 12.30. DH and I had the roast beef sandwiches and DMIL had a burger. After lunch it was time to relax and I decided to wander off to the aviary for a while to see the birds and also get some photos DC.
By mid afternoon we were thirsty/hungry and ice creams were duly purchased yum. We left a little after 4pm and on our way back to AKL stopped at Publix and got some fresh bread and water. Tonight we stayed in and had sandwiches of turkey and cheese, separately of course. As it was still early DH set up the portable DVD player he gave me last Christmas, and we watched Finding Nemo on the hotel tv before going to sleep!!!
Claire
The cast -
Me 30 years old and Disney/USA nut
DH 28 years old and also now a Disney/USA nut!!
DMIL just turned 60 and first holiday outside the UK except DLRP
Just to fill you in the first surprise was actually going to Florida!! DH wanted to take his Mum away for her 60th birthday to New York, but as she had major heart surgery just after her 60th this went out the window quite a few months before! So knowing DMIL's love of dolphins and that all 3 of her sons frequently visit Florida it was the perfect choice so in May 2004 once the all clear was given after surgery the holiday was booked for October 2004. It was 10 nights at AKL and then I added an extra 2 at RPR in August
In all those months DMIL never once guessed where we were going, I think DH's red herrings made sure of that. It was only once we got to the departure gate and boarding was announced that DMIL found out we were off to Florida...Today was the other surprise of the holiday swimming with dolphins. DMIL has always liked dolphins so we thought where better to go than Discovery Cove! So DC was booked a few months ago and we got DMIL to buy a swimsuit saying where we were going on holiday had swimming pools. Even though DMIL claimed not to be able to swim she still bought two swim suits a while ago
We got up quite early and were out by just gone 8.00am. We arrived at DC around 8.45am and found somewhere to park, it already looked quite busy, oh no I thought hope we havent got here too late and the swim time is mid afternoon.
Anyway after the bag checks we went into the greeting hall and after 10 minutes or so went up to the counter to book in. DH kept DMIL engaged in some sort of chat while I did the business of handing over the credit card. Anyway all booked in and with photo passes we headed off and got our group photo taken before heading off to get ready for the day. We went straight to the fitting area for vests/suits. DH and I had vests and DMIL had a suit as we thought it would keep her warmer and aid in floatation along with a life vest!
Once sorted we found a nice spot for our loungers and settled in. It was now about 9.30 and we had an hour before we had to head off to the Starfish cabana so DH and I got the mask and snorkel out and went around the lazy river before going into the coral reef for a while. About 10.35 we made our way to Starfish cabana. DMIL still had no idea what we were doing until she saw the large lagoon with the dolphins and DH explained we would be swimming with them
Now DMIL has always said she doesnt like swimming out of her depth but we assured her it would be ok and only for a short period of time! After the briefing we went down to the lagoon and were with a family of 5 from the UK. Boy did the water feel cold to start with, even though the sky was slightly cloudy it was still a warm day. After the usual start with meeting the dolphins, we had Copper and Hutch, the individual swims came up. The three of us went first and DMIL was assured by one of our trainers that she would be fine and he would be there to help her if needed. Now DMIL didnt need any more encouragement with the young male trainer being out there and made her way out into deeper water. It was then DMILs turn to be towed ashore by Hutch which she really enjoyed by looks of things Soon after all 3 of us were back in shallow water and were again touching and interacting with the dolphin. In all this interaction was about 30 minutes but it seemed to fly by!
DMIL again stated this was something she never dreamed she would do and had thoroughly enjoyed it even if she did have to swim in deep water, but the life vest really did help! We all then went back to the cabana to order the obligatory picture before deciding to head for lunch as it was now approaching 12.30. DH and I had the roast beef sandwiches and DMIL had a burger. After lunch it was time to relax and I decided to wander off to the aviary for a while to see the birds and also get some photos DC.
By mid afternoon we were thirsty/hungry and ice creams were duly purchased
yum. We left a little after 4pm and on our way back to AKL stopped at Publix and got some fresh bread and water. Tonight we stayed in and had sandwiches of turkey and cheese, separately of course. As it was still early DH set up the portable DVD player he gave me last Christmas, and we watched Finding Nemo on the hotel tv before going to sleep!!! Claire
Sounds like you had a great day
I did read something that said the team needs to learn to jel quickly as they havent got much time and they need to start winning very very soon or it will be too late. 
