arieljasmine
<font color=magenta>Who says these things pass you
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2004
- Messages
- 6,098
Laurs & Andy do the Universe and the World Day Three
Me Laurs 27
DH Andy 28
Day three 23 September 2006 we cant go any higher than this
I wake up and its still dark, and Im very tired, but remembering we are supposed to be up early for our day at Busch Gardens I start trying to wake myself up. I can hear voices and assume its the early birds off for breakfast. I lean over to look at the clock as I havent heard our phone alarm go off, and realise its 2.45 am. Whats going on?
As I wake up more, I realise Andy is awake too, and that the noise is coming from the next room. The people there are talking loud enough to be called shouting, and every other word is an offensive one. They also spend quite some time trying to break into the mini bar, and then trying to fix the door back on it after they have got inside. Then the stereo goes on its so loud it sounds like its in our own room. After about 45 minutes of this and trying unsuccessfully to go back to sleep, we get up for a cigarette and Andy calls the front desk.
Security arrive within 5-10 minutes and after knocking three times, they get a response. They advise the people in the room next door where they can go if they want to make noise, and ask them to quieten down. This they do for about five minutes.
The stereo is back on, we can hear every word they say, and as this is a family board Im not going to tell you what else they were doing. Suffice to say that it was an activity usually partaken in by two people and there were at least four of them. Finally, they shut up about 5 am.
So, up at 7 am for our trip to Busch, not exactly bright eyed and bushy tailed, definitely more crochety and half asleep. We had a cup of coffee and then Andy went and got us some breakfast from Emack and Bolios froot loops for me, and rice krispies for Andy and some apple juice.
We left about 8.20 am and arrived at Busch (by more luck than judgement) around 10 am. This place is so badly signposted Im surprised we ever got there!
We walked round and had a look at the turtles first, very cute, and then Andy had a play on the little trucks you can drive round. We went to Rhino Rally next as we had both been looking forward to this and we were worried that it would be busy later in the day. It was practically a walk on, but the water part of the ride wasnt working. Hmm, sulking. I was impressed that when we came off the ride though, they had a staff member handing out passes for front of the line access to any ride as we had missed out. We were also told that the water part should be working later.
We looked at the elephants on the way back, I love these guys, so graceful, and then Andy braced himself for Sheikra. Because we had the passes we decided that Andy should use them to do two rollercoasters as there was no way I was going on any of those monstrosties!
I went in a shop whilst I was waiting for Andy, but it was full of boring stuff, so I thought it would be more interesting to sit putting my sun cream on under the ride, and take a picture of the scary drop. It was scary enough sitting under the ride for me! The ground was vibrating as though the whole thing might come down at any time!
Andy came back grinning, despite his initial reservations, and said it was the best coaster he had ever been on. Im still not sure how any one can enjoy a 200ft vertical drop, but he was happy!
We went for free beer (woo-hoo!) and lunch at the hospitality centre. It was soooo hot this day, and I was quite disgruntled that there was nowhere to sit inside. We each had Bud Lites and shared an italian club sandwich and potato salad which looked revolting but tasted delicious. They had a band playing outside who were really good, it was kinda barber shop quartet music and this was for me the best thing of the day (which pretty much sums up my feelings about Busch Gardens).
We had a train ride around the Serengeti which was relaxing if still rather (read as unbearably) hot. We had a big Wild Cherry Pepsi (yum) and spent about 15 minutes eating all the ice in a vain attempt to cool down. Afterwards we went to watch the Pirates 4D show. This was pretty good, funny and had some good surprises.
We went back to Rhino Rally and queued a little longer this time but the water part of the ride was now working. I have to say this was a big disappointment to us. I thought it would be quite thrilling, and have a story to it, the person driving the truck was so stilted and uninterested (Oh .no ..what , you get the idea) that it just seemed a bit silly.
We watched the elephants for a bit longer after this, and saw them washing themselves which was really something. We rode the carousel which was sweet and went for some vanilla dippin dots whilst watching kids trying their hands at the fairground games. We went back to the Hospitality Centre for another Bud Lite and then visited King Tuts Tomb. This was pretty cool and would have been quite atmospheric except for the noisy adolescents (oh dear, I must be getting old).
We checked out the monkeys and gorillas, and spent several happy minutes watching a baby gorilla and its mum.
Andy then went on his second choice of coaster, Gwasi, and I looked round another boring shop and sat on a bench to wait for him. He said I would be glad I hadnt gone on that as it had shaken his brain around!
We left about 7.20 pm for the long drive back. It felt like forever by the time we got to KFC, but it was actually 8.30 pm. We were both tired and worried because we wanted to talk to the front desk when we got back to the HRH and ask about switching rooms. Neither of us are very good at complaining (too English) and it felt so awkward to be complaining about something out of the hotels control.
I have renamed KFC Komplicated Fried Chicken as neither of us could work out the menu despite the length of time we stood in the queue for. Eventually we got served and I had a small plain chicken sandwich and mash and gravy and Andy had a small honey BBQ pulled pork sandwich and wedges. We were too tired to remember to order a drink. I was impressed with both the cheapness of the food, and the best mash and gravy (that wasnt made by my mum or my gran) ever.
We went back to the HRH and changed and dumped our stuff in the room so we could go down to the front desk with our game faces on. We speak to Rob and explain the situation. We tell him that though we are currently in a smoking room we dont care if we end up in a non-smoking room, we just really want to move. He checks and lets us know that the same people will be in the room next door to ours for the next few days. He must have seen my almost tearful face, and says he will see what he can do. He offers us a room on the third floor, which is where we were last year, and we readily agree. Hang on a minute though, he says, I can do better than that. He proceeds to give us a club level room in concierge on the top floor for no extra charge!
We try to keep the silly grins off our faces until we get out of the lobby, and then giggle and jump up and down like the kids we are! We race back to our old room, throw everything into suitcases, give next door a two-fingered salute and race to the lift and up to our new room. We even had to put our room key in the lift to even get to the top floor!
The room was gorgeous, with a beautiful view, real glasses, a huge flatscreen TV, robes and best of all, peace and quiet. We put our robes on and I dance around the room singing (very very quietly, I might add) about being in club level. We have a quick shower and then head down to the bar for a well earned drink, Andy has a beer and a whisky and coke, and I have a malibu and diet coke. Then off to bed in our uber comfy, very quiet new room.
ArielJasmine
Me Laurs 27
DH Andy 28
Day three 23 September 2006 we cant go any higher than this
I wake up and its still dark, and Im very tired, but remembering we are supposed to be up early for our day at Busch Gardens I start trying to wake myself up. I can hear voices and assume its the early birds off for breakfast. I lean over to look at the clock as I havent heard our phone alarm go off, and realise its 2.45 am. Whats going on?
As I wake up more, I realise Andy is awake too, and that the noise is coming from the next room. The people there are talking loud enough to be called shouting, and every other word is an offensive one. They also spend quite some time trying to break into the mini bar, and then trying to fix the door back on it after they have got inside. Then the stereo goes on its so loud it sounds like its in our own room. After about 45 minutes of this and trying unsuccessfully to go back to sleep, we get up for a cigarette and Andy calls the front desk.
Security arrive within 5-10 minutes and after knocking three times, they get a response. They advise the people in the room next door where they can go if they want to make noise, and ask them to quieten down. This they do for about five minutes.
The stereo is back on, we can hear every word they say, and as this is a family board Im not going to tell you what else they were doing. Suffice to say that it was an activity usually partaken in by two people and there were at least four of them. Finally, they shut up about 5 am.
So, up at 7 am for our trip to Busch, not exactly bright eyed and bushy tailed, definitely more crochety and half asleep. We had a cup of coffee and then Andy went and got us some breakfast from Emack and Bolios froot loops for me, and rice krispies for Andy and some apple juice.
We left about 8.20 am and arrived at Busch (by more luck than judgement) around 10 am. This place is so badly signposted Im surprised we ever got there!
We walked round and had a look at the turtles first, very cute, and then Andy had a play on the little trucks you can drive round. We went to Rhino Rally next as we had both been looking forward to this and we were worried that it would be busy later in the day. It was practically a walk on, but the water part of the ride wasnt working. Hmm, sulking. I was impressed that when we came off the ride though, they had a staff member handing out passes for front of the line access to any ride as we had missed out. We were also told that the water part should be working later.
We looked at the elephants on the way back, I love these guys, so graceful, and then Andy braced himself for Sheikra. Because we had the passes we decided that Andy should use them to do two rollercoasters as there was no way I was going on any of those monstrosties!
I went in a shop whilst I was waiting for Andy, but it was full of boring stuff, so I thought it would be more interesting to sit putting my sun cream on under the ride, and take a picture of the scary drop. It was scary enough sitting under the ride for me! The ground was vibrating as though the whole thing might come down at any time!
Andy came back grinning, despite his initial reservations, and said it was the best coaster he had ever been on. Im still not sure how any one can enjoy a 200ft vertical drop, but he was happy!
We went for free beer (woo-hoo!) and lunch at the hospitality centre. It was soooo hot this day, and I was quite disgruntled that there was nowhere to sit inside. We each had Bud Lites and shared an italian club sandwich and potato salad which looked revolting but tasted delicious. They had a band playing outside who were really good, it was kinda barber shop quartet music and this was for me the best thing of the day (which pretty much sums up my feelings about Busch Gardens).
We had a train ride around the Serengeti which was relaxing if still rather (read as unbearably) hot. We had a big Wild Cherry Pepsi (yum) and spent about 15 minutes eating all the ice in a vain attempt to cool down. Afterwards we went to watch the Pirates 4D show. This was pretty good, funny and had some good surprises.
We went back to Rhino Rally and queued a little longer this time but the water part of the ride was now working. I have to say this was a big disappointment to us. I thought it would be quite thrilling, and have a story to it, the person driving the truck was so stilted and uninterested (Oh .no ..what , you get the idea) that it just seemed a bit silly.
We watched the elephants for a bit longer after this, and saw them washing themselves which was really something. We rode the carousel which was sweet and went for some vanilla dippin dots whilst watching kids trying their hands at the fairground games. We went back to the Hospitality Centre for another Bud Lite and then visited King Tuts Tomb. This was pretty cool and would have been quite atmospheric except for the noisy adolescents (oh dear, I must be getting old).
We checked out the monkeys and gorillas, and spent several happy minutes watching a baby gorilla and its mum.
Andy then went on his second choice of coaster, Gwasi, and I looked round another boring shop and sat on a bench to wait for him. He said I would be glad I hadnt gone on that as it had shaken his brain around!
We left about 7.20 pm for the long drive back. It felt like forever by the time we got to KFC, but it was actually 8.30 pm. We were both tired and worried because we wanted to talk to the front desk when we got back to the HRH and ask about switching rooms. Neither of us are very good at complaining (too English) and it felt so awkward to be complaining about something out of the hotels control.
I have renamed KFC Komplicated Fried Chicken as neither of us could work out the menu despite the length of time we stood in the queue for. Eventually we got served and I had a small plain chicken sandwich and mash and gravy and Andy had a small honey BBQ pulled pork sandwich and wedges. We were too tired to remember to order a drink. I was impressed with both the cheapness of the food, and the best mash and gravy (that wasnt made by my mum or my gran) ever.
We went back to the HRH and changed and dumped our stuff in the room so we could go down to the front desk with our game faces on. We speak to Rob and explain the situation. We tell him that though we are currently in a smoking room we dont care if we end up in a non-smoking room, we just really want to move. He checks and lets us know that the same people will be in the room next door to ours for the next few days. He must have seen my almost tearful face, and says he will see what he can do. He offers us a room on the third floor, which is where we were last year, and we readily agree. Hang on a minute though, he says, I can do better than that. He proceeds to give us a club level room in concierge on the top floor for no extra charge!
We try to keep the silly grins off our faces until we get out of the lobby, and then giggle and jump up and down like the kids we are! We race back to our old room, throw everything into suitcases, give next door a two-fingered salute and race to the lift and up to our new room. We even had to put our room key in the lift to even get to the top floor!
The room was gorgeous, with a beautiful view, real glasses, a huge flatscreen TV, robes and best of all, peace and quiet. We put our robes on and I dance around the room singing (very very quietly, I might add) about being in club level. We have a quick shower and then head down to the bar for a well earned drink, Andy has a beer and a whisky and coke, and I have a malibu and diet coke. Then off to bed in our uber comfy, very quiet new room.
ArielJasmine
